Any DUers have experience with FolBots?

[DemoTex]

I've got two (an Aleut and a Kodiak .. bought them new years ago) and I've got some questions.

BTW: For those unfamiliar, the FolBot is a "fold-boat" .. a top quality sea kayak that can be packed in two duffle bags and checked on Air France.

[uppityperson]

1. I've a really old one that doesn't fol anymore. Helped friends fly theirs to

France several yrs back though. What's the question?

[DemoTex]

3. Mine have not been "fol-ded" for years.

Today I was getting the smaller Aleut ready for a paddle at Table Rock tomorrow. One sponson would not inflate, so I took a closer look. Ended up dis-assembling the kayak (which was a damn good thing).

I found a bent (crimped) bow aluminum strut, that was ready to break. I also found bow and stern longerons that were "welded" (my fault .. these boats have been assembled for years!). Any experience with that?

I had the old rudder systems on both boats (braided wire). I did order the new rudder system for the Aleut today. Any experience with that?

I've lost my FolBot bags (actually, they are in any one of the 64 unpacked boxes in the basement from Dallas and/or the mountain house). But I never liked the two bag deal anyway. What is a good one-container alternative for .. say .. transporting the boats in the bed of a P/U or the back of a Prius or Volvo wagon?

Do Shoe-Goo patches work. Can Shoe-Goo be used to glue down larger permanent patches (instead of Aquaseal)?

Don't get me wrong. I've had almost 17 years of FolBoting (including several weeks in the Everglades in the Aleut!). But I'm still learning. Know what I mean.

[uppityperson]

4. Oh dear. Let me see if I can do anything at all here.

Mine has been assembled for 20 yrs, has wood not aluminum. My old rudder system was braided wire, which broke and never got replaced since I don't trust the beast enough to take it out very far from shore, more of a puttering about boat.

So, no experience with bent bits, but yes, they weld when the metal sits for yrs. No idea how to unweld aluminum that has corroded together.

A container for transporting, maybe have a thought but am sure you have gotten to the "what would it fit into that is relatively inexpensive" route already. I have an inflatable that I've transported in a plastic tub in the back of my car. It doesn't have to look nice, just fit and hold the boat (and associated water/beach debris).

I see no reason for Shoe-goo to not work as I've used it often for shoes and boots of all types. If it sticks for small bits, seems like would be reasonable to expect it to work for bigger bits. Take duct tape also.

So, sorry, not much help as far as actually being able to say for sure, but I am a person who tries different things, sounds like you are also, and it sounds reasonable. I loved living in AK where people just did things, rather than always doing them "the correct way" (no, didn't know Palin). Good luck and you sound much more experienced than I. And have fun.

[DemoTex]

5. A "woody" FolBot!

I love antiques! The Kleppers are still wood .. so I hear. $5000/small, too!

[uppityperson]

6. If you lived closer (assuming you're in tx) I'd give it to you.

[DemoTex]

8. I'm in SC now ..

The good new is that FolBots are built in Charleston. Their customer service is good. But the life-time guarantee sucks. They charge me for every worn-out part.

[EV_Ares]

2. No but they really sound neat.

[Canuckistanian]

7. I remember them

I remember they were advertised in the National Geographic back in the 60's.

I always wanted to have one.