Submitted: 11-27-2004 by tchapin
If you have a need for a folding canoe, look no further than PakCanoes. I've owned many folding kayaks (mostly Feathercrafts) and the PakCanoe fills the same niche (expedition boat that collapses and can be checked as luggage). The PakCanoe 170 is a 17' expedition folding canoe, weighs 53 lbs and has a >900 lb capacity and takes 20-30 minutes to assemble. The PakCanoe 170 packs into one large duffle bag that can be checked as airline luggage (often without overweight charges).
It's a nice driving and security benefit to put your boat in the trunk instead of on the roof rack. The frame uses shock-corded thick aluminum poles for the longitudinal pieces, with aluminum U shaped cross pieces and thwarts. The skin is a tough PVC fabric for the hull bonded to a closed cell foam for the canoe floor. Inflatable sponsons are used to tension the skin and provide increased buoyancy.
The PakCanoe handles very well and it flexes in whitwater which actually creates a drier ride since you're going over the waves instead of slicing through. We have plenty of room and feel secure enough to take our 12 month old daughter on a number of 3-5 day trips. PakBoats is located in New Hampshire and they're very helpful, I think they even offer a 30 day money back guarantee. We love this boat!!! |