PakCanoe Users?

[JDRhodes]

A little internet surfing lead me to the website www.pakboats.com.

These guys make folding canoes and kayaks that utilize a frame and skin construction. Look like pretty good boats. I am becoming a big fan of canoe camping and the thought of loading a 17 foot canoe into the RV and going somewhere is REALLY cool. Anyone got any experience with them to share?

[Transporter]

I've used a couple of brands of folding kayaks (and have test paddled others, including the 16.5 ft pakboat folding canoe).

In general they are well-suited to use in light aircraft. However, I think you'd have a hard time fitting most of the designs into an RV9 since the frame sections and skin are generally in one (fairly) large bag (think Army duffel bag), with the paddles either loose or in another longer bag. The overall weight is also a factor when you include all the other stuff you'd carry on a trip.

You might want to take a look at inflatables...some of the newer designs are very seaworthy/used by expedition paddlers and pack into a much smaller bag that would be easier to carry in an RV.

Canoe and Kayak magazine publishes an annual Buyer's Guide. Lots of good info.

Have fun,
Mike