Interesting folding kayak

Takes folding a kayak into a small package to the next level.

http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/31/the-origami-inspired-folding-kayak/?hpt=hp_c4

 

That is cool.

 

I love it for no better reason than it actually ends up having some sweet lines (what collapsable boat looks that "normal" after all?). Whether the creases slow it down much, I don't know, but it probably isn't too bad. And the fact that it can fit into an apartment or maybe be carried somehow on a bicycle is a huge selling point.

 

I see some problems with the material and seams. The plastic will disintegrate after short period of time. I also see problem with seam joint. Complete longitudinal seam will have leaks because the boat must withstand lots of bending along the hull. If production starts it will be another through away product. But I agree that the idea is neat.

 

If you look at the faqs section of the website they claim the boat should survive 20,000 fold and refold cycles. They have folded their own boats hundreds of times without issue.

http://www.orukayak.com/pages/faqs

 

I guess it would be good for a military river crossing or series of crossings to meet an objective, such as securing a bridgehead or sapper activity. Throw-away boats were/are quite common in warfare.

 

I am not arguing. However I would be skeptical about self-promoting statements. From the apearance this is the same material which is used by US Mail for volume letter handling. I have seen enough of them in service to make my statement.

I still think that the idea is neat though.

 

I agree, if it was mine I'll just glass over it

 

The resin would be incompatible(read that non-adherent) to the polyethylene hull.

 

Not a problem. Once the glass is cured you fold the polywhatsmecallit up and stow it somewhere. Then glue a 20mm flotation foam on the inside as well as some flotation foam furniture so it's soft to sit on at the same time and you're good to go

 

To make these parts fit snug in the shape you need a mechanical copy machine (like the one I built).

If it see-saws then you create the opposite/inverse of a profile and the arms lengths should be 1:1 to make it the same size, by changing the ratio's you can get an under or oversize part. This is what you use to make the part that fits inside the kayak form.

If both the arms are to the same side then you copy the part as is. This is where you will make the seat form from, you just copy another seat as it is, pref one you like.

 

I'm thinking it is this stuff "plasticor" not the USPO bin single layer stuff.

http://www.duall.com/store/product/108821.108821/plasticor-corrugated-board-24x36-blue.html

20K cycles sounds doable, in the lab. But what about after that crease beaches hard a couple times, gets left out in sun for a month straight, then attempts 100 cycles.

Also the age thing, in any environment.

I'd think they should have a "real" plastics guy confirming all the claims, hopefully with a warranty of sorts backed by a big plastic company, at least for the plastic performance.

Looks like it could have several water tight compartments just form the folding.