What's Next

That's very similar in concept to one of my folding designs but mine was more conventional-looking and was intended to have the seaworthiness and paddling characteristics of a canoe. I was looking at rigid (or rather semi-rigd) skin concepts at the time as an offshoot of a plywood design I had built. I came to the conclusion that a flexible skin over a folding frame with no removable parts, except perhaps the seat, was a better way to go but tanked over the complexity.

 

Just a trim tab but it changes the shape of the hull. I think they could be onto something.

 

Go to 4:50 and watch for a few minutes...solid steel turned to gel-lo and cold...if it could be programmed...now we cooking with gas....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeUgDJc6AWE

 

I've been working on something like this, but a bit more elaborate. Is in the design stage still, been at it for a while.

 

I was working on a folding canoe design once. Rather than trying to make it collapse into a tiny bag I conceived a rigid hull that hinged in the middle, aft of the cockpit, held straight for paddling by one or two latches, but able to be carried easily inside a minivan or hatchback.

In the event of a spill the paddle could release the latch(es) and bend the aft part of the hull at right-angles stabilize the canoe for easier re-entry. Re-entering a canoe can be a somewhat athletic endeavour for elderly paddlers like myself . . .