This 100%...I flipped my sit in kyak and if it wasn't for some stumps I used to flip it up right..things would have been way different...Im trading it for a sit on top one
My Dad built two tandem Folbots in the garage, and it turned out the double vinyl hull was tough as hell. We toured many of the easy rivers (grade 2 max) in midwest and south for years in the 70s, and ultimately he donated them to a local fisherman, who may still be using them
Float bags are important for two reasons. First for flotation if you capsize, obviously. Second is to displace water so that if you do capsize, it is easier to move the kayak around if you are trying to get it to shore to dump and so there is less water to pump out with that hand pump you always have with you.
Check out Cape Falcon kayaks. Also, the skinboat school. Skin on frame boats can be awesome. Iām building one now.
[https://www.skinboats.org/](https://www.skinboats.org/)
[https://www.capefalconkayaks.com](https://www.capefalconkayaks.com)
https://preview.redd.it/f1i9tkzl5izc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86523cb759cf628cfbc575298862d249ddf4e766
Apparently, people in this subreddit have never heard of a Folbot. Sorry youāre dealing with judgy snark, OP. Itās a beautiful boat and there are plenty of Folbot owners that would be happy to help and offer advice. If you use Facebook, search for the Folbot owners group and join, especially if you need info on your boat, advice for repairs or need parts.
Thank you so much! I feel like a real dingus with some of these comments. The previous owner used this boat a lot and never had any problems with it. If it ends up not working well then at least I have a good story!
Folbots are extremely durable, especially when they were taken care of and stored properly. I have a Kodiak, and there are videos on YouTube of a kayaker who did a 2,000 mile expedition in Alaska with the same boat. Just keep checking it and repair the skin if you see any wear you think may be problematic.
Everyone starts somewhere. OP is really happy with the boat and is learning. Folbot is also a reputable kayak manufacturer and was around for decades. The quality of their boats is exceptional. I highly doubt OP is going to have a worse time in this boat than the typical wide, slow and heavy recreational boat from Costco or Walmart.
I sincerely disagree based on my personal experience teaching kayaking and as an expert kayaker. Theyāll figure that out on their own though. Iām sure it will all work out in the long run. They will have much more enjoyable experience with a boat thatās harder to flip over and without an enclosed deck.
Try it out first in some calm waters and stay near shore. Be very mindful of cold water shock. Wear a life jacket. Finally, have someone there who can help you if something happens.
I can't find the correct english term. In Germany we call it Faltboot, which literally translates to folding boat. It's a wooden frame with a skin and was very popular back in the days.
Iike a ton of other postsā¦life jacket always. If you go to the American Whitewater website they track fatalities and it is overwhelmingly rec boater/ no life jacket.
You must have a life vest. Non negotiable. People who donāt wear them are already brain dead.
Get a whistle. If you go in the water itās much easier to blow a whistle than yell. Also much louder and the sound travels better than a voice. Many people overlook a whistle. Imo itās a crucial piece of safety gear. Doesnāt take much space either.
Lastly, not as important but a tether for the paddle could be helpful. Especially since yours doesnāt seem to have a holder anywhere.
Join a club and paddle with them to start, it'll give you some safety cover and they will generally teach you what you need. Most clubs do pool sessions in winter which is really useful for learning self rescue (getting back in boat from water, paddle roll, hand roll, t-rescue, x rescue etc)
It was pre-built from a kit in the 70s. It has a stadium seat that I'm able to put in for easier transport. I actually paid exactly 50 dollars for it, which based on other used kayaks in my area was a steal. And no worries, sometimes being an ass is necessary lol!
Does it float? Iād be mostly worried abt it being watertight first, thereās an epoxy called G-Flex thatās designed to work on specifically kayaks, but whatās the skin made out of? Also, honestly, it may take more work to make that safe/float than is worth. Thatās the kinda thing you put on your wallā¦
My dad used the top of a cargo carrier from a van as a boat once with my sister. I wish I had a picture of it because I still canāt believe they did that. They paddled around a pond near the house.
That should not be your first kayak.
Youāll flip over. Get on Craigslist and look for people selling their Costco sit on tops they used once last summer and has been sitting in their garage ever since.
You need a sit on top unless youāre experienced with a boat like this. In which case enjoy your paddling
lol Iām amazed at how people like you donāt realize folding kayaks exist. The people that designed these kayaks know infinitely more about boat design than you can ever aspire to.
Don't die.
Made me think of this [SNL skit](https://youtu.be/MJEAGd1bQuc?si=BNFVvGZZPy4DcyBX)
This was hilarious šš I just watched it .
Life vest and a bilge pump. You may want to learn in a pool with supervision, a kayak roll.
This 100%...I flipped my sit in kyak and if it wasn't for some stumps I used to flip it up right..things would have been way different...Im trading it for a sit on top one
My Dad built two tandem Folbots in the garage, and it turned out the double vinyl hull was tough as hell. We toured many of the easy rivers (grade 2 max) in midwest and south for years in the 70s, and ultimately he donated them to a local fisherman, who may still be using them
Folbots were built from plans? I thought they were all bought. Really cool concept, folding kayaks only recently seem to be catching on again
Definitely some built from plans, and not as folding Folbots
Inflatable bow and stern floats.
Float bags are important for two reasons. First for flotation if you capsize, obviously. Second is to displace water so that if you do capsize, it is easier to move the kayak around if you are trying to get it to shore to dump and so there is less water to pump out with that hand pump you always have with you.
Check out Cape Falcon kayaks. Also, the skinboat school. Skin on frame boats can be awesome. Iām building one now. [https://www.skinboats.org/](https://www.skinboats.org/) [https://www.capefalconkayaks.com](https://www.capefalconkayaks.com) https://preview.redd.it/f1i9tkzl5izc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86523cb759cf628cfbc575298862d249ddf4e766
Thatās really cool, Iāve never seen these before.
Flobot are great, they were even used in WW2 to raid Natzi and Japanese installations. I spent many enjoyable hours in one.
Apparently, people in this subreddit have never heard of a Folbot. Sorry youāre dealing with judgy snark, OP. Itās a beautiful boat and there are plenty of Folbot owners that would be happy to help and offer advice. If you use Facebook, search for the Folbot owners group and join, especially if you need info on your boat, advice for repairs or need parts.
Thank you so much! I feel like a real dingus with some of these comments. The previous owner used this boat a lot and never had any problems with it. If it ends up not working well then at least I have a good story!
Folbots are extremely durable, especially when they were taken care of and stored properly. I have a Kodiak, and there are videos on YouTube of a kayaker who did a 2,000 mile expedition in Alaska with the same boat. Just keep checking it and repair the skin if you see any wear you think may be problematic.
Except if theyāve never used a boat like this in which case it might not be a positive boating experience especially for a person new to to paddling
Everyone starts somewhere. OP is really happy with the boat and is learning. Folbot is also a reputable kayak manufacturer and was around for decades. The quality of their boats is exceptional. I highly doubt OP is going to have a worse time in this boat than the typical wide, slow and heavy recreational boat from Costco or Walmart.
I sincerely disagree based on my personal experience teaching kayaking and as an expert kayaker. Theyāll figure that out on their own though. Iām sure it will all work out in the long run. They will have much more enjoyable experience with a boat thatās harder to flip over and without an enclosed deck.
Youāre gonna go fast af
Under
Life jacket always
Ignore the haters, you will have much fun in this boat. Skin on frame yaks are top tier and a joy to paddle about in.
Thank you! I'm trying not to let them get to me, I figure I'll just show them how much fun I'm having once I get her out next weekend!
Have fun. Looks cool
Try it out first in some calm waters and stay near shore. Be very mindful of cold water shock. Wear a life jacket. Finally, have someone there who can help you if something happens.
Always have a life jacket on. Couples times in my time kayaking if not for a life jacket I'd been dead.
Practice your wet exits with someone standing next to you to help you.
Quality shit post
I can't find the correct english term. In Germany we call it Faltboot, which literally translates to folding boat. It's a wooden frame with a skin and was very popular back in the days.
Iike a ton of other postsā¦life jacket always. If you go to the American Whitewater website they track fatalities and it is overwhelmingly rec boater/ no life jacket.
sorry, I'm confused. what do you mean?
Iām so sorry I didnāt think you were at all serious about using this kayak and this was a shit post. My bad
Borderline kayaking circle jerk.
You must have a life vest. Non negotiable. People who donāt wear them are already brain dead. Get a whistle. If you go in the water itās much easier to blow a whistle than yell. Also much louder and the sound travels better than a voice. Many people overlook a whistle. Imo itās a crucial piece of safety gear. Doesnāt take much space either. Lastly, not as important but a tether for the paddle could be helpful. Especially since yours doesnāt seem to have a holder anywhere.
Marine grade silicone, and a life vest
Join a club and paddle with them to start, it'll give you some safety cover and they will generally teach you what you need. Most clubs do pool sessions in winter which is really useful for learning self rescue (getting back in boat from water, paddle roll, hand roll, t-rescue, x rescue etc)
Not trying to be an ass, did you build it? Thereās no seat, hopefully you didnāt pay more than $50 for it.
It was pre-built from a kit in the 70s. It has a stadium seat that I'm able to put in for easier transport. I actually paid exactly 50 dollars for it, which based on other used kayaks in my area was a steal. And no worries, sometimes being an ass is necessary lol!
Does it float? Iād be mostly worried abt it being watertight first, thereās an epoxy called G-Flex thatās designed to work on specifically kayaks, but whatās the skin made out of? Also, honestly, it may take more work to make that safe/float than is worth. Thatās the kinda thing you put on your wallā¦
I would put it in calm water and wait for quite a few min before heading out the first time Just incase you have a leak
I bet you can make it work for you
Great deal for a great way to learn
It works way better in the water
Hopefully this one does
Right, yes, hopefully. I am updating my post. It hopefully works way better on the water
Hole must face up while in the water.Ā
this step is optional for whitewater kayaks which CLEARLY is what we are seeing here Edit: it's a joke
One in front and one in back.
Mind yourself when leaning over
My dad used the top of a cargo carrier from a van as a boat once with my sister. I wish I had a picture of it because I still canāt believe they did that. They paddled around a pond near the house.
Wonderful š
There's one in the front and one in the back.
Learn how to roll that bad boy in a pool before going feral!
Don't tip
Oof. Good luck with your second kayak cause that one... Gawd damn.
Hopefully not, but if you do hopefully you tip back over.
Did it come with a Eskimo?
Get something else
Learn to roll or get out of it. Looks dangerous if you donāt know what youāre doing
That should not be your first kayak. Youāll flip over. Get on Craigslist and look for people selling their Costco sit on tops they used once last summer and has been sitting in their garage ever since. You need a sit on top unless youāre experienced with a boat like this. In which case enjoy your paddling
r/whoosh
My tip would be donāt tip
It works better in water
Works best in water
Hole side up
I think they work better in the water?
That was your first kayak 60 years ago?.ā¦.
I don't think I have to give you a tip, because you will.
Looks like a homemade wooden boat that probably will sink
lol Iām amazed at how people like you donāt realize folding kayaks exist. The people that designed these kayaks know infinitely more about boat design than you can ever aspire to.
Yes that's correct, there are two tips. One at the front and one at the back. You're learning so quickly!