Folbot for Amazon and Pacific Ocean-Buying today. Please hel

[jorgesgs]

Hi,

I will buy it today thanks to the discount. I am having a tough time deciding the ideal folbot and your help is much, much appreciated.

I am a wildlife photographer and a Natural History Expedition Leader. I live in Lima-Peru with wife and dog. Lima is an ocean front city (Pacific Ocean that is). I lead and photograph mostly in the Amazon basin (A 1.5 hour flight from Lima over the Andes). In Lima I have a very small car.

The first reason to buy a folbot is to be able to get closer to the Amazon wildlife to get better photos. To do this, I will fly with my folbot, then take a local ferry and paddle for 3, 4 and up to 8 days. I am guessing I will do 4 or 5 of this trips a year. My wife will accompany me in one or two. My weight, added to my photo gear is 250 pounds. I will have to carry food and camping equipment also.

The second one is to use it as a weekend entertainment boat along the pacific coast. Wife and dog will be part of this excursions. Fishing, photo will be the main activities. We plan to camp on overnights, so camping gear and food will be part of our load.

The third reason, I want to become a good flat water kayaker and maybe, in a few years, start taking people for kayak expeditions in the Amazon (A far away dream, but I think it is a nice goal to pursue)

My first choice is the Greenland II, but I am worried it will be too big for my solo expeditions.

The other choice is the Edisto or the Yukon.

In any case, I plan to get the outrigger pontoon for extra stability during photos.

Any recommendations and previous experiences will be much appreciated.

Another concern I have, is how durable the folbots will be in the Amazon... there are many underwater logs, and even though I will avoid them, the dramatic change of water level (up to 40 feet!) will surely, and unavoidably, make me hit a log once or twice.

The last question I have is about how fast can one put on and off the spray skirt and deck... There is much rain in the Amazon, and all gear, specialy photographic, must stay dry.

THANKS!

[Dickc]

If you want to carry two people your choice if very simple. You need the GII. The other Folbots won't work with two people paddling or even sitting in them and not paddling. Then you want to add a dog and photo equipment. The GII is the only choice.

It won't be a problem paddling solo especially if you get the solo seat and solo spray deck in addition to the two person spray deck. If you attach the spray deck to the front of the cockpit it is fairly simple to unroll it and attach it to the velcro on the washboards.

You shouldn't need outriggers with the GII unless you plan on standing up in it. It's very stable.

Folbots are very sturdy. I've dragged my GII over rough concrete and paddled over stumps and rocks for years with no damage. I strongly suggest getting the hull reinforcement strips to put over the two lower longerons.

Buy it and you'll get years of use out of it.

Dickc

[PeteS]

I agree with Dickc, the GII is the way to go. No outriggers necessary, just more baggage to drag around. Later you can get a sail rig for hands free moving while you take pictures.

[Ken Hartlein]

I have paddled a GII solo many times, never found it to be a chore. The only problem you "might" have with the GII would be getting it in the car, otherwise it is easy to assemble and break down. If I only had one Folbot it would be the GII. Mine is a '98 model and it's still almost as good as new.

[jorgesgs]

Thank you guys! I appreciate the answers. Just bought a GII. No outriggers. The sail sounds perfect (I was planning on buying one but though I might be able to make one myself (Too $$$)... If you know any good models with tutorials already around, please mention them)

Let me say that you guys are incredible, I would think you work for FolBot, you are in almost every post of this forum. The help you provide is much appreciated.

Think of coming for a folbot paddle in the deep heart of the amazon, it would be a pleasure to show you around (And learn the tips and tricks from you

Cheers!

[PeteS]

Hmmm, the amazon, I think your crocs are much larger and nasty than our gators...