Folbot Recommendation

[Ken Hartlein]

Well you're right about one thing, the GII does weigh 70++, not 62. At least mine feels like it. I wish I could find my old cotton scale, I'd just hang mine up and find out for sure for sure.

[JOEPADDLER]

Hi,
I'm a relatively new paddler but dedicated to the sport of kayaking. Several years ago I bought a Malibu Mini-X for bay and back water paddling/fishing. It's quite stable, a bit heavy but it give me reassuring sessions. As I mentioned, find the Malibu a bit heavy, awkward to handle and sometimes difficult to mount on my wagon's roof rack.
I have now been transporting inside the wagon. It's easier to handle plus using a cart. At this point I am begining to think about a folding yak which would be much easier to carry, transport and use in a multitude of 'put-in's'.
I'm 72 yrs, with a difficult periperal neuropathy causing a tenuous balance. I have reasonable upper body strength. Since I can board a sit on top, I am wondering how difficult would it be to enter a sit inside from a floating dock, beach or launching ramp. Would appreciate any advice on the best suitable model.
Thanks,
joepaddler
Keep paddling, fishing, leave no trace.

[flatwater]

Hi Joe,
I'm dealing with age (61+) and Post Polio Syndrome which has robbed me of leg strength to the point where I walk with a cane at all times (sometimes two canes if a bad day). Once I'm in the boat, I'm good to go - upper body strength is still there.
So
Handling boats and getting them to the water:
The GII requires a cart and / or help.
The Kodiak I can just barely handle alone. Help is nice.
Citibot is a piece of cake.
With all three, entering from a shore launch is easy - straddle the boat, sit, let feet drip for a bit and pull legs inside.
But
From a dock it's a different story. I've entered my GII from a dock in a controlled fall several times.
When I do it right it actually looks almost graceful. I sit on the dock, drop my feet into the boat, then lean forward until I can get a hand on either coaming (washboard), swivel my butt off the dock and lower myself into the boat. This requires arm strength adequate to support my whole weight. Getting out is "simply" the reverse but is much harder as I'm lifting my weight up onto the dock. If I'm really tired, I throw grace to the winds. I flop my upper body onto the dock and roll over, pulling my legs out of the boat. It entertains the onlookers.

In all these maneuvers, be sure the boat is tied up to the dock securely or you will push it away from the dock and either fall in the water on entry or lose the boat to the winds on exit. Both are embarrassing.

If you don't have the arm strength then I'm thinking docks are not for you. Anybody else have a method for entry/exit using something other than arm strength?

Actually, for me, getting OUT of the boat on shore (no dock) is the hardest for me. In my GII and Kodiak, I place both hands on the washboards and lift my body until I can get my legs under me and kneel in the bottom of the boat. From there I take the two halves of my Folbot paddle like they were canes and jam them into the sand on either side of the boat. Using them for support, I can get my feet under me and stand up. Then I just step out of the boat.

With the Citibot, I put my feet over the sides and, using the two paddle halves, stand up on the sand, straddling the boat. It's a little easier depending on what the shore is like.

None of these exits is graceful, nor are they easy. I'm sure I'll have to develop better ways as 70 creeps up on me.

[JOEPADDLER]

Hi John,
Thank you for sharing your experiences with me.
My sentiments exactly, do what has to be done, safely and leave grace and aplumb to the winds when necessary. I also have done the 'roll-out', onto my knees and then the jack knife to my feet. Cumbersome, but self achieved.
I too use a cane for all my walking due to the significant foot drop from the neuropathy. Keeps me from a fall due to a toe trip.
I do have upper body strength to follow your lead in boarding or leaving the yak from a dock although I much prefer the sandy beach entry. Obviously, the way to go for me would be the Citibot.
At present, when I'm heading back and obviously more tired, I beach and then insert my stake outpole through a forward scupper to immobilize the yak ( sit-on-top) in calf-deep water. i then grab the pole for balance, swing my legs ovr the side and pull myself to a standing position. Sometimes I lose my balance and end upsitting in the water. A good way to cool off after a paddle. Those watching nearby usually offer help which I gracefully accept.
It's very reassuring to learn that whichever model you use, it has withstood the necessary effort you expend entering and exiting the yak.
Thanks again for your help and support of another 'determined' kayaker.

[PeteS]

I find that with my 24" wide Cooper, I can hang both legs out either side and just stand up straddling the kayak. I enter the boat the same way in shallow water. The Citibot may be too wide for that but it is worth a try.

[JOEPADDLER]

Hi PeteS,
Thanks for your thoughts about the beam and limiting factors in trying to exist gracefully. I have much to think about and test.
On one hand I think the Citiboat, with its beam may be sufficiently stable for me to get my legs outboard and over the edge and then slowly move over the edge and slide into the shallow water.
On the other hand the Edisto, with the open cockpit and the option for a smaller deck, is now worthy of further investigation. Weight is a compelling factor for me.
I think I'm on the right track for a folding yak I can take along in my wagon, set up, manage to launch and enjoy....safely.
Thanks everyone for your contributions. I would gladly read any other thoughts to more closely focus on the correct choice. It's a significant investment and wish to 'get it right' the first time out of the barn.
joepaddler
keep paddling, fishing, leave no trace.

[PeteS]

Keep in mind that Folbot will take back a boat if you find that it is wrong for you. You won't be stuck with the wrong kayak forever. I don't think ANY other company will do that for you.

[JOEPADDLER]

Hi PeteS,
An extrodinary point. Thanks for mentioning the corporate policy, which I did not know. It certainly helps ease the decision making turmoil.
Many thanks for the tip!
joepaddler

[flatwater]

I should add, that when talking about straddle entry and exit, it helps to have long legs. I have no problem straddling my GII or Citibot but people with shorter legs may find it's not an option for them. That 34" beam can be a stretch.

[PeteS]

People are usually nervous (at first) about where to step in a skin-on-frame boat. Be assured that with a Folbot, you can step ANYWHERE on the bottom without hurting the craft. Skin, frame, both, no matter....no worries...

[spoonido]

Well you're right about one thing, the GII does weigh 70++, not 62. At least mine feels like it.

I think my GII is gaining weight as well. Tomorrow I'm putting it on a diet of regular exercise.

[redsail]

I didn't realize my legs were particularly long, but I, too, can easily get in and out by straddling my Citibot in shallow water, off a beach. To me the new "state-of-the-art" kayak ramps with rollers make getting in and out much harder. Getting out at a floating dock -- for me, impossible.