I first saw reference to the Oru Kayak in a short video clip from the TV show Shark Tank. Somebody posted the clip on BCUSA, and it certainly did appear to be a creative, portable concept for a folding kayak. A friend of mine from work decided to go ahead and get one, with the idea that he could keep it in his truck and have a kayak on hand whenever the urge to hit the water might strike. He's owned it for about a week now and has had it in the water on the Chattahoochee almost every day. We went out to Lake Acworth last night, so he could try it on still water and see how it did.
The assembly was relatively quick. He was able to have it fully together and in the water in about 20 minutes, I would guess. The guy that conceptualized this craft much be quite the artist/genius, because seeing it go from a square pack, to an almost flat sheet, then into a boat is amazing. Portability, and even function aside, the sheer brilliance of the design is pretty astounding.
On the water...
I was really interested by this when I saw it on Shark Tank. I spend most of my paddle time on the Etowah. How do you think it would hold up against bumping along the rocks?
ReplyDeleteIt strikes me as more durable than it looks, but still worrisome in terms of sharp impacts. For flatwater, I'd use it without worry, and even on a slow river like the lower Etowah. It's interesting - the skin is made up of closed, horizontal cells, kind of like cardboard if you can picture it. As long as you don't completely penetrate the skin, even busting through a couple of the cells should pose too much trouble.
ReplyDeleteAre you on the Etowah above or below the lake?
Ok. Yep that probably wouldn't work real well on the river. I couldn't remember exactly what the material was. Great product though! Amazingly innovative for kayaking in general. Light weight and ease of transportation can't be beat.
DeleteI'm always below the lake. I have been fishing from the dam to Rome for years. Trying to float the entire lower section this summer. Working around planning a wedding, work, vacations, etc. My ultimate goal is to hike/float the whole thing, from the mountain spring to Rome, over the next year or so.
Love the site! I've been checking in for a while. I think I found your site through the GON forum? Not positive.