![]() ![]() The wind was a major factor during our trip, and the kayaks handled it slightly worse than other boats might, due to their low weight, but expertly still. The coastal channels and winding rivers and bays of the Everglades mangrove region are remote and exposed to many of the elements encountered at sea. That feeling quickly went away though as I began to trust the kayak to do what it was designed to do: paddle like any other kayak. The hull material is light and thin (that’s the point), and I couldn’t help but feel close to the water, and everything in it. Getting into an Oru kayak for the first time is somewhat of an exercise in trust. ![]() The following morning we launched our fleet of Orus into Chokoloskee Bay. I was delighted.Īfter a plane ride and a drive across the pan part of Florida with eight or so kayaks in the back of a pickup truck (try that with a boat that doesn’t fold) we arrived in our place of embarkment, Everglades City. Then I learned my destination: the Florida Everglades, where I’d be spending three days paddling through alligator-populated mangroves in a kayak made of corrugated, foldable plastic. Review: Shortly after acquiring a new job and moving to a new city, my editor asked me if I’d like to go on a trip. Inflatable kayaks like the NRS Outlaw I ($695) offer an alternative take on the storage-friendly kayak, but in many ways function as more of a separate category of boat. Lastly, an issue that’s good for them bad for you: these boats are in high demand and sell out quickly - if you want one, keep an eye on Oru’s website and sign up for its email newsletter.Īlternatives: Some, mostly foreign, companies have knocked-off the Oru kayak in the years since its creation, but none come close to the original. Additionally, the seat can be quite uncomfortable after even just an hour or two on the water. Storing gear inside the boat must be done before the zipper channels are applied and the hull is closed, and is a bit of a puzzle - overstuff it, and sealing the rig will be very tricky. Do not throw away the instruction book either, because it isn’t exactly a straightforward operation (but it doesn’t take more than one or two times to get it down pat). Watch Out For: Despite the welcome improvements, the Coast XT still requires a small effort to put together, so be prepared for that. In addition to them, I’ll say that the Coast XT is optimized for touring and expedition use, and those who favor short paddles will benefit more from one of the brand’s smaller boats. These facts are true for all of Oru’s kayaks. More adventurous kayakers will find benefit in the Oru too, as its portability makes it easy to check on a flight and a separate backpack strap accessory makes hard-to-access lakes much more reachable. Apartment dwellers and small car owners will get the most out of the storage-friendly shape. Who It’s For: With the new improvements that make folding the kayak from box to boat, the Oru will be appreciated by anyone that loves paddling. There’s also the addition of thigh braces for increased control of the boat, which paddles much better than you’d think a fold-up kayak could. The previous iteration used clips that required a fair amount of wrestling - the new method is much easier to assemble. The first and foremost of these is the new closure system, which uses a “zipper channel system” to seal the boat (this happens on the kayak’s top, running from the cockpit toward the tip of the bow and stern). ![]() #Origami kayak update#The Coast XT has been around for a couple of years now, but the 2018 update makes some key changes that have a significant impact. It makes owning a 16-foot boat an actual possibility for city dwellers. It’s super-light and storage-friendly you can fit it in the trunk of a sedan or inside of your apartment. The Good: The benefits of Oru’s origami-inspired design are plain. Last April, Oru announced a new update to the Coast XT through an Indiegogo campaign that raised over $250,000 (yes, it was a success). Its design is inspired by Arctic kayaks, and with lots of internal storage and deck rigging, the boat is capable of handling multi-day expeditions. ![]() Oru now makes three models, the Beach LT, Bay ST and Coast XT, all using that same material in different sizes, for different uses.Īt 16 feet, the Coast XT is the biggest of the fleet. Willis kept at it and eventually launched the Oru Kayak in what was at the time the most successful crowdfunding campaign for an outdoor product, ever. His first iteration, made of the same corrugated polyethylene used to make election lawn signs and US Postal Service tote boxes and duct tape, sunk in less than a minute. Lang found in the pages of The New Yorker that inspired Anton Willis to create a foldable kayak. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |