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Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak *PIC*
By:Yostwerks
Date: 1/27/2012, 10:42 am
In Response To: Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak (Matthias)

Thanks everyone for your comments.

In order to achieve the goal of quick assembly, I had to rethink traditional ideas of what a folding kayak was.

The traditional folding kayak is actually a take-apart kayak with many separate frame parts that must be stored apart from the skin and
reinserted into the skin during assembly. This is always going to be a time consuming, relatively complex process in terms of construction
and assembly. A folding kayak has always been far more complex and expensive to build than it's non folding cousin.

I decided that in order to make a quick assembly folder that was not a complex sponson / stringer equipped kayak (Klepper / Feathercraft, etc.),
an inflatable, or a folder / inflatable hybrid like the "Sonnet" I would need to find a way to make a true folding kayak ... Sponsons are expensive.

To do so, I concluded that the frame parts must fold with the skin and remain a part of the skin making assembly actually an "unfolding" process.
With the exception of the take-apart aluminum keel, I have done so. Even the keel can be made to fold, but it is a more complex process, so I chose
not to do so at this time.

The Falco's construction technique allows any of my single-chine SOF designs to be reproduced in this non traditional folding style.
The byproduct of this technique is simplicity, and low cost. Both of which are critical for homebuilder success.

The Falco was actually Plan B, with Plan A being an all plywood hull design similar to an S&G kayak without the S&G, but instead using PVC hinges
between all plywood hull panels, and with no keel. I got this to work (see pics) , but concluded that the construction was actually more complex,
requiring much more precise fitting of the side / bottom panels for folding, and also heavier weight and greater bulk. This was even before adding
folding cross sections and deckridge.

With homebuilder simplicity in mind, I chose to make the Falco with plywood side panels only, a skin hull bottom / deck , and aluminum keel.
I may yet revisit the all plywood hull idea as it still has potential.

When I'm asked how long it took me to build the Falco, I say 75hrs, not including the 1,000hrs spent thinking about it :)

Matthias ..... kg x 2.2 = pounds / lbs. ( 10.9kg x 2.2 = 23.98lbs / rounded to 24lbs)

Best regards, Tom

Plan A below ....

Messages In This Thread

Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak *PIC*
Yostwerks -- 1/26/2012, 12:47 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Michael -- 1/26/2012, 2:15 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
ancient kayaker -- 1/26/2012, 4:48 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
ancient kayaker -- 1/26/2012, 4:49 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Yostwerks -- 1/27/2012, 12:36 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
ancient kayaker -- 1/27/2012, 2:57 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak *PIC*
Yostwerks -- 1/27/2012, 9:35 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
ancient kayaker -- 1/28/2012, 12:33 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Yostwerks -- 1/27/2012, 9:45 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Yostwerks -- 1/27/2012, 11:51 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Matthias -- 1/27/2012, 2:29 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak *PIC*
Yostwerks -- 1/27/2012, 10:42 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Roy Martin -- 1/27/2012, 10:57 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Yostwerks -- 1/27/2012, 12:45 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Roy Martin -- 1/27/2012, 1:33 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Andrew -- 1/27/2012, 1:45 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Yostwerks -- 1/27/2012, 9:40 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Paul Montgomery -- 1/27/2012, 9:24 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Yostwerks -- 1/27/2012, 10:51 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Paul Montgomery -- 1/27/2012, 8:02 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Paul Montgomery -- 1/27/2012, 8:10 pm
Our Hats off to Tom *NM*
Robert W. -- 1/27/2012, 2:10 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Pierre Baribeau -- 2/24/2012, 11:47 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak *PIC*
Yostwerks -- 2/25/2012, 11:49 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Simon -- 2/25/2012, 4:14 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Kevin McAtee -- 2/25/2012, 6:26 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Yostwerks -- 2/27/2012, 9:48 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Bill Hamm -- 2/28/2012, 4:59 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak *PIC*
Yostwerks -- 2/29/2012, 12:38 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Bill Hamm -- 2/29/2012, 1:45 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Michael -- 3/3/2012, 3:09 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak *PIC*
Yostwerks -- 3/7/2012, 10:37 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Banksia Bob -- 3/9/2012, 12:45 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak *PIC*
Yostwerks -- 3/9/2012, 9:11 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
BanksiaBob -- 3/9/2012, 8:19 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Gustav -- 8/12/2013, 11:00 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Falco Folding Kayak
Yostwerks -- 8/12/2013, 11:55 am