This project is so good, it forced me to resurrect this blog!  I will be watching this project keenly.  Key points for me:

1. It’s a kickstarter project, which I admire.

2. 25 lbs.  Impressively light

3. freaking clever folding design!

My main concern for it right now is the durability of the folding points.  I wonder if repeated beach landings might take a toll and create weak points.  I think for many recreational kayakers, including myself, we aren’t really going to be on the water so often that this would particularly shorten the useful life of the boat.  I also expect patching would be pretty easy.

This is also raises corrugated plastic in my mind as a potential DIY boat material.

Check out the excellent video.  It’s no wonder these guys hit their target in 5 hours!

Oru Kayak: the origami folding boat by Oru Kayak — Kickstarter.

Caillou boats made this cool side car for a tandem bike to hold their sailing kayak.  These guys apparently sell boats in only fancy, expensive stores.  It looks to be a fine boat, though I don’t see much backup to their claim of having “a better small boat.”  It appears to be a 17.5 ft sailing kayak with a dagger board, and a 27 sq ft sail.  I have a easier time believing “a better boat cart.”

Ted Ciamillo plans to cross the atlantic this summer in this wet-type submarine in 50 days.  The is sub is human (pedal) powered with carbon fiber flukes.  Apparently this fun fin (available for humans as the Lunocet) is 15% more efficient than the best rigid propellors!  I’m lazy, so I’d love to put a fin like this on an electric boat.  

via Crossing the Atlantic in a pedal-powered submarine – Boing Boing Gadgets

Check out the whole article at New Scientist

Here’s the Lunocet getting close to allowing breach.

 

A Maine pumpkin boater

 It’s pumpkin racing season again.  All over the world, giant pumpkins are carving out giant pumpkins for racing.  Locations include Nekoosa, Wisconsin, Windsor, Nova Scotia, Tualatin, Oregon, Damariscotta, Maine, Burlington, VT, Elk Grove, California and Hampshire, England.  This list is not comprehensive, and it seems like this sport is growing in popularity, especially among competitive pumpkin growers.  These folks aim to grow big pumpkins, some well over 1500 lbs.  It seems you can carve a pumpkin boat from a 600+ lbs, but the bigger the better.  The Windsor, Nova Scotia race appears to be the largest race drawing over 50 contestants, as well as the most advanced, with both a paddled and motorized catagory.  This Wall Street Journal article notes that the first pumpkin boat was made by Wayne Hackney of Winchester, NH in 1996 when traveled 2 miles across Candlewood lake in Connecticut. » Continue reading “Pumpkin Boats Galore”

This vessel, Mitzie, was built by some members of the Australian wing of international chopper bicycle gang group [thanks for the correction Mr. Limp Jimmy] and beer enthusiasts, Rat Patrol.  This undeniably unique amphibious ride features total couch comfort and steering via rotating cocktail table.  The floats are plastic barrels epoxied together and filled with a 2-part polyurethane foam.  These are enough to keep the 150kg (330 lbs.) boat above water with three passengers.  The water drive is a pair of paddle wheels, one tied to each bicycle drive wheel.  Unlike strategies with paddles to spokes, this is an independent unit.  The front wheel doubles as a rudder.

» Continue reading “Rats of Oz Go Big”

I was tipped off today to a new-to-me class of craft, the Paddleboard.  This image is from the look book of shaper Joe Bark. You have the choice the paddling on your knees or prone.  Some models such as the one pictured have rudders with a tiller you can grab with your toes.  Paddleboarding goes back to the early 20th century in Hawaii where paddling was an essential part of being a waterman.  A waterman, I have learned, (at least in US surfing culture) is the oceanic version of a cowboy, multi-talented brave and quiet.  Like the waterman, paddleboarding resides primarily in Hawaii and Southern California.  Like Bull-Riding, Paddleboarding appears incredibly uncomfortable.  Perhaps in part because of this, it seems that paddlers earn points for embracing this far less glossy aspect of surfing.  After the jump, watch a video: » Continue reading “Using Your Hands”

This is Freeze Frame of the complete video below… » Continue reading “Bike-boat Monster Splash Down”

 

 

The Autocanoe under way.

This completely custom boat nests a recumbent bike inside a wood canoe hull.  Apparently built in Port Townsend, WA in 2002, you can purchase plans for $40 from there website where you can also see more pictures.  There is also teensy movie of the Autocanoe on the street.  There is also promise of an electric version as well.  I’m curious if that may yet be on its way…

» Continue reading “Wooden Answer to Rising Water Levels”

Those three words are alone so delicious.  Together, they are delectable. This video makes me glad I started this blog as otherwise, I may have never seen this movie.  If you find yourself bored, make sure to skip to 2 minutes in for the close-ups:

» Continue reading “Deployable Amphibious Bicycle”