Ally folding canoes?

[gcec]

I've been researching folding canoes for the better part of 6 months now. I think we're going to start carrying the Ally folding canoe from Bergans of Norway. I'm just curious if anyone has any experience in this area and can offer any advice or suggestions.

As I said, my favourite is the Ally.I also looked at PakCanoe but I'm not fond of "copy cats". PakBoats was originally the US dealer for Ally, then they started making a very similar product. Personally, not a trait I endorse. Tote 'N Boat is too, how do I say, "cheap".

I considered Kayaks from Klepper, Folbots, and my favourite, Feathercraft - especially the K2. But as these are going to be used primarily on our rental expedition vehicles I think a canoe has a more universal appeal.

Any thoughts?

[Jonathan Hanson]

Hey Steven,

In the course of doing a bunch of sea kayak reviews over the years, I got a couple paddles in Ally folding kayaks and was very impressed. I believe the canoe uses the same basic structure.

And Bergans other stuff is top notch!

[mountainpete]

Steven - where were you 2 weeks ago!! I just bought a Mad River Canoe and looked for a while for a folding version and nothing I found could stack up.

The biggest issue I came up against was weight capacity restrictions. A standard 16' canoe can usually hold close to 1000 lbs. More than enough for two people or more and lots of gear. But most of the folding or inflatables I saw were in the 500 lb max range - barely adequate in my opinion.

[durango_60]

I had the opportunity to go paddling and fly fishing in a buddy's feathercraft kayak this weekend and was totally amazed. I had no idea that a folding boat could be so rigid and effecient. Yet another thing to add to the much hated(by my wife) wish list...

[Nullifier]

Steven - where were you 2 weeks ago!! I just bought a Mad River Canoe and looked for a while for a folding version and nothing I found could stack up.

The biggest issue I came up against was weight capacity restrictions. A standard 16' canoe can usually hold close to 1000 lbs. More than enough for two people or more and lots of gear. But most of the folding or inflatables I saw were in the 500 lb max range - barely adequate in my opinion.

Well you need to realise that 1000# max capacity is not a real world capacity rating. alot of canoes that are rated for 1000# will become slugish and unstable around 700-750 # depending on design. That 1000# rating is based on freeboard and I haven't seen a manufacturer actually do a 6" freeboard test on a new model in atleast a decade. It is an assumed # for most manufacturers now since they built other 16" models back in the day with roughly the same dimensions and those tested 1000#. I always tell people the "optimal load range" max is 25-30% less then max wieght based on freeboard rating for real world usage.

Most frame skin boats are rated for less due to the rigidity of the frame and skin vs a hard shell canoe of equal size. the thin aluminum tubes and connection fittings will fail when loaded heavy and running in swift rough water. Especially if slammed agianst a rock or log. That is why the wieght rating is less then a hard shell canoe.