Construction Details
If you can have only one kayak... make it a Feathercraft!
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Feathercraft kayaks
are the best folding kayaks on the market today because of superior design
and materials and state-of-the-art construction techniques. Radio frequency
welded-seam technology allows the construction of completely watertight folding
skin kayaks -- Feathercraft touring kayaks are now even more streamlined
and lightweight than before.
Strong, light-weight, and resilient... frames on Expedition and sit-on-top models use anodized 6061-T6 aluminum/magnesium alloy tubing for the longitudinal pieces. Crossribs are made of high-density polyethylene - the same material used in cutting boards. Sections of tubing are shock-corded together like tent poles and no additional tools are required for assembly. To keep weight to a minimum, Kahuna frames use shock-corded 6063-T832 extruded aluminum/magnesium tubing and injection-molded polycarbonate crossribs -- light, yet still tough.
Polytech, a 4.5-oz. urethane-embossed coating applied to a 420-denier nylon with a 1.5-oz. urethane undercoating, is the deck fabric used on all Feathercraft touring kayaks. It is dimensionally stable, waterproof, UV treated, and abrasion resistant. Color choices are blue, teal, yellow, green, red, orange, and carbon.
Sit-on-top models feature a urethane-coated Polyester deck fabric - available in red, sand, and teal.
The hull material on all models is Duratek, a tough fabric made of a ballistic, 840-denier, high-tenacity, balanced-weave nylon. This fabric is first impregnated with polyurethane, then multiple layers of polyurethane solution coats are applied. This durable material will not delaminate, fade, or become brittle.
All Feathercraft touring kayaks, except the Kahuna and the Khatsalano, come with a flip-up surf rudder as standard equipment (a rudder is optional on the Kahuna and Khatsalano). Feathercraft uses a 4-inch injection-molded disc that makes its rudders easy to raise and lower, and the airfoil-shaped rudder fin creates minimal drag. The successful Feathercraft rudder design has been copied by many hardshell kayak manufacturers. All Feathercraft touring kayaks have rigid fiberglass coamings that support sea socks and the same type of spray skirt used on hardshell kayaks. The coamings are mounted low to allow efficient paddling strokes.
Sea socks are standard equipment on all Feathercraft touring models except the Klondike. Made of waterproof coated nylon with taped seams, the sea sock fits tightly around the cockpit coaming. Contoured to fit along the seatback and bottom, the "foot" is loose through the cockpit, creating a "pod." The paddler sits in the sea sock. In the event of a capsize, water will only enter the sock, not the whole kayak. The sea sock is an important safety item -- it also keeps water and sand away from your gear and ensures a drier ride for the paddler.
Feathercraft kayaks come with a five-year warranty on all parts and workmanship. Feathercraft is committed to providing the best customer service throughout the life of your Feathercraft product. They are dedicated to you and your Feathercraft for as long as you need them. Please call toll-free 1-800-586-9318, phone/fax 970-375-1479, or e-mail info@foldingkayak.com for more information.
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Waterproof fabrics and watertight seams are essential to a
watertight skin kayak. Feathercraft Sealskin kayaks use Duratek hulls RF
welded to Polytech decks. The seam between the deck and hull incorporates
a solid strip of urethane. First, this strip is sewn to the deck, then the
deck is sewn to the hull with a narrow seam allowance. Finally, the deck
is RF welded to the hull in a multi-stage process. The result is an incredibly
strong, watertight seam with the solid urethane strip to support attachment
points for deck rigging.
Because 80 percent of the wear on a hull is
directly under the keel and chine bars, all Feathercraft touring kayak
hulls have solid urethane keel and chine reinforcement strips RF welded on
the outside. Urethane reinforcement strips are also used at wear points
on the inside. With proper care, Feathercraft hulls should last 30 years.
Sturdy frames and superior materials result in excellent
paddling performance in these new folding sit-on-top kayaks. Frame tubing
made of 3/4-inch anodized 6061-T6 aluminum magnesium alloy makes these kayaks
rigid, and four air chambers made of welded urethane provide plenty of flotation.
Duratek hulls and Polyester decks are strong and abrasion resistant. The
comfortable seats have solid bottoms and seatbacks with inflatable lumbar
support. Padded thigh straps provide solid contact with the kayak.
Every Feathercraft touring single comes with its own
travel-style backpack. This backpack features padded shoulder straps and
a padded hip belt which zip into their own compartment to keep them out of
the way when not in use. You can fit two four-piece paddles, PFD, safety
accessories, float bags, bilge pump, and paddle float into the backpack with
the kayak.
The K2 Expedition and the Klondike come with a duffel-style pack bag
for the frame and an over-the-shoulder bag for the skin. The travel-style
backpack is available as an option for the Klondike frame (the Klondike will
fit in two backpacks or in one backpack plus the over-the-shoulder bag).
Every Feathercraft sit-on-top comes in a duffel that will
hold a four-piece paddle, a PFD, some paddling sportswear, and safety
accessories. Webbing handles on each end and in the middle, and a removable
shoulder strap, make this duffel easy to carry.