As a high school kid, I dreamed of owning a folding kayak after seeing ads in National Geographic. Forty years later (2004) I'm finally the proud owner of a Folbot Greenland II.



The Greenland II tandem is the workhorse of the Folbot fleet.

I bought the GII with the idea that other family members would go paddling with me. In four summers, I've had a family member with me 8 or 10 times, all for very short, "token" paddles. Basically, I've taken them for a ride in the boat, but none of them have "gone paddling" with me. The interest isn't there. I should have bought a single. Here's what I really want, the Kodiak.

The GII is a bit of a horse to paddle as a single, but is stable as a rock and has an emormous payload. I paddle solo from the rear position with my gear up front to hold the bow down. It's not fast, but with the rudder you can make it go exactly where you want under any conditions but those where you should be watching from shore. It's not a white water boat and you shouldn't be paddling on the open ocean in 6 ft. waves. Common sense. In all but the worst weather, it's a great river, lake and ocean kayak. You can carry enough gear, food and water to solo for two weeks in luxury.

Update Winter 2008 - Folbot made my day - 20% off sale in February. So I bought the Kodiak. There will be much solo paddling this summer.

The Kodiak is built just like the GII - same frame design, same assembly method. It's only 2' shorter and about 10 lbs. lighter. Stability is basically the same, it's only 4" narrower. With its 300 lb payload, I can still do two weeks of self-supported camping but perhaps not as luxurious. A great boat for big, open water.

Update Spring 2010 - Folbot made my day again. I got a Citibot for a special price after helping man the Folbot booth at Canoecopia. A deal I couldn't refuse.

I had paddled a friend's Citibot the summer of 08 and realized it was the best boat for the twisty, turny creeks and streams in the Chicago area. My Kodiak is too big and too hard to turn in tight, quick water. The Citibot turns on a dime and is so light I can carry it alone. The best for day paddling.

Here's my packing list as of summer 08.

Folbots are great right from the factory, but some of us just can't leave well enough alone. Modifying or adding to a Folbot is easy if you're handy with a ruler, a drill and a saw. If you can sew, there's even more you can do to fit the boat to your physique and your preferences.

My Folbot Mods

Places I've Paddled
Silver Lake
West Branch of the DuPage
Salt Creek
Three Lakes Chain
Nippersink Creek
Salt Creek cleanup
Fox River

Recommended Gear
my Bending Branches paddles
Bending Branches
my NRS boots
NRS

Identifying & Dating older Folbots
Identify an old Folbot model
Folbot Production Timeline
Assembly Instructions for folders and kits


General Paddling Links


Citibot foot brace install instructions


Real World Paddling Speed and Seaworthiness/Safety
Hull Theory by Seth Persson
- This is an excellent explanation of the theory behind potential paddling speed of different hulls.
- It's also a realistic look at the seaworthiness (or lack of) of kayaks. It's interesting that his "double-paddle canoes" are very similar to Folbots in dimensions. Folbot stability is legandary, a result of hull shape. Persson's philosophy appears to be similar - make the hull inherently stable and your boat is easier and more efficient to paddle.

Other Interests
Folbot kayaks - Camping - Willys Jeep - Leatherman - Knives - Biking - Daisy BB guns -
the Horn - Music - Books -
Computers - Heathkits - Hopi silver work - China -

Opinion (for what it's worth)
Vacation Evaluations - Rants - Ludite Chronicles -

Miscellaneous
Wreck - Airbus A380 at O'Hare - Chicago Floods 2008 -

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18mar11