Hi all,
My name is Terry. I had little personal experience with any type of kayaking until a dramatic increase in interest after I happened across Ralph Diaz’s “The Complete Folding Kayaker” in a bookstore (probably sometime in 1999). After a bit of research, including a subscription to Ralph’s newsletter, I purchased an early 1990’s Klepper Aerius 1 through Long Haul Folding Kayaks via the internet. Shortly thereafter, I paddled it on a nearly month-long trip from Montreal to NYC via various rivers, canals, and Lake Champlain (see a partial account at
http://www.hrwa.org under Reports and Articles). I also acquired a pre-owned Klepper 2000 that I took to Japan on a 2-week business trip several years ago and paddled around on some canals in downtown Tokyo, as well as surprisingly tropical-like Tokyo Bay. Following retirement, I now am considering the possibility of some multi-week (multi-month?) kayaking trips. Perhaps from the headwaters of the Connecticut River to the Atlantic, or Lake Champlain to the Atlantic via the St. Lawrence, or New England to Florida via the ICW, or Seattle/Vancouver to Alaska via the Inland Passage, or something of that ilk. (Obviously, not very definite yet!)
I've edited out the earlier text here that inquired about experiences in paddling an Aerius-2 solo (that inquiry is now located under the Klepper forum). Also, as an update, I just purchased a 1995 Aerius-2 through Long Haul and hopefully will be able to report my own solo-mode perceptions later on. I'm also in the process of investigating possible use of a Balogh Batwing with BOSS sailing rig and/or perhaps an Alden Oarmaster (for rowing).