Folding Kayaks Forum

Nice wee boat that. I'd be tempted if it was less beamy, I could keep it in the boot for impromptu rolling sessions. But I bet it will hit a sweet spot for a lot of people.

Interesting design choice to have the sponsons separate to the skin. Am I right in thinking that it has no foot pegs?

I just got my folbot newsletter. Price shown is $999.00 advertised as an introductory offer. It is indeed a bit beamy, but a good idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlsE2Ym9i-E

One interesting note, the newsletter is so new that I could not yet get into the Citibot link. I imagine they will have it up and running today.

Chris

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"No matter where you go, there you are."

Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 150

Now that the new site is up, the price has been announced: $999. Not too bad, really. A decent 10' poly boat will cost you about $600, and this boat will last a lot longer.

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Michael Edelman
FoldingKayaks.org Webmaster

Finally! It looks like Folbot is really going head-to-head with Pakboats! It's about time! Pakboats' prices have been creeping up... this sounds like it will rock them a bit. Is the Citibot made in South Carolina??
(x Carolina corrected)

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Chris T.
~'91 Klepper A2 w/ BSD schooner rig.
'64 Klepper Passat/Tradewind and T12 restoration projects.
Non-folding: Early '90s Old Town Canoe.
Previously owned '04 Pakboat Puffin II and '05 Swift (prototype), as well as an '84 Hobie 16.

I'm no expert but the new website is very well designed IMHO.

Not sure where this one in made, but there U.S. factory is in Charleston South Carolina.

Chris

_________________
"No matter where you go, there you are."

Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 150

I totally agree with Dave. IMHO, Aleut was a great mini kayak when it was introduced in the early 90s. Citibot seems to be a fresh approach on the concept of a mini boat like the Aleut. Folbot is moving their design and production the Cooper way. First it was the Cooper, then the Kiawah, and now it is the Citibot. My guess is that the Aleut will be slowly phased out from the product line.

That would be logical. I personally would like to see the next boat be a the replacement for the Kodiak. A good boat in its own right, but a nice well crafted expedition boat along the lines of the Feathercratf K1 that would be a step up from the Cooper perhaps.

Chris

_________________
"No matter where you go, there you are."

Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 150

The Aleut still carries significantly more load than the Citibot. But it does appear that Folbot is moving its newest boats to this style of construction, which has some advantages over the older style in lightness and ease of assembly. Perhaps we'll see a makeover of the whole line eventually? Your guess is as good as mine.

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Michael Edelman
FoldingKayaks.org Webmaster

Chris wrote: I personally would like to see the next boat be a the replacement for the Kodiak. A good boat in its own right, but a nice well crafted expedition boat along the lines of the Feathercratf K1 that would be a step up from the Cooper perhaps.

Chris, have you used a Kodiak much? Have you paddled a Cooper? I own a Kodiak and a Cooper. They have different functions, and I use them differently. The Cooper is a lightweight, faster "day" boat for a guy of my weight (225 lbs). It is sturdy enough for that use, but a bit lightweight for long haul, multiday excursions in remote places. In contrast, the Kodiak is a tank, and should be, for times when you want a boat that will get you home. Replacing the heavier polycarbonate frames with the lighter, more open aluminum tubular frames improves the Kodiak quite a bit without compromising its structural integrity.

My only gripe about the Kodiak is its "open" cockpit, which is more susceptible to deckwash, and does not seal as well as a more traditional "hardshell-style" coaming such as the ones on most FC models. I think introduction of a better coaming design for the Kodiak would be the ticket.

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Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Folbot Kodiak, Cooper, and Edisto; three hardshells; Mothership: Surf Scoter the Bartender; dinghy Little Blue Duck.

Dave wrote:
<<<My only gripe about the Kodiak is its "open" cockpit, which is more susceptible to deckwash, and does not seal as well as a more traditional "hardshell-style" coaming such as the ones on most FC models. I think introduction of a better coaming design for the Kodiak would be the ticket.>>>

Perhaps you are right on Dave. I have only paddled the Kodiak once. I liked it a lot. My gripe is the same and perhaps they need only to make improvements in the cockpit area and keep the name and design. It is considered one of Folbots best boats as well as a great value.

One of the things I admire about Feathercraft as well as Folbot is the seemilgly constant tinkering with there products to make them better.

Chris

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"No matter where you go, there you are."

Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 150

Folbot has certainly been doing some good incremental improvements. The integrated coaming on the new Citibot is much better than the original design used on the Cooper. Changing from sponsons that were integral with the hull to ones you attach with velcro probably lowered the manufacturing cost (and purchase price) as well as making any future replacement trivially easy.

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Michael Edelman
FoldingKayaks.org Webmaster

Mike,

Have you paddled that thing yet?

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Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
--
Folbot Kodiak, Cooper, and Edisto; three hardshells; Mothership: Surf Scoter the Bartender; dinghy Little Blue Duck.

It will also make it easier to dry the boat skin before storing...

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Not in Oxford any more...

Not yet. Warm weather didn't arrive until yesterday. The water should be warm enough next week for paddling without a dry suit!

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Michael Edelman
FoldingKayaks.org Webmaster