Having owned and extensively paddled 3 Feathercrafts and 3 Pakboats over the past 15 years, I can weigh in on those. If you can find a used Feathercraft in good shape It will cost you $1500 to $3000 (half what they were new.) Feathercraft did close down last Fall, though they have mentioned possibly having some former employee open a service shop to provide parts for those that are still in service around the world. I would not bet on that. I still own a Wisper and its a wonderful boat, they were definitely the Mercedes Benz of folding kayaks.
That said, Pakboats are an excellent bang for the buck and a new one will cost you less than a used Feathercraft. PB’s are very well made and in some ways a cleverer design than many other folders. For instance, they have the XT 17 which can be convertible from a solo to a double by adding a seat and switching removable decks, The XT-17 is a great choice for larger guys, for overnight touring (tons of storage capacity for gear) or if you want to use it as a tandem sometimes. I just sold my ex boyfriend’s XT-15 (a discontinued shorter solo) to a guy in Maine for $800. Very nice kayak.
The removable decks on PB’s Puffin series mean that those kayaks can be used open like a sit on top or with the deck on like a regular sit inside. I find them somewhat easier to set up than any of my FC’s (I have an older version of the 12’ Puffin Saco).
The Feathercraft are sleeker, but the new PB Quest line is awfully close in finish and performance. PB is supposed to be getting their latest version of the Quests, a 15’ long and 27 pound touring kayak called the Quest 150, , in stock this month.and I believe it will be around $1500. I have their earlier smaller version, the Quest 135 and like it very much. It compares favorably in comfort and performance to my Wisper. I would not hesitate to take it out in open water (have only had it one summer so far so it has not been to the ocean yet) and in fact am taking it to the UK with me this spring. At 28 pounds I can pack the kayak, a 4 piece paddle (Cannon makes a nice partial carbon one for under $150), my pfd, float bags, skirt and dry wear in a large rolling sports duffel that can be checked as airline baggage under the 50 pound rule.
The fact is, since Klepper, Feathercraft and even the venerable Folbot are now out of business, Pakboat is really the only moderately priced folder readily available in the USA. Trak’s are nice boats but in the $4,000 range I think.
There is a folding kayaking forum: http://www.foldingkauaks.org
It is not as well populated as this site but you can find archival information on folders there as well as ask questions and check their classified ads.
