You can still find used Folbot and Klepper folding kayaks for reasonable prices. Check the classified ads at foldingkayaks.org or do Ebay searches for “folding kayaks”.
songofthepaddle.com is a European based (UK) paddling forum that may have some good information on buying in Europe and boats for sale. They were very helpful to me when I made the trip to the UK in 2017 and I ended up paddling with some folks I contacted through the forums while I was staying in Yorkshire.
Just enroll in songofthepaddle and then enter a search for “Adriatic” or your home country and you will likely find related threads.
@willowleaf said:
Just enroll in songofthepaddle and then enter a search for “Adriatic” or your home country and you will likely find related threads.
this ^^^^
@Sincress said:
I prefer calm seas and low winds while on the water so I’m buying a boat to fit THOSE conditions, and not the worst conditions that >could occur.
I do too. That said? You don’t control weather. Storms & winds can and will come up even when the forecast calls for different. Wind whipped water is quite “exciting” in a recreational boat. Paddling alone means you need to plan for the worst possible events and take good stock of your skills. In other words, because you can swim that distance in calm water doesn’t mean you can do it in chop.
Nobody on this board wants to read about you in a news article. Listen to the others who are trying to tell you what you refuse to fully acknowledge.
The reason we’re harping on this is because we both bought the wrong boats. We only went out in calm waters. Except for when we made mistakes. Here’s a picture of Susan being rescued by the Harbor Master. That storm came out of nowhere.
I’m unwilling to confirm or deny that I was rescued. There was a decent chance I was on the boat solely for the purpose of documenting her rescue. :- )
@NotThePainter said:
I’m unwilling to confirm or deny that I was rescued. There was a decent chance I was on the boat solely for the purpose of documenting her rescue. :- )
I seem to recall a certain person (not me) being asked where their paddle float was…
@Lillyflowers said:
I seem to recall a certain person (not me) being asked where their paddle float was…
Yes, they were concerned about my continuing my journey on the water. But we thought it better that I escort the harbormaster back to the harbor where I watched you get back in.
The one time I was ‘rescued’ ,I was standing on solid ground and the wind had stopped that caused the initial problem.
The sheriff’s rescue people insisted on taking us in. The water looked just like your photo by then.
Yeah, this storm was quick, gone almost instantly. But for @Sincress, check out the first rescue picture. Those seas don’t look like much but they were awful in her rec boat. We had a very good weather forecast also, it was just wrong.
@string said:
The one time I was ‘rescued’ ,I was standing on solid ground and the wind had stopped that caused the initial problem.
The sheriff’s rescue people insisted on taking us in. The water looked just like your photo by then.
I knew better than to argue with Rusty & Carlos (getting rescued by folks you know is cringe worthy). Another friend who was a sheriff in Colorado would have done exactly what you experienced. He always said he’d rather you be grumpy and alive than having to come and collect your carcass.
The storm wasn’t due in for hours! I really had no business being out in the middle of the harbor and was quite happy for the lift back to town. What I should have done was to hug shore all the way out to the point and back to town (particularly with a storm coming in). That’s what caused me to buy a more capable boat.
The good news is we were treated to an awesome multi-rainbow after the storm passed.
The deputies who picked us up said it was a pleasure to bring in live people because their calls usually didn’t end that way.
@willowleaf said:
songofthepaddle.com is a European based (UK) paddling forum that may have some good information on buying in Europe and boats for sale. They were very helpful to me when I made the trip to the UK in 2017 and I ended up paddling with some folks I made through the forums while I was staying in Yorkshire.Just enroll in songofthepaddle and then enter a search for “Adriatic” or your home country and you will likely find related threads.
Solid advice, I’ll check that out as well, thanks!
@Lillyflowers said:
I do too. That said? You don’t control weather. Storms & winds can and will come up even when the forecast calls for different. Wind whipped water is quite “exciting” in a recreational boat. Paddling alone means you need to plan for the worst possible events and take good stock of your skills. In other words, because you can swim that distance in calm water doesn’t mean you can do it in chop.Nobody on this board wants to read about you in a news article. Listen to the others who are trying to tell you what you refuse to fully acknowledge.
With all due respect, my worst case scenario plan is a 5 minute paddle to the nearest shore, as I always stick close to the coastline. If the weather turns bad quickly, there’s always that contingency.
@NotThePainter said:
The reason we’re harping on this is because we both bought the wrong boats. We only went out in calm waters. Except for when we made mistakes. Here’s a picture of Susan being rescued by the Harbor Master. That storm came out of nowhere.
Well that’s a possibility I’m well aware of, those storms do occasionally happen in the summer. There’s certainly a risk involved but hey, taking precautions and planning is the best you can do in those situations.
@Sincress said:
With all due respect, my worst case scenario plan is a 5 minute paddle to the nearest shore, as I always stick close to the coastline. If the weather turns bad quickly, there’s always that contingency.
“Listen to the others who are trying to tell you what you refuse to fully acknowledge.”
Five minute paddles can turn into excruciatingly long and scary events. I hope you never find out.
@Lillyflowers said:
“Listen to the others who are trying to tell you what you refuse to fully acknowledge.”Five minute paddles can turn into excruciatingly long and scary events. I hope you never find out.
Oh I certainly hope I never will find that out. Do you believe I am recklessly disregarding safety by even contemplating that a recreational boat would fit my requirements? Or is it that I’m underestimating the conditions? I fail to see the potential solution you recommend and the reason my attitude is considered problematic.
@Celia said:
@Sincress I completely agree. You fail to see it.Let me guess. You are some kind of engineer?
Either a very good guess or a very quick google search. I do not disregard advice from much more experienced paddlers here, I simply question the reasons behind what I’m being told. Some of the people above have very well explained those reasons and I now agree with their initial warnings.
Sincress: are you aware of Airkayaks company? They have a vast line of inflatable kayaks and accessories and they ship worldwide. They often have great deals on closeouts and factory seconds. I got the 4 piece carbon kayak paddle in that photo I posted of my red Puffin from them for $79 a couple of years ago.
@Sincress It didn’t much talent to guess right. I did not look you up.
Your response here is very common for someone in the engineering field. There seems to be a brain implant that goes with the degree saying that no one can understand your particular situation as well as you. Regardless of their background.
I’m my experience , and I worked with dozens of engineers for decades, most need a decision maker to say " That’s enough! Get on with it."
I have nothing against engineers. I have seen many great improvements from their work.