Hi all, I’m new to this forum. I had planned a trip to Kenai Fjords in Alaska with my Feathercraft Heron, which I’ve paddled before in Alaska and New Zealand. Unfortunately, the keel bar cracked during my test assembly. So I’m desperate for a replacement bar, or will have to cancel my trip. Anyone know if parts are still available, or if Doug Simpson is still around? I’ve received no reply at the website link ‘info@feathercraft.com’. Thanks anyone for any help.
It’s been years since I heard of anyone having spoken to Doug Simpson. Since the foldingkayaks.org forum shut down several years ago we folder (and Feathercraft specifically) aficionados have been kind of out of touch with each other. He did kick around the idea of still making some parts available but I don’t think that ever gelled. You might try posting on a couple of the Folding Kayak groups on Facebook – some of the people I regularly kept in touch with show up in those groups. This is the one I most frequently post on “Folding Kayaks”: Redirecting...
I’ve owned 3 FC folders with the same type frame (K-1, Wisper and Kahuna). Is it the keel extension bar that broke? You might be able to get a fabrication shop that builds custom bikes or racing motorcycles to duplicate the part for you. Check the dimensions – I don’t know if the keel bar is the same as the one in K-1s, Wispers or Khatsalanos but I’m betting they kept it fairly standard to simplify production and stocking. You can get the spring-loaded pop up buttons (if it’s the expansion bar that broke) – they sell them to replace broken ones in two-piece kayak paddles.