A folding kayak is actually faster in rough water, but not from any
fluid dynamic advantages. Because of its flexible frame and soft
flexible skin, these kayaks are much more stable in rough water, and
require little if any bracing. I paddle a Feathercraft K1, and often
paddle it in the open Atlantic. Even when the water is choppy, I rarely
have to brace. I also own a Klepper Arius II. Its even more unflappable.
However, with a 34 inch beam. Most folders are slower in calmer
waters, but Feathercraft and FirstLight Kayaks have leveled the field.
The K1 is larger and more durable than the Kahuna, but is heavier and
takes a minimum of 40 minutes to assemble. The hull materials are
identical and are professed to be quite durable. Mine has run over
oyster shells on several occasions in the tidal estuaries and is none
the worse for wear. I took my Klepper to Tahiti where it scraped coral
reefs on more than a couple of occasions. I only found 1 scratch on the
hull when I returned. Folders have reinforcement strips made out of the
same hull material over the keel and chines for added durability.
Feathercraft frames are made of aluminum, so you can keep them assembled
all summer, and strap them to your car top as you would a hard-shell. It
is highly recommended to lube the frame joints when assembling so they
do not seize when left together for months at a time. So assembly times
would only be a factor if you break them down frequently for air travel,
or don't have a kayak rack.

The Kahuna gives you more of a close-to-the-water ride. It is amazingly
stable. But if you plan to do a lot of rough water paddling, I would
recommend you look at the K1. Its up sweped hull, and higher design
handles rough water better. It doesn't dive, and the waves wash over
less often. If you get the Kahuna, I would also recommend getting the
hatches. They make assembly easier, and help you pack your boat more
efficiently. You can also get a rudder for the Kahuna if you want.
Unless you paddle a lot of open water, you shouldn't need one.

If you want a web site for folding kayaks, check out:
http://www.foldingkayaks.org/

Michael Swain wrote:

I'm looking to buy a folding touring kayak, and after much research I
narrowed my choices down to the Feathercraft Kahuna. I took one for a
test drive recently and liked the way it tracked, even for a
relatively short boat (14' 9"). The biggest complaint about it I've
heard is that it's difficult to assemble. It takes about 2-hours when
you first try it, which goes down to 30-minutes after some practice
and several bruised knuckles. Some also say that it slows down in
rough water, although that's probably true of any folding kayak. Does
anyone else agree with this assessment?

My main concern is its durability. Has anyone owned a Feathercraft
Kahuna or K-Light (its immediate ancestor) for two years or more? How
has it held up under heavy use? Is there any special maintenance that
needs to be done to keep them working? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.

Mike