Perhaps the problem is with the dealer. Western Folding Kayaks had a
great selection, Feathercraft has shown themselves responsive and caring
to their customers. I have nothing to say but good things in my dealings
with them. From all folding kayaks I have paddled, the feathercrafts are
the only ones on par with the hard shells as far as performance. And the
quality is top notch. If leg space is an issue, you might also consider
the K1. It takes longer to assemble than the sit-on-tops but is a fast,
stable and very roomy boat. I found the sit-on-tops to be a bit
unstable, inherent from sitting above the water line. However, I tested
the Java, and speedwise, it is also on par with some hardshells.

back40 wrote:
On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 16:12:21 GMT, "Tom Morrison"
wrote:

[....]


I think that mail order sales are handled out of Vancouver. That might
explain why you got the run-a-round from the Toronto store. You still might
be able to get it for 2K + shipping.


They emailed me, saying they have just ONE left, and I can have it for
the advertised price. That's real big of them. "LAST ONE" - hmmm,
conjures up visions of a dusty "display" model, or a return.....Or,
maybe it _Is_ a bargain price on a line they won't be handling
anymore. Do I want to risk it?
All I wanted was to order the boat, and, like Janis Joplin, "wait for
delivery." Instead, it was the runaround.



Feathercraft is a small outfit I think. Personally, I would have no issue
giving them my credit card #. I had a problem with one of the parts I
ordered for my K1. They replaced it fast, free, without any request to
return the deffective part.


I sailed. After some years, interest waned, the maintenance became a
dreary chore, the boat didn't see the water for some seasons, and
finally the marina closed. Boat in storage since. I had a stroke,
which affected sense of balance. Thought a kayak would get me back on
the water, and help with recovery. It did. A plastic Dimension Nomad.
(I looked at Feathercraft, but it seemed like an awful lot of money
for some waterproof fabric and aluminum tubing.) But time and old age
marches on - after an hour or more of sitting in the same position,
with no room to move my legs, I'm so stiff I literally have to fall
out of the thing.
Thinking a sit on top might be more comfortable, at least allowing one
to stretch legs and move knees a bit, I've been looking. The Java
looked interesting - at last, a more reasonable price from
Feathercraft. Is it new and innovative, or did they just come up with
something cheap to make - after all, in this economy, there can't be
an endless supply of millionaires shopping for six thousand dollar
kayaks! Maybe I should get a couple of air matresses and three lengths
of aluminum conduit, and make my own Java!


It looks like they have chosen to market their products directly in Canada.


Well, perhaps they should be more open about such things, instead of
playing games. If there is a rift between Feathercraft and its
dealers, that's their problem, not mine. I don't feel like playing
monkey in the middle.
Folbot sounds like the answer. Like you, my sister's S.O. has a
Feathercraft, which he hauls to St. Lucia, and spends weeks on
Northern camping trips. He swears by it. But how much is the
superiority fact and how much mythology? Gordon Sinclair, a now gone
broadcaster, owned a Rolls, but candidly admitted it wasn't really any
more dependable than an Olsmobile.