Origami kayak

Designer and founder Anton Willis grew up in rural Mendocino County in California, long a hotbed for weird and whacky ideas and some very clever inventions.

With easy access to rivers, lakes, and the ocean, kayaking was always a big part of his life. But then in 2008, a move into a small San Francisco apartment forced his fibreglass kayak into storage.

Inspired by an article on new advances in the art and science of origami, Willis sketched a few ideas for a folding kayak. Sketches turned into countless paper models, and over 20 full-scale prototypes.

After user-testing on dozens of bays, lakes, rivers and oceans, Oru Kayaks has been launched. The innovative paddle craft is said to be perfect for flat water, with good secondary stability due to the hard-chine hull design; they edge well for turns.

There is positive buoyancy and the kayak won't sink even if swamped, says its maker. For additional flotation, commercial bow and stern float bags are recommended.

The origami skin has creases permanently molded in, so it folds easily between boat and case. There is only one seam -- above the waterline, on top of the boat. It closes tight with a watertight rubber gasket. 

The plastic (polyethylene) skin is very strong and is said to be manufacturer-rated for 20,000 folds.

Solid plastic ribs keep the cross-sectional shape. A rigid floorboard (which also becomes the lid of the case) reinforces the cockpit. Simple straps and buckles hold everything together, making assembly quick and intuitive, says Willis.

You can paddle for hours thanks to the comfortable foam seat and backrest. A fully adjustable footrest will keep you in control. The Oru Kayak fits standard spray skirts, float bags, and four-piece paddles.

Once assembled, the Oru Kayak measures 12’ long, 25” wide, and 13” high. Unfolded, the Oru Kayak becomes its own carrying case (33" x 29" x 10"), with space to hold a life vest, paddle, and other accessories.

The whole kit and kaboodle weighs just 11.35kg -- in its bag you can carry it on a bus -- yet it boasts an 118kg carrying capacity, and is said to take five minutes to assemble. More at http://www.orukayak.com/.