Origami kayak perfect for caravanners

Designer 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, he launched the Oru Kayak. The innovative paddle craft is said to be perfect for flat water, with good secondary stability due to the hard-chine hull design.

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 moulded in, so it folds easily between boat and case. There’s 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, and 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.

The Oru Kayak also features a comfortable foam seat and backrest, fully adjustable footrest, and fits standard spray skirts, float bags, and four-piece paddles.

Once assembled, it measures 3.6m long, 62.5cm wide, and 32.5cm high. Folded, the Oru Kayak becomes its own carrying case (82.5cm x 72.5cm x 25cm), 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 a 118kg carrying capacity, and is said to take five minutes to assemble.

There’s no word yet of it being available Down Under, although the Oru can be pre-ordered via the US-based Oru Kayak website, with first deliveries planned for March 2013. Pricing is approximately US$800 (A$760).