Origami Kayak

I was at Maker Faire today and ran across this guy showing off what he called the "origami kayak." I talked to him for a minute, I guess the material is the stuff they make those USPS mail bins out of. He claimed he takes it on the bay all the time but I'm a little skeptical about how it would do in all but the smoothest water.

Anyway, seemed pretty creative at least and I figured some people here might like it too.



Here's a video of how it unfolds:

Last year I seen someone launch one from Santa Cruz that looked like it was made of balsa wood and hefty bags.

WTH?  The guy did not even have a PFD on?

Kinda looks like an Inuit style kayak.  They used longer ones for chasing down whale and walrus with. 

Looks like hes at Goat Rock

That's damned ingenious.
I do hope he has a good vhf.

No effing way I'm gettin out on one of those!

Hello all,

I'm the designer of the Oru kayak discussed in this thread. Thanks for posting the Maker Faire photo & video...

While this isn't a boat for whitewater rivers or heavy surf landings, I can assure you that it's a real, fully functional kayak. I've taken them out many times in whitecap conditions on the SF Bay with no trouble (and yes, I was wearing a PFD in those situations). Everyone who's been in one has been surprised by how solid it feels in the water- its a much heavier grade of plastic than the UPS tote material, and the fold pattern (and internal ribs etc) give it plenty of rigidity.

Let me know if you have any more questions about the product!

cheers,
Anton

Great idea... Any more boats on their way?

I'd paddle one!

I would fish outta that. I could have a yak in the truck at all times and be sneaking into some ponds ninja style at night.

 Any idea on approximate cost and weight?   

I would give it a go on the ocean, complete with a surf entry and exit. Need any testers? How easy it would be at Elk....

ingenius idea
put shoulder straps on it and backpack it into high sierra lakes
Tad
 

I noticed you didnt show getting in it..

 How easy is it to snap in half trying to get in ... say like 250 lbs and one foot in ? 

 Great Idea.... hope you sell a million of um'.

I do a lot of adventure motorcycling and that might be worth carting around on my bike sometime.  I could even cache it along the route.  (I do that with fuel and food occasionally) How much does it weigh?

How much does it weigh?

His facebook page says 20 lbs.
Tad