Reviews

Review of Aleut

Reviewed By: Ralph Diaz
Canoe Magazine
4/2/2008

(This was taken from a review of all "major" single folding boats which included Feathercraft, Klepper, Nautiraid, and, of course, Folbot.)

FOLBOT ALEUT. The Aleut (introduced in '93) is stable, seaworthy, and comfortable - and for the money, it's the best buy in the entire field.

At 39 lbs., the Aleut is easy to carry or throw on a roof rack. On the water, it feels beamy (30 inches) and is slow to accelerate. While the Aleut is the slowest of the foldables, it will keep up in most outings largely because it tracks so well. It is impervious to beam waves and will not get turned around in following seas. It will not turn as fast as other foldables, but, with it's great stability, you can lean strongly to one side to power through a turn.

The Aleut has aluminum long pieces, polycarbonate ribs, a Hypalon hull, and a polyester deck, (urethane treated from below). It has a total of just 14 parts, and Folbot has improved how the deck attaches, so it assembles in a jiffy.

The Aleut has a large cockpit opening which you span with an optional spray deck and skirt, and it can accommodate a paddler anywhere from 5 to 7 feet tall by drilling new mounting holes for the seat backrest fore or aft of the factory position. Folbot's Hypalon backrest provides good support and even swivels if you want to lean back and stretch your legs. The seat itself is a simple piece of closed cell foam that mounts on a track of Velcro and forms to your behind. The Aleut packs into *one (or two) small bag(s). *FB note: we offer a one or two bag option see "Aleut Page" for details and dimensions.

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