ORU BAY+ FOLDABLE KAYAK

Lovers of kayaking and canoeing, rejoice! A new portable vessel by the San Francisco team behind the famous Oru Kayak has arrived, and it’s looking convenient and cool all around. Drawing on the original Oru Kayak design which won major Kickstarter support back in 2012, Oru Bay+ packs a handful of neat hardware upgrades for even easier transport, added comfort and improved performance on the water.

Like its predecessor, Oru Bay+ can be folded down in origami fashion into a clever portfolio-sized package which means boat transport and portability are no longer a problem. Weighing 28 pounds and measuring 32 x 28 x 13 inches when folded down, Oru Bay+ is highly compact and incredibly lightweight so you can carry it around like a backpack or store it in the boot of your car when you decide to hit the wilderness.

Like the original Oru Kayak, the updated boat version comes with easy-to-close watertight seams, an adjustable footrest, reinforced easy-entry cockpit, a pair of bulkheads for added firmness and simple strap-and-buckle closure system. But the fun doesn’t stop there – based on user feedback, the company decided to make some improvements in their new vessel so the list of Bay+ upgrades includes an ergonomic molded-foam seat with high-positioned backrest and adjustable back support for maximum comfort even on lengthy rides, as well as a handy screw-out deck hatch and a water-resistant stowing bag especially designed for storage of moisture-sensitive goods like wallets, keys, books, cell phones or tablets. There’s also a set of extra rubber deck straps to conveniently secure all your vital gear and perform some critical open-water rescues, all topped by some stainless steel ratchet buckles for simple and easy assembly. The new Bay+ also sports a fresh custom “plus” graphic print for better visibility and added style on water.

In its assembled configuration, Bay+ measures 12 feet in length and 25 inches in width, with the cockpit sizing 16 x 30 inches, and it can hold up to 260-300 pounds of rider and gear load. The assembly procedure takes up to five minutes even without extensive technical knowledge, and like the original Oru Kayak, Bay + is said to glide on water smoothly and easily, with sufficient stability even for beginner canoeists and enough maneuverability and speed to meet the needs of expert kayakers. So, what are you waiting for? Grab yourself one of the 250 limited edition foldable Bay+ kayaks and paddle away all the water you can take – because life’s too short to stay at home watching the telly. watch video below

–> See also the Original Oru Kayak