Marine

Superlight folding canoe fits in a backpack

Superlight folding canoe fits in a backpack
The Adhoc is a folding canoe that weighs just nine pounds, and assembles in about five minutes (Photo: Ori Levin)
The Adhoc is a folding canoe that weighs just nine pounds, and assembles in about five minutes (Photo: Ori Levin)
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The Adhoc features custom locking mechanisms at the bow and stern, to secure the poles that form the frame (Photo: Ori Levin)
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The Adhoc features custom locking mechanisms at the bow and stern, to secure the poles that form the frame (Photo: Ori Levin)
The Adhoc is a folding canoe that weighs just nine pounds, and assembles in about five minutes (Photo: Ori Levin)
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The Adhoc is a folding canoe that weighs just nine pounds, and assembles in about five minutes (Photo: Ori Levin)
The Adhoc is a folding canoe that weighs just nine pounds, and assembles in about five minutes (Photo: Ori Levin)
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The Adhoc is a folding canoe that weighs just nine pounds, and assembles in about five minutes (Photo: Ori Levin)
The Adhoc's hammock-style seat (Photo: Ori Levin)
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The Adhoc's hammock-style seat (Photo: Ori Levin)
Proof that the Adhoc does, indeed, float (Photo: Ori Levin)
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Proof that the Adhoc does, indeed, float (Photo: Ori Levin)
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First of all ... yes, you're right, there are already folding canoes. Those boats don't necessarily pack up all that small, though, and typically weigh in the neighborhood of at least 18 kilograms (40 lbs). They're portable, but you'd certainly notice that you were carrying one. Israeli designer Ori Levin, however, has created a one-of-a-kind folding canoe called the Adhoc, that tips (no pun intended) the scales at just 4.1 kilograms, or 9 pounds.

The single-passenger Adhoc features a carbon fiber frame, and a hull made from aramid fabric, which is also used in racing sails. Custom-made locking mechanisms hold the telescoping longitudinal framework poles in place at the bow and stern, while a "parasol-like" center folding mechanism allows the boat to hold its shape in the middle. Its single seat is a hammock-like fabric and webbing arrangement.

The whole canoe can reportedly be stowed in a bag the size of a regular backpack, and assembled within about five minutes.

While there's no word on how stable or hydrodynamic the Adhoc is, as you can see below, it does at least float with a passenger aboard.

Proof that the Adhoc does, indeed, float (Photo: Ori Levin)
Proof that the Adhoc does, indeed, float (Photo: Ori Levin)

Needless to say, such a craft is probably not intended to replace anyone's traditional canoe. As something for hikers or forestry workers to carry along just in case they need it, however, it could conceivably be a viable product. That said, there is currently no word of the Adhoc being commercially produced.

If rowing is more your style, you might also be interested in reading about the Foldaboat.

The video below illustrates how the Adhoc fits together.

Source: Designboom

Adhoc Folding Canoe

View gallery - 5 images
6 comments
6 comments
Slowburn
I think an inflatable design would give better performance on the water and would be sink proof even with a substantial weight tied to it.
Todd Dunning
The need to transport, store, carry and handle a heavy canoe is a gigantic hassle, compared to the actual utility you get out of it.
The Adhoc would work well for fly fishermen and others who need to access the water temporarily. The portability advantages make it a much more useful all-around tool. If you were intending to drift down the Amazon, you would have a real boat. But if you\'re just needing to get out on the water for a bit, you\'re freed from having to bring an entire boat with you.
Mr Stiffy
What would a kosher canoe do in a hallal river, with an ayerverdic breeze under a buddist sun?
Zen - very Zen.
Brian Bimschleger
I couldn\'t find anything about commercial availability...does anyone have information on this?
ArcticNemo
I\'m pretty sure I built something like this when I was a kid, bound to be a commercial option sooner or later.
Dave B13
Mr. Peabody : Sherman set the Wayback machine for 1850
Sherman: Yes Mr. Peabody
Zip ding ding ding, fancy Chinese math is wrong, time travel is trivial for a dog & his boy.
Mr. Peabody: The Halkett boat-cloak furled as a cloak, and unfurled as an inflatable boat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halkett_boat
Sherman: I can\'t imagine a smaller, lighter boat, and it doubles as a piece of rain gear.
Mr. Peabody: Neither can I Sherman, but if Ori goes with a double ended paddle his boat will track better and be faster then the 160 year old design, now if he can just make his boat look like a trench coat, with a pocket for a sonic screwdriver, that would be just what I\'ve needed, since I was 3 (21 in human years).