When the luxury of a full size kayak doesn’t match your means of transportation, it’s time to look for other options. The natural tendency is to turn to inflatable kayaks, but there is another choice. Makers of the original folding kayak, Oru improves upon that model with the new BayST. Call off the search for truck racks or trailers! Put away the pumps, pressure gauges, and repair kits! Walk the BayST to the shoreline as if you’re carrying a suitcase and set it up in minutes. How well does an origami design work in a vessel? Soak up all the facts in the following Oru folding kayak review.
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Specifications Of The BayST Oru Folding Kayak
After full assembly, the BayST Oru Folding Kayak stretches out to 12′ in length and 25” at its widest point. Upon dis-assembly, the BayST takes the dimensions of its carrying case. It’s hard to believe that a 12′ kayak folds down into a small 33” x 12” x 29” box. Not to mention one that weighs only 28 pounds, an easy lift for adults in decent condition.
Thinking about a full day excursion or short camping trip? Oru’s BayST provides ample room for gear with 90 Liters of storage space. For a sit inside folding kayak, you might be surprised that it’s good for up to 300 lbs of weight in the water.
Other elements of the BayST Oru Folding Kayak include bungee rigging on the bow, and bulkheads on the front and rear edges. Oru puts in a comfortable padded seat that adjusts with the footrests, enabling you to set the perfect position. Taller paddlers up to 6’3” in length still have room to operate comfortably in the BayST folding kayak.
Top Features Of The BayST Oru Folding Kayak
Portability
Standing at the front of the list of features is the portability of the BayST. That fact that it folds is the attention grabber. One thing to consider is that Oru lists the weight of the BayST at 28 pounds. Count on extra water weight when you pack it back up. If you don’t have the space for a standard yak and prefer to avoid inflatable models, the Oru BayST offers a solid alternative.
Ease Of Assembly
It’s not a two step process, but recent improvements by Oru makes assembly easier than it ever was before. Once you practice and learn the procedure, an honest time frame for assembly takes between 10 – 15 minutes. Perhaps just a bit longer than inflatable kayaks take, but definitely faster if you have to repair an air leak.
Skirt Ready Cockpit
Because the BayST Oru Folding Kayak has a sit inside design, water is able to enter the cockpit. It’s normal for a sit inside kayak to pick up some water that spills over the side. For more turbulent water like high ocean swells or fast river runs, paddlers have the option of adding a skirt. Available from Oru as a separate purchase, the kayak skirt prevents the entry of water by sealing off the cockpit.
Custom Polypropylene Material w/ 10 Year UV Protection
Oru takes a cue from inflatable kayak design and uses polypropylene material, but with a highly advanced concept. It’s a proprietary blend that imparts UV protection, good for up to 10 years. Oru’s material also comes out extremely durable in comparison to standard polypropylene. It’s waterproof and tough, similar to strong fiberglass.
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Biggest Points To Consider When Looking At The BayST Oru Folding Kayak
Pros
For all of it’s fancy setup, the BayST Oru Folding Kayak doesn’t sacrifice anything in performance. It tracks well for a fin-less kayak, using its sleek sit inside form to cut through the water. Without the skirt, the BayST does fine in moderate rivers or 2 to 3 foot chop. Users report that secondary stability is amazing, making it very hard to tip.
It goes without saying that portability is the stock and trade of the BayST Oru folding kayak. Users claim that it draws a lot of attention from passersby when setting it up and breaking it down. That could be annoying, or it might be something you enjoy. Every purchase of an Oru folding kayak comes with a 1 year warranty.
Cons
You honestly have to laugh sometimes at negative user reviews. They give valuable insight into the issues customers face, but they’re also a reminder that common sense goes a long way. Oru folding kayaks do have a few metal parts, like the seat buckles for example. They won’t hold up as well in saltwater if you don’t wash and dry them off.
Manufacturing specs state the Oru folding kayak is good for people up to 6’3” in height. According to user feedback, that number may be a little generous when it comes to entry. Extra height makes it tougher to get in and out of.
You will have to shop for your own paddle, as the BayST doesn’t include one. Other genuine concerns suggest using extra padding on the seat, and on your feet for the footrests. Owners claim they both become uncomfortable after a couple hours on the water. Finally, setup isn’t extremely easy the first time you do it. It may be worth going through the process a couple times at home before you take it out.
Final Verdict
Considering the cost of the BayST Oru Folding Kayak, you could get a quality full size model for a similar deal. Chances are you wouldn’t be here if you have the storage space and transportation. That’s the blessing of Oru folding kayaks. They bring that hard shell feature that inflatable kayaks just can’t offer. For safety’s sake, Oru folding kayaks do away with the possibility of valve failure or puncture inherent in inflatable models. If you’re in between a hard shell kayak and an inflatable design, Oru has the answer. Be ready with a few answers of your own when you bring out the BayST. People will be asking questions.