Hope in the Salish Sea

Whales fill us with hope. If something so big can flourish here, maybe in time the smaller and less obvious parts of the puzzle can too.

-Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun

This quote is taken from a recent article in the Vancouver Sun. The article focuses on the surprising resurgence of marine mammals in the Salish Sea.

The Salish Sea is a 7,000 square kilometer body of water that includes the Juan de Fuca Strait, the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound. Within this territory is a complicated ecosystem that has seen a considerable amount of damage since the arrival of European settlers. Overfishing, commercial whaling, pollution, habitat destruction and climate change have all affected the region.

Concern for the marine mammals in this area began nearly 50 years ago when scientists started tracking and recording the dramatic dips in population. When the alarms sounded, measures were set in place to increase the numbers by limiting and in some cases banning commercial hunts.

Management of fish stocks, in regards to whale population, became important. Habitats were protected and pulp and paper mills that bordered endangered marine habitats were shutdown.

Marine life became a major concern for not only the scientists working on the West Coast, but also the residents living here.

And now for the good news.

Since the 1960s, the population of harbour seals, which once numbered as low as 15,000, is now over 100,00. The number of humpback whale sightings is up. The stellar sea lion population is thriving. And while the number of resident killer whales is down to 88 in the Salish Sea, the number of transient killer whales passing through our waters is up dramatically.

An increase in large mammal numbers means the smaller marine animals, further down the food chain, are increasing as well.

There are still 113 species of marine organisms that are threatened in the Salish Sea, but the increase in the larger mammals gives us hope. 

Interesting Fact: It takes 660 chinook a day to feed the resident killer whales in the Salish Sea. 

Feathercract. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide.

Sit-On-Top Kayaks

Feathercraft has designed three unique sit-on-top kayaks for warm weather paddling. We have coined this line of boats our Airline Sit-on-Tops.

Our sit-on-top boats are built for speed, open storage and partner kayaking. They use an aluminum frame that is similar to the frames in our standard folding kayaks. Between the frames of the boats, are four large sponson chambers that give the kayaks buoyancy. These chambers are sealed with a welded urethane skin; they provide the body of the kayak.

Sitting 'on-top' means your center of gravity is higher. This creates a unique paddling experience. It might feel tippier at first, but you will soon notice that the raised position allows for amazing views of coral and other sea life below. The raised position also allows you to enter and exit the kayak with greater ease. You can tether the boat, jump off and swim with the turtles and then climb back on.

The Airline sit-on-tops, like our standard kayaks, all collapse. The components fit easily into a Cordura carry bag for smooth transport.

Each sit-on-top also comes with a double-action hand-pump for easy inflation.

Airline Sit-on-Tops

• Java: The Java is a wide and stable sit-on-top. It has a drop-skeg and can be converted to a recreational double with an easy add-on second seat. For longer paddles, there is storage space for dry bags in both the stern and bow of the boat.
• Gemini: Our double is a longer, wider, roomier version of the Java. A drop-skeg and rudder are standard features.
• Jet Stream: For those who want to go fast! A skinnier version of both the Java and the Gemini, the Jet Stream is the fastest folding kayak on the market.

Feathercraft. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide.

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

Started in 1994 by the Vancouver Aquarium, The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a national project aimed at mobilizing the public for a weeklong garbage pick-up along Canada's sprawling shorelines. 

This week, the call went out for previous participants to register for  this year's event. By registering early, companies or single participants can claim sections of local shoreline that they want to be responsible for. The 2012 cleanup is scheduled for the third week in September.

Last year, the cleanup netted 147,637 kgs (325,483 lbs) of trash. There were over 50,000 participants working at over 1,600 sites, with a total distance of 3,144 kms (1,954 miles) of shoreline cleaned. Impressive!

Participation in this year's event can be done in two ways; volunteers can choose to take on a role as a cleanup participant or lead a group as a site coordinator. Sites are designated on a first come first serve basis. So if you have a patch of shoreline that you would like to focus on, register early.

If you are a teacher hoping to incorporate some of the lessons from the Shoreline Cleanup into your units, check out the online resources for elementary school lesson integration.

For yearlong cleanup initiatives, try taking responsibility for a section of shoreline and visit it bi-weekly to remove trash. You can also implement gorilla tactics by painting fish symbols above your local storm drains. This reminds the public that all our drains eventually empty into our waterways. Recycling, reusing and respecting the environment are three other ways of helping keep our waterways clean throughout the year.

Shore cleanup is a conservation effort that Feathercraft Kayaks is deeply connected with. We want to protect the wildlife and ecosystems that share our shores. Cleanup programs are an excellent way to help.

Staggering statistic: last year the Shoreline Cleanup retrieved 351,238 cigarette buts. 

Feathercraft. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide.

The CycoPod Bike Bag

What cycling accessory can you buy for your friend's birthday that will have them singing your praises as they ride across town?

The answer is the CycoPod. The CycoPod is a detachable storage compartment created by the intrepid inventors at Canada's foremost kayak company - Feathercraft Kayaks.

It will hold your books, lunch, a six-pack, a change of clothes or even your laptop computer.

The storage unit fits just below the average touring seat and extends over the back tire of the bicycle. It comes in two handy sizes, large and small, with the large version having a 13 litre volume capacity.

The seams on the CycoPod, like our kayaks, are welded for maximum water resistance. The exterior case is a double urethane coated fabric, again, the same material and construction used to make our kayaks.

It will keep your textbooks safe and dry, it won't pull you to one side like a one-sided pannier and it will make an excellent gift to the roadie who seems to have it all.

Feathercraft. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide.

Knoydart Sea Kayaks

After a long and healthy partnership with Knoydart Sea Kayaking, Feathercraft is parting ways. Knoydart will no longer sell our products. The company is currently developing a line of kayaks and will be focusing on the manufacturing of their own boats.

We are sad to lose Knoydart as our UK dealer, but we are excited to see their new products.

For our UK customers, boats can be purchased online at our website or at our dealers in Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark or Switzerland. For a full list of our European dealers, please contact our website. 

Parting is always bittersweet, but It paves the way for new beginnings and offers a moment for nostalgic reflection.

Thank you Knoydart, for all your business and support over the years.

*For customer enquires and warranty issues, please contact the Feathercraft factory directly.

**All oversea purchases are subject to taxes and import duties. Please factor these into your pricing when ordering directly from Feathercraft.

Contact Info:

4-1244 Cartwright St.

Granville Island

Vancouver B.C.

V6H 3R8

Toll Free: 1-888-681-8437

Local: 1-604-681-8437

Email: info@feathercraft.com

Website: feathercraft.com

Feathercraft. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide.

Made in Canada

What does a 'Made in Canada' tag mean to you?

To us, it means quality control, environmental responsibility and a commitment to the local economy.

When a product is built in Canada, it is manufactured under strict regulations. It is built to preform at a certain standard and function safely. When products are constructed offshore, the manufacturing quality has the potential to suffer dramatically. 

With fewer environmental checks and balances, many offshore factories produce a higher quantity of industrial admissions. These admissions are adding to the global degradation of our atmosphere and are making the planet a little less habitable every day.

When products are produced overseas, the amount of transportation pollution increases ten-fold. When Canadian companies construct their own products, they eliminate the extra pollution produced by shipping.

A 'Made in Canada' tag also tells you that Canadians were employed in the manufacturing process. With the current economic climate, keeping jobs in Canada is important to every Canadian. A strong manufacturing industry encourages foreign investment and increases the value of Canadian products worldwide. 

Feathercraft is committed to building quality kayaks in a safe, environmentally conscious, local environment. That is why each one of our boats comes with a 'Made in Canada' tag.

Feathercraft. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide.

The Idea of a Folding Kayak

Why do we create folding kayaks instead of rigid boats? The answer is simple: flexibility.

With a folding kayak you can store your boat in almost any living space. Every kayak we manufacture comes apart in a simple disassembly process. The skin, hull, rudder and skirt all fit into specifically designed backpacks for easy storage.

Assembled, or in its compact form, a Feathercraft kayak is one of the lightest boats on the market. Our ultralight K-Light weighs approximately 14.9 kg, just under 33 lbs. A rigid frame kayak is much heavier.

With a light boat that can be disassembled, the options for travel dramatically increase. Check your boat on a plane, carry it in the back of your hatchback or portage with freedom - with a folding kayak their are no limitations. 

Flexibility also extends to the paddle experience. A folding kayak is unique in the way it joins the paddler and the body of water it is traveling over. Wave energy is absorbed effortlessly with a skin design, allowing for a safer, less disruptive ride.  

Environmental connection, increased travel possibilities, lighter boats, easier storage - Why make folding kayaks...? Why would we make anything else?

Feathercraft. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide.

Our New Blog

Welcome to Feathercraft's new blog site.
Feathercraft is Canada's leading designer and manufacturer of folding kayaks. Our kayaks are based on an ancient skin design. We have replaced animal hides with urethane fabrics, welded together to create a seamless skin composed of a deck and hull layer. Our aluminum frames are ultralight and are made of the same alloy utilized in airline construction.  Buoyancy is achieved with the help of sponson chambers that run along the inside of the frame.

Each kayak that we design folds up and fits in a backpack that can be stored easily in the closet of any home. 

These unique boats are all handmade by the skilled staff at our factory on Granville Island, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

We hope you enjoy reading our posts.

Feathercraft. Made in Canada. Paddled Worldwide.