We’ve talked about the Klepper folding kayaks before. They’re classic, and it’s difficult to argue with the success and reputation these German boats enjoy. But we’re a “gear and gadgets” blog, so we’re always on the lookout for something new.
Grabner’s Discovery line of kayaks, available single-seater and tandem models, appears to be a real Klepper competitor, though. Perhaps it isn’t a surprise that Grabner is also a German company. They obviously recognize their competition, and they hope to persuade buyers that they’ve taken a great idea and made it even better. Here’s how they address the Klepper competition (which they never mention by name, of course):
Click to see these images full size. Here’s the caption accompanying this image: “Conventional folding boat: 34 individual parts (without brace bars)”.
And the caption for this one: “DISCOVERY 2: 10 individual parts ( + 2 brace bars)”
I haven’t seen these boats in person, but I sure would like to. If anyone in northwest Washington or southwest British Columbia owns one, please let me know.
I learned about this company because one of my fellow C-Dory owners spotted another Grabner product aboard a boat recently, and he’s considering this as a tender for his C-Dory 22:
I’m intrigued by the notion; essentially an inflatable canoe with the end chopped off and a motor-mount transom added. It’s like an extremely skinny conventional inflatable dinghy.
6 responses so far ↓
Steve Roberts // Sep 12, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Check out the new i12s inflatable pedal-kayak from Hobie… I may be swapping my current Revolution for one, given the stowage convenience as a secondary dink. It’s getting great reviews from early-adopters. Cheers, and I’m glad to have found your blog! -Steve
Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor // Sep 13, 2007 at 6:41 am
Thanks! I had not seen the Hobie inflatables. They have a winner with their innovative “MirageDrive” pedal-powered propulsion unit, and it’s exciting to see it available for an inflatable kayak.
Samuel Barillas // Sep 23, 2007 at 1:08 am
Grabner is not a German company it is an Austrian company.
Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor // Sep 23, 2007 at 6:27 am
Woops! I now see that you are correct, Samuel. I think I got confused by the German flag on every page of the website, but that’s just the button to select your language. It’s interesting that the button they use for English is the American flag. From a usability and localization perspective, perhaps national flags aren’t always the best symbols to use to select languages!
Judi T. // Jul 2, 2008 at 1:17 pm
We have a Graber Holiday 3 which is for 2 adults and one tiny child…or dog. We’re impressed with how it handles for an inflatable, and have tried the Hobie, and thought this was better. It’s great for 1 person too, the line of the boat in the water was surprisingly fast. It wasn’t great in a wind of 20 mph though, a lot of weather cocking, but to throw in a car and get out on the water with ease, it’s impressive.
Gerhard Obermayr // Jul 7, 2008 at 4:49 am
Hello.
I think it is a little mistake.
Grabner is not a company from Germany.
Grabner is from Austria!
Enjoy
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