Just in case you can’t make it to Canoecopia this weekend (at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin… March 12th – 14th), we wanted to share the show’s sale prices with everyone.
The sale applies to base boat prices and runs through Monday, March 22, 2010.
Please order online anytime or call us toll free (800.533.5099) between 8:30 and 4:30 Eastern time.
Or, we’ll see you at Booth O128!
David A.
As part of our effort to look a bit spiffier for the TV cameras, we have been doing some cleaning and rearranging out in the Folbot factory.
While we run a pretty neat shop, it’s a pretty old facility. A little research showed that the windows hadn’t been cleaned for at least a quarter century! It’s amazing how those cobwebs can accumulate.
Fortunately, there were only 55 windows to clean. But, with a little effort, now you can actually see through them.
Wow... there are trees out there!
We also moved some things around to better make use of the space. We took down some racks and made quite a discovery underneath — crossframes for the old wooden kit boats!
They had been hidden under there for at least 22 years.
I wonder what we’ll find next?
David A.
As I recently wrote about Folbot heading to Canoecopia for next week’s paddlesports show, I thought I would share what it takes to move all those folding kayaks, racks and other goodies.
Those 24 cartons collectively weigh almost 1000 lbs!
Our friends at Hook USA were so impressed with what it takes to get everything to the show, they wrote about it on their blog. While they did not jump at the chance of accompanying us to Madison, Wisconsin in March, they were kind enough to offer their services if we ever go to a kayak show in the Bahamas. Thanks, guys.
We hope you come visit us at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison — March 12th – 14th. It should be a great show.
David A.
While Folbots are not heavily used in the Winter Olympics (although Joe Jacobi, the Executive Director of USA Canoe/Kayak suggested on Twitter that it would be good to use them in a halfpipe event — you can follow Joe at @JoeJacobi), we all had such a good time watching that we wanted to express our thanks to Vancouver and Canada for being such fantastic hosts.
As a dual citizen of both the US and Canada, I had lots of rooting interests (how ’bout that hockey game?). But in the end, as usually happens, we were all winners — with the world coming together to celebrate our common interests rather than fighting about our differences.
Thanks for the fun and the memories Vancouver.
David A.
As we announced in December, in less than two weeks we’ll be heading to Madison, Wisconsin for Canoecopia, the world’s largest paddlesports event.
We’ve been working hard to make sure that our display is going to eye-catching, engaging and informative. We even went so far as to test the set-up for our exhibit in our showroom here in Charleston to make sure it all works well.
Every model of Folbot will be on display, and we’ll also have boats in bags, frames to look at and goodies to give away. The show runs from Friday, March 12th though Sunday, March 14th. We look forward to seeing lots of members of the Folbot family and adding many more.
See you there!
David A.
With Folbot having been in the same facility for about 57 years, things tend to pile up. In anticipation of the TV cameras arriving in the near future, we decided it was time to get some of the big pieces of equipment that haven’t been used in years out the door.
Here’s a row of some oldies, but goodies:
We also moved out an old Radio Frequency Welding machine (which was used to make sponsons and flotation bags for the kayaks):
If you look into the back of the RF machine, you’ll see why:
And away they went…
Thanks guys… we appreciate all the help.
David A.
Despite the recent storm systems that left 49 of the 50 U.S. states with a measurable snowfall (quick… which was the state that did not get any snow?), the big rains Down Under, windstorms in the Middle East and more snow in Denmark than Greenland, we see 2010 shaping up as a pretty good year for paddling. With the economy improving and some pretty exciting things in the works, 2010 is also going to be a great year for Folbot.
One thing that is really exciting is the Citibot’s inclusion in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry’s Smart Home: Green + Wired that is being created in partnership with WIRED Magazine. This is a really cool project where they have crafted a house out of recycled and renewed materials, and it features the latest in energy and resource efficiencies. Basically, the Smart Home combines sustainability with cool gear and gadgets. As one of the cool things, the Citibot is hanging in the Smart Home’s garage.
The Smart Home: Green + Wired will be open from March 4, 2010 until January 2, 2011.
And it gets better!
The DIY Network’s show, Garage Mahal, has filmed an episode focusing on the garage in the Smart Home. Thus, the eye-catching orange Citibot will be seen by over 22 million viewers (over the life of the episode).
Tune in on Fridays at 10:30 (eastern) to see Garage Mahal. We’ll let you know when the Citibot episode (as it is now widely referred to) will be aired.
It’s going to be a great year.
David A.
This incident recently appeared in the Police Blotter in local Charleston newspaper, The Post and Courier.
Kayak collision probed by police
Charleston police on Jan. 19 took a report concerning a “hit-and-run” collision between a car and a kayak. A 59-year-old man told police he was driving on the James Island expressway when a kayak blew off the top of a another car in traffic and landed on his vehicle.
The driver reported he was about two car lengths behind the other car when the kayak took flight. The complainant gave police the license tag number for the car, which was last seen taking the Harbor View Road exit, the report says. The car and driver were not located.
If they had a Folbot folding kayak, this never would have happened.
Look Ma, two kayaks... no rack!
Carrying your kayak in your trunk is not only safer, but also increases your gas mileage by about 5%. The environment and the drivers around you thank you.
David A.
Despite being in the public eye for 77 years, Folbots still get excited when they get to take a star turn in the spotlight.
There are some really exciting things coming up for Folbot. Just this week a Citibot was filmed as part of an upcoming TV show. And yesterday we were told that Folbot – and how we make our folding kayaks – was selected to be featured on another well known television show.
On top of that we were also told yesterday that the Citibot will be in one of the world’s top travel magazines in May. This will be following on the heels of the Greenland II’s April appearance in one of the very best outdoor magazines in the world — where a top writer used our kayak in a very cool race.
But in this world of media appearances nothing is a done deal until it actually happens. So as not to jinx us, I will not reveal where the Folbots will be starring until it is all set and locked into place.
Stay tuned…
David A.
Our new dealer in the Middle East has been busy. With a territory covering eight different countries, Enact Ltd., is working hard creating key partnerships.
We recently received some photos taken in Doha, Qatar…at Go Sport in the Villagio Mall.
Notice anything in the window?
How about now?
What a great looking store. Makes me want to buy some Folbots.
If you are in Doha, please go check it out.
David A.
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