Happy New Year!

From all of us at Folbot…

2011… Make That 78

Happy New Year!

Now that all the holidays are over it’s time to get back to the business of making the coolest folding kayaks in the world. This is the 78th year of production by Folbot — continuing our run as the oldest continuously producing folding kayak manufacturer in the world.We wish everyone a happy new year and hope that all your dreams come true.

David A.

Happy Holidays… Folbot Style!

I had been thinking for a while about what the right holiday/New Year’s message from Folbot should be.

I could go with something simple, yet elegant:

Or a very festive New Year’s theme:

But then we received an email from Brent Hildebrand in Frenchtown, Montana. Brent was wondering whether the wooden sled his grandfather had bought him when he was a child, which was now being used by his daughter, was made by Folbot. Indeed, it was.

In the 1980′s, Folbot had expanded its product line beyond wooden framed folding kayaks to include snow sleds — as a way to use the scrap wood generated in the kayak frame production in a positive manner. Testing of the sleds was done on the slopes of Mt. Hood in Oregon (not a lot of good snow hills in Charleston!) and the sleds were sold until the kayak frames began to be made with current aircraft grade aluminum.

Well, Brent didn’t just ask whether we ever made sleds, he sent along this beautiful photo that he agreed we could use as our holiday image.

Ella and Ginger

Photo by Jodi Keating

So, on behalf of everyone at Folbot — and with thanks to Brent — we hope you have the happiest and safe holidays, and wish that we all have a wonderful New Year.

David A.

Goodbye 2008

From everyone at Folbot…

David A.

What A Year

2008 was quite a year at Folbot. Tony and I completed our first year of ownership during very interesting times in the world. Despite a challenging economy, we launched the new website, successfully introduced the Citibot, added wonderful dealers in Sweden, Norway and Australia, expanded the Folbot Family and helped spread the word about the amazing qualities of Folbot folding kayaks (hey, did you see that Vanity Fair picked the Edisto as one of the “Hot Gifts” for this holiday season?). And, of course, 2008 was the 75th anniversary year of Folbot. That, just by itself, made the year a significant and memorable one.

Even during these challenging days, we are looking forward to 2009 with an optimistic and excited eye. We have a great staff, a fantastic product and lots of terrific things planned for next year. We are deeply appreciative for all our customers and supporters, and will do all we can to continue to uphold Folbot’s reputation for providing top notch kayaks and premier customer service. You deserve it.

So, on behalf of  Tony, Kay, Gillian, Phil, Wanda, Viet, Cindy, Ray, Mary, Phong, Herb, Dot, John, Lymus, Linda, Lillian and Debra — and our amazing volunteer Cliff, I wish you the happiest of holidays and a fantastic new year.

David A.