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Comment by felixgallo | Hacker News Reader

Oru could definitely improve its marketing here, but Oru kayaks (when used responsibly with appropriate gear in appropriate conditions) are nothing short of a quantum leap. Getting Oru kayaks has unlocked kayaking for many of my friends who would otherwise balk at having to install rails and pads, lift heavy kayaks on top of the car, tie it down correctly and effectively, and then unload it, paddle, load it again, unload it in the garage, and so on. With the Oru, they just throw it in the back, unfold it in about 8 minutes, enjoy the water, fold it back up in about 8 minutes, and that's it. If you have any friends who are not yet on the water, could not recommend them more, and I'll probably get Orus for myself from here on out.

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The fact that they are appealing to people who know next-to-nothing about boating underscores the danger of their ads. The convenience is no excuse at all.

That's a pretty strong selling point. How close to 8 minutes is that in practice? (I see a review on moosejaw for the Bay ST where they mention having an eventual goal of assembling the thing in under 10 minutes)

I owned a Folbot for a while, and while they advertised sub-20 minute assembly times, it was really more like 30, which involved a fair amount of cursing at and struggling in 90-degree weather with the skin that never really stretched out to fit the frame. Moving to a sit-on-top that I can just throw on top of the car in 10 minutes on each side of the trip was a big win for me.

> How close to 8 minutes is that in practice?

My wife has one, and loves it. It takes a little (but only a little) practice at first to, like, learn how to fold/unfold it, but eight minutes is a very realistic estimate.

I think their larger 2 person kayaks are a bit more fiddly, but 8 minutes might actually be an overestimate for the small one (other than the first couple times). I've been looking at them pretty closely (deciding between that, another foldable, and an inflatable... Don't have the space or vehicle for a full kayak)

We've got a sit inside Riot kayak and an inflatable one which is easier to transport but no fun paddling, drying and repacking. The sit inside is 19 kilos but you just tie it on top of your car (or put it in the back of your pickup) drive to a water body, take it off, throw it in the water and you're done. Plus paddling the sit inside is a fun, relaxing activity. And it's fast, has a lower profile and it isn't pushed by wind as much. I've also used a sit on top but they're heavier, less stable, a bit more sluggish (at least the 10 ft), you get splashed a lot. A folder? Dunno, seems rather unsafe. My rotomolded polypropilene kayak is almost indestructible compared to that. I would never paddle such a thing without a PFD.

I have an Inlet (their smallest) and it really does takes about 8-10 min to set up. I often race my partner to see if I can get it set up before her inflatable paddleboard completely inflates.

I haven't seen a Folbot before, but it looks like some sort of outer layer you stretch over a frame, almost like a tent? The Orus are nothing like that, they're more like origami that you fold together, tightened by a couple of pull straps. And they get easier and easier to assemble over time as you continue to wear in the fold creases. I can (and do) easily set mine up by myself with zero cursing.

I have an Oru Inlet and I'd say 8 minutes is generous. The actual unfolding and assembly of the kayak is more like 3-5 minutes once you have the process down. Though I understand the larger/more elaborate models can take a little longer.

My partner and I can setup the Oru Haven tandem kayak in 10 minutes when we're on our game. I can setup solo in slightly longer and slightly longer again when dressed for cold weather with gloves and all.

I think they're fine, albeit with a PFD and paddling with a group. Personally, I own a Sea Eagle inflatable. It's allowed me to kayak in many amazing places with little setup. Stores nicely. I highly recommend one.

https://www.seaeagle.com/

Also note every single image each passenger is wearing a PFD.

Loved my Sea Eagle, but it was hard to carry to alpine lakes. If you like the Sea Eagle, something like an Alpacka Raft might be up your alley.

I don't know much about these particular boats, but the ads caught my eye. For a long time, I've wanted to do an Alaskan flat water paddling trip. These are class I remote rivers accessible only by small plane, and the length of possible trips can vary from a week to multi week trips. So a boat that doesn't need a cargo plane sounds appealing. An inflatable could work, but they have their own drawbacks.

Packrafting as it exists now was basically developed in Alaska for this very scenario (downriver floats that you might have to hike in or take a bush plane in to start). High quality packrafts are battle tested and there is a lot of great competition in the industry that has benefitted the consumer.

I was surprised to see you can roll them. That said, if you do capsize and swim whilst in open water what are your options?

In a sit-on-top you can flip it back over and crawl back on. In a plastic kayak, another person can empty the boat on their deck and then you can get in. I assume Oru is not structurally sound enough to do that?

That seemed a pretty scary/legitimate criticism.

I haven't had to recover my partner after a capsize, but when folded out, the Oru is strong and sturdy. You use snap-together clasps to give it tension and strength. Additionally, it's light -- one hand carry is possible -- and so certain elements of the recovery would likely be easier. For example, I wouldn't have a problem holding it over my head and shaking out residual water as I sit in my sit-on-top.

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