Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

start at kleppers web site
By:Paul G. Jacobson
Date: 12/9/2010, 1:44 pm
In Response To: Re: Other: How old is the skin? (Kudzu / Jeff Horton)

: I agree but that info is not available. The people that have these
: (there are supposedly 3 boats) know nothing about them and they
: are not close. I am just interested if I can get them cheap and
: make some money on them. I don't really have an interest in
: keeping one.

That idea may change once you see one ! They are close to 100 years in business because they have consistently made a top quality product.

There is demand for used parts. The factory can supply new parts and new skins for boats which are 50 years old, and sometimes older. That can be expensive, so people shop for used.

Since these boats last for generations, and a skin typically lasts 25 years (new ones might go 50 as they are using better materials) minor repairs and annual cleaning are about it for upkeep.

Heavy? By some standards--they are built to be durable. Still, they are around 45-60 pounds and that is split into two packs. Older models were tandem craft which could take an optional sail rig. Paddles, sponsons, sail, leeboard and rudder add weight. Comparing a Klepper's total weight against the bare-bones craft Yost designs can be misleading.

www.klepper.com for the current product line.
It seems to be just the US market. In the past they had links to other distributors in other languages and other countries. Their website has changed over the years, but they are a good reference for quality.
You might try to find a website for Klepper in a Great Britain domain or Australian. Different webmasters might have more info.
: I did notice in the photo what appears to be a wooden rudder in on
: pile and I see cables?

Rudder is standard equipment.

I paddled a strip canoe next to a 1960s Klepper for a week in the Boundary Waters. I really admire them. Just can't afford one.

If you can get 3 frames for under $1000 you can make PVC skins and profitably resell them.

PGJ

Messages In This Thread

Other: Used Kleppler prices?
Kudzu -- 12/8/2010, 12:09 pm
The rest of the story...
Kudzu -- 12/10/2010, 5:32 pm
Re: The rest of the story...
Bill Hamm -- 12/11/2010, 12:25 am
Re: Other: How old is the skin?
Charlie -- 12/8/2010, 10:16 pm
Re: Other: How old is the skin?
Kudzu / Jeff Horton -- 12/9/2010, 7:49 am
start at kleppers web site
Paul G. Jacobson -- 12/9/2010, 1:44 pm
Re: Other: How old is the skin?
Bill Hamm -- 12/9/2010, 8:48 am
Re: Other: How old is the skin?
Charlie -- 12/9/2010, 11:23 am
Re: Other: How old is the skin?
Kudzu -- 12/9/2010, 11:47 am
Re: Other: Used Kleppler prices?
Bill Hamm -- 12/8/2010, 12:56 pm
Re: Other: Used Kleppler prices?
Malcolm Schweizer -- 12/8/2010, 3:29 pm
Re: Other: Used Kleppler prices?
Bill Hamm -- 12/8/2010, 3:42 pm
Re: Other: Used Kleppler prices?
Kudzu / Jeff Horton -- 12/8/2010, 1:11 pm
Re: Other: Used Kleppler prices?
Bill Hamm -- 12/8/2010, 1:24 pm
Re: Other: Used Kleppler prices?
Charlie -- 12/8/2010, 10:22 pm
FK forum
Stephen Troy -- 12/8/2010, 1:44 pm
Re: FK forum
Bill Hamm -- 12/8/2010, 2:54 pm
Re: Other: Used Kleppler prices?
Stephen Troy -- 12/8/2010, 12:37 pm