28 Do they cost more than hardshells?
Description
This article is from the Sea Kayaking FAQ, by Todd Leigh with numerous contributions by others.
28 Do they cost more than hardshells?
Initially many folding kayaks carry a higher price tag than similar
hardshells. Most are considerably costlier than plastic models, but
the price differentials are not so great when compared to
top-of-the-line fiberglass hardshells, especially ones made of kevlar
and other special materials. When considering cost, your decision also
should be related to other factors such as useful life, depreciation,
and the like.
Folding kayaks tend to last longer than hardshells. Hulls on foldables
are good for 25 years and more, whereas plastic boats are good for
perhaps a dozen years, and fiberglass will last about 15 to 20
years. You can replace a hull on a foldable to give it a second life;
you can't on a hardshell.
Depreciation on foldables is absurdly low. You can see this in the
prices of used ones versus used hardshells, which reflect the relative
useful life of the boats. It is not unusual to see a 10-year-old used
foldable sell for more than the price the original owner paid for
it. Hardshells, on the other hand, sell for only a fraction of their
original price after 5 to 10 years.
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