I thought I’d add a review of the (relatively) new Brooklyn Kayak Co. Foldable Kayak since I didn’t see much information about it on here. For starters, this is my first fishing kayak, so read this review through the lens of a kayak fishing novice.
As background, I had struggled with the idea of buying a fishing kayak due to space and transportation constraints. I have a small 100+ year-old 2-car garage at home and no garage up at our cabin and thus didn’t really have anywhere to put a traditional 11+ foot kayak. Moreover, we have a sedan and a compact SUV without a trailer hitch, so getting a kayak from point A to point B would be an issue. So when I stumbled upon this folding kayak, many of the barriers to purchase were gone.
Purchasing was easy (online) with a cost of around $1,200. Shipping took about 2 weeks for “white glove” delivery. Unboxing was no problem, but there was no paperwork or instructions about assembly. Instead, I guess they rely on you watching their introductory Youtube video on the subject? Normally, I wouldn’t have cared about this except there were multiple quality assurance issues. I received two right-footed pedals (rather than one right and one left) and the screw used to secure the rudder handle was missing, causing multiple trips to the hardware store before finding a matching screw (hint: its a metric system screw). In fairness, BKC was quick to respond to my email about their QA issues and they will be sending me a new left-footed pedal and rudder handle screw.
From here on out, I’ll just give my likes and dislikes after one week of use:
Pros
- Price: on the lower end of the fishing kayak price spectrum
- Portability: folded in half, it easily fits in the back of our mid 2010s Nissan Rogue (with seats down) with enough room for all my other fishing accessories as well. It is also light enough (~60 lbs) for me to carry and easily lift into the SUV.
- Despite only being 8 feet long, I don’t feel cramped while fishing in it
- Has four build-in rod holders and two dry compartments
- The chair is actually quite comfortable (and this is coming from someone with chronic low back problems)
The flipper-style pedal system works as designed
Cons
- Rudder system: this may be a product of having to find a screw at the hardware store to secure the rudder handle, but the rudder system can be quite finicky. Sometimes mine lists to the left when the rudder handle is pointed straight. Sometimes turning the rudder handle results in the rudder not actually turning, forcing me to turn the handle multiple times before the rudder actually catches
- Quality assurance: as mentioned above, but there were some QA issues (screw missing, wrong-footed pedal)
While it feels plenty stable while sitting down, it feels tippy when standing up
- No option for pedaling backward: as I said before, the flipper-style pedal system works well for what it’s designed to do (going forward) but there is no option to pedal backward and at this time there is not option to purchase a pedal drive that fits the BKC foldable kayak (though BKC just told me there is plans for one in the next year)
I have purchased or plan to purchase a few items to pair with this kayak
- YakAttack Leverage Net and YakAttack RotoGrip Paddle Holder: there isn’t a lot of space to lay a net on the floor of the kayak, so I’ll be mounting it
- Storage system with rod holders: I’ll likely buy the 13 x 16 YakAttack BlackPak. This will solve storage issues while also make it so I don’t have to use either of the front to build-in rod holders on the kayak (which seem to get in the way when casting)
- SwitchBlade, CellBlok, and 20ah Battery Combo Kit: ultraportable solution for mounting a fish finder and a small battery to go with it
0 Fish finder: 7” from one of the major brands with side imaging. I welcome any and all suggestions!
Overall, I’m very happy with my first kayak purchase. For those like me who value portability and easy storage, this kayak should be taken into serious consideration. I think this kayak works very well for smaller lakes or rivers with little current. It will likely struggle on bigger bodies of water (some stability issues) or rivers with strong current (sluggish rudder and no ability to pedal backward with current pedal system)
