A thermo-formed Slayer Propel 13

Also just announced, a 57 pound Slayer Propel. Instead of the more common roto-molding, it will be thermo-formed like, say, an Eddyline C-135.

If they made a Propel 10 with this lighter carbon material, you could tuck it under your armpit and walk it down to the water.

Interesting and I want to see if they can make this Slayer LT as shiny and polished looking as the Eddylines. Eddylines have, I think by leaps and bounds, the best finish of any kayaks.

Brad

I think they are finally figuring out that there are a lot of folks out there that get turned off by an 80+ pound kayak.

Jimbo, I suppose the big and heavy kayaks have their places. PA 14s sell really well and are best suited for some fishing applications. You just have to be ready to pony up for a decent trailer, then a decent cart to get it off the trailer and onto the water in some circumstances.

But, I agree that if you want to see a kayak used a lot, making it easy to transport and get on and off the water is a really big deal.

If they'd make a Propel 10 in a carbon thermo-formed, I suppose it might weigh in the mid 40s.

Brad

A trailer is always an option to overcome weight, but then you have to have a way to store the trailer and thus comes the rub with a lot of guys.
The draw with kayaks has always been the simplicity and compactness of the vessel, easily stored even when you don't have drive in access to a backyard, or you live in an apartment or have a strict neighborhood nazi.
Lots of people would like to have a pedal kayak, and mainly from an example I've given above I'll probably never own one, but now with a lightweight model there is still hope for the cartopper.

Will that make them more or less expensive? And more or less durable?

Mo money

From what I understand they will not wear as well as the pvc boats but that could have changed so I would defer to the experts on that one. They will cost more take for example the wilderness systems tarpon 120 is 939 the tarpon lite is 1549.

Bert is correct. Eddyline publishes a research paper in PDF format and it discusses the pros and cons of the carbon material it uses. While it is very lightweight and very strong, it mentions that it doesn't have the longevity, yet, of some of the other materials including fiberglass.

I am certain they will eventually get there. And, it might not even be a limiting factor to any great extent.

Cost factors? Higher for sure.

Brad