What is "folding boat"

Folding \Fold"ing\, n.

1. The act of making a fold or folds; also, a fold; a doubling; a plication.

   The lower foldings of the vest.
   --Addison.

2. (Agric.) The keepig of sheep in inclosures on arable land, etc.

   Folding boat, a portable boat made by stretching canvas, etc., over jointed framework, used in campaigning, and by tourists, etc.
   --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

   Folding chair, a chair which may be shut up compactly for carriage or stowage; a camp chair.

   Folding door, one of two or more doors filling a single and hung upon hinges.

A folding boat is usually a smaller boat, typically ranging from about 2 to nearly . Folding boats can be carried by one or two persons, and comfortably fit into a car trunk when packed.

They come in several varieties. There are folding kayaks and folding canoes. These types often use a wooden or aluminum frame and PVC or waterproof fabric for the hull. Other folding boats consist of plastic sheets or marine plywood, resembling origami.

Although there is much to be said of the advantages of a folding boat, they are not commonplace in boating. Aluminium and inflatable alternatives are far more prevalent despite some folding boats such as the Seahopper having been sold for several decades. Sailing versions are particularly popular.

Folding boats have been in use for some time with Shellbend folding boats being developed in the 1890s by Mellard Treleaven Reade. They were constructed from mahogany and canvas.