: One of the downsides of getting engaged while living in a condo is
: that ideas like "Well, I'll just put the kayak on that
: wall, it'll look great" can now be vetoed. Given the cost
: of renting storage, I'm considering going with a three piece
: sectional I can stick in the storage unit when not paddling.

: Anybody ever do this? Any resources on how to do it? I saw a thread
: on some Scandinavian forum where a guy converted his kayak. It
: appears like it would be much easier to build it that way in the
: first place, and given the hull's not done yet I think I have
: the option.

Not something I’ve tried (yet) but there is something on Sectional Boats at http://www.dngoodchild.com/divide_for_small_craft.htm (click on "Folding and Sectional Boats") also I think there is something at Duckworks. You can also Google using similar terms like “Nesting Boat” and “Origami Boats”. Similar ideas that can be found the Net which might be possible to adapt include PakYak and PakDoodle. Manufacturers of folding boats that might also provide some ideas include Taiga, Porta-Bote, InstaBoat, Folbot, Trak, Nautiraid, ToteNboat, FirstLight, Feathercraft, Fujita, Pouch, Foldlite, Taimen (Russian) and Longhaul.

I don't know if all these still exist, I have them in my folding boat database, which is several years old, as it was something I wanted to do a few years back. I made notes on a number of ideas including -

The safest way to make the joints between sections waterproof is to build a double bulkhead to above the waterline and divide it with a thin saw; Wrap the saw tip in tape to prevent scratches, not that it matters on the unseen face of the bulkhead, or use a flush trimming saw.

The best way to divide the boat is to make the cockpit section one piece and attach a bow and stern piece, which avoids joins in the cockpit. The cockpit has by far the highest buoyancy so this plan also reduces stress on the joints.

One builder claimed the joints do not have to be perfectly smooth, his had a small step which he said did not interfere detectably with performance.

Decks may not allow the sections to be nested (stacked one inside another), so a kayak likely needs more storage space than a canoe. Alternatively the end sections can be made somewhat triangular in plan and smaller so they will stack side-by-side inside the center section.

Hopefully some of the other members will have some more direct knowledge . . . good luck!