Today I want to talk about some modifications I’ve made to a pretty nifty invention. Inside this backpack here — is a boat. Johannes Klepper designed boats like these for expeditions back in Ot-Six. I like to call my version “The Klepper Jack.” The original design could be carried in three bags. But with my modifications, you can carry it all in one. The frame is one piece, folds out like an accordion, and then this light oilcloth stretches over it — takes just a couple of minutes. Fits two people, carries all your bush gear, and with these two inflatable rubber floats – she’s practically unsinkable! Comes up like a cork even in the roughest white water. And it all weighs less than 25 pounds (11 kg). Check out the little attachment on the stern deck. It’s a gun mount. Why’s in the back, you ask? I was taking her on a test run my up the mighty Gambia River with my guide Kawsu. We were checking out rumors of an ancient road to the lost city of Ashanti. Suddenly – a whole flotilla of dugout canoes pulled up behind us. Probably Congolese mercenaries. Luckily, there was a fork in the river. I steered us to the right side, right into thundering rips. Unluckily, the rapids were worse than I thought. But the bastards did get hung up on the rocks, while we bobbed right on through – right over a waterfall. Up to the surface we bobbed, paddled to the right bank, folded up ole’ Klepper Jack, and escaped into the bush. Never did find that damned road. I’ll tell you what, though, I sure could have used a nice M1919 Browning mounted on the stern to wave goodbye with that day. Next time I’ll be ready. Keep your powder dry class. The Klepper Jack, or “Battle Kayak” Skill to operate- Pilot Boat Cost- $18 (unmodified Klepper) Cost- $25 (completed Klepper Jack) Payload- 600 pounds (272 kg) Weight- 24.5 pounds (11.11 kg) Time to unfold- 1D4+2 minutes General information on folding kayaks.   Monterey Jack is used with permission of Ben Monroe and Fantasy Flight Games.]]>