Has anyone ever used or seen an Oru Kayak out on the BWCA? (folding kayak)

I was looking at the "Haven TT" model, it is more like a canoe than a kayak (2 person). It seems like it might be good for an extended trip into the Boundary Waters and portaging it seems easy. But it is rated for calm waters, which is concerning to me.

Unfortunately, I can find no info on people using these for more than a day trip on calm waters. All the reviews on youtube on the "Haven TT" seem to be from people who got the kayak for free so I'd assume their review would be extremely biased.
It does seem like a great kayak but not sure how it would handle on open waters during high winds...

Would taking one of these on a week+ trip in the BWCA be a bad idea??

For the price and weight, you could get a boat designed specifically for what you mention, namely BWCA trips, and that people here have considerable experience with. What is the appeal of the Oru for you? As both a rigid boater (numerous) and a take down boater (PakCanoe), the only appeal to me of the Oru is that if there's some space limitation you have and for some reason you can't haul a rigid boat on racks, or if you're flying to your destination with the boat (which is why I have a PakCanoe). There are numerous models of conventional canoes that are better designed for, and more capable of, handling what BWCA offers, and that meet similar cost and weight considerations you mention.

MReid: "For the price and weight, you could get a boat designed specifically for what you mention, namely BWCA trips, and that people here have considerable experience with. What is the appeal of the Oru for you? As both a rigid boater (numerous) and a take down boater (PakCanoe), the only appeal to me of the Oru is that if there's some space limitation you have and for some reason you can't haul a rigid boat on racks, or if you're flying to your destination with the boat (which is why I have a PakCanoe). There are numerous models of conventional canoes that are better designed for, and more capable of, handling what BWCA offers, and that meet similar cost and weight considerations you mention."

Thanks so much for the reply!

I do research work in forests throughout the US and sometimes (maybe once or twice a year) in areas that require me to use a canoe to reach my destination. I usually just rent a canoe or kayak but that can be a pain depending on the location. Ideally, I want an ultralight canoe but carrying a full size boat with me all year would be even more of a headache.
Also, my wife and I try to do a BWCA trip once a year.

The tandem Oru seems like it is a great kayak/canoe and only 41 pounds but the rating of "calm water" worries me. And the reviews seem a bit bias. Also, the seat is flat on the floor so that might be a hindrance. Additionally, facebook has been flooding me with adds for Oru... (-.-)

A foldable canoe seems like a good option for me but I do not know enough about them.
I was also looking into PakCanoe. It looks a bit frustrating to assemble but I'm sure the learning curve isn't that bad. And they are a bit heavier than the Oru.

I got the Oru ad flood too!

I'd suggest really considering a PakCanoe for what you want to do. The kayak is going to be a pain in the butt for portaging, with the unloading/loading and lack of yoke (perhaps you can make one--no idea). Although the PakCanoe is heavier, it will be much more capable in the BWCA--it will haul more and bulkier gear; it will be much more capable in rough water (whitewater or lake waves); and more adept at loading/unloading. The setup time isn't bad, and you should be able to get to where you can assemble it in a half hour or so. It may not be convenient for short day trips, but if you're interested in tripping, it is a non-issue.

PakCanoes are not particularly fast, but they should be about the same as your Prospector-type canoes. With multi-week loads, we could toodle along at 2.5 mph on the flats in a 17' without trying to go fast.

I think there's even a used one for sale on this site. If you're buying new, you might look at the 16.5, as it's a more efficient hull design. I've used the 17 as it's more functional for whitewater and big lakes with a big load (e.g. seven weeks unsupported).

iggy3000: "Has anyone ever used or seen an Oru Kayak out on the BWCA? (folding kayak)

I was looking at the "Haven TT" model, it is more like a canoe than a kayak (2 person). It seems like it might be good for an extended trip into the Boundary Waters and portaging it seems easy. But it is rated for calm waters, which is concerning to me.

Unfortunately, I can find no info on people using these for more than a day trip on calm waters. All the reviews on youtube on the "Haven TT" seem to be from people who got the kayak for free so I'd assume their review would be extremely biased.
It does seem like a great kayak but not sure how it would handle on open waters during high winds...

Would taking one of these on a week+ trip in the BWCA be a bad idea??"

Last year one of our guys brought one. The only reason he got his gear in it is that the canoes brought all the food, camp gear, cooking gear, and misc gear. He just brought his one pack.

Also seemed to be difficut in the wind.

As others have said, for the same money you can buy a kevar solo canoe that will run circles around this kayak.

If you're still looking for a collapsible boat, here's a killer deal on this site--lots more functional and cheaper than the Oru: Ally PakBoat