The James Dyson Award is an international design award that celebrates, encourages and inspires the next generation of design engineers. It’s run by the James Dyson Foundation, James Dyson’s charitable trust, as part of its mission to inspire young people about design engineering.

Below you will find pictures of Weiss’s design along with his description of project.

“Next trip to the lake, don’t carry a tent to pitch, instead hire out an ingenious Kahuna. This is an open top outrigger kayak that converts into a tent with ease. It features a Mirage Drive pedal/crank mechanism designed by Hobie Kayaks, plus an ordinary paddle to assist in maneuvering the boat. Detachable, folding seats make way for spacious comfy interiors, when pitched as a tent. The all-in-one takes away the bother of carrying extra loads.

The outrigger hosts all your camping gear; a screen cloth mounts between the bars of the outrigger to serve as a base for the tent, similar to a camp bed.

To support the leg movement of the Mirage Drive a special detachable seat with a high back and a strong Lombard section has been especially develop.

Overall I would say it’s a neat concept, but since I’m not a camping-freak I wouldn’t know how effective this pitch would be.”

Well I can say that this product has received Yakangler’s vote and certainly ranks up there with some of the most creative mods done to a kayak that we’ve seen to date.  To check out more of Mario Weiss’s designs please visit:  http://www.yankodesign.com/.

Also, if you have a great idea or finished product of a modification that you have done to a kayak or canoe please contact us.  We’d love to hear from you.