Re: [Paddlewise] Nordkaap vs Falcon 18?!

From: <Jack_Martin_at_jtif.webfld.navy.mil>
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 15:01:19 -0500
     Bob Denton wrote:

     

<<[My local dealer has] a Kevlar Nordkapp with a skeg and large 
cockpit. I haven't tried the boat yet but I wonder how [a Nordkapp 
and a Falcon 18] would compare in terms of efficiency, tracking, 
handling and sea worthiness. Especially in confused seas.>>

     You mentioned a skeg, Bob, but you didn't specify if this Nordkapp has 
     the HM hull with the integral skeg or if it's the HS hull with a 
     retractable skeg.  They're both great boats, but they're very 
     different in the way they handle; the HM rides like it's on a cable 
     under the water --- straight ahead!  Which makes it a bear to turn.  
     The HS, especially if you pull up the skeg, turns beautifully and will 
     still track well if you give it a little skeg.  Paddled both boats 
     before buying my Pintail, the Nordkapp HS's cousin, which is even 
     better at turning and is a real playboat, but is low volume by 
     comparison.  The larger cockpit (28" by 15.5" --- versus the 
     traditional "ocean" cockpit at 20" by 15") should be an advantage for 
     anyone beyond John Winters' "anorexic teen" paddler --- which I assume 
     you're not --- but, having said that, I still squeeze the nether 
     regions of my 185 pounds into the Pintail's "ocean" cockpit without 
     any lasting damage --- usually.  No knowledge of the Falcon --- but 
     knowing which Nordkapp configuration you're looking at might help 
     others with knowledge of these boats.
     
     Joq
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Received on Sat Mar 14 1998 - 12:04:10 PST

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