[Paddlewise] nordkapp hm

billcrane2_at_home.com said:
I'm looking into buying a used Nordkapp HM and I'm wondering if any one
could tell me about any websites that I could look at with any info or
pics about it.  Thanks
---

What kind of paddling do you want to do? How much gear do you want to
carry? Are you going to be in big open water in winds or short choppy
seas with wind? Better figure some of that out before you cash-out on a
used 'Kapp.

Have you access to any used Mariner Kayaks? I visited Matt's store in
Seattle on the way back from my Oregon trip, and matt was kind enough to
take me out after hours on Lake Washington (I think). I'd never been in
his store or even paddled one of his kayaks before (usually a no-show at
symposiums - with reasons). I was very impressed with the Mariner II. I
was able to lean it right over and turn it on a dime with a few powerful
back sweeps (he wished he had a camera, as Matt said he loves to see
people who know how to move a seayak about). We went out and chased some
boat wakes, raced a bit, tried some quartering winds, etc, and the
Mariner II at least, did very well even without a load, for a longish
boat.

Despite the width and fullness of the foredeck, the gunwales are shaped
to allow close-in paddleshaft proximity and side wave shedding without
the usual attendant side-spray issue with some of the other more
well-respected sea kayaks of the Pacific Northwest. Top speed was more
that adequate - where's that Greg Barton guy! It sculled with a
solidness yet easy recoverability.

I was always leery of the sliding seat arrangement, but it proved to be
effective, easy to use, a great compensator, and added to safety by
bringing one forward more under the foredeck for better knee/thigh
leveraging. My Nordkapp has less windage and I still feel with a maxed
out load, the Norkapp cruises at 4 knots better than most available yaks
in a moderate to heavy sea-state. But the Nordkapp has a lot of foibles,
one being the modified skeg. Try before you buy. I have a standard hull
with a deep draft rudder. The best description of that set up is from
down under at:

<http://www.sissonkayaks.co.nz/nordkapp.htm>

I'm not sure where you live, but I was down in Portland and stopped in
at Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe (and met fellow PW'er Steve). They had a
great selection of kayaks, and I was extremely impressed with the staff
and their knowledge. The BCU may be setting up centers of excellence
across North America - I'd give my vote to Aldercreek any day. There
course syllabus was very encouraging. They even do advanced stuff off
the Columbia River bar and some of the other more natural river bars off
the Oregon coast. Sorry, I digress.

Anyway, the Nordkapp is a fine, all-conditions sea kayak, and would make
a great addition to your stable. Just expect it to be a bit high-strung,
like all performance beasties.

Doug Lloyd (who surprised poor Steve at Aldercreek as I didn't look like
Paul Bunyon)


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