Re: [Paddlewise] 3-piece NDK Explorer

In a message dated 3/18/2003 10:04:23 AM Central Standard Time, 
michael.wolf_at_medtronic.com writes:


> Does anyone have any experience with one of these?  Same/similar performance 
> to the one piece (I paddle a light weight Explorer)? extra weight? Do the 3 
> pieces connect solidly?  Ever experience leaking, stress cracking at the 
> 4-bolt bulkhead connections, loosening of connections on long trips or 
> rough water? Just as important, how does it handle going through airports?  
> As one is usually allowed 2 standard suitcases, it seems that the three 
> kayak sections are large enough that significant $ charges could result 
> from their oversized bags, and the fact that there is a 3rd bag. I was also 
> wondering if a 3-piece 16-ft Romany offers any great advantage in terms of 
> managing the bag sizes.  
> Thanks,  
> Mike
> 
I have a 3 piece Nordkapp. Paddles the same as my former one piece. I am a 
bit more leery of it in the surf though it handled 4-6 feet on a gentle beach 
gradiant just fine.

It probably weighs 10 pounds more than a standard Nordkapp due to the 
hardware and 2 extra bulkheads. They connect solidly and do not leak. 
However, make sure you tighten the bolts very, very well or you will ship 
water and possibly endanger yourself. I have personal knowledge of that. : (

I experience no cracks from stress, etc. It does not loosen on its own. It is 
well at home in rough water, the 3 piece aspect adds no particular 
vulnerabilities. Contact GRO, the importer in the US. Seems as though Stan C 
takes his all over the world, Antarctica, Aleutians, Easter Island. Big Water 
country.

Airports: This is another matter. have a boat canvas place make a set of bags 
for you or make them yourself. Leave enough room in them for camping gear, 
paddling gear and clothing to armor them against the baggage handlers and 
airport machinery. Expect to have the gelcoat touched up once in a while.

It is not easy to move the bags at the airport. Think about it: you get 
dropped off at the curb, some airports have skycaps worth twice their tip 
rate. (Tip well, too!). Some airports have skycaps unconcerned of your plight 
of having to move 3 each 5 to 6 foot bags to the counter. It is a long trip 
when a pile at the curb needs to move 50 to 100 feet. The skycaps have sole 
possession of the big carts, too. Be nice. 9-1-1 security will have you well 
eyeballed, be slow and tranparent in your actions.

I paid 75 dollars for each 6 foot section. Still cheaper than renting a boat 
of questionable performance on the other end. I don't think it matters 
whether or not it is a 5 or a 6 foot bag, they will most likely tag you for 
50 to 75 dollar oversized charge. Be a Go-Lite style camper and reduce your 
kayak section weight by not packing them too heavily.The fun doesn't stop 
there.

When you are at your destination airport you need to get the bags from the 
baggage delivery to a rent a car or a pickup at the curb. What kind of 
vehicle are you planning to put it into? A Geo Metro? I don't think so! In 
Mexico they have huge vans with huge roof racks. A great place for travelling 
kayakers. Think about where you are going and how you will transport your 
kayak when at the destination.

The beauty of the 3 piece is having one kayak that does it all. They tend to 
load and unload easier when packing on the beach than a typical folding 
kayak. I have a Khatsalano by Feathercraft which is bagged into one measily 
little 50 pound. My other duffel includes camping and paddling gear. No extra 
charges. No transportation issues. No real performance loss and it paddles as 
well as most performance style boats. It costs slightly more. It has less 
payload than my Nordkapp by 50 pounds. It weighs 45 pounds without the bag.

One more thing: What are you going to do with the bags that you made for 
transporting them? I've done everything from launching and caching them in an 
out of the way place in BC, Canada to having them eat space on board, and 
stashing them at a first and last night hotel. Just be mindful of the issue 
and be prepared to make a decision with them when the time comes.

Additionally, you can put the boat together at a rent a car place and use a 
rackless pad system to car top it. Do you need a rent a car? Get on the web 
and ask a shuttle service for pick up's and drop off's. Make sure you tell 
them what you are transporting so there is room for you and your cargo. You 
can ship your camping and paddling gear by UPS or another shipper ahead of 
you for reasonable rates in your domestic country.

Finally, A 3-piece or a folding kayak makes an outstanding choice for a 
primary kayak. There are issues with each of the choices but none as daunting 
as:

Help I'm a boat snob and I just landed in Sit On Top Hell! What do I do? 
Where can I rent a boat for 2 weeks or 2 days?

Feel free to email me if I've not answered you completely.

Rob G

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