[Paddlewise] Kayak Trials at Trial Island - Part Two

I didn't have a chance, or perhaps had other priorities, such that the 
Tiderace Xplore didn't get a spin in the briny blue by me. I did catch 
comments from the radically real paddlers revealing their impressions 
though. Loosing my observant functionality by mid afternoon to a forthcoming 
migraine, I forgot to check out the hull differences between the two 
Tiderace kayaks. There was some performance differences noted. Perhaps there 
were Fishform/Swedeform issues to consider. Without any real wind, it would 
be difficult to gauge differences anyway, in terms of my preferences for a 
kayak that handles neutrally in high winds.



The Xplore had the bigger oval hatch for the forward compartment while the 
Xcite retained the round one fore and aft. Both had a day hatch immediately 
abaft the cockpit, centered in a depression that allowed an escape way for 
water. The centered day hatch was another of the oddities that left me 
scratching my head, but at the end of the day wondering if there was some 
merit to the design, as obviously it was done with some purpose in mind I 
hope.



The front day hatch was inspired joy to see, having extensively modified my 
own Nordkapp to professional standars with the inclusion of a foredeck day 
hatch a few years ago. It didn't hold the volume I thought it should have on 
either Tideline kayak, but at least this feature is now represented in yet 
another line of kayaks other than select P&H and Lincoln kayak models. There 
may be a few others out there too.



While I could forgive the lack of a compass recess on the playful Xcite, the 
expedition Xplore seemed lacking. But again, there may be reasons for the 
exclusion. I'd like to hear them. And while the adjustable footpad found in 
each Tideline kayak matched the similar problem of those who can order or 
build a custom placed bulkhead to act as a footrest thereby not allowing 
freedom to stretch in the middle ground, it did do its job well. Not sure 
though where one mounts a pump. A hand pump under the bungies I guess, or 
perhaps an electric bilge pumps behind the seat. The footrest did suffer a 
bit of movement with heavier thigh compressions during hard stroking, but it 
was a minor issue.



Both kayaks appeared to have fairly shallow skegs when fully deployed, but 
sufficiently far enough from the stern to keep below waterline. I don't 
think either kayak would benefit from a deeper skeg fin below waterline, as 
the keel line suggested good tracking to begin with. I also do not know how 
neutral these craft ultimately handle in the three wind speed ranges I 
arbitrarily use as a guide: 1 to 15 knots, 16 to 25, and above 26 knots, 
given the lack of sufficient testing conditions. I like a kayak neutral in 
the 15 to 25 knot range. Anything more or less is somewhat mute from a 
typical advanced paddler's perspective and neutrality past 30 knots is 
hyperbole. Certainly with the skeg down and the ability to hold a drop-knee 
edging technique, weathercocking issues would be easily compensated for in 
most cases.



Both the Xcite and Xplore, as mentioned previously with the Xcite review on 
my last post, were finicky to attach the spray skirt. However, once 
attached, the fit was extremely secure and appeared unusually watertight 
with the hem of the skirt tightly rolled under the narrow lip. Reattaching 
after a reentry and roll might be taxing, but heck, stay in your boat and 
you could paddle lumpy waters all day in utter security. I've been waiting 
for a company that actually thinks some of this stuff through from and end 
users perspective, though obviously everything kayak design related is 
always a compromise of combating factors.



Both kayaks had fantastically stiff lay-ups, both the regular Xcite version 
and the more exotic Xplore presented. For those with big bank accounts, a 
no-fiberglass version will run $7,500.00 or so. Yikes! Keep that puppy 
locked up when not in use. Might even make one a believer in boat tethers.







I finally got to test paddle a Nordkapp LV. Pure heaven on earth. Perfection 
achieved for the design goal. End of story. Sorry all other kayak designers 
everywhere and sorry to all other kayaks in the Valley line up as well. This 
kayak was so incredibly fast for a rockered playboat. It just didn't seem 
possible. But GPS confirmations keep coming in. I immediately realized the 
new LV broached far less than the venerable HS or HM, or even the Jubilee. 
It caught waves and held rides it was making experienced hanky-panky to the 
sea. Well, it is still a Nordkapp, and it did eventually want to broach but 
came back on line quickly. It still will not be a great instructor kayak, as 
one still has to be ever so cognizant of paddle placement, balance, body 
position, and such. It is still a demanding ride but more relaxed than 
previous generations while the LV is equally rewarding in the sheer lunacy 
of its obtained goal of righting all the wrongs of previous itinerations. 
For short legged guys like me, it would surely have enough volume with a 
custom bulkhead placement for moderately long expedition work, though it was 
designed more primarily as a day/weekend boat. And Valley certainly panders 
to the custom order crowd.



The keyhole cockpit was a disappointment for my body fit and I felt that a 
miscue could result in a knee slipping free with possibly unwanted 
consequences. My Nordkapp Oceancockpit has saved my bacon so many times in 
extreme clashes where jumbled sea meets imovable land - as the vertical 
gouges on my Nordy's seamline attest to. The LV is an inch lower in profile 
over the newer Nordkapps both for the foredeck height and the back cockpit 
coming, so this baby is ready to rock and roll, which of course it rolled 
like a charm. Personally, I'd take the top section of the keyhole cockpit 
coming, glass in a 4" hatch on slop to a continuing knee tube, and end up 
with better security in the cockpit and a watertight knee tube accessible by 
slipping the spray skirt down a bit to reach the slopped 4" hatch cover. Oh, 
here I am adding weight again.



Sized up against my old 1980 Nordkapp HS, it had higher volume despite the 
LV designation, more bow buoyancy, and more rocker. Perhaps a Nordkapp in 
name only. So that means it has more windage, though at close to 100 pounds, 
my old Nordkapp had very little windage - my cheater boat for super 
storm-paddling short of a low profile SOF. But man, carrying two bags of 
cement at 50 pounds is tough enough. A four bag equivalent is getting 
ridiculous. Of course, my old Nord could punch through anything.



I'll keep the LV on my short list, but the last factory laid up kayak I 
bought only lasted a year or two before it was hopelessly ridded with abuse. 
Not being a significant player in the tide race play department like the 
rest of the rabble gathered there who tend toward the normative side of the 
rough-play equation, nor being the itinerant rock-garden only purist, I'm 
still all about paddling in combined high wind, mixed coastal hydraulics and 
point to point big water cruising in lumpy seas, so the windage issue is 
still a big one for me - especially when you get pinned off a headland in 
heavy, steady gusts for significant durations.



I'm waiting for Nigel's new Point 65 Whisky 16 (I love Point 65's rating 
scale) to show up on our shores for a test paddle - I wrongly assumed his 
new design was being manufactured by someone else in a previous post. I'd 
still like to test a Seward Shilouette out a bit more too, maybe get a heavy 
composite layup. Ultimately though, as I was out later Saturday afternoon in 
the new Forager, I felt there was something lacking after almost three 
decades of kayaking. A whole year off the water, and my Saturdays finally 
free after working a second job since 1985 or so every dang Saturday, I 
really want to build my own kayak eventually. Do something different. Heck, 
maybe even abeautiful wood creation and actually keep it off the 
rocks...naaaa!



http://www.point65.com/Default.asp?page=kayaks&kayak=30



Doug LLoyd
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