Re: [Paddlewise] Advice on boats

Jerry,
Thank you for taking the time to respond - and in a respectful, gentlemanly 
way.

Some of my post was purposefully subjective. As you have correctly implied, 
defending the "twitchiness" of the Nordkapp often comes down to a certain 
subjectivity.

In case you have not read the Doug Wilcox review from his blog:

http://seakayakphoto.blogspot.com/2007/01/valley-nordkapp-lv-test.html

The pertinent section reads:

"This boat feels so, so alive and responsive! It lacks the initial tippiness 
of an unladen Nordkapp Jubilee but it is so responsive to the slightest lift 
of a knee and this (together with the boat's response to the bow rudder 
stroke) made maneuvering round the labyrinth of tight rocky channels of St 
Abbs an absolute joy. A much more experienced paddler, following in the 
Aquanaut, could not match the tight lines this boat took. The Rockpool Alaws 
are designed for manoeuvrability but the Nordkapp LV could match every turn. 
However, as you edge an Alaw the boat becomes progressively stiffer and more 
secure feeling, as you edge the Nordkapp LV it just keeps going over 
smoothly until sploosh. There is no warning when you are just about at the 
limit of secondary stability. Intermediates learning edging and bow rudder 
strokes found the Alaws to be much easier."

So sploosh it is.

Further:

"was expecting it to be manoeuvrable, given all that keel rocker, but I was 
not expecting it to be fast. However, it accelerates to top speed with fewer 
strokes than any other boat I have paddled. And what a burst speed it has! 
The Nordkapp LV managed 11.6km/hr."

So fast - but who can sustain that (?).

And further:

"This boat handles rough water. It thrives in wind against tide or a 
combination of overfalls and clapotis under a headland. Like many Valley 
designs it tends to throw its bow high over approaching steep waves. In 
strong winds in an unladen Jubilee or Aquanaut this can result in the bow 
getting blown downwind. In the Nordkapp LV this does not happen. However, it 
is quite a wet boat and you will need to have a well fitting spray deck. 
Above force 4 it starts to weathercock and although you can control this 
with edging, the skeg makes for a much more relaxed paddle on an exposed 
crossing. The Alaw Bach has no skeg but is a very well balanced boat even in 
strong winds. However, paddling it side by side with the LV in force 5 to 6 
winds demonstrated the extra versatility given by the Nordkapp LVs skeg. You 
might not need it very often but when you do, it does make life much 
easier."

Well duh on the skeg. Wet? Yeah. There's that "wildness".

And lastly:

"With such a narrow stern, I was not expecting the Nordkapp LV to be able to 
pick up following seas as easily as a boat like the Alaw. I was wrong, the 
Nordkapp LV's acceleration means you can pick up swells actively rather than 
relying on the hull shape of the stern to give you that final boost to catch 
a wave. I managed a burst speed 18.6km/hr on a nice piece of Solway surf! 
This brings me to rolling. The LV rolls very easily."

The "tight-ass" stern on all the Nordkapp models is a very fine exit line 
that allows for less bucking in a following sea. Certainly the LV broaches 
less and surfs better than all the previous Nordkapp hulls. But a quartering 
push can leave you in a "sploosh" situation. The Alaw's, Xcites and 
Romanys/Explorers are so incredible rock solid on edge or when forced over 
in following seas unexpectedly there's just much less chance for "sploosh" 
and more indication that you can keep an edge for device-less directional 
control.

So yes, why paddle a Nordkapp. Well, for the Nordkapp aficionado, the LV 
rectifies a lot of the previous problems with the Classic, the H2O, and 
Jubilee models. However, not as great a gear carrier for long range. And 
while more room for the feet and less cramping potential, the LV has more 
windage.

The speed issue is one important to me. Getting back in fast or clearing a 
headland quickly are all important attributes for me. I tried a Seda Glider 
out once. Fast. Awesome. But, in a lumpy sea and wind, forget it!

Doug Wilcox concludes:

"The Valley Nordkapp LV is a superbly made expedition boat for smaller 
paddlers. It is as manoeuvrable as a day boat (albeit at the cost of some 
secondary stability) and it is also fast. Valley seem to have achieved the 
Holy Grail of sea kayak design: the LV has speed, manoeuvrability and 
sufficient volume! It is a boat that the progressing paddler will delight in 
for its excitement and responsiveness. It is also a superb day boat for 
heavier paddlers while still having enough expedition carrying capacity for 
all but the heaviest of packers. What else should you consider? Early 
intermediates looking for a day boat should also try the superb Rockpool 
Alaw Bach which is just as manoeuvrable but is a more predictable learning 
platform that will flatter ability and speed skill development. Hardcore 
rockhoppers should also consider the Rockpool for its heavier and stronger 
construction and in extreme conditions even experts appreciate secondary 
stability."

He seems to agree with you Jerry in his last sentence above.

And more telling:

"What is the overall verdict of the Valley Nordkapp LV? Well apart from 
carrying capacity, we could not find a single criterion in which the 
Nordkapp Jubilee retained superiority. The Nordkapp is dead. Long live the 
Nordkapp LV! It is outstanding, beauty really isn't skin deep! As a result 
of this test, three Nordkapp LV's have already been ordered and more are 
being saved for! I feel I must award this boat 12/10!"

For me, the Classic Nordkapp isn't dead yet - but really, its design is on 
life support and all attempts to revive it flat-line and have shown the LV 
to be better. The LV is still on my short list. I'd heavily modify one for 
my own use and criteria.

When I sit in an NDK or Tiderace, I'm immediately aware of certain 
advantages. As seas get rougher - all the more. Do I enjoy the experience. 
No. Not the same. A kayak is more than the sum of its parts. Kayak and 
kayaker are one. When a kayaker is in a sea kayak they really enjoy, the 
experience truly is greater than the sum of the parts.

I have not found that perfect experience yet. Everyone wants an exciting, 
sexy, wild, good looking souse. Rarely is a frumpy, reliable, faithful and 
true spouse not the best option in the long term. I'm looking for both (in a 
kayak, that is). I'll let you know when I find it. :-)

Doug Lloyd ("sploosh" - sounds like what's in the jar preserves in the 
pantry - the ones my faithful spouse keeps on shelves forever, for a rainy 
day)


> Doug,
> The most telling phrase in your superb exposition is the final 'certain 
> essential wildness'.  So the Nordkapp aficionados have a spiritual 
> characteristic in their blood.  I can perhaps 'grok' that.  But from a 
> practical point of view I don't see any advantage to twitchiness/low 
> stability in a sea kayak.  If one wants highest top speed, one must accept 
> the the twitchiness of a 21 ft by 17 inch surf ski.  But for sea kayak 
> hours in unruly seas why not all the advantages one can get.  You use a 
> rudder, for example, and I heartily approve; it just makes things a bit 
> easier, so why not.  Likewise a bit of stability (not too much) will make 
> things easier after long rough hours at sea.
>
> Or perhaps one is playing in wild tide races, and has the Olympic qualitiy 
> reflexes and skills of, say, a Sean Morley.  Then, perhaps, one is in 
> another realm where ultimate side to side quickness is an advantage.  Even 
> here, however, a bit of chine and its associated carving/turning response 
> can only be a positive.
>
> If, as you say,  "in an all-day slog in lumpy, short-period seas, the 
> tight-ass Nordy delivers  consistent sea-kindly rides - all be it with 
> continued attention."  Then what practical advantage accrues from such 
> required continued attention?  That attention requires added effort, which 
> can be draining over time.  And as you note many good paddlers have 
> switched out of Nordkapps.
>
> But I will be cool.  I only rant because I wish that the pleasure and 
> excitement of the Nordkapps were 'in my blood' as well.
>
> PeterO,
> I don't agree with getting a boat that is difficult to handle, just in 
> order to learn it.  For this reason I don't have a unicycle.
>
> Jerry
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