Re: [Paddlewise] Feed the Need

Jerry,

After almost 30 years of paddling it was you that finally got me thinking 
about hull performance. The other issues of boat construction, rigging, seat 
comfort and the like are primary issues for me but ones that are subservient 
to overall boat performance simply because those aspects are rectifiable if 
lacking in a particular design, while the primacy of desired hull 
performance is not.

For a dedicated playboat my options are good if I want to obtain a kayak 
with good maneuverability and the preferred paddler feedback you seem to be 
eloquently suing for,  with respectively the added desirability of some 
reserve stability. I'm looking for something a bit longer that a dedicated 
playboat with a good turn of speed, though length doesn't always equate with 
a fast touring pace potential.

Certainly the NDK/SKUK boats are well respected; I just can't seem to catch 
the fever. It would certainly make life a lot easier if I did.

A fellow I know on Westcoastpaddler (who has other kayaks than listed next), 
moved away from dedicating himself exclusively to his first kayak, a 
Greenlander, then moved to a Nordkapp LV, and it now in the seat of a 
Tiderace Xcite. I think he's dialed in finally. His comments are 
interesting:

"I love the Xcite. So much so that I have resigned myself to the foot pegs, 
for now at least. It takes a bit more oomf to get it on edge than a 
Nordkapp, and I find that I have to muscle it around a bit more. But, it is 
very stable and forgiving, and very comfortable."

So what exactly comprises an excellent hull design with the characteristics 
you have been impressing upon me. Not a round bilge hull per se if it lends 
an amount of tenderness that detract from the ability to relax. But then 
again, random comments from the internet:

"Am I mistaken or is the Nordkapp when loaded a very stable boat in dynamic 
conditions? How does it compare to the Explorer?"

"I paddle a Romany. Great day boat. Can't carry gear for trips. I also 
paddle a Greenlander Pro. Great for following seas. Recently I tried a 
Nordkapp with about 50 lbs. gear aboard. I was astonished at how little the 
kayak moved around in following and quartering seas. Others bracing hard; I 
didn't. I then paddled it empty, pushed it in maneuvers and got to practice 
rolling."

"Their hull cross sections are very different; the Nordkapp is rounded 
whilst the Explorer has a flatter bottom and soft chines. This affects the 
way they handle in waves, which is better depends very much on you."

"I find the Romany a forgiving kayak, but one that requires a fair bit from 
me in conditions. The Nordkapp I found less forgiving, but also requiring me 
to do less in conditions, for example less tendency for steep waves to want 
to capsize the Nordkapp (thus, less bracing), following seas lifting the 
stern less (thus, less yawing and fewer correcting strokes to hold a 
course)."

"The more I paddle the Nordkapp the faster I can make it go. This is 
especially true in following seas. With concentration, the energy in waves 
from astern can be harvested with remarkable efficiency. In a following sea 
no one I know can keep up with me, even quite good paddlers in very good 
kayaks."

"The Nordkapp remains the most seaworthy and fastest kayak I've ever 
paddled. It is also dramatically unforgiving. There is little static 
stability. The paddler has to provide the dynamic stability. If you do, the 
rewards are exceptional."

"Many of you have seen me at club events with my golden yellow NDK Romany 
Explorer...I've had the good fortune of owning a number of very good boats 
in the past, and I recently received delivery of a Valley Nordkapp Jubilee. 
The Romany Explorer is by far my favorite (even after the new boat, which is 
taking some getting used to). It has a beautiful design, and is an excellent 
all-around boat touring boat...The Explorer is the longer (and faster) 
version of the standard Romany, which is 16 feet long. The most superb 
feature of this boat is its hull design. It has a moderate "v" profile, with 
medium chines, and a moderate amount of rocker. As a result, the boat loves 
to be put on edge and leaned, and its stability on edge inspires a lot of 
confidence -- much more so than a rounded hull, which may have little to 
stop you (other than your skills) from continuing to go over when edged. The 
Romany Explorer is also very stable in rough water and is predictable in its 
handling. In fact, my experience has been that the rougher the water, the 
more stable it has felt. The "v" shaped hull gives it a well defined keel, 
and I think as a result it tracks very well when at speed, with very little 
weather cocking in wind. In fact, it tracks well enough that I rarely use 
the skeg anymore and, if I were to purchase the boat again, I would probably 
order it without a skeg. Despite the good tracking, it has some rocker and 
still turns very well, particularly when edged or leaned."

So Jerry, there is no consensus (?). The Nordkapp LV would be the natural 
progression for me out of the Nordkapp HS and HM models I'm used to. It is 
purported to be maneuverable and fast (at least off the line) as long as you 
are "at the top of your game" and very responsive side to side  -- but 
without soft chines, isn't going to have the feedback.

I think the Reed/Rockpool rep in Washington (Chris Mitchell?) will be 
building the Rockpool boats soon here in North America. I don't think he has 
the Rockpool GT mold yet, but I'd love to give the GT a demo. The deck is a 
bit high for me but the hull sounds superb if I go that route.

http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&p=372758

http://www.expeditionkayaks.com/2009/05/rockpool-gt-design-notes.html

I appreciate yours and other's ongoing "feedback" and hopefully we aren't 
boring folks. I for one am at a stage personally in my life where the old, 
tried and true maintains allure (and a desperate nostalgia) but can't 
satisfy fully anymore. Feeding the new need is going to take some effort. 
The latest runnels of wet salt water don't trickle down a fresh face here; 
there are multiple layers of dried salt water encrusting that epidermal 
barrier that is a bit thick skinned at times for which paddlewise readers 
have always allowed this gonzo paddler a wide margin of grace to figure 
things out.

Doug Lloyd


> Doug,
> There have been enough highly positive reviews of the Nordkapp NLV to 
> conclude that it is a wonderful boat.  However, there are always some 
> comments such as the reviewer's you quote, "...LV is by far among the more 
> demanding and least forgiving of the sea kayaks I've paddled.."  My basic 
> question remains, what is the advantage of getting one of the least 
> forgiving of sea kayaks, when there are others around that are faster and 
> easier in rough conditions?  I await your final conclusion with keen 
> anticipation, since you have so much rough water Nordkapp experience.  Is 
> there not some boat out there that is at least a bit better (for your 
> purposes) than the NLV?
> Jerry
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************