Best N American Touring Sea Kayaks Like UK's NDK Explorer and Rockpool Taran?

Advice
#41

It’s too bad Necky is not building or designing boats like that anymore.

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#42

I believe Mike Neckar has started kayak building at Delsyk in Canada somewhere.

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#43

Yes, but plastic only. And I’ve only seen a few of these boats in local waters over the last decade, so I don’t know where he’s selling them, if at all. The last time I saw one for sale at an outfiiter’s shop was 10 years ago or so.

#44

Thanks @NotThePainter, Lincoln is a new one for me. And the namesake of that kayak is a favorite place to paddle. Lincoln’s website is looking alive and quite active. Are you certain they are out of business?

#45

@String, I’ve only paddled the Tempest 165 - does the 170 handle similarly?

#46

@Celia, that was immensely helpful on several levels. My wife is of similar proportions, 5 ft 6 and 125 lbs, and LV kayaks look like they’ll work best for her. She’s paddled a Necky Chatam 16 and Tempest 165 and prefers the Tempest for speed, tracking and comfort, though the Necky handles rougher water quite well and goes over waves rather than through them. Also interesting to hear about the properties of the Romany and Explorer - have heard the same from friends who paddle them, especially about the Romany (a Maine based instructor said he prefers to use his Romany when teaching to be able to maneuver around easily).

Interesting to hear about the history of NDK’s build quality. Would hate to have a layup compete with lunch at the pub.

#47

Paddling plenty : ) Nothing wrong with finding the best built boats for my purposes.

#48

Lincoln is absolutely not out of business. They are selling direct to customers now.

#49

Selling direct to consumers has been the trend in the outdoor industry in recent years

#50

@acadia, thank you for the advice. Noticed the Seaward Guide has a rudder. How do you think the Guie would handle if the rudder broke?

This is a different discussion, but do you think a rudder is that much more helpful than a skeg for multi-day expeditions? Would you be concerned about breakage? I’ve rented ruddered kayaks in Maine but the kayaks I’m paddling now have skegs.

#51

@acadia, There are certainly examples of quality going down when a brand is sold to a new company, but it’s not always a definite. Did the outfitter mention what the issue was with their CD kayaks? If you have the chance, would you mind asking, or messaging me the name of the outfitter so I could ask them?

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#52

@KayakingOtter

Note on the Romany v the Explorer. If you lay the boats side by side you will see that the cockpit in the Explorer is about middle of the boat and the Romany cockpit is more like 2/3 of the way back. Makes the Romany very maneuverable.

But you should find boats for your wife where the volume is tuned for her size, they are readily available now. If I was buying now I would not get these two. But they still paddle OK so I don’t see the critical need to spend money on new ones.

I like the Tempest 165, just a solid does it all boat. The 170 is too barge-like for anyone my or your wife’s size.

#53

@kattenbo, thanks for the overview of the Prana. How many years have you been selling them?

#54

@Celia, we both love the 165. A great all-rounder. What would you consider now at her weight and height, for a kayak that can handle day trips as well as multi-day?

#55

KO, I can’t get in either boat. I’m too big. I got ours for our grandson. He loves it. I’ve paddled a 180 .
But, the kid has been bitten by the fishing bug. I offered to sell the be Tempest and get him a fishing yak. He has a quandary.

#56

Thank you @magooch. Does your NC Expedition have a skeg or rudder? Also, do you find the length and volume make it harder to maneuver for day trips when you aren’t as loaded up? What’s your height/weight?

#57

Thanks @kfbrady for the helpful article. What are the main differences between Swede form and Fish form hulls?

#58

@KayakingOtter

I am a poor person for this level of recommendation right now, there are too many of the newer boats I have not paddled. P&H and Valley have some good boats out there as well as the newer NDSK and CD boats I haven’t sat in.

One comment on the Chatham 16, it is high on maneuverability. Hence lower hull speed. Rolled nice though.

I also have to ask what handling characteristics you want for a do-it-all boat. Are your multi-day trips long enough that you need a lot of load capacity and strong tracking? Or could you do what you need with a day boat, more around the 16 ft range, with more maneuverability? The P&H Cetus LV for example is a sleek boat. But it is also a long boat and you might not want to be hauling that around for day trips.

Similar question re rudder/skeg. I happen to be skeg only, tried a rudder on my first sea kayak and really did not like it. Never used the damned thing. But I also don’t do long heavily loaded tripping. I know people who do and would not live w/o a rudder for that purpose.

So I think you need to decide whether you need boats that do the day boat or the expedition part better. Then decide about which boat.

#59

Thank you @CapeFear, very helpful. While there are examples of build quality going down after a company is sold, there are also examples of build quality improving with a new professional owner with good resources. Sounds like the latter may apply in CD’s case.

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#60

@JohnGoldhurst, would you say all four of those brands make similar quality fiberglass kayaks?

I’d expect cost of a new sea touring kayak of $3500-4500 based on what I’ve seen. What are used prices like based on condition and age? Is there a good used buying guide out there you’re aware of?