I have nothing to add
Exactly? Wow, I had no idea I was in
the presence of a sage. Do you write to the CEO wherever it is that you quality assure that the guys in production are terrible business people, or piss poor? Pnet seems to be a great release for these desires. You take a great issue to influence a small part of an industry but come off to many people looking questionable. All it takes is a reduction of aggression and a further examination of words used.
Dogmaticus
nor should he have!
(I didn’t think you were implying such either). But that was one hairy landing!
you did fine until:
– Last Updated: Jan-08-08 12:44 PM EST –
"I will leave that bit of excitement for others thank you."
Fine. I'm sure Chris Duff is affected by passive-agressive statements. You might read rick's post below.
don’t tell us all that!
or else some of us will be sitting in our living rooms wondering what foolproof boat they can depend on!
Well then…
Lets strike that last sentence as it was not meant to sound snotty of offend. If it did I apologize to all. Regards. G
I do!
What this illustrates clearly is added awe factor with all these worldwide expeditions that have used such an inferior product. Not only did these adventurers pull off some terrific journeys, but in unsafe terrible boats… Wow, that’s even more of an accomplishment!!
Like summiting 8000 meter peaks without O2!
summiting 8000 m peaks without O2
like this guy:
http://www.suuntocampaigns.com/project448/english/index.html
No, not really.
I recall some BS from non-owners making assumptions about handling and performance, some owners disproving them, some comments on great quality and service, some minor hatch and rudder issues…
Some happy customers to be sure but none really claiming any QCC model to be “the” do it all kayak, or having any magical status, or happily ignoring major warts akin to way the loyal NDK fans do…
But then I don’t really see any “religious fervor” here either.
Would be interesting
to see what gear is used by unsponsored folks or folks who do sponsored expeditions while on their personal, private trips. I know the gear has often been different in the climbing and bike racing world. Actually, in bike racing it is not uncommon for the bike to be made by one firm and carry the decals of another. There are some interesting stories of climbers hating the gear they used, but they used it to get bills paid. One of the great accolades of a company was that its gear was used, but the company never gave it away or paid to have it used.
Certainly, but…
– Last Updated: Jan-08-08 2:21 PM EST –
... only an NDK owner is likely to see their kayak being holed 3 times as a possive thing. ;)
No problems with my NDKs
I’ve been paddling NDK boats for a number of years. I own two Explorers and one Triton. I’ve paddled them all over the Northeast from Downeast Maine to New Jersey. I’ve never had a single QC problem with my boats. No leaks, no broken seats, no split seams and no failures. I’m not saying that these things don’t occur. I just thought you should know that there are some 100% satisfied customers out there.
As an ex-alpine guide
I can give some personal perspective eel to your comments. Climbers want gear that will work, and seek out sponsors to provide the gear of their choice…typically. I know of no situations in my 20 years or so in the guiding, program directing world where a climber or skier would use gear on a trip that they did not like. Certainly some gear doesn’t function as well as as you may have hoped etc., and that feedback goes to the company. And yeah, you may wear a life vest that wouldn’t be your primary choice, or use a basecamp tent that wouldn’t be your first choice etc., but it’s still very acceptable to you. The nitty gritty gear is not compromised.
I fully believe that all the NDK sponsored kayakers willfully choose that brand for it’s attributes, and live with the usually minor issues. Most of these paddlers can get whatever kayak they want, so it says a lot. It also says a lot about Mr. Dennis’s committment to sea touring around the world that he has been so generous in his sponsorship.
Not sure if that helps, but I would never use gear I didn’t think was up to the task, nor would any of us I believe! Any athlete who would isn’t worth sponsoring to begin with probably, so I seriously doubt adventurers are selling out to equipment companies.
Just my toughts based on a career on the outdoor business, not the last word by any means.
question
is it a rudderless double? Curious how that works out.
memory is highly subjective
I’m not seeing religious furor in this thread, but the passion alluded to seemed to be quite evident regarding QCC a number of years ago when I first started reading and posting here – before I owned any Brit boats
Not a NDK comment
– Last Updated: Jan-08-08 7:27 PM EST –
I was not making a comment about NDK or NDK sponsored paddlers. Nigel D. has done much for paddlers and the sport. Just a generic comment about sponsors and gear in other sports and, as I said, curious about how that plays out in the paddling world. Obviously as you get closer to the sharp end nobody is going to use questionable stuff. You may use stuff you would not choose if it is the only way you can fund a big trip. I was saying gear people did not like, I did not say gear that was not up to the task. I am aware of people using things like tents, stoves, sleeping bags, and some clothing items that were not their personal choices.
that vacation to hell
post awhile back? didn’t that look intriguing? you put a team together, then the sponsors may or may not pick you up and send you off to a hitherto unknown location with only minimal time to prepare BUT you need to use their gear?
huh…if i gotta go somewhere where maybe there is a sharp end of the stick then i sorta wanna make sure i have the final say in gear, ya know?
free is great and sponsorship is nice an all but i got only the 1 neck to risk…would sorta wanna make sure the right gear is along.
I completely agree
I know one of the first VTH guys and he could do it with anybody’s stuff, he is that good, but my mindset is directed toward me picking where I’m going and doing what I want to do with exactly what I think I need for the job. I love that part of kayaking or backpacking and wouldn’t even think about giving it up.
Dogmaticus
NDK Triton
The boat has a wire skeg, which works well to trim for weathercocking. The boat can be turned effectively by edging or with a stern rudder but it really turns on a dime if the front person does a bow rudder in conjunction with a stern rudder in the rear. It’s a very maneuverable kayak for its 22 1/2 foot length and quite agile for a tandem.