I don't claim that NDK doesn't have a substandard QC history. But that's not enough for some of you.
I've never said to withhold this information. But that isn't enough for some of you. And clearly, there is not a consensus on what saying "NDK has a QC problem" really means, except among NDK owners. But apparently that's not enough either.
Whenever my perspective is like this I have to ask myself if I'm misunderstanding something or not communicating well, or if someone else is misunderstanding me, or if we are talking past each other. I think this is one of those cases.
So, here's my point, objection, whatever regarding this particular thread:
It started as a warning to NDK owners (and owners of other kayaks with similar seat buckets). It builded to a general gripe session about NDK quality. Someone asked why this was necessary but it just continued. Salty pointed out that some people like to gripe about NDK boats to show how much they know or to follow groupthink. Meanwhile, you have users in this forum and professionals on expedition who continue to use NDK boats. This is only relevant to say that people who know better seem to accept NDK boats in spite of their QC issues.
My own belief and experience, supported by other owners, is that while NDK need t owork on their QC and construction methods, it is no reason not to rule the brand out sight unseen.
I knew all of this when I bought my NDK. So that's where you're right. Where I am right is that I had also paddled one, and I had also received some words of moderation regarding the brand's QC issues. So, informed but not misinformed, I paddled one in conditions, loved it, shopped the store stock until I found one I could accept.
Someone else here said it best: NDK's rep is the fault of it's customers. Now if that's true, and I believe it is, it's because customers accepted the QC issues. And if they accepted the QC issues, that means they were aware of them and made an informed decision, or they weren't personally impacted.
You are not being misunderstood Just some of your objections seem too apologetic. That’s all. Basically the thread about the NDK quality has no value to you because you have already made your decision.
I have not seen anyone advocating not to buy NDK at all. People will decide for themselves but it is GOOD if they know the scoop.
If majority of the new customers inspected their boats carefuly and rejected the boats with substandard quality and if they sent an e-mail to NDK stating just why (with the picture of their new boat not made by NDK), I bet you that you would have a an NDK Miracle happening in a year.
NDK I previously swore I would never own an NDK because of the QC issues, but when I demoed a Poseidon and a Romany XL I really wanted one.
The QC issues still scare me, I know others haven’t had issues but NDK actually had directions on their website for fixing a kayak with uncured seams. Yea, if I buy I new kayak I should have to pop it apart and reseal the deck to the hull myself? After paying how much?
Oh yea, I have two Explorers, one is my wife’s, the other is mine, an old model when they still said Romany and the rope skeg jam cleat was sideways… actually my wife has since claimed that one as her back up boat. No problems yet except for a large gel coat chip from the skeg box, can’t wait to see what is… or isn’t there when it gets fixed.
fix for quality issues Easy fix for NDK’s quality issues if you still love the design, but one used. Doesn’t then support NDK and their weird insistance on cheap construction and you get a boat that someone else has fixed all the problems on.
Mine’s an antique, but it’s still fast and I love the ocean cockpit. One of these days I’ll take the lines off her and build a stripper version then I can sell this beast. Just need the time, have two boats being built this winter
It makes good bulkheads I’ve combined it with with cloth on the outside to produce stiff panels for bulkheads and similar projects. I have a fiberglass bathtub with a soft spot and a patch of mat covered with glass should be a good stiffener.
