That sounds encouraging
Who knows, maybe he finally got a clue? Hopefully he’s letting someone reputable build his boats.
Why should it take 5 years?
Ship the molds to any decent company and they’ll be building better boats in a matter of months.
Current stock Valley seat
– Last Updated: May-18-10 12:04 PM EST –
I think Valley is putting the same bolted-in seat in all of its composite boats these days. How far off the floor of the boat may now simply be a function of the depth of the boat.
Nordkapps are deeper at the cockpit than some other Valley boats. Even my Nordkapp LV is deeper at the hips than my full size Aquanaut. (The Nordlow's coaming is an inch higher front and back than the Aquanaut's.) At the front the seat in my Nordlow was nearly 1.5" off the floor of the boat. Approximately double the height than my Aquanaut. I put in 1/2 inch shims between the cheek plates and the gunwhales lowering the seat by that amount. Though I have contemplated dropping the seat the rest of the way onto the floor of the boat, the rear of the coaming is already much higher than I like.
bad luck
– Last Updated: May-17-10 1:09 PM EST –
Went to demo a composite Chatham 16 this weekend at a local shop, and between the time I called to confirm they had one in stock and the time I arrived, they had actually sold the thing!
They did have a plastic version that I paddled for a bit. It was a rental boat with some maintenance issues that hampered a really effective demo(e.g. some of the support bungies on the backband had snapped, so zero lower back support). Also, I don't think I care much for Necky's cockpit outfitting in general. Still, I can see the appeal of the design -- very spritely yet forgiving.
You want that NDK … I know it 
(NM)
.
There’s the rub
The downside to lowering the seat is that the aft coaming is already high and lowering the seat makes it worse. I imagine the situation is somewhat better with the LV version, but there’s still no escaping that trade-off or the fact that the Nordkapp is an “old school” design in many respects, such as having a relatively high aft deck and no coaming recess.
balast
– Last Updated: May-18-10 10:25 AM EST –
speaking of the regular nordkapp. I like the way it paddles but I do desire less twitchiness. For day trips I was thinking adding some weight. I filled two juice bottles with lead. They seem to fit right behind the seat. Do you think I should instead put them into the day hatch?
They are solid behind the seat. I have the seat back rest tucked under the cockpit coaming (that's the way I like it) so the bottle are not moving at all and don't fall out during capsize.
Enough already
– Last Updated: May-18-10 11:30 AM EST –
Let's look at some facts about Nigel:
1. Volunteers as a Coxswain on his local Motor Lifeboat and heads out to rescue vessels in all weather...not an easy job, but he does it.
2. Actually "paddles", unlike many kayak manufacturers!
3. Has graciously sponsored many paddlers who actually "paddle". Boats have held up well for said people!
4. Has resisted going to Asia as he chooses to employ his own countrymen and women.
5. Has given much to the sport of kayaking world wide.
6. Graciously hosted many events at his place in Wales.
Currently producing a lot of boats and quality is better.
Now, once again, I think we've covered this and folk can decide for themselves. The inportant thing here is to go "paddling",,,
How many of us here have done as much for kayaking??
Nordlow coaming same height as standard
The rear coaming of the Nordlow is the same height as an H2O (standard Nordkapp).
If I had the money, I would pay someone next winter to modify it like this one: http://picasaweb.google.com/Karovaldas/NordkappHSUpgradesJulyAugust2009#5378495235661813970
suiram,here’s what’s accurate
He is having some USA friends experiment with some new materials etc, for him. That DOES NOT mean he will have anyone else build for him.
yes
It is more accurate - he is not personally doing it
And, in Michigan, of all places!
Actually “paddles”, unlike many…
and coaches, etc…
I believe it is a major reason why his designs are so good. Even small touches such as the additional set of RDFs on the foredeck as stowing spare paddles up front became preferred by many ambitious paddlers.
Keyhole cockpits in sea boats, easily accessible day hatches, low rear decks and coamings, etc… are all elements that Nigel Dennis brought to modern kayaking.
Nigel uses kayaks aggressively and designs boats to be user friendly. His impact has been tremendous.
MICHIGAN! Go Blue! Hail to the Victors
The leaders and best. What better place to find excellent manufacturing processes and technology. The automobile industry has pioneered many new materials and processes over the last 100 years. Southeast Michigan at one time had the highest number of per capita registered watercraft anywhere in the world, nevermind the non-registered and vibrant paddling community. Bill
Salty, are you not his friend ?
Why not just tell him some stuff and jumpstart him into the modern ( composites ) world … Sure his kids or whomever can can handle it.
“Experiment” ??? With what ? Sounds like another bored meeting. Molds are molds … Put something good in, get something good out yeah ?
Leaders
at what??? The best at what? Bwahahahahaha
M go blow has gone down the tubes. Just like the rest of Michigan.
NordLV seat…
I have a 2009 Nordkapp LV with the latest version of the seat and I immediately lowered the seat as I felt the seating position was too tight. I shimmed it 1/2 inch (13mm) and that’s practically as low as it goes. I put about 0.1 inch (2mm) foam tape under the seat and I had to press down the seat in order to get the shims in place. Without the foam tape I guess the seat will flex and touch the hull. The front would go lower but changing the angle of the seat would need custom spacers and would not affect the center of gravity. Later I removed half of the shims leaving 1/4 inch. Removing 1/4 inches did not in my opinion affect the tippines but it made rolling practice easier (“lower” rear coaming and tighter thigh braces). Funny how small changes make big difference.
Not in Michigan!!!
Wow,
balast thread from across the pond
http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=63448