Minor differences
The measurable differences between an Explorer and Aquanaut are minor. Sea Kayaker found the 'naut has a longer narrower waterline, slightly lower decks and slightly less volume than the Explorer.
Sea Kayaker curves and personal experience indicate that the Aquanaut has somewhat lower initial and slightly higher final stability. SK also found that at speeds at and above 4.5 knots the 'naut produced less drag, while at speeds below 4.5 knots the Explorer produced less drag.
The significant differences in these two boats is in their ‘feel.’ While each boat is very seaworthy, their personalities are different.
One behavior difference I’ve heard characterized is that the Explorer slides or skids, while the Aquanaut carves. Having paddled both, I do not believe one is inherently superior to the other.
When asked to recommend expedition length boats, I generally suggest that people demo both an Aquanaut and an Explorer. Thus far, my experience has been that less experienced paddlers nearly always prefer the Explorer, while more experienced paddlers are as likely to prefer one as the other.
I like some variety in personality. As a result I have an Aquanaut and a Romany. If I had an Explorer, I would probably have an Avocet as my day boat.
Yup, that’s all correct…
Exactly my understanding and what you've observed as to which of the two kayaks different people choose matches what I would expect.
(Though, I am a bit confused by the "skidding" thing.)
Variety is indeed a good thing and I am very agnostic about sea kayaks (and avoid discussions about which one or another is superior).
My point is that -most- people who are interested in sea kayaking can start out in a "real" sea kayak. It may very well be that an Explorer is a bit better to start out in than an Aquanaut.
People should not think that they -need- to start out in a recreational boat (for example) before they try a "real" sea kayak. I suspect that -most- people will become fairly comfortable in a "tippy" sea kayak, with a little bit of guidance (not a class) after about 15-30 minutes on flat water. They -may- need more time on flat water to have sufficient experience to paddle something with waves.
Another spin…
It's possible that dealers do the "buy a beginner boat first" thing to sell boats. There's other stuff that could also be happening.
Many people don't want to commit to the cost of a "real" sea kayak and so, are more comfortable starting out with a much cheaper boat.
Also, dealers may be a bit reluctant to sell to a "newbie" a boat (a "real" sea kayak) that takes a bit of a commitment getting used to. (Why sell something to somebody that will only frustrate them?)
There also are people that think they are interested in sea kayaking but really don't want to work that hard.
I think -most- people who have some sort of interest in sea kayaking should try a real sea kayak. Even a little bit of time will provide a good base to make a decision.
If you are significantly taller or heavier than your wife, it would be expected that it would have taken you a bit longer to be more comfortable. (Both these attributes tend to make boats feel less stable.)
skidding - carving
It was Tom who characterized the difference as carving versus skidding or sliding. First when I was talking with him about the Romany versus the Avocet and then he extended the observation to the Explorer and Aquanaut.
My sense is that the Romany/Explorer hull being flatter with more rocker tends to slide on the water more than the Avocet/Aquanaut hull which seems to cut into (or carve) through the water a bit more. Also, the NDK boats' bows tend to ride higher and come over waves more than these Valley bows. As a result the Romany/Explorer have looser bows than the Avocet/Aquanaut.
Again, neither is superior but very different. I like the way my Romany surfs. It really slides on top of the soup and waves. In the case of covering ground in big seas, I like the fluid manner of the Aquanaut. Tom perfers the way an Avocet surfs and an Explorer handles the sea.
I agree that novices can be comfortable in 'real' sea kayaks. Though I would never put a newbie in a Nordkapp, I would put one in an Explorer or Romany. A number of kayak centers use Explorers and Romanys for novice classes. Nigel Dennis designed these boats for use at his center and he got it right.
Generally agree wilso
As a Sea Kayaker tester of several years (stopped doing it when I moved north) I can tell you that their tests are pretty thorough. I can also tell you that there’s still a lot of subjective stuff there, depending upon the list of reviewers. Sea kayaks are displacement hulled craft. Our industry uses jargon that makes sense to people, but may not be accurate. A displacement hull does not carve…it moves through the water as a result of it’s shape. Often people , will characterise a tighter tracking boat as having a carved turn, whereas a looser hull will skid. It’s all symantics really, but the point is that when on edge, the boats chine profile, volume, location of volume,and rocker profile determine it’s turnability. I submit that what you regard as skidding is simply a far tighter turnability of a looser hull. I’m guessing that in your Aquanaut you feel a distinct arc when on edge that gets tighter gradually as more edge is applied. A looser boats arc will turn more sharply as edge is applied, and often when way on edge will have a sensation of skidding as the bow and stern become free of the water. Paddlers vary in their preference for these triats. I like looser boats, and wouldn’t choose the Aquanaut personally even though I think it’s a great product. Just not as inspiring to me, so I’d opt for any number of other boats. When we really examine the drag numbers the differences among most of these kayaks is negligable in real world applications. So, to that end, you found a boat that just works for you. Thats a good thing. A HP surf kayak, wave ski, when on plane, carves. But only when on step (plane).
Thanks
Salty,
Thanks for the gentle correction with respect to language and semantics. Your explaination fits well with my less-technical understanding and I found your choice of words / images accurate to describe the differences.
It’s my understanding that ALL seakayaks turn on their outside edge as a function of the differences between relative looseness and tighness of the bow versus the stern. I also prefer loose sterns since they seem more “lively” in actual use. Of course one paddler’s “lively” is another’s “ill-mannered”.
The Aquanaut is a fine boat and I would probably own one if I didn’t already have a Greenlander Pro that fills the slot for a go-fast-and-straight boat. As you said, all boats are a collection of design compromises. When the compromises match our needs we have found our “great boat”. When the compromises are not a good fit, we have a “dog”.
Cheers,
Jed
Wait and see
To bmwbob - When you start learning to roll and more off-balance work, you well may find out that the 16' boats you think are overkill now were just the right choice.
Second that
Starting out on dimensional water kicking you around is often not the best idea for many. Flat water has its place, not the least of which is to let paddlers get used to the boat’s basic movement before they start having it imposed on them in waves.
And without the slightest bit more skill, women often have better balance in a boat because our center of gravity is better located. Can be darned frustrating for the spouse.
So THAT’S the reason!
That my wife has it easier than I do!
“optimal CG location”, I suppose is more acceptable to some than saying “Baby got back!”
Bob
Minor Differences
Wilsoj2,
I think your “Minor Differences” post did about the best job summarizing the differences between the Explorer and the Aquanaut that I’ve read. Very factual and objective too. I also agree that the Explorer has been designed to work for beginners to advanced paddlers. I have two Explorers and I sat several beginning paddlers in one this season on the Hudson and all of them found the boat confidence inspiring and were able to comfortably paddle their first time out. I remember my first time in the Nordkapp HM, confidence inspiring…not!
NJP17
Thsnk you NJP17
To be absolutely honest the first thing that made me like the Aquanaut after being in an Explorer was the livliness of the hull. My previous boat was an Elaho DS and I had grown to like the feel of the hull moving side to side with the slightest shift of weight. The Explorer’s squarer hull section (flat bottom and sides)is much less active at rest. The very first time I was in an Aquanaut I had the feeling that my butt controled the boat and it (the boat)responded to the slighest shift. The secondary was gradual, but strong so that it never felt as if the boat would capsize.
The final in my decision was a paddle around Peaks Island during which we encountered dense fog and challenging seas (which Steve Maynard referred to as “interesting seas” when we returned.) The boat behaved so well I felt it was ‘my boat.’
Yes, more paddle time
would have been good. I know that now.
But the classes were offered on consecutive weekends. It seemed set up for taking them back-to-back. They also offered two eight-hour day one weekend intensive classes. So taking classes on consecutive weekends sounded like a good plan to me. And I like to jump with both feet like that. Perhaps the shop should set a slower progression of classes. A refine your strokes class. Or offer discounted rentals for people who recently completed a class. Two hours for the price of one.
Having talked to the guys in the class, and subsequently read the reviews on the Eclipse, it is obviously not a boat for a newbe. Having paddled several Kayaks since the basic strokes class in Tempest, I would not now be able to say how tippy the Tempest is. However, the Eclipse seamed harder to control, even in the harbor before we made it out into the ocean. So for my classmates and me at least, it was a step in the wrong direction.
Re the wife being a better kayaker than me. While I am a little jealous, I’m also proud of how good she does, and how comfortable she is in a kayak now. More comfortable than me. While lower center of gravity in build is one thing, she is also much shorter and lighter than me. So I’m sure that helps her keep her CG inside the boat’s sides, offers less turning moment, requires less righting forces. Resulting in a more relaxing experience.
Don
“Eclipse seamed harder”
"The Eclipse seemed harder to control"
I believe the Eclipse is designed to harder to turn (that is, track straighter) than the Tempest. (It's a feature not a defect.)
The faster pace of instruction works for some but not for others. People don't get any good at sea kayaks with classes alone: other time on the water is important too.
The "control" thing is interesting. Sea kayaks can't change direction "instantly". This will tend to frustrate beginners, especially those who may be a bit nervous. More time in the water is the fix for this.
I think sea kayaking would not be as interesting if it was easy.
Seat time
Time in the boat is extremely valuable. Too often it is overlooked when discussing skill development.
The more time one spends in a boat (or boats) the more comforatble and confident one becomes.
Though lessons are very important, there is no substitute for time on the water in the boat.
100% Agreed!
And its free! (Once you have the boat.) That was one of the really appealing things about the sport, no greens fees, no lift tickets, just get in the yak and go. Even a trip where I made no conscious effort to work on skills improved my paddling this summer. Can’t wait till spring!
"More Time on Flat Water"
Here’s something to ponder about spending more time on flat water to get comfortable in a boat. If you have a somewhat “tender” boat, it may always feel tippy on flat water - every movement of your body is reflected in the boat, and you notice every twitch. But put that same boat in textured water, and you don’t notice every little thing. I’ve come closer to accidentally capsizing just messing around in flat water than I ever have in rough stuff (except one surf landing . . . but that’s a whole ‘nother story!) I have a 22’ beam semi vee hull that is very sweet in the chop.
Paula
Thistleback
a boat that just works for you
Well, as of now I’ve found 2 boats that “just work” for me - a Romany and an Aquanaut.
The more I paddle the more I understand and have the desire to have a number of boats.
This past season I traded off with a friend my Aquanaut for his Sultan. I hadn’t been in a Sultan in a few years and appreciated the boat even more than before. Though I don’t desire to own one.
This coming season I want to spend some real time in an Anas as well as an increasingly long list of others…
There are so many ‘good’ boats, each with different personalities and lessons to teach.
And it is all FUN!
Wilso
I too love the Romany. Have to stuff my thighs under the coaming, but have had a lot of fun in a Romany. Have you tried a Kajak Sport Millenium? I am impressed with that boat as a gear hauling, efficient, and playful boat. They really found a great compromise with that kayak. I would consider one if I do another Alaska extended trip.
More flat water.
“I’ve come closer to accidentally capsizing just messing around in flat water” And is there anyhing really wrong with that?
Excluding situations where it’s dangerous, people are too concerned about capsizing.
I have found that, in flat water or rough water, you learn to keep your body over the boat so it’s automatic.
I suspect that you are paying more attention in rough water than in flatwater. But, with more experience, you don’t have to conciously pay attention: it’s automatic.
Kajak Sport Millenium
I tried a Kajak Sport Millenium at GOMSKS in 2003 and 2004. I decided if I was ever to to an Atlantic crossing, that it would be the boat. If I were doing expeditions, as oppossed to one or few night camping, I would seriously consider the Millenium. It feels absolutely confident. I also found it suprisingly responsive for such a long boat. It kind of reminded me of the Saab 900 I used to own
I do love my Romany. It makes me smile every time I’m in it. What an extraordinary combination of responsive, capable, AND forgiving! I did my 3 Star skills work in my Aquanaut. After which I got my Romany and thought - “THIS is the boat for these skills!” The same is somewhat true when I got into a friend’s Explorer. Someone once wrote that it felt like cheating doing skills work in these NDK boats and I now know what he meant.