Valley backbands reviled???
Huh? I have an Avocet RM and a ProKev 2006 Aquanaut with integral glass seat, and the backbands in both are fine. I had to get the Naut’s band adjusted right, but now it’s ok. Maybe it’s the backband on the newer, hung plastic seats that are a problem?
BTW, the IR backband in my Impex Diamante (which became the Susquehana) was a disaster, so I know what a bad backband is like.
–David.
earlier back bands bad
The earlier (pre-2004) Valley backbands really sucked. The issues I had with the backband in my 2004 Aquanaut was that the Velcro would slip and a couple of years in the lower straps pulled through the backband - I’ve since replaced it with a BomberGear backband. All of my boats except my ww boat have Bomber backbands 
back band
We are currently working on a new backband, this will come on all kayaks shipped from december on. We will also ensure it is available at a heavily discounted price for any Valley owners wishing to retro-fit to older models
orton1966 - thank you!
– Last Updated: Nov-19-06 11:46 AM EST –
When the new back bands are available (eg December or after), if you could start a new topic thread on Pnet with info and a link to buy it, it'd be swell. I'd buy one.
Peter- as long as we have you on the
line, and please feel free not to answer if this is proprietary information, but:
In units, what is the best selling Valley model?
In unit sales, what proporton is plastic to composite?
Which model is experiencing the most rapid current growth?
How do Valley’s sales in North America compare to sales in Europe?
One last observation- It would appear to be a little difficult to compete in a foreign market like the colonies. A 40’ high cube container with duties is (rounded) probably near $5,000. With 70 boats, freight would then be approx. $70 per boat. Add your margin, the dealer’s margin and it may translate to a $200 increase at retail.
The freight cost is more than the plastic cost (excluding hatches and other materials) for a RM model where polyethylene has been averaging about $.70/lb.
Bomber Gear backband
Hey, Jim – thanks… is this the Bomber Gear backband…
http://www.bombergear.com/5110.html
If so, I’ve got one that I bought on sale from Sierra for $25 (including shipping) on speculation back in May! Maybe I will put in in the Naut.
–David.
I’m kind of relaxed about most figures
Hi bruce,
I’m kind of relaxed about most figures
Of composite models the Nordkapp LV is really strong, in both absolute sales numbers and percentage growth. With RM kayaks in absolute sales (for this last season) the Nordkapp and the Avocet are relatively even, whilst in growth terms the Nordkapp RM has been a massive success with sales getting stronger month on month.
Ratio wise, I don’t have the exact figures to hand but when we joined Valley 20 months ago it was about 1:1 now it is approx 2.5:1 again the biggest change being the success of the new RM models, especially the Nordkapp.
You’re right, between exchange rates and shipping costs, being an imported product isn’t easy but being relatively small and specialist we run on quite a low overhead base, don’t have to answer to share holders or support a loss making white water range. So in other ways we have it easy but don’t let on!!
Thanks again Peter and continued
success.
Bomber backband
Yup, that’s the one.
Tom Bergh used to put these in just about all of the Valley and NDK boats at/from MIKCo. Celia’s Explorer LV from Tom has a Bomber backband. I heard such good things about the ‘new’ Valley backband in 2004 that I told him to leave it in my Aquanaut.
Tom didn’t put a Bomber band in my Romany because BomberGear was out of business and he had none left. I picked up the Bomber backbands for both my 'naut and Romany on ebay. My Elaho came with a Bomber backband. I have a spare for my ww boat, but so far am very happy with the backband it has installed.
New Valley band
Peter,
I may be interested in the new Valley backband for my Aquanaut. Can you convey a bit more detail?
Rough numbers?
As I recall, about 1.5 years ago Nigel Dennis told the BBC that he shipped about 300-350 kayaks to the states annually.
I’ve been wondering approximately how many boats will Valley have shipped to the States in 2006?
rough numbers
As i said i’m quite relaxed about most figures, although as we get down to numbers like these i have to be a little more carefull because it gives information about the turnover of our impoter’s business. Lets just say composite wise we are about the top or a little over the NDK figure plus our RM sales
Good enough
Thank you Peter. That is a good enough answer to give some sense.
I’ve always felt that we are genuinely talking small businesses when we are talking about companies like Valley or NDK. I’d read somewhere that Valley was the largest sea kayak manufacturer in the UK, but had no idea how that translated into numbers of Valley boats coming to these shores.
I thought about what Peter said in his
– Last Updated: Nov-20-06 9:37 AM EST –
first post of this thread re: the Aquanaut "inspiring confidence". I had never heard this said and upon further reflection it is very accurate.
I was a little nervous moving up from my first solo yak, a 14.5', 25" beam touring boat, to a 17'1", 22" beam sea kayak.
I thought I would make a transitional step at one of the excellent 16', 22" kayaks available on the market. Cooldoctor pushed me over the edge when he indicated it was only a 6" difference in the bow and 6" in the stern. I sat in the Naut for many hours (at Canoecopia and in the dealer's demo model) and purchased without demo 15 minutes after my dealer received shipment. During the maiden voyage, I felt that I had paddled this boat for many years. It was a seamless transition due to the high initial and secondary stability, maneuverability and speed. My confidence was growing and it has grown further after hundreds of miles of paddling this boat because it seems that I learn something new about the boat each time out; including ways to improve my general technique.
I am obviously somewhat biased, but my point is that a novice can easily transition to an Aquanaut while concurrently he/she can grow with it.
BomberGear out of business ??
Are they back now? Their web site looks alive ans well. Ah, looks like they had a near death expereince, but are back in business…
http://tinyurl.com/ymdhzy
http://www.boof.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-868.html
–David.
bruce is a proficient paddler.
He makes the Valley look good on IL waters. 
He and I will be in line for those new Valley backbands when they are available.
Very nice to have Vellaye input from orton1966 on Pnet.
"a novice can easily transition to an…
– Last Updated: Nov-20-06 4:44 PM EST –
Aquanaut"
My Aquanaut is my favorite all round boat. I fell in love with the Aquanaut the first time paddled one out onto Casco Bay in June 2003. However, I've found novice paddlers are sometimes unsettled by its lively primary and the need for healthy edging to turn the boat.
These same people are usually very comfortable in an Explorer, which has higher primary and enough rocker to turn without lean.
As I recall, the Sea Kayaker Aquanaut review noted "...a top choice for adventuresome intermediate to advanced paddlers..."
Most novice paddlers I've met getting a real boat get an Explorer. Most I've known who have chosen an Aquanaut are intermediate paddlers. Of course if I were buying a 17.5' boat at this time I would be very tempted by the Nordkapp LV ;-)
bomber IS out…
the owner has moved away from the place where it was…he is liquidatin all extra bomber stuff on ebay (passion 4 ever or some name like that)…i got one piece from him…and that was inccorestly sized…(pants) and then he did not answer any email from me…hmmm…
ahhh wonderful ebay
I’ve had good luck…
– Last Updated: Nov-20-06 4:50 PM EST –
I've gotten a number of Bomber Gear items on ebay from 'passion-4-ever' or whatever his screen name is. Thusfar I have been very satisfied with the gear and communication.
However, it is another individual who has the backbands - with whom I've also had good dealings.
Hey Wilsoj2- maybe it’s just me or
maybe it’s the plastic boat but I found the initial stability to be outstanding. In addition, I found that the boat can be turned dramatically with just minor edging.
I never tried an Explorer but something like an Eddyline Falcon 18 I found very tippy. Could the old race track saying of “horses for courses” be true with certain paddlers?