| Online Store | Articles | SK Community | Advertisers | Contribute | Contact |
|
BEST TOURING KAYAK The Nordkapp from Valley Sea Kayaks  The Nordkapp has a history that reaches back to 1972 when England’s Valley Canoe Products created its first sea kayak, the Anas Acuta—an early fiberglass touring kayak that was inspired by Greenland skin-on-frame kayaks. Three years later, Valley produced the first Nordkapp, a kayak that kept the same distinctive Greenland profile but eliminated the hard chines in favor of a more rounded cross section at either side of a moderate V keel.The new kayak was used for a British expedition to Norway. The Nordkapp took its name from the northernmost point of land in Norway. Since that expedition, Nordkapps have been used on a number of noteworthy expeditions, including the first rounding of Cape Horn by kayak and Paul Caffyn’s 10,000-mile solo circumnavigation of Australia. For years, the Nordkapp was the kayak our readers most frequently requested to see in our reviews. The Nordkapp H2O was reviewed in our 100th issue. This 2003 model has higher stability than the original and a longer, keyhole-shaped cockpit. The addition of a skeg gives users the options of choosing between the maneuverability of the original HS (Hull Standard) with its upswept stern, and the tracking of the later HM (Hull Modified) with its deeper fin-like stern. Our reviewers were very enthusiastic about the present design. “It’s a well-thought-out, built-for-abuse, rough-water machine with a comfortable, great-fitting cockpit,” wrote one reviewer. “I’d be happy to paddle it any time,” wrote another. Nordkapp $2,999 Great River Outfitters (U.S. importer and distributor for Valley Sea Kayaks) 401-667-2670 info@grokayaks.com www.grokayaks.com www.valleyseakayaks.com BEST SIT - ON - TOP KAYAK The Sea Dart 17 from Heritage Kayaks  The Sea Dart 17 is the latest incarnation of Heritage’s Expedition. We reviewed the Expedition LP (a polyethylene version) in our February 2000 issue. The 80-pound weight of that model made it a difficult lift to the roof racks, but the new version is molded from a different plastic that provides better hull stiffness with less weight—a much more manageable 63 pounds.The design had excellent tracking, little weathercocking in the wind and a good, easily maintained cruising speed. With a load of cargo aboard, the design had exceptionally high stability and, as one reviewer wrote, “tracked and turned nicely with little sluggishness.” The deck makes its transition to the hull’s overhanging “sponsons” that ride just above the load waterline. The 22-inch beam at the waterline gives the hull more efficient forward speed, while the 26-inch-wide beam created by the sponsons increases stability as the boat is heeled. The overhang also keeps spray knocked down, giving the paddler a dry ride. The two hatches open up to storage compartments large enough to pack gear sufficient for multi-week expeditions. The design of the Expedition/Sea Dart 17 left our reviewers with the impression that the boat was “sleek enough to have a good cruising speed and comfortable enough to consider making good distance…it handles beautifully for a sit-on-top designed for long cruises.” The Sea Dart 14, a smaller version of the Sea Dart 17, has been a better seller for Heritage, and 2005 marks the end of production for the 17. Sea Dart 17 $799 Heritage Kayaks 401-253-3408 info@heritagekayaks.com www.heritagekayaks.com |
<BACK |
NEXT > | LAST PAGE >> |