Any owners or those with experience with NC boats who would like to share opinions/experiences with the brand? I'm looking at the 15 and 17 models.

You might have missed some of the stuff I've posted about NC. I'm going to go way out on a limb and say that NC makes the best long distance sea kayaks in the world.

Let's see, where do I begin? Obviously, you've probably seen some of their boats and are aware of how gorgeous they are. If you've had a chance to sit in one, or demo them, you might be a little conflicted. I found them to be different than almost any other sea kayak that I had tried. They track like nothing else I've ever experienced and their stability is superb.

Your size is going to be very important when considering any kayak and I think it is critical with regard to the seat positioning on an NC. I had my seat moved to the rear of the cockpit by about one inch when it was being built. This allows me to enter and exit without a problem.

I think the additional cost for the Lt. (light layup) is well worth it. My 19 footer is amazingly light and is a dream to carry. However, if I were to do it all again, I would have them put another layer of cloth, or a chunk of airex in the bow area. I can't see where it would add much weight, but I think it would be a good thing. I could still add a layer, but I haven't decided if it is worth the trouble.

Beside all of the other great things about my Expedition, the one thing that took me a while to really analyze was how easy the boat is to paddle. Until you are able to put some miles on the boat, you don't quite realize how its stability and tracking ability combine to let you maintain a very easy cadence where hardly any corrective strokes are required and you aren't bothered with weather cocking and so on. When you take a break and let the boat glide, it doesn't wander.

Lastly, I cannot stress enough how well this boat handles rough water. The only caution I would give is that the boat might instill an overconfidence that might get you in over your ability. I've had a time, or two when I thought, oh, oh I've really bought the farm this time, but the boat just seems to take over and I come out the other end totally unscathed.

Since you live in Washington, I would highly recommend that you go to Tacoma and visit with the guys and see how the boats are built--if you haven't done so already. They are more than happy to let you demo one, or all of the boats. Don't be fooled by the feel of the boats. They are fast. Depending on what you are used to, an NC might feel like it is a bit of a task to maneuver. I assure you that with a little practice, that goes away.

If I had it to do all over, I would most definitly buy an NC--without hesitation.

Thanks Magooch for you comments. After posing my question, I searched and found your previous remarks. You are certainly a big fan of NC kayaks! My only knowledge of their boats so far is internet related. I do plan a trip to Tacoma to paddle a couple of their boats soon. In a world of "the more it cost, the better it is" I find it interesting that NC can sell their boat for what a plastic boat goes for.

Was the repositioning of your seat a big deal for NC or is it something they do routinely? It appears their seats are plastic, if so, how comfortable after a couple hours? How well do their boats roll? Do you feel the rear deck is low enough for easy self rescue. I like the cowboy entry but like a low deck.
Thanks for your time with this.
Mike

Okay Whidbey, here's a few quick answers: 1) NC sells only factory direct; no dealer is involved. That saves approximately one third on the price. They also put on some very good sales at various times of the year. If you went to their website, you may have seen some of the boats they built for "stock" and have been on sale from time to time during the summer. Don't let the price of their boats lead you astray. They don't skimp on anything. That will be instantly apparent when you first lay eyes on one of their beauties.

2) I assume that NC does position the seat to fit their customers, but there isn't a whole lot of adjustment that can be done. From the standard position, it can be moved to the rear approximately one inch. I think all of their boats use the same cockpit, so I think all of the boats can be built with the seat a little further back.

3) The seats are solid fiberglass and I do mean solid--firm, hard, not squishy--zero flex. So those who have a tender toosh might want a pad of some sort. My wife made me one that works great.

4) I really can't tell you anything about how the boats roll. I assume that they roll fine, but honestly I doubt that I'll ever find out. They are super stable and seaworthy.

5) The 17 and 19 footers are British style (both ends turned up), but the deck behind the cockpit is quite low and flat. Again, I'm sure that a cowboy rescue would work fine, but I've never come close to finding out for myself.

I'm more than happy to answer any questions you have--if I can, but you might want to go to the horse's mouth at nckayaks.com. You can email them with any questions, or talk to them on the phone. They love to talk about their boats.

I have read a number of your unabashedly enthusiastic reviews of Novus (NC) kayaks and would like seek your advice since I am considering purchasing one of their models (NC 17), but not having seen one much less paddled one, I am, understandably, concerned.
First, are you aware of any OBJECTIVE, independent tests of any of the NC kayaks?
Secondly, I am an off and on beginning kayaker who has done some surf entry and exit (definitely NOT my forte, I do not know how to roll though I have taken some classes) and would prefer just to launch from a nice, calm dock.
I want a fast, pretty kayak but also realize I will mainly want to use it in the harbor or on a lake--would also like to do some photography from it.
So, how would you rate the primary and secondary stability characteristics of these kayaks and their maneuverability? From the little I have been able to find on the web, there seems to be a concensus that they track well but do not turn--true? Also, there does not appear to be concensus on the edge or flange design, some find it a definite drawback.
I am actually thinking of taking a flight up to Seattle/Tacoma and visiting NC to try their boats, but I have an opportunity to purchase a used NC 17 for quite a good price and am tempted to jumpt the gun, so to speak.
I should add that the other boat I am seriously considering is a QCC 400 X--any comments on those?

Thanks for your attention to this matter

From observation, N.C.'s don't have skegs or rudders. Most of them do not have front hatches either, including 17'ers. They may have a bulkhead but no access.

Imagine the 17' Overnighter, for example, with it's 350 lbs. capacity with weight in the rear bulkhead and unable to balance the load by putting weight in the front.

Imagine never having the ability to trim without the aid of a skeg or rudder.

This site has reviews of may NC's http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showKayaks.html?manf=99

Rudder is an option on the NC boats. Me personally I perfer a skeged boat. You may want to take a look at the capella line by P&H.

Halventura, I'll try to answer some of your questions.

First off, NC does build a seventeen footer (17'-2") that has a front and stern hatch. Some of their customers obviously are more into day paddling and do not require a front hatch. They even have a model with no hatch at all.

Keep in mind that NC has designed their boats for very specific purposes. Primarily, they are a long distance, fast cruising kayaks. I'm not saying that no one would buy one to go rock gardening, or ocean surfing, but that certainly isn't their strong suit.

TheGCW expresses concern about the ability to trim with a rudder, or skeg. All I can say to that is as the manufacturer says, it ain't necessary. These boats are almost impervious to wind and current. I have found that a little lean now and then, or trimming with the paddle is all that is required. To TheGCW, I would say, imagine not having to fiddle with or be dependant on a rudder, or skeg. Until you have paddled an NC for a bit, it is hard to realize how much effort you are spared with a boat that truly tracks like it is on rails.

That brings up the question of maneuverability. I will admit that I had reservations about that with my nineteen footer. Let me assure you, these boats can be turned quite nicely, but it takes a little bit more technique and it's no big thing. The fact of the matter is that I have greatly enhanced my boat handling abilities in all of my kayaks since I've learned to manage the Expedition. Every design is a compilation of compromises and I think that NC has found the perfect combination for what their boats are designed to do.

About the performance flange: As you state, some might find it uncomely, but here again, let me assure you that once you see and experience all that it does for the boat and its performance, you wonder why other builders don't have this feature.

NC kayaks' stability is simply unparalleled--both primary and secondary. That's about all that needs to be said about that issue.

About objective reviews of kayaks: I am not aware of any tests of NC boats in recent years by kayaking magazines, but there are a lot of reviews by owners on paddling net. As you probably know, a lot of tests by experts are no more objective than a non-expert; maybe just better informed.

I would encourage you to contact the people at NC and let them answer any questions you might have. They are kayakers and have developed their boats from that prospective. Before I bought my Expedition, I had visited their shop a few times and I tried out a couple of boats. I also tried out a whole lot of other boats that I thought would satisfy what I was looking for. I ended up having the Expedition built for me and I would do it again and again without hesitation. However, if I were to do it again, I would talk with them about a couple minor additions. They might be able to talk me out of my suggestions, but I'd give it a try. I'd be happy to talk to you about it in private contact (my stuff).

Finally, if you do decide to go with an NC, I would strongly suggest that you check their website often, because they have been running some absolutely spectacular sales. For instance, they have a brand new Expedition that was on sale for $1650 as well as several other models for half price. That sale is gone, but I wouldn't be surprised if they run another one.

Magooch,

In reading your posts, I am becoming convinced that that NC kayaks build some of the best all-around boats on the market; and maybe the absolute best in the world as far as value-for-money.

I agree that a properly-designed kayak may not need a skeg or rudder. Warren Little Wings are generally sold without either, although, as with NCs, they can be added per customer specification. Mine has neither, and it has handled well in all conditions that I have encountered thus far.

However, I have to take friendly 'issue' with your blanket statement that,
"NC kayaks' stability is simply unparalleled--both primary and secondary. That's about all that needs to be said about that issue."

You, like most folks, have obviously not paddled a Warren Little Wing. My Little Wing 12.5 is only 21.5 inches wide aft of the cockpit, and just 20 inches at the cockpit. I have been paddling it for eight months two or three times per week in a variety of conditions and it seems as stable as my 26-inch-wide Necky Gannet rec boat. Of the boats that I have paddled, the Little Wings are 'unparalleled' in their stability for their narrow beams. Your NC, at 24-inch beam, should be relatively stable for a fast-cruising sea kayak, but then so is my 24-inch-beam Folbot Cooper. They are both relatively wide for sea kayaks. However, my 21.5-inch-wide Little Wing seems to me more stable than my Cooper. The Little Wing's stability is difficult to explain, you have to experience it.

I hope to get Sea Kayaker to test a Little Wing to confirm my subjective observations.

Anyway, happy paddling. Maybe we will meet some time when I get to the West Coast. I am hoping to let folks paddle a Little Wing at the 2010 WCSKS. I would love to test paddle an NC. Do you know if they usually have demo boats at WCSKS?

MikeH,
My use of the word "unparalleled" was not all inclusive. Obviously there are exceptions, but generally I was referring to conventional sea kayaks. That's not to say that the Wing boats aren't sea kayaks, but you must admit that they are a bit unconventional. And there's nothing wrong with unconventional. NC does things their own way too and I think their boats are better for it.

There is one thing where I differ from a lot of sea kayakers and that is that a boat has to be as skinny as possible to be of proper design. I'm not the biggest guy around, but I have tried to squeeze my butt into some of the narrower boats and I just don't fit. Some paddlers seem to think that if the beam is wider than 22 inches, the boat will naturally be slow. Well, they should look around. There are a lot of very good designs that exceed 22" that are quite fast.

I started looking at the actual water line beam and in some cases a boat with say a 23 inch overall beam has a narrower water line beam than a boat with a 22 inch beam where the chine is hard as opposed to a softer chine.

I would rather have a boat that is designed for all around performance and doesn't sacrifice reasonable stability and comfort for a tiny bit more speed--if any.

No, I have never paddled a Little Wing; I've only seen them in pictures.

I have never been to the WCSKS and I don't ever plan to go, but I do believe that NC takes some of their boats up there for demo purposes. It's much more convenient to go right to the factory and arange for a demo.