I spent $2000.00 on a brand new Valley Nordkapp poly. That is a lot of money for a poly boat (taxes in Ontario are 13%). Anyway, I took the boat home and used it only twice. The boat didnt even look like it was used ever. But I noticed that the stern had a slight bend in it. I didn't notice it right away. I was just so excited to get the boat and paddle it.
I called the store and brought the kayak back and waited for the store to contact Valley about warranty issues. After 2 weeks of waiting the store called me to give me the bad news that Valley would NOT warranty the boat because they "have no way of knowing how that could have happened".
The boat had in no way been damaged and it was evident after looking at the boat. It was clearly a defect when the boat was made. The bow and the stern are the strongest points on the boat. The boat was stored inside and had been taken care of while it was in my care.
I was almost in tears thinking I just spent $2000 on a boat that went in circles. The owner of the store recognized that the bend or warp in the boat had nothing to do with me. He took the boat back and I ordered a new boat. But not a Nordkapp or a Valley boat of any kind. I will never buy a Valley product again. $2000 is a lot of money to me. It was not my fault and Valley should have honored their warranty and replaced their defective product.
I ended up getting a Tempest 170 and love it. It is a fun boat to paddle and didn't come warped. I only wish thd Tempest had Valley hatches.
Has anyone else had warranty issues on a brand new boat?

Hi Chad,
I can tell you are very disappointed with Valley's response, but for a moment consider their point of view. They build and the QC a boat for shipment to a dealer. The dealer should be inspecting the boats on arrival and informing Valley of any defects. once the dealer accepts the boat it is no longer in Valleys control and they really would "have no way of knowing how that could have happened". Then you inspect the boat at the dealers and accept it yourself. I think that this is clearly an issue to be taken up with the dealer. IMHO

There are two things I always try to do whey buying a kayak. 1) Always turn the boat upside down and sight down the keel line. Be sure the light is very good and take your time. If there is any doubt, do not accept the boat. I don't think it is at all unusual for poly boats to get warped right out of the mold if they are not handled just right. 2) When you inspect your new boat, do it at the dealership and be extremely thorough. It is amazing how many little things can slip by in the excitement.

I just remembered number three--always check poly boats for flex. Most longer boats will flex a little, but anything more than that, I would consider unacceptable. With the boat sitting upright and flat on the floor, go to the bow and very slowly lift the bow and watch to see if the boat flexes right behind the cockpit. I've done this with several poly Valley boats and they do not pass the test.

At $2000 for any polyethylene kayak, it had better be PERFECT.

I was told by a very large kayak dealer that many domestic builders have there own trucks and drivers, because it was so common for their products to be damaged in shipment. I can only imagine what might befall boats shipped across the seas.

My first kayak, an Aquaterra Chinook, had a decided tendency to turn left. The dealer told me that I just needed to learn proper paddling technique and all would be well. I snapped a chalk line down the keel and took a photo showing that the stern was about 1 1/2 inches out of line. I sent the photo to Aquaterra in Easly,SC, and they shipped a new, upgraded boat within one week. And that is the way business should be done. Jake

The shipping process, and shipper responsibilities have recently been made clear to me. I understand Valley boats are being shipped to North America and spend a lot of time aboard a ship. I acknowledge that I may have reacted hastily towards Valley. The damage to my Nordkapp could very well have occurred during shipping. The retailer did take the boat back and I got a Tempest 170. At least I know my Tempest didn't spend weeks on a ship and thus I avoided issues that could have occurred aboard a ship.