Just a note on my first adventurer with my NC17 Overnighter! First of please thank all of your folks again for me for the great boat and the terrific craftsmanship!
Our group of 14 went to Lake Eufala just over the Georgia-Alabama line. This lake is created by daming of the Chattahoochee River which is a major river in Georgia and runs to the Gulf of Mexico. This lake is 40-60 miles long depending on how you measure it.
Friday afternoon we paddled 8 miles across some serious open water. The lake was calm with temps in the 35-39 degree range. About half way across we experienced about a 25 mile tail wind with gusts from 30-35 mph. The lake went from light chop to 16-18 inch waves with white caps in seconds.
My NC17 was answering the call and literally surfing the waves with my mid ships and stern poised on two waves while my bow was lifting over and slicing through the next oncoming wave and parting it like a knife with no water making it over the deck at all. I was flying. We clocked that leg of the run with the wind behind us at 5.7mph with an overall run with the heavy head wind coming back at 2.7 mph. All were impressed to say the least. My son was in one of our old Dagger Atlantis and was barreling through the waves as he is a strong paddler. Our other paddler was in a new Nigel Foster Legend and he was pressed to stay with me. Tracking! Even in the wind I could adjust direction with a flick of the wrist or a lean and a strong pull on one side or the other and experienced no weather cocking at all!
The next day we paddled 9 miles in less eventful water and the NC17 performed wonderfully! I pulled lunch for all out of my generous sized hatch and served hot soup, cocoa and fruit to 9 folks who were glad to have it!
I had many very good comments about the boat and how it looked in the water and how it cut through the water.
Folks need to know when a product is great and folks like y'all do what they say they will and back up their products!
Hey, guys...I've been pleased with everything about this boat except for one thing: I had the "extra" hatch installed in the front bulkhead for ease of loading tent poles and/or fishing rods, etc., anything that can't be manuevered into the deck hatches.
I can't figure out how anyone who does not have the arm length of a gorilla can possibly reach the latches on that hatch. Am I a moron, or do I need to lengthen my arms?
I have had the NC 17 out in challenging conditions, and have learned to edge the boat to correct any weathercocking. Edged, it turns well, too. I paddle mostly inland lakes where the wind becomes a factor before the waves are a issue. The other half of the paddling duo is recovering from rotator-cuff surgery, so we have not been on any big water yet... ("Mother" Superior/Apostle Islands). But for most of the paddling conditions we'll ever tackle, this kayak is very well-suited.
My 10-year old grandson tried it and loved it. He instinctively maneuvers the boat with ease. Needless to say, it sits a little higher in the water with him in the cockpit.
The design feature I thought I might not like, the "rub-rail" I love. It makes it a lot easier to rack the boat on our pickup, especially important this year, since I'm doing most of the lifting myself. It's very convenient to have more places to grip the boat when carrying it to a put-in point that's down an embankment or down steps. It's also a good feature for those few occasions when I'm up against someone's dock. I haven't practiced re-entering after a wet exit (yet) but my guess is the rail will be useful for that, too. I also like not having to worry about a rudder---getting hung up on the mechanics or wracking it up on rocks, etc.
I did put 1/4 inch foam on the seat back to give my lower back a bit of cushion (have some arthritis) and that took care of that. I like the cockpit combing, because the spray skirt really stays in place.
Now that the spring boating season is around the corner, I thought I would write to tell you why I am a proud owner of three NC Kayaks.
As you may remember, we met at the Seattle Boat Show last year. I wanted to buy a couple of kayaks. I ended up buying three kayaks from Novus Composites rather than another manufacturer for the following reasons: rough water design, vibrant gel coats, durable construction, good pricing, and knowledgeable salesmanship. Nine months later, I can't think of too many products that I have purchased in which I have enjoyed greater pride of ownership.
I was seeking a kayak that performed well and was stable in rough water, yet was fast in smooth water. Both models that I purchased, the NC 15 and the NC 17, delivered performance that met or exceeded my expectations. They are easy to paddle, and they maintain their course well; corrective strokes are rarely necessary. I have no regrets for ordering my kayaks without rudders.
Although I am quite pleased with my kayaks, I always appreciate it when other folks comment on the boats' great appearance and deep colorful gel coats.
My goal in buying a kayak was to pursue an aquatic activity that delivered a great athletic work-out. I never thought that kayaking would become one of my favorite sports. Your boats have a lot to do with that.
Congratulations on building a great boat and good luck to you in 2006.
Guys Hi, I just really got to paddle the NC17 where it shines. I did a series of trips on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for 6 days straight, where of course, the NC was a big hit.
The wind never dropped below 15 knots and the waves were anything from 1 to 3 feet in the Sounds and larger off the coast. I went out through Oregon Inlet, which is famous for stiff currents. The boat performed even better than I expected. I was hopping between Islands that were one half to three miles apart and all I did was point the boat and paddle forward strokes and she stayed on course like an arrow and as fast. With beam winds it is the same, she slides straight down wave faces effortlessly. No weathercocking at all. On top of this, I think the boat is very easy to roll. Up until now I had only paddled the NC17 in lakes and rivers and all I really noticed was the speed and seat comfort. Now it is my favorite tripper, I may need to order an Expedition model. Thank you for the excellent construction of a great design.
I took kayak lessons using different kayak but have only owned NC Kayaks. I met these guys at a boat show in Portland, OR and was impressed by everything - especially the design and price.
The owners are ex-Boeing engineers and as a result the hull design is EXCEPTIONAL and TOTALLY FUNCTIONAL - to the extent that I have found no need to add a rudder. I've added a bunch of other options (foot bilge pump, Scotty rod holder receiving bracket, Norcross remote depth sounder, compass, emergency paddle straps and a couple extra "D"-rings) so it hasn't been as if I've been on "the-cheap" - NC simply constructs a well designed kayak, with exceptional finishes and attention to detail normally limited to more expensive craft.
- bottom line: great design, excellent construction, quality finishes, exceptional attention to detail - and a great couple guys!