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Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
I was just wondering what some opinions on these two kayaks that I am
considering were from those who have either owned them or paddled them extensively. How do they behave in rougher water? Do you find you need a skeg or rudder? |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Eric wrote: I was just wondering what some opinions on these two kayaks that I am considering were from those who have either owned them or paddled them extensively. How do they behave in rougher water? Both are good rough water boats. Do you find you need a skeg or rudder? They both come with skegs. Rudder? Bite your tongue! ;-) |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Brian Nystrom wrote:
Do you find you need a skeg or rudder? They both come with skegs. Are you sure? While I'm sure that one could have a skeg installed on the Romany, the description of the Romany at: http://www.nigeldenniskayaks.com/Pag...ups/romany.htm does not mention a skeg and I don't recall seeing one on the boat I paddled. Although, the description of the Currituck does. I had one reply that questioned the quality of the construction of Impex and NDK kayaks (leaks, etc...), but this largely goes against everything else I've heard about them. Of course, every manufactured item is bound to have the occasional defect. Any opinions? Rudder? Bite your tongue! ;-) ouch. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Eric wrote:
Brian Nystrom wrote: Do you find you need a skeg or rudder? They both come with skegs. Are you sure? While I'm sure that one could have a skeg installed on the Romany, the description of the Romany at: http://www.nigeldenniskayaks.com/Pag...ups/romany.htm does not mention a skeg and I don't recall seeing one on the boat I paddled. Did you look at the hull? There are four pictures of Romanys on the NDK site. You gave us a link to the only one that does not clearly show an extended skeg. If you look at the stern deck you can see the lines for it. If you'd explored the site at all you would have found the order form http://www.nigeldenniskayaks.com/Pag..._orderform.pdf and seen that you have to check a box to NOT get a skeg. I've never seen a Romany that DIDN'T have a skeg. -- Steve Cramer Athens, GA |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Steve Cramer wrote:
I've never seen a Romany that DIDN'T have a skeg. Interesting. This would then seem to imply that most, if not everyone, believes that a skeg is required for the Romany. -- == Eric Gorr ========= http://www.ericgorr.net ========= ICQ:9293199 === "Therefore the considerations of the intelligent always include both benefit and harm." - Sun Tzu == Insults, like violence, are the last refuge of the incompetent... === |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Eric wrote: Steve Cramer wrote: I've never seen a Romany that DIDN'T have a skeg. Interesting. This would then seem to imply that most, if not everyone, believes that a skeg is required for the Romany. The only person I know who had one without a skeg sold it and bought a new one WITH a skeg. He's an accomplished paddler, so I'd take that as a sign. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Eric wrote: Brian Nystrom wrote: Do you find you need a skeg or rudder? They both come with skegs. Are you sure? Yes. While I'm sure that one could have a skeg installed on the Romany, the description of the Romany at: http://www.nigeldenniskayaks.com/Pag...ups/romany.htm does not mention a skeg and I don't recall seeing one on the boat I paddled. Although, the description of the Currituck does. Both come standard with skegs. The latest system that NDK has devised is a real nightmare, so perhaps they don't intend for you to use it. I had one reply that questioned the quality of the construction of Impex and NDK kayaks (leaks, etc...), but this largely goes against everything else I've heard about them. Of course, every manufactured item is bound to have the occasional defect. Any opinions? The two companies are pretty much polar opposites in terms of quality. Impex boats are well built and have an good reputation. They did have problems with leaky hatches when they were using fibglass covers, but that's been dealt with by switching to rubber hatches. Their boats are pretty lightly constructed and have thin gelcoat, but I haven't seen any problems with durability with their vacuum bagged layups. The only problem I've seen more than once on them is cracked cheek plates on the seats, but that's on boats that are a few years old. This may have been addressed, but I don't know for certain. They have a solid reputation for customer service, so I wouldn't worry too much. On the other hand, NDK has had absymal quality control for years and their boats are known for having many types problems. Their web site even provides instructions for repairing common defects. One of the things they list is UNCURED HULL TO DECK SEAMS! Can you imagine that? I haven't seen that, but I've seen numerous broken seats, coamings that are installed so low that you can't get a spray skirt on them, hulls with no fiberglass behind the skeg box, poorly installed (leaky) hatches, leaking bulkheads and more. The boats are outrageously heavy, due to the fact that they're built primarily of thick gelcoat and chopped strand matt (weak, low-end material that's a real resin sponge) and laid up by hand. According to a friend who's been to their shop in Wales, the boats are built largely by minimum-wage kids right out of high school who are more interested in collecting their pay and hitting the local pub than building quality kayaks. "You want fries with that Romany?" Recently, they claim to have made great strides in quality, though I have yet to see any boats produced since their new Q/C program started. Interestingly, they filed for bankruptcy protection right around the same time that they announced the Q/C program. Neither of these things is surprising considering that their sales have taken a major beating in the US market in the past couple of years, probably due to a combination of their poor reputation and increased competition from North American companies like Impex, Seaward, Necky and Wilderness Systems. Their major distributor for years (GRO) dropped the line when the last container they received last year had 50% defective boats. Bottom line? The designs are excellent, but buying their boats is a crapshoot. You may get a good one, or you may end up with a nightmare. It's truly a shame, since they are outstanding performers when you get them out on the water. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
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Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Brian Nystrom wrote:
Both come standard with skegs. The latest system that NDK has devised is a real nightmare, so perhaps they don't intend for you to use it. Curious...How is it a nightmare? I had one reply that questioned the quality of the construction of Impex and NDK kayaks (leaks, etc...), but this largely goes against everything else I've heard about them. Of course, every manufactured item is bound to have the occasional defect. Any opinions? The two companies are pretty much polar opposites in terms of quality. Impex boats are well built and have an good reputation. Thanks for the information. I have recently heard good things about the quality of the NDK kayaks, but nothing I would consider conclusive yet...not a large enough sample yet... -- == Eric Gorr ========= http://www.ericgorr.net ========= ICQ:9293199 === "Therefore the considerations of the intelligent always include both benefit and harm." - Sun Tzu == Insults, like violence, are the last refuge of the incompetent... === |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Dave Van wrote:
Currituck or Assateague, that is the question that only test paddles can answer. Too bad the nearest Impex dealer is 250 miles away! I didn't paddle the Assateague, so I cannot comment on that. However, I was impressed with the Currituck. It had good initial stability ... whereas the VCP Avocet felt tippy. It also tracked really well for me and yet I was able to turn it with just seven sweep strokes...most boats I have paddled take 8. It also seemed to be pretty fast boat compared to others I have paddled. Hopefully you'll be able to find someone a bit closer who owns these boats and will let you try them out. I am a big believer in actually paddling a boat before you purchase it as they do all behave a bit differently depending on who is sitting in it. Where are you at? Perhaps there is someone reading this group who could help you out. -- == Eric Gorr ========= http://www.ericgorr.net ========= ICQ:9293199 === "Therefore the considerations of the intelligent always include both benefit and harm." - Sun Tzu == Insults, like violence, are the last refuge of the incompetent... === |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Steve Cramer wrote:
If you'd explored the site at all you would have found the order form http://www.nigeldenniskayaks.com/Pag..._orderform.pdf and seen that you have to check a box to NOT get a skeg. If anyone is interested, I wrote to NDK about whether the 16' Romany automatically came with a skeg. Apparently, it does not. It apparently must be specifically ordered with the boat. The specific question I asked was: ---- Does the 16' Romany come with a skeg by default or must it be special ordered? ---- Here's the brief reply I got back: ---- Dear Sir, You need to order one. Regards, Dave Nigel Dennis Kayaks Ltd. ---- -- == Eric Gorr ========= http://www.ericgorr.net ========= ICQ:9293199 === "Therefore the considerations of the intelligent always include both benefit and harm." - Sun Tzu == Insults, like violence, are the last refuge of the incompetent... === |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
"Eric" wrote in message news:1gedzgm.1kbecvp1c7o3oiN%egDfAusenetE5fz@veriz on.net... Hopefully you'll be able to find someone a bit closer who owns these boats and will let you try them out. Where are you at? Perhaps there is someone reading this group who could help you out. I think I did post a message last year but I'm not sure. Perhaps it's worth another try. So... Any regulars or lurkers reading this own an Impex Currituck or Assateague and live in the Chicago area? If so, would you be willing to get together for an evening paddle on Lake Michigan some time? The post paddle refreshments are on me. Drop me a line at Cheers! DV |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Eric wrote: Steve Cramer wrote: If you'd explored the site at all you would have found the order form http://www.nigeldenniskayaks.com/Pag..._orderform.pdf and seen that you have to check a box to NOT get a skeg. If anyone is interested, I wrote to NDK about whether the 16' Romany automatically came with a skeg. Apparently, it does not. It apparently must be specifically ordered with the boat. The specific question I asked was: ---- Does the 16' Romany come with a skeg by default or must it be special ordered? ---- Here's the brief reply I got back: ---- Dear Sir, You need to order one. Regards, Dave Nigel Dennis Kayaks Ltd. Fair enough. I guess the more salient question is whether any of the importers will actually bring in any without skegs unless they're special ordered. Skeg-less Romanys seem to become "white elephants" in a hurry. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Eric wrote: Brian Nystrom wrote: Both come standard with skegs. The latest system that NDK has devised is a real nightmare, so perhaps they don't intend for you to use it. Curious...How is it a nightmare? Their new front deck mounted system uses a convoluted combination of tubing and pulleys and cleats that simply add friction to the system. The thinner cord that the system requires stretches more and is less less durable than the thicker cord of the old system. Some people find the new cleat to be counterintuitive and inconvenient to use. I had one reply that questioned the quality of the construction of Impex and NDK kayaks (leaks, etc...), but this largely goes against everything else I've heard about them. Of course, every manufactured item is bound to have the occasional defect. Any opinions? The two companies are pretty much polar opposites in terms of quality. Impex boats are well built and have an good reputation. Thanks for the information. I have recently heard good things about the quality of the NDK kayaks, but nothing I would consider conclusive yet...not a large enough sample yet... That's my feeling, too. NDK has a lot to prove. A couple of friend of mine have new boats on order and it will be interesting to see what they're like. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Is there anything that compares to a NDK design wise? The skeg, day
hatch, compass, pump, reccessed fittings are very useful features. I was planning on buying an NDK this summer. I should probably ask my retailer (he only sells NDK) if he will correct any defects upon delivery. Brian Nystrom wrote in message ... Eric wrote: Brian Nystrom wrote: Both come standard with skegs. The latest system that NDK has devised is a real nightmare, so perhaps they don't intend for you to use it. Curious...How is it a nightmare? Their new front deck mounted system uses a convoluted combination of tubing and pulleys and cleats that simply add friction to the system. The thinner cord that the system requires stretches more and is less less durable than the thicker cord of the old system. Some people find the new cleat to be counterintuitive and inconvenient to use. I had one reply that questioned the quality of the construction of Impex and NDK kayaks (leaks, etc...), but this largely goes against everything else I've heard about them. Of course, every manufactured item is bound to have the occasional defect. Any opinions? The two companies are pretty much polar opposites in terms of quality. Impex boats are well built and have an good reputation. Thanks for the information. I have recently heard good things about the quality of the NDK kayaks, but nothing I would consider conclusive yet...not a large enough sample yet... That's my feeling, too. NDK has a lot to prove. A couple of friend of mine have new boats on order and it will be interesting to see what they're like. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Alex Horvath wrote:
Is there anything that compares to a NDK design wise? The skeg, day hatch, compass, pump, reccessed fittings are very useful features. I was planning on buying an NDK this summer. Skegs, day hatches and recessed deck fitting are standard features on most sea kayaks. Compasses are optional on many other boats, as they are on NDKs. Foot or deck pumps are not as common, but few people feel they need them. I had a deck pump in a Nordkapp and never found it all that useful, especially for the weight penatly involved. I'm contemplating installing a foot pump in the only boat I own with enough footroom for it to work, but I haven't decided yet. I should probably ask my retailer (he only sells NDK) if he will correct any defects upon delivery. Don't ask, insist on it. Better yet, insist on a defect free boat. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
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Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Alex Horvath wrote:
I had erroneously assumed that NDK and VCP kayaks were made in the same factory. It appears that VCP kayaks don't have the quality issues. AFAIK, the only connection between the companies was that they shared a US distributor up until recently. VCP boats are much better built, lighter weight and offer all the same options that NDK does. They're a company that's made a lot of good moves in the last couple of years, introducing new models that go head to head with NDK and upgrading some of their older designs to give them more appeal to the US market. The only lament I have about them is that they've reduced the number of boats they offer with ocean cockpits, which I strongly prefer over keyhole designs. Another British company that produces nice boats is P&H. They've always had a reputations for good quality and performance. Like VCP, they've been introducing interesting new models recently. They're also pushing the boundary of materials somewhat, with some designs offered in carbon/Kevlar pre-preg construction. They're ultra-light by current standards (under 40# for 17'-18' boats), more than double the price of fiberglass and currently very scarce. A local dealer has a couple and they're impressive. While they're out of the reach of most paddlers, it's good to see a reputable company exploring the limits of kayak construction. There's bound to be some "trickle down" from these to their more affordable layups. |
Cockpits (was Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany)
Brian Nystrom wrote:
The only lament I have about them is that they've reduced the number of boats they offer with ocean cockpits, which I strongly prefer over keyhole designs. I'm curious, what do you not like about keyhole designs? -- == Eric Gorr ========= http://www.ericgorr.net ========= ICQ:9293199 === "Therefore the considerations of the intelligent always include both benefit and harm." - Sun Tzu == Insults, like violence, are the last refuge of the incompetent... === |
Cockpits (was Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany)
Eric wrote:
Brian Nystrom wrote: The only lament I have about them is that they've reduced the number of boats they offer with ocean cockpits, which I strongly prefer over keyhole designs. I'm curious, what do you not like about keyhole designs? I find ocean cockpits to be much more secure for playing in rough water, surf and rock gardens. It's too easy to slip off a thigh brace in a keyhole cockpit or even fall out of the boat altogether. I also paddle Greenland style and the small cockpit is much better suited to the technique and the outfitting it requires. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Brian Nystrom wrote in message ...
Alex Horvath wrote: Is there anything that compares to a NDK design wise? The skeg, day hatch, compass, pump, reccessed fittings are very useful features. I was planning on buying an NDK this summer. OK here is the deal. NDK Explorer and Romany are the best boats I have ever paddled. They spin like a top when you want them to , have OK initial stability and spectacular secondery stability. When the sea goes to crap you have the finest boat in the water. The covers for the hatches DON'T leak, They are from Valley anyway. P & H Capella is every bit as good ( but no better ) in the water as the Romany. Now here is the problem. NDK skegs are not as reliable as say the Capellas'. The NDK lay up is rough: Mine had a bubble in the recessed fitting for the day hatch and it leaked almost filling that hatch soaking my walking shoes and floating my emergency kit in a dry bag. It filled well past the water line in a three or four hour paddle. NDK sent new hatch covers but when we found the leak they ( NDK the manufacturers ) were useless. The local dealer ( Base Camp Outfitters ) were great. ( It was a flaw in the lay up ) A bubble in a recessed fitting opened a way for water not only to be funneled in but with the contraction of cooling air in the compartment it sucked water in and a very high rate and remained a bugger to find. I had to epoxy it myself .. ( Thanks NDK! ) My skeg cable has failed twice, once because of a flaw in the wire when I got it and once because it was jammed and the weak set up allowed it to buckle. The string operations are no better. perhaps worse. You hardly need a skeg anyway on the explorer. I have not fixed mine and though I paddle twice a week on the off season it remains unimportant. In hind site I could ( Should ) have done without one. It would have saved no money but I would have ad a little more room for stuff. The story that the boat is heavily laid up for expeditions is sort of lost on me. There are resin runs on the inside of the boat. They add weight but no strength. I have the odd star crack and fixed a large one that I have no idea how I got . I deserve all the scratches and the two chips on the bow. The Day hatch is not usefull in a loaded boat or in any waves. ( When you are going to want it. ) It is too close to the water. It is something you just don't need. It would be nice to have another bungee over the area behind the seat for a paddle float rescue brace , for those of us not into Yoga. Oh yes ,, I have a roll and a reentry roll but amongst Ice Bergs I want my head out of the water as much as possible. The NDK 's are heavy, The outfitting is OK , Price is the same as say CD's Gulf Stream ( Which is comparable ) the NDK lay up is 1970's technology, the cockpit is a little larger than need be, ( Not all my spray decks will fit. ) the hatches are tiny ( Tent and poles must go in seperately and my down sleeping bag has to get stuffed into the dry bag inside the hatches.) That said they don't leak. I have a plastic P & H Capella , P & H are great at service. A good friend has a Capella in glass and she loves it. CD has the Gulf Stream , That deserves a look, the finish is CD quality. Now remember what I said about the NDK in the beginning?? Once in the water it is the best boat likely on the planet: But on top of your car it is a quality control nightmare. You have to paddle it to like it and you either love or hate it. ( Perhaps like a Harley ) I would not swap My NDK for any other boat; but I would not subject a friend to a diatribe of how wonderfull this thing is and have someone who does less paddling than me look closely at their very expensive boat and spot flaw after flaw. Oh IMPEX , I had one of those once. I still own the NDK! Good luck, Valley has fine boat as does P & H . Watch the CD line up as well. The WS Tempest is an unknown quantity to me but it is another attempt at a UK / Greenland design. NDK does lead the way once it its in the water though. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Brian Nystrom wrote in news:hHmtc.76477$hH.1413324
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net: Eric wrote: Steve Cramer wrote: If you'd explored the site at all you would have found the order form http://www.nigeldenniskayaks.com/Pag..._orderform.pdf and seen that you have to check a box to NOT get a skeg. If anyone is interested, I wrote to NDK about whether the 16' Romany automatically came with a skeg. Apparently, it does not. It apparently must be specifically ordered with the boat. The specific question I asked was: ---- Does the 16' Romany come with a skeg by default or must it be special ordered? ---- Here's the brief reply I got back: ---- Dear Sir, You need to order one. Regards, Dave Nigel Dennis Kayaks Ltd. Fair enough. I guess the more salient question is whether any of the importers will actually bring in any without skegs unless they're special ordered. Skeg-less Romanys seem to become "white elephants" in a hurry. The VCP Skerray typically came with a skeg but I managed to find one that didn't have one. I bought the boat used and really have no idea how old it is. It had (it eventually fell apart) a moulded rubber seat (not foam) and the newer ones all have a fiberglass seat. There have been a few times when I wish I had a skeg on it but it hasn't bothered me enough not to keep the boat for six some years. My friend just got three new Curritucks in his shop. It looks like they've improved the seat a bit and the outfitting in general looks better. They've all got day hatches (VCP hatches). He also got in a carbon kevlar Mystic and one of the Curritucks has the expedition glass layup. The upgrade cost from a standard glass to kevlar or carbon kevlar is pretty reasonable. I know that Romany's can be custom ordered (a friend has one with a metallic purple/silver deck) but it's nice to see another company offer several standard and custom options for a layup. The Impex site indicates one can order an "Exotic layup" to suit your taste. For example, if you want a boat without gel coat they'll build one for you. From what I've seen, Impex has been doing a lot of things right since they entered the market. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Dave Van wrote in
: in article , Brian Nystrom at wrote on 5/26/04 6:13 AM: Impex boats are well built and have an good reputation. They did have problems with leaky hatches when they were using fibglass covers, but that's been dealt with by switching to rubber hatches. Their boats are pretty lightly constructed and have thin gelcoat, but I haven't seen any problems with durability with their vacuum bagged layups. The only problem I've seen more than once on them is cracked cheek plates on the seats, but that's on boats that are a few years old. This may have been addressed, but I don't know for certain. They have a solid reputation for customer service, so I wouldn't worry too much. Hi Brian, Good supportive statements about Impex. Every day I get a little closer to taking the steps to buy an Impex kayak and this kind of statement from a person I respect helps a lot. Currituck or Assateague, that is the question that only test paddles can answer. Too bad the nearest Impex dealer is 250 miles away! Where do you live? Yesterday I looked at a Currituck and Assateague side by side. I've only paddled the Currituck but the Assateague look much bigger. Which one is best will more likely be determined by your body size as much as how each boat paddles. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Alex McGruer wrote: Brian Nystrom wrote in message ... Alex Horvath wrote: Is there anything that compares to a NDK design wise? The skeg, day hatch, compass, pump, reccessed fittings are very useful features. I was planning on buying an NDK this summer. OK here is the deal. NDK Explorer and Romany are the best boats I have ever paddled. They spin like a top when you want them to , have OK initial stability and spectacular secondery stability. When the sea goes to crap you have the finest boat in the water. Funny, I feel the same way about my Pintail. I had it out in some seriously nasty winds today and there's no boat I'd rather be in. The truth is that there are plenty of good rough water boats. The covers for the hatches DON'T leak, They are from Valley anyway. No, they're mostly from Kajak Sport, though they use VCP's for day hatches. P & H Capella is every bit as good ( but no better ) in the water as the Romany. Now here is the problem. NDK skegs are not as reliable as say the Capellas'. The NDK lay up is rough: Mine had a bubble in the recessed fitting for the day hatch and it leaked almost filling that hatch soaking my walking shoes and floating my emergency kit in a dry bag. It filled well past the water line in a three or four hour paddle. NDK sent new hatch covers but when we found the leak they ( NDK the manufacturers ) were useless. The local dealer ( Base Camp Outfitters ) were great. ( It was a flaw in the lay up ) A bubble in a recessed fitting opened a way for water not only to be funneled in but with the contraction of cooling air in the compartment it sucked water in and a very high rate and remained a bugger to find. I had to epoxy it myself . ( Thanks NDK! ) I've seen the same thing on a Nordkapp, though that was a '92. On a VCP boat, I would consider it an anomaly. On an NDK, it's par for the course. My skeg cable has failed twice, once because of a flaw in the wire when I got it and once because it was jammed and the weak set up allowed it to buckle. The string operations are no better. perhaps worse. You hardly need a skeg anyway on the explorer. I have not fixed mine and though I paddle twice a week on the off season it remains unimportant. I've heard the same thing (about not needing the skeg) from other Explorer owners. I've also heard that skegless Romanys don't handle well, but I can't verify that. In hind site I could ( Should ) have done without one. It would have saved no money but I would have ad a little more room for stuff. The story that the boat is heavily laid up for expeditions is sort of lost on me. There are resin runs on the inside of the boat. They add weight but no strength. I have the odd star crack and fixed a large one that I have no idea how I got . I deserve all the scratches and the two chips on the bow. NDK's claim that weight=strength is pure BS. They use crappy materials like chopped strand mat that soaks up resin like a sponge. They use at least twice as much gelcoat as is necessary. It results in weak, heavy and overly stiff layup. VCP builds boats that are every bit as rugged and weight ~10# less. The Day hatch is not usefull in a loaded boat or in any waves. ( When you are going to want it. ) It is too close to the water. It is something you just don't need. I differ with you on this in one sense. I agree that day hatches are not that useful on the water. However, I find them very useful for what their name implies, carrying the gear you need for a day trip. With a single large aft compartment with the hatch in the typical location, it's a pain to keep small amounts of day trip gear from sliding around unless you want to pack it full of float bags. It's even more of a pain to access gear that's packed right behind the aft bulkhead, which is where you want it in order to minimize the effect on the boat's handling. The day hatch does a great job of containing this stuff and making it more accessible. I rarely access a day hatch while on the water, but it is possible. It would be nice to have another bungee over the area behind the seat for a paddle float rescue brace , for those of us not into Yoga. Oh yes ,, I have a roll and a reentry roll but amongst Ice Bergs I want my head out of the water as much as possible. The NDK 's are heavy, The outfitting is OK , Price is the same as say CD's Gulf Stream ( Which is comparable ) the NDK lay up is 1970's technology, the cockpit is a little larger than need be, ( Not all my spray decks will fit. ) the hatches are tiny ( Tent and poles must go in seperately and my down sleeping bag has to get stuffed into the dry bag inside the hatches.) That said they don't leak. I have a plastic P & H Capella , P & H are great at service. A good friend has a Capella in glass and she loves it. CD has the Gulf Stream , That deserves a look, the finish is CD quality. A couple of observations on CD boats. The gelcoat on them is quite thin, which can be a problem for a boat that's used hard. Somewhere between CD and NDK, there's a good balance of gelcoat thickness. I've seen several skeg problems with CD boats and I don't mean kinked cables from operator error. An old girlfriend of mine's Slipstream was shipped from the factory with the wrong skeg installed. That ultimately resulted in the the fitting in the skeg box getting punched out and her aft compartment filling ~1/3 with water during a trip. A friend literally had the plastic skeg surround fall off his Andromeda last weekend. The goop holding it in place simply let go. While we were poking around at it, the pivot bar fell out. It was only held in by the same goop. I can't see any excuse for any of these problems. Other than this, CD boats seem to be good quality and they're quite popular. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
in article , John Fereira at
wrote on 5/29/04 6:28 PM: Dave Van wrote in : in article , Brian Nystrom at wrote on 5/26/04 6:13 AM: Impex boats are well built and have an good reputation. They did have problems with leaky hatches when they were using fibglass covers, but that's been dealt with by switching to rubber hatches. Their boats are pretty lightly constructed and have thin gelcoat, but I haven't seen any problems with durability with their vacuum bagged layups. The only problem I've seen more than once on them is cracked cheek plates on the seats, but that's on boats that are a few years old. This may have been addressed, but I don't know for certain. They have a solid reputation for customer service, so I wouldn't worry too much. Hi Brian, Good supportive statements about Impex. Every day I get a little closer to taking the steps to buy an Impex kayak and this kind of statement from a person I respect helps a lot. Currituck or Assateague, that is the question that only test paddles can answer. Too bad the nearest Impex dealer is 250 miles away! Where do you live? Chicago, IL. I paddle on Lake Michigan. Most of the time, the lake conditions here are probably childs play compared to what you are used to paddling, but we do get days where the waves get kicked up to several feet. Yesterday we had 6 to 8 footers for example. I'd like a boat that can handle conditions better than what I have now, a plastic Prijon Kodiak which has very little rocker and nearly plumb bow and stern. Yesterday I looked at a Currituck and Assateague side by side. I've only paddled the Currituck but the Assateague look much bigger. Which one is best will more likely be determined by your body size as much as how each boat paddles. It's absolutely a size issue. I'm 6'1" tall and 210lbs. With cold water clothing on, I am a good size creature. But, I'm in no rush, I test paddle kayaks when I can. I'll get around to driving to Michigan to take a look and try out the Impex kayaks eventually. All of the info being exchanged right now in this thread is extremely helpful so thanks for that. Peace DV |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
On 29-May-2004, Brian Nystrom wrote:
I agree that day hatches are not that useful on the water. However, I find them very useful for what their name implies, carrying the gear you need for a day trip. I don't have a day hatch, but used on on an Explorer on a four-night trip once. Since I paddle in bear country, I like the idea of using the day hatch to carry all food and cooking equipment. This would allow me to separate the smelly stuff from all the tents, clothes etc. Since cooking equipment tends to be heavy (pots, stove) as does food (well, liquids) it puts the heavy stuff close to the cockpit. Having used the Explorer after buying my Ellesmere, I kind of wish I'd bought mine with a day hatch. Mike |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
Michael Daly wrote:
On 29-May-2004, Brian Nystrom wrote: I agree that day hatches are not that useful on the water. However, I find them very useful for what their name implies, carrying the gear you need for a day trip. I don't have a day hatch, but used on on an Explorer on a four-night trip once. Since I paddle in bear country, I like the idea of using the day hatch to carry all food and cooking equipment. This would allow me to separate the smelly stuff from all the tents, clothes etc. Since cooking equipment tends to be heavy (pots, stove) as does food (well, liquids) it puts the heavy stuff close to the cockpit. Having used the Explorer after buying my Ellesmere, I kind of wish I'd bought mine with a day hatch. Why not add one? The Ellesmere has a flat aft deck that's perfect for installing a day hatch. Add a third bulkhead and you're good to go. That's what I did with my Pintail, which originally came with a Chimp pump, which was truly useless. It's easier than you might imagine. |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
On 30-May-2004, Brian Nystrom wrote:
Why not add one? The Ellesmere has a flat aft deck that's perfect for installing a day hatch. Add a third bulkhead and you're good to go. If the kayak needs major work, I'd consider it. I'd consider a curved bulkhead behind the seat as well (though that would affect the position of the electric pump. Right now, I'd rather be paddling and I've got far too many projects to add this to my list. Having done new bulkheads on my (now sold) Solstice, I know how much/little work is entailed. Mike |
Kayaks: Impex Currituck & NDK Romany
John Fereira wrote:
Yesterday I looked at a Currituck and Assateague side by side. I've only paddled the Currituck but the Assateague look much bigger. If anyone is interested, the Currituck is 17' and the Assateague is 17' 10" -- == Eric Gorr ========= http://www.ericgorr.net ========= ICQ:9293199 === "Therefore the considerations of the intelligent always include both benefit and harm." - Sun Tzu == Insults, like violence, are the last refuge of the incompetent... === |
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