Explorer
The Expedition Kayak Classic.
One of the long boat standards, the Explorer set a baseline for an all-day-comfortable, expedition style boat. Designed to work in most waters we are able to paddle on the sea, it has received Sea Kayaker Magazine’s Readers Choice award three times.
Arriving in Spring 2024!
NDK Explorer Carbon Kevlar
Price $6,685
Go exploring: in this handsome full Carbon Kevlar Explorer you'll cover miles with ease.
- LOA: 17'6"; Width: 21.5"
- Layup: Carbon Kevlar
- Colors: Water Blue 5021 / Clear / 1018 Zinc Yellow
- Front Bulkhead: 35"
- Footrests: Yakima, not yet installed
- Keel Strip: None
- Skeg: Kari Slider with composite box
- Extras: Keel Strip in Black; Black Hull ends
Nigel Dennis's award winning design for real world rough water and covering distances, the Explorer is NDK’s main expedition kayak for the medium sized paddler. Faster than the Romany family, it is less maneuverable, yet directionally stable with more glide per stroke. The Explorer is clearly one of the baseline expedition sea kayaks with its rugged NDK build quality and larger carrying capacity. It has been used on numerous month long expeditions, including several in the Arctic and Antarctica carrying all supplies with no support.
The Explorer paddles like the Romany series with a longer bow up front but with the same high secondary stability and great down wave surfing. It is fitted with the same high performance glass seat, low rear deck for easy rolling, long keyhole cockpit for excellent fit and quick exits as needed. It has the same sloping bulkhead behind the seat allowing for quick emptying of the kayak’s cockpit by lifting only the bow; no x-rescue is necessary.
The Explorer has won a Sea Kayaker Magazine Readers Choice Award for Best Expedition Kayak three times.
Recommended paddler weight: 150-220 lbs.
NDK Explorer Hybrid 50/50 3-piece
Price $6,485
An expeditioner's dream boat: this 3-piece Explorer with the 50/50 carbon kevlar and fiberglass layup, is light enough to handle and tough enough to take you anywhere you can sea kayak. The sections clip together easily, each with four cam locks. 3-piece boats are simple and lightweight to transport on planes - or in the back of your vehicle!
- LOA: 17'6"; Width: 21.5"
- Layup: Hybrid 50/50 with carbon kevlar deck, seat, and bulkheads
- Colors: Pure Orange 2004 / Zinc Yellow 1018 / Black 9017
- Front Bulkhead: Standard 3-piece
- Footrests: Yakima, not yet installed
- Keel Strip: None
- Skeg: Rear rope with new composite box
- Extras: Rear oval hatch; 3-piece with quick lock cam buckle attachment
Nigel Dennis's award winning design for real world rough water and covering distances, the Explorer is NDK’s main expedition kayak for the medium sized paddler. Faster than the Romany family, it is less maneuverable, yet directionally stable with more glide per stroke. The Explorer is clearly one of the baseline expedition sea kayaks with its rugged NDK build quality and larger carrying capacity. It has been used on numerous month long expeditions, including several in the Arctic and Antarctica carrying all supplies with no support.
The Explorer paddles like the Romany series with a longer bow up front but with the same high secondary stability and great down wave surfing. It is fitted with the same high performance glass seat, low rear deck for easy rolling, long keyhole cockpit for excellent fit and quick exits as needed. It has the same sloping bulkhead behind the seat allowing for quick emptying of the kayak’s cockpit by lifting only the bow; no x-rescue is necessary.
The Explorer has won a Sea Kayaker Magazine Readers Choice Award for Best Expedition Kayak three times.
Recommended paddler weight: 150-220 lbs.
NDK Explorer
Price $4,985
Durable standard expedition layup, legendary NDK performance.
- LOA: 17'6"; Width: 21.5"
- Layup: Standard S glass
- Colors: Spring Green 6018 / White 9016 / Black 9017
- Front Bulkhead: Standard
- Footrests: Yakima installed
- Keel Strip: None
- Skeg: Kari slider with new composite box
Nigel Dennis's award winning design for real world rough water and covering distances, the Explorer is NDK’s main expedition kayak for the medium sized paddler. Faster than the Romany family, it is less maneuverable, yet directionally stable with more glide per stroke. The Explorer is clearly one of the baseline expedition sea kayaks with its rugged NDK build quality and larger carrying capacity. It has been used on numerous month long expeditions, including several in the Arctic and Antarctica carrying all supplies with no support.
The Explorer paddles like the Romany series with a longer bow up front but with the same high secondary stability and great down wave surfing. It is fitted with the same high performance glass seat, low rear deck for easy rolling, long keyhole cockpit for excellent fit and quick exits as needed. It has the same sloping bulkhead behind the seat allowing for quick emptying of the kayak’s cockpit by lifting only the bow; no x-rescue is necessary.
The Explorer has won a Sea Kayaker Magazine Readers Choice Award for Best Expedition Kayak three times.
Recommended paddler weight: 150-220 lbs.
Explorer Review
"Have paddled the Explorer for several years now. It tracks well, yet is rock solid on a lean. Doesn't really need a skeg in most conditions. Strength of layup the best in business - experienced paddlers appreciate this. Boat is meant to take scratches and withstand impacts. Awesome amount of storage for a boat this form-fitting and responsive - give it 10 out of 10."
-paddling.com
NDK Explorer HV
Price SOLD
Higher volume expedition classic with standard expedition layup.
- LOA: 17'6"; Width: 21.5"
- Layup: Standard S glass
- Colors: Spring Green 6018 / White 9016 / Black 9017
- Front Bulkhead: Standard
- Footrests: New style installed
- Keel Strip: None
- Skeg: New slider
The Explorer HV is built on the same hull as NDK’s award winning Explorer design for real world rough water paddling and covering distances. The Explorer HV is NDK’s main expedition kayak for the larger sized paddler. The higher deck offers more inside room for one’s legs, while the knee bumps allow for greater knee height. Faster than the Romany family, it is less maneuverable, yet directionally stable with more glide per stroke. The Explorer HV combines rugged NDK build quality and large carrying capacity. It has been used on numerous month long expeditions, including several in the Arctic and Antarctica carrying all supplies with no support.
The Explorer HV paddles like the Romany series with a longer bow up front, but with the same high secondary stability and great down wave surfing. It is fitted with the same high performance glass seat, low rear deck for easy rolling, long keyhole cockpit for excellent fit and quick exits as needed. The sloping bulkhead behind the seat allows for quick emptying of the kayak’s cockpit by lifting only the bow; no x-rescue is necessary.
Recommended paddler weight: 170-240 lbs.
Explorer HV Review
"I purchased my Explorer HV in 2005. I am 5' 11" and 180 lbs. I have been in very rough conditions, like 6' - 8' swells, 25 - 30 mph winds, and even 4' dumping surf in all of the boat models I have owned, and the Explorer is THE best boat to have under you when the going is rough. The handling is responsive, predictable, forgiving, supportive, and just the best damn kayak out there period."
-paddling.com
MIKCo has the Explorer and Explorer HV available for you to test paddle.
We suggest reading Tom's article, Thoughts on Fitting, Demoing and Choosing a Sea Kayak, to give you an understanding of our emphasis on boat fit and function.
At Maine Island Kayak Co, all new full-price composite boat sales include custom foam fitting at a substantially reduced cost. This personalized process brings our world class boats into a league of their own.