Category Archives: Boats and Gear

Nick at the Ledge

NDK Sportive RM

by Nick Delprete

Lots of talk on here about the Sportive recently and I've been paddling one for just about two years now; figured I'd throw my own little review out there. I've used my sportive in rough water, as a primary guiding boat, and for weekend trips. Let me say first that I love this boat and it's my go-to at the moment. Like any other great boat, fit is important and this was one of the first boats I had sat in that immediately felt like it fit. For reference, I'm about 5'7"(1.7 m), 155 lbs (70 kg).

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Valley Nordkapps

The Iconic Nordkapp

“The Nordkapp was simply a way to do bigger and better trips.” Frank Goodman

The Nordkapp exemplifies the British-style sea kayak. It has been paddled on many of history’s greatest sea-paddling expeditions: the trip Frank Goodman led around Cape Horn in 1977, and Paul Caffyn’s circumnavigations of New Zealand, Great Britain, Australia and Japan in the 1980’s. Stan Chladek believed it to be the only “real boat”: no moving parts, like rudders, to break. (Read about Stan's expeditions of the Aleutian Islands, Shumagin Islands, and Easter Island.)

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NDK Romany Surf 5050

Cockpit Dimension Differences between the NDK Romany Surf and Sport RM

The NDK Sport RM is based on the Romany Surf. Both the Sport and the Surf fit average to larger-sized paddlers: people weighing approximately 150-220 lbs. While the two kayaks are very similar in performance and size, we have found some differences between the cockpit dimensions that are worth considering when comparing these two models. Even small differences can make an important difference for ease of entry, exit, and comfort.

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If you don’t know your knots, tie a lot…

or learn a few go-to knots for securing things… securely!

We like Animated Knots for its interactive website and clear, animated images for tying numerous knots. Each knot has a dedicated page with info on uses, safety, pros and cons, variations, and more. There are also sections on safety, ropes, and terminology and a knot-of-the-day feature.

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NDK Explorer

NDK Explorer Review

Maine Island Kayak Co. delivered a new NDK Explorer to Canada for Paddling Magazine to write this review.

By Virginia Marshall. Originally published in Paddling Magazine.

When the going gets tough, the tough get this SKUK Classic.

If modern expedition kayaks have a phenotype—that is, a distinctive appearance and characteristics based on a combination of genetic traits and environmental factors—the Explorer may exemplify it best.

The fine lines of the upswept bow and stern, the narrow beam and the clean, functional deck layout are informed by the classic British interpretation of traditional Greenlandic kayaks. From this base DNA, designer and renowned expedition paddler, Nigel Dennis, refined the shape and layup to address the unique challenges of extended journeys on remote, exposed coastlines.

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