NDK Explorer Opinions

[Gcosloy]

I've always liked the Explorer but shied away from ownership. Initially because of the stories about variable build quality but more especially because I wanted a less weighty boat. While I could always order a lighter layup, not seeing the boat before I purchased was never enticing to me. Recently I found a used one for sale in the Elite layup, and if that doesn't work out, Tom Bergh has a couple in stock. Any experience with this optional layup or is there any reason to avoid this. NDK only recommends the glass version of this boat for expeditions.

[PeterB]

I wouldn't worry about the Elite layup if the lighter weight is what you want. NDK boats are built for serious abuse(their customer base includes those who do expeditions with rough landing after rough landing on cobble beaches) so unless you're anticipating some pretty rough treatment of your boat, the difference in layup will probably not affect the kind of paddling you want to do.

[Suz]

Try the Cetus. Cathy Foley has one that is Carbon/Kevlar and she is very happy with it. I have a fiberglass one that you can try too.

Suz

[paulariegel]

I've seen the elite layup get t-boned in the surf with no holing. And, another time, I've seen the bow get jammed between two rocks while strong current pushed on the boat like a big lever. Made this horrid cracking noise, I thought for sure the bow would have been ripped off, but it was just the gel coat that got damaged.

That boat has seen it's fair share of abuse, but it's taken it pretty well.

Paula

NDK Exp-LV

VCP-Anas Acuta

[B]

Still paddling the Explorer the club gave me in 2001. Other than holing the boat right through the 1st keel strip on a rock in AK, I once mis-timed a dumping wave landing on the Marin headlands and cut a 4 inch deep X 6ft swath through fist sized rounded rocks with my bow with only a few scratches. The Explorer, IMHO, is the boat of the pros. I've yet to find a better boat for me in big following seas. I fly along with ease, even in the steepest crap. The balance of the boat is so good I cut out my skeg box to give me more room for gear. I've paddled my boats and owned a few ringers, but the Explorer is my first choice.

Bob Burnett

NSPN Lifer 1997

Seattle WA

206-321-0011

[brwells]

You also may be suprised by how much (how little!) the Explorer may weigh. Yes, there is variability in the weight, but my Explorer - not an Elite - weighs only about 8 pounds more than my Capella 163.

I also found no build problems with the Explorer - any problems were operator error such as tethering the hatches, etc.

Wonderful boat - but like any other, you have to try it, which includes picking it up.

Brian

P&H Capella 163

Red/White/Black trim

NDK Explorer

Melon/Teal/White

[Gcosloy]

Thanks for all the help. I've paddled the Explorer now in a couple of L-3 trips and offer the following opinion based upon this experience:

(NDK) Explorer Elite seems to have a higher than normal combing particularly on the front. Compartments take on some water in rough seas, not sure from where yet.

Performance- Head on seas very mild mannered thin bow will just nose a hair under the wave and pop right up, quietly and smoothly. Following seas and some surf, dead on no hint of broaching, perhaps the most stable boat in these conditions that I’ve ever encountered. Beam and or confused seas-because of the fairly active primary the Explorer is happy to be on one cheek or the other in these conditions. For the novice the feeling is that you might capsize and there is the tendency to brace, however the firm secondary will not let you capsize. This is an area to get more comfortable with the boat over time and learn to trust it. Speed-a steady cruiser, does not give a feeling of speed but neither does it feel stodgy. I’m able to stay with my companion paddlers comfortably. The Explorer tracks very well and even in beam wind or sea needs only the shifting from one cheek to the other to keep your bearing. On a long crossing under those conditions dropping the skeg maybe 20 percent is all that’s needed. The hull is so well designed to be neutral that a large amount of skeg results in moving the bow downwind. Turning is particularly good for a long boat; a sweep and and falling on the opposite inside edge will bring the boat around nicely. My Elite is published to be 8-10 lbs lighter than the standard lay-up and so may require my ballasting the boat with same weight to achieve optimum performance. I weigh 178 lbs. The carbon NDK seat that looks like it was designed to torture its sitter has been surprisingly comfortable over long hours. The back band was replaced by the original owner with an NSI anatomical band, which works as advertised. I do a lot of rolling practice and the sloping bulkhead behind the seat is a marvelous idea when all else fails and you need to dump the water out of the cockpit. Speaking of rolling my initial attempts was frustrating. With it’s low rear deck the Explorer was supposed to be an easy roller. Well, for a long boat it is, just took a little bit of time to get used to it. Speaking of the low rear deck and sloping low rear combing, this cockpit is wonderful for a low torso paddler who is happy to keep the bottom of his rib cage from whacking into the combing when rolling or low bracing or any moderate torso twists. Build quality is acceptable-hull shows some ripples under the right light, the above mentioned water leakage, hatch covers not tethered, combing hole in deck roughly cut as well as the internal bulkheads. Bun gees are loose and deck lines are tight.