NC Kayaks Testimonials

Vashon Island Kayak Company offers sea kayak rentals, instruction and custom trips and tours. We serve a lot of beginners of all ages and, because of our high-end boat mix and great "close-in remote" salt water location, a lot of experienced paddlers, too.

I tried an NC 17 in the Spring of 2001 and bought an NC 17 and an NC 15 at the end of May 2001. Since I find the NC 17 plenty maneuverable for everything I want to do and I like to go fast I still haven't paddled the NC 15 much but it seems equally popular with customers. I paddled the NC 17 a little in the course of instruction and it felt fine. However, I quickly found that beginners loved it. It was stable and went where they wanted it to. Not only that, it was fast. Strong paddlers ran away from everyone and weaker paddlers had less trouble keeping up.

Since the purpose of the company is to please the customers, I didn't get to use the boat much during the summer. For all its use the boat held up well in the rental trade. One thing I appreciate is the sturdy seat. We get lots of people sitting down on seat backs in boats on the beach or flopping on them pretty hard learning rescues. This seat is bulletproof. In addition to being tough enough to please me as an outfitter, as a paddler, I love it. It is the best kayak seat I've seen. Sometimes someone will complain because they want a more upright seat back. I tell them I don't have a backrest on my cross country skis or my bicycle. If you're leaning back you're not paddling correctly.

I have the good fortune to live on the beach on the perimeter of Vashon where I can paddle in all but the most ferocious storms. In the off season instead of jogging or going to a gym I try to paddle out and back about five miles in an hour five times a week. This winter I've usually paddled my long time favorite Arctic Hawk or the NC 17. I think I have a new favorite.

I usually think that stability in a kayak involves unattractive trade-offs in speed and rollability. My times indicate that the NC 17 is faster than the Arctic Hawk which is 18 feet long. I frequently paddle in 10 to 25 knot winds. As the Sea Kayaker Magazine reviewer "TE" said in the April 2001 review: "The boat seemed to be wind-neutral. I had no trouble holding a course in any direction relative to the wind." I agree. He goes on to say that it's slow to broach and easy to roll. That's true too. As a paddler and an outfitter I carry boats a lot. Ten pounds more or less doesn't mean much in the water but it sure makes a difference carrying a boat to and from the shore or hoisting it onto a car. The NC is one of the lightest fiberglass boats around.

There are a lot of good sea kayaks and I haven't owned or tried them all. Of the many I do know, the NC stands alone as a deserving favorite of many beginners and at least one expert. All that I've said is without regard to cost. That the NC is one of the least expensive fiberglass boats available is just one more attractive feature.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Tracks as well as advertised. Maybe better. As stable as advertised. First trip on the water encountered more wind than I usually take on, and more boat wakes than expected. We paddle on a lake. No ocean swells, just boat wakes. Bass boats, pontoon boats, ski boats, personal watercraft. In our other kayaks and canoes, wakes are not a problem if taken head on or quartering into the bow. But wakes quartering from the stern have been a challenge. And then the sea walls. Homeowners have built sea walls along the lake shore. When there is a lot of traffic, we paddle relatively close to shore. Boat wakes from all directions reflect off the sea walls and produce chop that is unpredictable and unsettling. The Daytripper handled all of this without a bobble.

Amazing hull design. I have never paddled a boat that tracked so well, or in which I felt so safe in wind and chop. This is the boat I wanted, but did not really expect to find.

This boat is proof that NC is not resting on its laurels but has succeeded in making an already great boat design even better. Having paddled a fleet of other boats while waiting for the NC-19 to arrive, I can say without reservation that this boat leaves the rest behind in terms of quality, performance and aesthetics.

Its nice to know that you can make a purchase like this and have it turn out better than expected. My impression of NC Kayaks is that it is a first class operation that I would have no hesitation doing business with again.

Thanks again

I have had the pleasure of paddling several high end boats, but none compared to the NC as far as edging for turns or bracing. The kayak is as stable as my 25 inch wide plastic boat and secondary stability is really amazing. The only thing I would change is the carry handles the line is rather small diameter and besides the looks, tying a line off to it is a chore. Thanks guys for building a truly great kayak that has all the features a true sea kayak should have.

I want to report one incident that may be a first for you regarding your boats. Karen and I went out to Eggmont Key off of Anna Maria Island Florida on a day with heavy wind and rough seas. After arriving at Eggmont, the conditions worsened. I was able to attract a passing powerboat which gave us a ride and towed the boats back. The boats trailed beautifully and without cockpit covers were free of water when we landed them on the beach. So your boats paddle and tow very dry.

The boats have held up to heavy use..still no dings or chips. The fiberglass material and workmanship is all I could have hoped for..first rate.

We are more than happy with these kayaks!

Paddling with the tide it comes up with incredible hull speed and unparalleled stability, with or against the current. Under flat water conditions it reaches hull speed in seconds. It easily maneuvers with basic paddling skills. This kayak does not need a rudder. I have a very unique kayak. And I am very happy the N.C. Kayak people found me up here in Canada and sold me this boat.

They have continued to innovate and improve the product line through customer feedback, market need, their past experience, and willingness to experiment with new technology. I will admit that I was first attracted to NC's "booth" at the Tacoma Boat Show last spring (2000) by the low price of their kayaks. However, I was skeptical as to the quality, customer service and reputation of the company.

I spent a great deal of time that day asking questions and scrutinizing the boats on display. I was impressed with the knowledge and enthusiasm of both Doug and Greg as they answered my questions and concerns. I was invited to visit the showroom and manufacturing facility in Tacoma where I gained confidence in knowing that I had made the right decision to consider investing in an NC Kayak. The facility is NOT someone's garage rented to "work out of until we can afford a bigger location" type of operation. The building contains over 7000 sq. ft. with offices, meeting rooms, customer lounge, showrooms and separate lay up, assembly and finished product storage areas. This is definitely a company with a vision to become a leader in the human powered water craft industry.

Hearing that the boat design and performance were endorsed by a west coast kayak racer as well as U S Olympic racers who had evaluated the kayak on the water and in competition, their policy of "try before you buy" and the written guarantee and product warranty, convinced me to purchase my first boat.

NC Kayaks was a vendor at the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium in Sep. this year (2000). They had three boats on display and three demo boats on the water and people standing in line most of the weekend to "road test" them. I "hung out" at the booth assisting with launch and recovery of "test drivers", answering questions and and talking about my experiences with the boats. The looks of satisfaction and awe that I saw in the eyes of the people who paddled the boats that weekend told me that NC has a good thing going. A couple of highlights of the weekend were, a request by Sea Kayak Magazine for a boat to do an evaluation on, and an editor of Canoe and Kayak Magazine wanting a boat to evaluate and race in a Sound Rowers event. (He placed first in the sea kayak class at the Medina race in October and another paddler in a NC Kayak placed second.) The evaluation and editorial should be in print in next springs issues.

I now own two overnighter 17's, one of which my 16 year old daughter paddles. She handles the boat with ease and really enjoys the kayak experience. I am looking forward to the debut of the 15' sport and the 19' boats this month and the opportunity to evaluate them. I am sure they will exceed my expectations.