Gorgeous Sectional Nordy Ready For A Spin, Lake Tahoe

Cockle MK7 Canoe

COCKLE MK 7 CANOE

This is a genuine and very rare World War II British Military sailing canoe. It was designed and built by Warwick Aviation in late 1944/ early 1945. Constructed in Aluminium to aircraft specifications.

It measures 18ft long, 8ft main section, 5ft bow and stern. 26 inch wide, 4ft 7inches with outriggers extended

The canoe comes in five main sections so that it could be transported in submarines or seaplanes. Each section is watertight. Front and rear sections have round hatches so can be used as storage areas, handy for limpet mines etc. The center section has two seats, compass (or machine gun?) mount, anchor mount and mast fitting. There was a steering wheel fitted but I have removed this as it is not origional and was an obstruction. Two outriggers are attached to the center section via an sliding mount which allows them to be locked in an outer position for sailing or an inner position for paddling. They can also be folded over for storage or removed completely. The outriggers are filled with "ping pong" balls so still float when holed (handy for when the bullets start to fly). A folding rudder clips onto the rear section (the rudder has been restored).

Designated "MOST SECRET" it was designed to be used by sections of the "Small Operations Group" such as the "Combined Operations Pilotage Parties" and " Detachment 385 " in the far east in Commando style raids. They were tested in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) by Blondie Hasler who was one of the two survivors from the Famous "Cockleshell Heros" raid. The canoe will come with a copy of the book "Cockleshell Canoes" which details the design, construction and use of these small boats. The front cover of the book shows a MK 7 with its sail up.

The canoe is in relatively good condition for its age having spent most of its time in a garage. There are a few small dents and the paint is rough. I have been using it on my local river, sometimes with an electric outboard strapped to the side. I guess it travels at 7mph, it cuts through the water and makes a lovely sound as the bow wave interacts with the outriggers. I have recieved lots of interest on the river as it is the most unusual thing on the water! I find it very easy to put together and carry but it is good to have two people to lift the main section if the outriggers are attached. There are a few loose rivets in the front and rear section so there are very slow leaks which have never been a problem on any of my trips. The main section is watertight as are the outriggers.

There are a few of these canoes in museums and a couple in private hands.

Halloween Display Featuring A Rockpool Sectional

This inspiring seasonal photo is from Derrick's well-read website--he has plenty of photos and more on-water experience than anyone on sectional kayaks. His kayak has clips. Something to think about as a contrast to nuts and bolts. Check out his website and contact him online for any sectional kayak questions.

www.kayakquixotica.com

Waters Dancing In Calgary: Sectional Wooden Kit

http://www.watersdancing.com/

These photos exemplify some of the advantages of the sectional kayak. Upright storage. Small "footprint" when stored. Easy carrying. Lightweight sections. Watertight sections. Assembled, functions just like a hardshell kayak. Add transportation inside your vehicle (no ropes, straps, theft, exposure to weather and wind chafing and rocks, et cetera). It's a winner.

Marcus' Brand New Valley Nordkapp 2009

Expedition paddler Marcus has written a wonderful synopsis of his 2009 Valley Nordkapp sectional, and included photos of the upswept beauty of the NOrdkapp design. Thank you, Marcus, for your very respected input and early experience with the Valley. I agree, Valley is a sports-car of a kayak with regard to craftsmanship. It is apparent from first gaze. I look forward to your expedition paddles in this ocean-going vessel. Thank you, friend.







Marcus writes: I am now the proud owner of a sectional Valley Nordkapp! Hurray!!

I picked up the kayak last week from the Kayak Center in R.I. and it is better than I could possibly hope for.

My thanks go to Peter Orton & Andy at Valley Kayaks, and the actual craftsman at Valley who built the kayak ... and then had the nerves to cut this beauty in 3 pieces after he or she built it. Looking at the kayak it becomes obvious that the person who built this kayak, looked (and successfully found!) lots of little creative solutions which seem to arise when building a 3 piece kayak.

The kayak features a wire skeg, with the skeg control placed in the stern section of the kayak. The skeg control looks somewhere between hard to impossible to reach from the comfort of the cockpit, but one has not even to lean back to reach the skeg control placed in the trim on the left side of the kayak. After operating the skeg a few times, it becomes as second nature as if operating a skeg control in any other kayak.

The kayak has a customized bulkhead position which eliminates the need for foot pegs, provides a larger surface to push with you feet against, and provides a larger storage space in the front hatch.

The kayak is appr. 73 pds., a little heavier than my previous 3 piece, but I was looking for a sturdier kayak which will last a little longer. Thus, I am very happy with the way it is built and I do not mind the extra few pounds.

All 3 hatches are bone dry. As Sven (the man behid this blog) noted in an earlier blog entry, water is not even allowed to penetrate inbetween the bulkheads thanks to the tight fit of the sections and to an appr. 1" wide strip of window sealant which is applied to one only one side of each connection.

I am a strong believer that the aquisition of objects will not make people a happier self since happiness comes always from within. However, this boat is an exception to this belief.

Marcus

http://marcusdemuth.com/default.aspx

www.kayak.im

Gorgeous Rockpool sectional sea kayak at ocean's edge.

3 Piece Kayak Assembly at Water's Edge

bits and pieces from Kayak Quixotica, Derrick

Derrick Mayoleth in Wisconsin has a very long-running and interesting website. He also owns a very nice sparkle purple Rockpool Alaw Bach sectional sea kayak, which he used to circumnavigate Puerto Rico in 2008. It's similar to the white Rockpool pictured above. He is an accomplished paddler and roller, and an instructor. Derrick ran an eductional piece, titled "bits and pieces", answering my query about sectional take-apart sea kayaks. Here is a link to his site, and the many comments that followed his well-experienced observations. Be certain to peruse his entire website; it's full of information and entertaining insights on life.

www.kayakquixotica.com/2007/12/10/bits-and-pieces/

3-piece Kayak Chop Shop in Livingroom

No, this is not a kayak chop shop for stolen parts to be reformed into a Frankenstein boat. One major advantage of sectional sea kayaks is the ability to easily take the kayak inside for repairs and modifications. The middle cockpit section tends to be where the most mods come into play. Here I am adding a minicell backband to my Aquanuat LV, and I am vacuuming out and adding new rubber washers to the Nordkapp. They will then both be polished. All in the livingroom.

Tale of Two Sections: Bolt Placement

Here are the front of the cockpit section (the part that interfaces with the bow segment) for two Valley sea kayaks: the uppermost photo is a 2008 Valley Aquanaut LV and the bottom photo is a 2005 Valley Nordkapp. Both feature male interlocking pieces and rubber gaskets around the edge. What is different about the two kayaks is the bolt placement. The Aquanuat LV (top) has the two lower bolts placed to the sides, and not directly midline. The Nordkapp (bottom) has the bottom bolt placed right in the midline, at the v-bottom of the kayak. When I test paddled the Nordkapp, the lower bolt area allowed water to leak into the boat; the outside waterline was above the level of the lowest bolt. This would be less likely with the Aquanuat LV configuration.

I replaced the rubber washer (see prior post about rubber washers) in the lower bolt to see if this will provide for dryness. If not, then I will consider some form of modification to the outer rubber gasket. Should that also fail, leaving the lower bolt out (i.e. connecting with only three bolts instead of four) and filling the hole with removeable silicone would be mandatory.

Clip hull 3-piece kayaks, of course, have watertight sections as the clips are on the outside of the hull. Examples would be Rockpool and NDK boats. More on those later.

Compact Kayak Trolley

Mandatory gear for sectional boaters.

http://www.expeditionkayaks.com/2009/03/kayak-trolley-for-your-day-hatch.html

Oh, and you could say the kayak trolley is mandatory, too, I suppose.

Tipping The Scales: One Way to View Kayak Weight

My brother is an engineer. Like my father, he has an engineer's mind. I called him concerned about the weight of my sectional kayak. At 84 lbs, my Argonaut is heavy. A traditional fiberglass boat is typically about 56 lbs. The sectional is 50% heavier, and thus must be greatly less efficient in the water. All told, when I paddle with my friends, I am doing 50% more work than they are to push the kayak in the water.

No. If we both weight 190 lbs, and if we have 10 lbs of gear, water, etcetera, then my total on-water package weighs 284 lbs, and my paddling friend's weighs 256 lbs. I am only 11% more weight through the water than he.

Additionally, there are factors that come into play that might even make the difference closer. The sectional kayak is heavier, and acts like more of a laden, or gear-packed, kayak. Many know that a gear-packed kayak has a different trim and water line than an empty kayak. Some models, such as a Nordkapp, are better performers, more stable, require less directional control and may even paddle more efficiently (more straighforward paddling and less corrective strokes) when laden. This may be an additional enhancing factor to the extra weight of the sectional.

I feel better now.

Tip: Packing the Sectional Kayak During Transport

Here is European paddler Paul Murray giving a simple example of all the gear that can go into a kayak for a trip. Some expedition kayakers, out on the water for a week or more, pack well over 100lbs of gear. One small but tangible benefit of a sectional takeapart sea kayak is that one could pack the kayak segments at home, carefully and thoughtfully in the comfort of your garage. Whereas you are unlikely to pack a full size kayak with gear and then cartop it (hernia-inducing), one could pack each individual segment of a takepart boat and then stow each piece in the transport vehicle (usually a van or truck). When you get to the launch site, instead of a disheveled mess of gear that now needs to be stowed, you already have the bow and stern segments fully packed. Instead of empty weight of 20 lbs per segment, they might weigh 30-40 lbs per segment packed, but still full manageable to carry down to the waterside to make the kayak.

.

Even for day trips, keeping the basic gear (e.g. PFD, paddle float, pump, et cetera) in the middle cockpit segement at all times means that essential gear is less likely to get forgotten at home. And the boat is always carried inside the vehicle, so theft and wind are non-issues for your gear.

Body Bags in the Sunroom

Sunroom looks like the morgue on CSI Miami. But alas, I am not covertly running a suburban slaughterhouse. The giveaway is the nose of a snuggly kayak segment peering out from the nylon sleeping bags. One huge advantage to the sectional 3-piece kayak is the ability to store it in places where an 18 foot single-piece simply will not fit. I have a standard screen door to enter the sunroom, and the length of a single piece would prohibit it from entering the room easily. Catching wind and banging around would harm the boat; leaving it stretched across the entire sunroom would interfere with margarita-themed summer cocktail parties. Solution: sectional three piece sea kayak, stacked sweetly to one side of the sunroom. Protected from the elements and out of the way for safe keeping. Let the party begin!

17 mm Ratchet Wrench

Although I generally use a socket set to tighten my bolts, I have lately tried a 17 mm ratchet wrench. It works well (the one pictured is 5/8 US; Valley sea kayaks use 17mm metric). One end ratchet, for easy nut turning, and the other is a non-ratcheting 17mm for holding the bolt if I need to while I use a socket wrench on the nut. This wrench is particularly nice for easily stowing in the dry hatch for any beach landings and repairs or tightening that may come up. It's flatness makes for stowing convenience, and no chance or popping off a socket and losing it in the sand.

Sea Kayaker Magazine: DIY Article 1991

In 1991, "Sea Kayaker" Magazine run a DIY workshop portraying the efforts of a handy kayaker from New Jersey who converted his Valley Nordkapp HM into a 3 piece kayak by the means of a band saw, and then put it back together with amazing results by using the described Valley method.

The extremely handy and ingenious kayaker and author is Steven J. Szarawarski, who wrote the article "You can take it with you: Making your own kayak a take-apart", as published in Sea Kayaker Magazine issue 29, Summer 1991, starting on page 56.

--this informative description is courtesy of Marcus Demuth.

Sea Kayaker Feb 2009: Take-Apart Stitch-Glue Kayak

http://www.seakayakermag.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SKMOS&Product_Code=128&Category_Code=2009

Highly recommended article is in Sea Kayaker Magazine (back issues $4.95 plus shipping) entitled: Divide and Conquer - A Take-Apart Stitch and Glue Kayak, by Mark D. Johnson.

"A kayak you'd like to paddle isn't always one that you can store or transport easily. Building a take-apart from a kayak kit made a 22-foot double a good fit for a condo dweller."--Mark Johnson.

Great pictures, neat article of the complete build of this tandem kayak. Even a photo of it on his Murano roof. Note that he takes a regular non-sectional kit and makes it into a two-piece (not three piece) kayak.

Pete Roszyk

Only one of his very innovative projects - a 3 piece Pygmy take apart.

http://www.redfishkayak.com/peteroszyk.htm

Yahoo! 3 piece kayak, sectional kayak

yahoo.com yahoo aol.com segmented kayak, takeapart kayak, three piece kayaker, kayak

Sorry, had to add that so the search engine at yahoo finds this blog. Thanks.

Bicycle Skewers

I am wondering if a simple yet effective compromise between bolts, that require a wrench and gaskets, and clips, that are external to the hull, would be bike-type skewers. These are used on bike tires, seat posts, and come in all sizes. Using a Valley style bulkhead set-up, they could be put in the bulkhead holes instead of bolts and nuts, tightened, and when the lever is closed for that last little push, they are really rock solid. At least on a bike. Hmmm.

I think, before changing out the bolts, I will see if 17 mm wing nuts will hold. They might just be hand-tight enough, especially if the wing is large enough to get a great purchase by hand. WOuld be ideal to at least have spares for those "oh-oh" moments when the wrench falls into the lake.

Many Names for the Same Thing

Take Apart Kayak; Takapart Kayak; Sectional Kayak; Segmented Kayak; Traveler Kayak; Portable Kayak; 3-Piece Kayak; Three-Piece Kayak; Segmented Hard Shell Kayak; Jointed Kayak

Bulkhead Dampness

Much has been written about an advantage to clipped segmented kayaks is that the clips, being outside the hulll, allow each section to be completely watertight. With a nut and bolt system, there are four areas of potential ingress of water through the bulkheads at the four bolts. This could be catastrophic in a long ocean crossing. Today, I went on a four hour paddle on a large inland lake, 20 mph winds, and chop that sent spray over the deck occasionally. I did not practice rescues or rolls today. At the end of the paddle I took apart the segments and, not only were the dry hatches dry, but I studied the male-female union. As pictured here, completely dry! So, although I do use rubber washers at each nut and bolt (the black rings around each threaded bolt in the photo), there was no wetness at all in the "joint" between the segments even at the hull, which was in the water completely for four hours. This is a testament to the strong seal. Valley, and perhaps other brands, use a thin, dense gray "foam" seal around the entire joint, as you see in the photo. It seems to work very well. For water to get past that seal, into the joint, past the two rubber washers (one on each side of the bulkhead; I have two in the photo because I took off the one from the other side of the bulkhead to show you--likely made it more confusing) and into the dry hatch seems improbable. I will watch the bulkheads for wetness as I roll and practice rescues and do longer paddles, but so far, very encouraging.

Tip: Nuts

Not all nuts are created equal, and I learned something on my Argonaut that I am now using on my Aquanuat LV. Both use 17 mm metric nuts, four at each bulkhead. But the 2002 Argonaut seems easier to put together then the 2008 Aquanuat, with which I have to use a wrench or vice grips every time when I am putting the pieces together to hold the bolt head (inconveniently located on the other side of the bulkhead in the other section).

When paddling today, I noticed that the new kayak has lock nuts like the one pictured on the left. Lock nuts have a thin blue ring within the nut that literally bears down on the threads, preventing it from loosening. The older kayak has a standard nut, like the one on the right (notice , no blue ring). It uses a lock washer instead under the nut, but that seems optional. The point is, I changed out all locking nuts with non-locking nuts and what did I find? MUCH easier to put together. The bolt head now really doesn't turn, and if it starts to turn, I simply give the ratchet a little "impact", or sudden turn, and it cinches the bolt down in the other compartment neatly. In addition, should I ever forget or lose the 17 mm wrench, I can now screw the nut on by hand! That is not possible with the lock nut because of the blue ring creating force against the threads. (One day I will secure all nuts by hand only and paddle and let you know if it's successful).

The question will be if the nonlocking nut (and I did not add lock washers) will loosen as I paddle. This is hugely unlikely as there is really no motion between the two interlocking kayak segments, but I will tell you if it does.

Let's all get a new set of nuts!

Kaskazi Duo Portable Two Piece Australian Tandem

Kaskazi Duo Portable
Two Piece Bolt Together Version
The Duo Portable is the same advanced expedition kayak as the Duo standard.
It is exceptionally stable, but not at the expense of speed. At just under 6 m long, it is fast even for less serious paddlers.
The Duo's volume provides excellent load carrying capacity for extended expeditions. It is very secure in rough conditions and neutral in a cross wind.
The Duo is designed as an expedition kayak. Its length provides good speed and its volume ensures excellent secondary stability and load carrying capacity.
The exceptional stability and reliability of the Duo make it very appealing as a day tripper and for recreational paddling.
Kaskazi Duo 2 piece specs
Length (mm)
5.850
Width (mm)
680
Load Capacity (kg)
260
Weight (kg)
34
Ability
Novice
Beginner
Experienced
Expert

Although not designed for racing the Duo is certainly faster than high performance single kayaks and therefore makes it easy for even recreational paddlers to cover long distances.
Application
Extreme Kayaking
Racing
Expedition
Day Tripping
Casual
To make life easier for storage, transport and travelling to great paddling destinations around the globe, we can make the Kaskazi Duo into a 2 Piece.
The kayak is split at the centre bulkhead creating 2 sections of the kayak that are easier to transport and store. To join the kayak, strengthened interlocking bulkheads are bolted together using wing nuts and rubber sealing washers. Once assembled it is a very standard looking Kaskazi Duo with a faint line running around the bulkhead area of the kayak. The 2 piece kayak is approximately 2 kg heavier
Features
Comfortable cockpits and seats
Tracks well without the rudder
Exceptional stability
High load carrying capacity
Large hatches
Three bulkheads
Rudder with uphaul / downhaul
Pedal steering with self-adjusting lines
Easy to transport
Option of spin hatches fitted
Not in stock please order
All prices are shown GST exclusive - Click on purchase button for total price
Kaskazi Duo Portable
Price: NZ$3,472.08View Item Details

Product Options:

Cobra Sit On Top Sectional 3-Piece Kayak

http://www.kayaksd.com/website444_133.htm

The Cobra Traveler... three piece Kayak is no longer in production. Used Travelers are sometimesavailable used, but they are becoming difficult to find. Call or e mail for availability.

The Cobra 3 piece Traveler Kayak is a totally unique, transportable, open deck kayak. You can send this 11ft 7" lightweight craft anywhere in the world via U.P.S. Each of the three sections weigh only 15 pounds or less. It takes only minutes toassemble the individual parts into one solid kayak. You can even take it aboard an airline as luggage at no additional cost. Each hull section has a storage hatch, so you can use it like a suitcase and check it in just as you would any individual piece of luggage. You can put this kayak (in) your car instead of on top of your roof. You have to try it to believe it! Stop by our store anytime to test paddle the Traveler for free. You cannot tell that you are in a three piece kayak when you are paddling, even in surf conditions. When assembled, the Traveler hull is the same as the popular Cobra XL kayak. Each of the three hull sections are completely sealed like seperate, individual kayaks. The connecting latches are made from high quality marine stainless steel. The hull sections are made of roto-molded polyethylene.

Q- How do the modules of the T/A Traveler connect together?A- The Traveler connects with heavy duty hinges on the bottom and adjustable stainless steel locking mechanisms on the deck.

There is nothing else quite like the Traveler on the market today. If you own a motor home, plane or boat, the Traveler is the ultimate take along kayak. You can even take the Traveler along with you on Ferry trips to Catalina Island and vacations to Hawaii or the Carribean!The Traveler is no longer in production. We only occasionally have used Travelers that we get on trade.

Haphazard pack job! 3-piece sea kayak in van

After a long paddle, we all just want to hit the margarita bar and throw the equipment on the racks and take off with the gang. Here's my takepart Valley tossed like lumber into the back of my Chevrolet van. The seats are all in, but the rear couch has been removed. I did not take the time to appropriately stow the boats in the individual sleeping bags, but instead stuffed the sleeping bags and grear around the kayak. The little red washer, bolt and nut box is there--I used only a traditional 17mm ratchet (without extension) to successfully make and unmake the sectional. About 15 minute job to make it at water's edge. I will post exact measurements of each section to give those of you contemplating a multi-piece kayak some idea if it will fit in your vehicles. It clearly does fit in a full-sized van with room to spare, and soon I will try with both sectionals in the same van. It fits wonderfully in my Chevrolet Avalanche truck bed, and would fit in any full sized pickup truck.

Freya Hoffmeister's Sectional NDK Sexplorer

Freya Hoffmeister is an accomplished expedition paddler and has given her insight into sponsor Nigel Dennis Kayaks Explorer, black and custom made. Her comments, and blog are well read and respected:

Freya: Thanks to Nigel Dennis from Sea Kayaking UK for providing the "S" Explorer 3-piece kayaks I’ve used over the past three years on my trips in Newfoundland, around Iceland (sea top header picture) and New Zealand’s South Island.
I really enjoy the three-piece version: It allows me to be spontaneous and head off on a trip without planning months in advance. All I have to do is pay a little extra for baggage and just carry the kayak on the plane in two big bags.
And you can take two passengers :-))
Nigel’s Explorer kayaks are solidly built expedition kayaks. They are easy to paddle and very stable in rough water. I used the rope skeg option on the three-piece kayak for directional control. It works well and is easy to repair in the field.
The new three pieces connection with male and female parts and clips looks solid and easy to put together.

Meditations from a Sea Kayak Garden

Thanks to Easy Rider take apart kayaks for this interesting photograph.

Marcus jeffporcaro Demuth on Paddling.net

This is a pleasant exchange that Marcus Demuth (aka jeffporcaro) and I had on paddling.net in 2007 regarding 3-piece sea kayaks. Marcus has a webpage dedicated to three piece sea kayaks and it is very interesting reading and recommended. Here is the 2007 paddling.net archived exchange on my sectional sea kayak Advice post:

3 Piece Kayak Posted by: jeffporcaro on Nov-19-07 4:51 PM (EST)
The 3-piece kayak offers the opportunity to experience amazing travel adventures, such as seeing your bow section fly past your head while attempting a surf landing on the West Coast of Australia. See the 2 pics from the damaged boat and the SAS Emergency Rescue team who retrieved the kayak and my gear with me 2 days after I hiked out of the remote area where the accident occured, an area only accessible by 4-wheel drive.http://marcusdemuth.com/kayakkit.aspx orhttp://marcusdemuth.com/aussie06.aspxHowever, I went ahead and just ordered a new 3-piece from Nigel Dennis, this time with 2 recessed clips on the top of the kayak, and 2 on the bottom of the hull. The clips will save weight, will make the connection watertight (no holes for bolts) and will (hopefully) make the connection more secure. The new kayak will also feature a wire skeg, with the skeg control located in the stern section. When I took the 3-piece back from Australia to New York City, Qantas did not charge anything for the excess baggage (0$).Continental charged $100 one-way from NYC-Santiago, and LAN Chile another $50 from Santiago to Puerto Montt. The ferry from Puerto Montt-Puerto Chacabuco charged another $25, the amount they would have charged for a bike.When asked at the check-in counter what you are checking in, I realized it is an advantage for both you and the airline representative when you say you are checking in a "surf-kayak ... yes, you are correct, it is like a surfboard you can paddle". This way, the airline rep will look up the fee they would charge if you had a surfboard with you. It also speedens up the check-in process considerably.Marcus



Thanks Marcus jeffporcaro. Posted by: CD1 on Nov-20-07 1:54 PM (EST)
-- Last Updated: Nov-20-07 2:05 PM EST --
That is great information about the surf kayak idea at check-in. Good thought. Sorry about your experience with the prior NDK sectional blowing apart on you in Aussieland. Don't feel badly, though, it's likely not all sectional kayaks, just NDK shityaks.Great tips and thanks for your input. I hope you can sell the rehabbed Explorer via Pnet ads to some rec kayaking dolt that hasn't read this thread about the blow-up of your yak, or the NDK boat threads that explain everything from lousy decklines and tape jobs to broken seats and see-through gel coats on Nigel Dennis yaks. They must be constructed in some UK high school shop class that has graduated from wooden toilet seats to sea kayaks, and is laughing all the way to the pub every time they sell one of those bad boys. Don't give up. Try and get another sectional like a Valley. I will let you know if I turn up anything in the NY area.Happy paddling, Marcus jeffporcaro.



3 Piece kayak Posted by: jeffporcaro on Nov-21-07 10:17 AM (EST)
Hello cooldoctor,thank you for your reply! Yes, the experiences on the coast of Australia were more than I wished for, but in the end, it all worked out. The 2 gentlemen from the Australian SAS (State Emergency Servises) introduced me to the craft of home-brewing after retrieving my gear and kayak and spending all day with them in the 4-wheel drive. Means, I had a splendid trip after all, and I am currently home-brewing my 14th batch of home-brew ... thanks to the SAS!NDK: NDK boats seem to have a bad reputation, my take is, that a Valley (or any other boat make) would have broken on this trip as well. I saw so many broken surfboards on the beaches of Australia, which did not have 100 pounds of camping gear and water stored inside them, and they also broke. I felt I was in good company (in addition to the SAS).I just paddled with an NDK explorer around Ireland, 42 days of paddling, it held up fanatstic and performed amazingly well in the widest array of conditions. I feel I owe this boat a lot, especially after having paddled the West coast of Ireland with it. The first thing I did after returning home from Ireland was putting in a order for a new 3-piece in the Elite lay-up. I heard from one friend and from several people on this forum that they experienced QC problems with their NDK boats, but the result seemed that NDK always treated them with a new boat, or managed to fix the problems through the local dealer to the 100% satisfaction of the paddler.Marcus

An outstanding source of all paddling information is www.paddling.net

The Nut and Bolt System

More comments from RobG in 2007 on paddling.net: see Older Posts below for his previous insights.

The biggest issue with 3 piece kayaks is moving the bags. One has a sense of 19th century Victorian era expeditions with the camel trains and porters, merely by moving the bags from the car and through the doors to the ticket counter. Then there is the cost, variously interpreted by airlines. Once there, the vehicle proposed to move “the bags” to the water needs to accommodate them in addition to your gear. Once at the water the assembly with a 4 bolt design takes between 20 minutes to 35 minutes. The reach to the forward bulkhead is the issue. The Tide Race, Nigel Dennis and Rock Pool kayaks use buckles. I have no experience with those. They appear to be much easier to put together. I will say that the 4 bolt design is very stiff. Care must be taken to ensure a very tight fit or you will ship water into your bulkheads. That happened only once. I am assuming that the buckle design folks wanted to eliminate penetrations into the boat which is another reason to do that. Another issue to consider is the added 10-12 pounds to the kayak due to extra bulkheads and hardware. A wise paddler indeed one would be if they carried a pair of ratchets and extended heads in the day hatch.On the water it paddles like a single piece hardshell. There are no further issues. I’ve put the Nordkapp Jubilee HM through some snarky places, including large surf, tide races, high winds and rocky areas. That boat, now owned by Chuck Freedman, is a fantastic boat. It did everything I asked of it. There were no skegs, rudders or anything to deal with. It went where I pointed it. It was nimble enough (heeled over) for me to get my 3* in it and serve as my solitary all purpose boat.Where the 3 piece concept comes into play is the length of your trip. If it’s over 2 weeks on the water, then the misery of moving the bags from your door to the destination begins to fade. The hatches, the smooth interior for dragging dry bags in and out, your gear to use at sea in a day hatch all are fantastic on a “your boat wherever you want to paddle it” style trip. Folding kayaks can be a pain in the neck when it comes to surf imploded hatches on the roll top and clip hatches, sliding gear in and out along the frame members, no day hatch and the necessity of a sea sock. Plus they leak a lot.Most folders have no trouble with a Garcia bear resistant food canister. The Khatsalano, my folder, does. They are a very wise piece of equipment anywhere along the BC or Alaskan coasts. The Valley accepted one in the rear hatch. Most folders are very tough, at least the ones made by Feathercraft. I’ve put as much abuse on it as I have any hardshell and it is one tough cookie. It is a delight, an absolute jewel, to get from my door to the launch of my choice. Night and day different than the sectional concept. Plus, the Khats is fast to paddle, but slow to assemble.If I were space challenged as in a living environment, I would have the 3 piece as it gives me the option of removing only the rear section, propping up the cockpit and front section in a corner and very fast assembly. The more impediments to the paddle, the less paddling. Additionally, I have few restrictions getting it to some oddball place that looks great to paddle, other than my logistical skills and ability to recruit some folks to help out. My take anyway on the concept of 3 piece kayaks. It works, it shines in certain areas and is pure drudgery in other areas.Cheers,Rob G (2007)

Take Apart Versus Folder

THis is the classic debate--folder such as the Feathercrafts above--versus sectional. Folders have a weight advantage, weighing 35 to 55 lbs. In the age of airline surcharges, the folder could be checked for a price, the sectional sea kayak likely could not be checked at any price. Flying? Folder! But the less rigid hull of the folder, plus the lengthy construction time (about 45 minutes for the Fathercraft Khatasalano), make them not ideal. The 3-piece sectional is rapid construction, but more unwieldy for air travel. My use of the take-apart is in vehicles, rather than strapping and racking on rooftop, and for that, a sectional is stellar. Provided, of course, that you have the vehicle for it. I will get specific length measurements of each boat section and post for you so that one could determine if it will fit in their personal vehicle.

Marcus Demuth is an experienced sea kayaker, and has some valid points about sectional versus folder on his well-traveled, single webpage on the subject:

Folding Kayak vs. Sectional Kayak
Owners of Feathercraft or Klepper folding kayaks point out that a folding kayak might be the lighter, easier approach of traveling with a kayak since the entire folding kayak can be packed in only one single bag. An advantage over a 3-piece kayak, where you travel with (and have to pay for) 3 oversized bags ...? Wrong! Since in both cases, no matter if 3 piece or folding kayak, you will travel with the same amount of 3 bags. The reason is you always have to bring you gear:
- Folding Kayak: My camping gear, paddles, and kayak kit etc. (barely) fit into 2 (two) oversized bags. Add a folding kayak to these 2 bags, you end up taking a total of 3 bags to the airport.
- 3-Piece Kayak: If you travel with a 3-piece kayak, you will be able to store your entire camping and kayak kit in not only the 2 hatch compartments (bow and stern section), but also in the cockpit (paddles). This eliminates the need for you to bring any additional bags with you, thus ending up again with 3 pieces of luggage (if slightly oversized compared with the 3 bags when traveling with a folding kayak). Since in both cases you end up with 3 oversized pieces of luggage, the 3-Piece kayak offers the advantage of a sturdier hull and a sturdier kayak less prone to damage to the canvas hull of a folding kayak, less assembly time and fewer parts such as wooden or metal ribs, bolts and nuts you might loose, damage, or forget at home.

Quantum Kayak Dolly

When we speak of larger kayaks, and know that we will need to transport them, it is a kayak dolly that does the trick. I posted to peers and was recommended this Quantum brand kayak dolly for convenience. I will need to take my sectional down the street to the boat lanch after assembling it at my condominium; this cart is ideal. Low profile, I can easily pull the wheel pins and place the entire dolly in my dry hatch. It functions well, and does not slip off the boat thanks to the red hook that hooks over the cockpit coaming. I recommend this dolly, in particular for flat paved or hard packed surfaces, for hauling your put-together kayak. Available at REI and other online retailers.

Capt. Ed in Wisconsin reviewed this specific cart:

I have used this cart for more than 3 years, and have concluded that I would be not be in paddlesports if it were not for this cart to help me handle the boat on land all by myself. It seems very well-designed and is so easy to attach and remove from my kayak. The cart even makes loading and unloading the kayak from my vehicle roof easy to do because of the stern mounting location. The cart is so compact and lightweight that it stows under my rear hatch or under the deck. The wheels are bullet-proof and large enough to go over rocks, sand, or rough terrain when walking the boat to the launch. The sleeve bearings and spacers are such that they will not lock-up from sand and grit, and show no wear at all after frequent use for a long time. The flexible, molded cradle conforms nicely to the shape of my kayak hull, and has never left any marks on the boat hull. It attaches on the stern, where the polyethylene boat hull is strongest. I just load everything I need for the trip into the cockpit and make one trip from the car to the water and back while carrying no more than half the weight of the boat and contents.I think this is a great, useful product and can think of nothing that would improve the design or utility of it. I highly recommend it.