Hey Guys! I'm putting up my boat for the winter this coming weekend, and I wanted to let you guys know that it's been a great season. It's a fabulous boat. I think I have a number people looking into buying their own next season. I'll keep hounding them and see if I can't send a few sales your way.
Well after paddling my new Daytripper all summer, I've come up with a few conclusions. This Kayak thinks its a coast guard cutter. It is absolutely amazing at how it handles rough water. It invites you to stay out there and play longer than you would ever want under these conditions.
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.
I have been paddling my Daytripper for the past several weeks and I am extremely pleased with the combination of speed, stability and easy turning. Although many say that having all these characteristics in one boat is not possible I now know that it is.
"I love this boat, it's fantastic!"
I am proud to be a part (customer) of Novus Composites. As a new business, I have seen NC Kayaks grow from a start-up company with a few prototype boats to a strong competitor in the kayak market.
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.