Kayak Models

At NC Kayaks we are single-minded in our pursuit of the best touring kayak there is. A touring kayak is a type of sea kayak that is designed with long-distance travel in mind. Our kayaks are fast, light, hard tracking, durable, look good, and have enough storage so you can really go somewhere. All of our kayaks are built by hand in Tacoma, WA.

Our fixed keel design eliminates the need for a skeg or a rudder. This means the only moving parts of the kayak are the footpegs and the hatches, less to maintain, and less that could break or jam. There is more storage than a similarly sized kayak with a skeg because there is no need for an internal box for the skeg to retract into, and unlike a kayak with a rudder, the footpegs are fixed, so you can really connect with the kayak.

All of our kayaks were designed with industry-standard safety features, watertight compartments forward and aft of the cockpit, perimeter lines, bow, and stern handles, as well as reflective decals and our exclusive perimeter flange, a ½ inch-wide rubber flange that goes around the entire kayak, it deflects water away from the cockpit, protects the kayak from bumps and scrapes, and makes a very useful handle for deep water re-entry.

When making an NC Kayak we use an NPG-ISO gel coat, this is a gel coat that is UV resistant, very durable, and is specifically made for marine use. We also use a vinyl-ester resin that is stronger and can flex more than polyester resins, and like our gel coat is specifically made for marine use. The fiberglass cloth we use is first-quality, name-brand E-glass. Using higher-quality fiberglass helps us build consistent laminates and results in a high-quality finish.

Want to know more? Give us a call, we are always happy to talk about our kayaks. Our number is (253) 476-8582

Scroll for an overview of our three models and their characteristics:

The NC15 series

At fifteen feet, eight inches long, and twenty-three inches wide the NC15 is the most nimble of our touring kayaks. Perfect for exploring tidal estuaries, lakes, bays, and coastlines. The narrow bow keeps the nose of the kayak tracking while the abbreviated stern allows you to easily rotate the kayak. The NC15 has a load capacity of three hundred twenty-five pounds and typically weighs between thirty-nine to forty-three pounds depending on the model and options.

The NC15 Escape has forward and aft hatches and starts at $4,595

The NC15 Excursion has a single aft hatch and starts at $4,495

The NC15 Jaunt has no hatches and starts at $4,395

The NC17 series

At seventeen feet, two inches long, and twenty-three inches wide the NC17 is our most popular model. A very capable kayak, the NC17 is a proven long-distance touring kayak. It tracks well but can be turned in just a few strokes when edged, is very responsive, and has a playful feel to it. The NC17 has a load capacity of three hundred fifty pounds and typically weighs between forty-three to forty-six pounds depending on options.

The NC17 Quest has forward and aft hatches and starts at $4,695

The NC17 Overnighter has a single aft hatch and starts at $4,595

The NC17 Competition has no hatches and starts at $4,495

At NC Kayaks we believe a touring kayak should be:

• Hard tracking: the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.
• Fast: the less time it takes to get there, the farther you can go with less kit.
• Stable: balancing a tippy kayak in heavy seas takes energy that is better used getting somewhere.
• Easy to maintain: the only moving parts are the footpegs and the hatches; there are no control cables to break or jamb. Rinse with fresh water, use a brush if you get sand in the crevices, and wax the kayak periodically just like you would a car. That’s it.
• Easy to load and unload: there’s no skeg box in your way or cables to snag your gear. Spend more time traveling and less time packing the kayak.
• Strong: we use vinyl ester resin and a proprietary laminate schedule. What does that mean? It means when you hit that submerged rock you didn’t see, the hull can flex farther without fracturing than kayaks made with polyester resins and inferior laminates.
• Light: we strive to make the kayaks as light as possible without compromising strength. Our kayaks are light enough that most people can move and load them solo. We figure, if you can’t get it to the water, what’s the point?
• Built to last: our kayaks last… how long? We don’t know, but one of our first customers has been paddling his NC17 in the Bahamas since 2001.
• Beautiful: if it’s pretty, it’s pretty.

Our fixed keel hull design and narrow bow allow the kayak to track without the need for a rudder or skeg. The external methyl methacrylate bonded deck to hull is unique to NC Kayaks. We incorporate all of these features into our touring kayaks.