17 ft'er Prototype 2

The new 17 ft'er has been moving along. Here are a few pictures of the model I will post more on the changes we made in the next few days. The lastest changes have made the boat really interesting we've been trying to keep the great glide of the first proto and get a better lean turn which seems to be working.

Nootka's in Antarctica

Here are a few photos from Jon Bowermasters trip in Antarctica. He used Nootka tandems from Necky. You can check out many of his kayak trips on the link below. We did this boat over ten years ago but it still seems to work well for serious trips. It has a great compromise of speed, capacity and stability. It also works great on family weekend trips with kids and way more gear than you really need. Which is how I seem to use it mostly these days.



http://www.jonbowermaster.com/oceans8/index.html

Hayley Shephard, South Georgia

Hayley originally from N.Z now living on Vancouver Island is attempting a circumnavigation of South Georgia Island. She is heading out in early 2010 and has chosen a Necky Looksha 4 to do it in. I believe she will be the first person to solo around the island. You can check out her website and blog with the links below. She is raising money to save the Albatross as they are rapidly disappearing because of long line fishing.



http://www.kayakingtosavealbatross.com/
http://hayleyshephard.blogspot.com/






"South Georgia - an exceptionally isolated, storm torn island, stands ultimately alone in the middle of the Southern Ocean, its nearest neighbor 1400km away. Treacherous seas constantly batter the coastal rocks and ridges, and fearless animals generously congregate on the few accessible beaches, taking shelter from the savage winds. As hostile, as dangerous, and as foreboding as it feels, South Georgia's charm, it's dramatic and ruggedly stunning beauty, has a power that I will be forever drawn to. And I shall not rest until I have seen the intimacy of it all."
- Hayley Shephard

Rail Grab

Which one of these is not like the others?

Loreto to La Paz, Baja Mexico

This is from a trip we did in 2008 going from La Paz to Loreto in Baja Mexico. It was a pretty plush trip with a support boat and great food we were living the good life for sure. We took a whole range of boats Manitous, lookshas, Elizas and Chathams. The paddlers ranged in experience from novice to advanced. We cruised along at between 2.5knots to 3.5knots when we had a little wind with us. It was interesting that at the beginning of the trip the longer boats were the favorites. As the trip went on it was obvious the shorter boats could keep up no problem they became the go to boats as they were a lot of fun to explore the coast line with. It was great for me from a design stand point to be able to have all these boats on the same trip and be able to switch out so easily. I find I learn the most about boats when I get to jump back and forth from design to design. You really get to feel the subtleties of each one. I’m sure many of you have done this trip as it is a classic but if you haven’t it is well worth it and if you want someone to take you Sea Trek do a great job. We had a writer from Mens Journal with us (I include the link to the article). We weren’t quite sure how that would work out at first but he turned out to be a cool person and a very accomplished waterman. He picked up paddling like a pro and we had him riding swell in no time. In the evening we had fun doing rolling classes and got several people rolling. Hope you like the pictures and once again thanks to Jock Bradley.



http://www.mensjournal.com/wild-shores-of-baja

Temp Mold

For speed we seal the foam and build a mold. From that we can make the boat. We have the process down to only a few days to get from model to prototype.

New boats for Ocean and Necky

Your chance to laugh at R/D guys trying to speak

Ocean Kayak Torque
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PNU2fhJFJ8

Ocean Kayak Nalu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YgT4RACefw

Necky Kayaks Rip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKzyOILGx_E

Carlisle Taboo paddle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB9-t0-pZPU

(ACS) Active Comfort System Seat featured on select Old Town and Necky kayaks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcxOvDYvtxc