The Explorer is a fast kayak with good stability. Has many of the same great features of the Romany, but trades maneuverability for speed, tracking and extra storage. The NDK Explorer is a great expedition kayak that can also be paddled on day trips. While the Explorer is fast, it does not have the speed of the Nordkapp H20, but has more stability and paddles better empty.

The Explorer fits a slightly larger paddler than the Romany. NDK also have the Explorer HV for larger paddlers and the Explorer LV for smaller paddlers.

User Input: Explorer/Romany are both confidence inspiring boats - I can muscle them around, turn, paddle backwards, draw strokes, etc. with a great deal of confidence - good boats to improve skills with.

Either because it has a somewhat harder chine than the Romany or simply because of its longer length, I find that the Explorer is able to counteract wind effects on longer crossings somewhat more easily than the Romany. Put the Explorer up on edge and it can be paddled for a good while to counter weathercocking without the need for any significant course correction strokes. I find this is one of the principal differences between the Explorer and Romany - the Romany responds very well to edging too but it is happy to turn either way - upwind or downwind, left or right, regardless of which side you're edging. A little sweep stroke will set it off. The Explorer, on the other hand (as with other long or hard chine boats) turns strongly in the opposite direction from the side you're edging. Very reassuring and easy to sustain the edge while paddling.

The somewhat squared-off hull cross sections of the Romany/Explorer makes them rock solid on a lean and very stable when loaded.That same feature seems to make them slightly "twitchy" when completely unloaded and encountering beam or confused seas. (Depending on paddler weight of course.) Not a big deal - and don't get me wrong, it's a very subtle thing - but in paddling the Pintail this past season, I found its more rounded hull cross section and smaller volume overall handled the effects of beam waves or confused seas a bit more smoothly than the NDK boats. That said, in my opinion the NDK boats seem more laterally stable and directionally stable under a wider variety of conditions than most other boats.

Skeg - neither the Romany or Explorer needs a skeg 90% of the time. Having the slider up front on my Explorer, it's been easy to use when I'm feeling lazy. Only needs a small amount of skeg - which makes the cable slider a good option. J.N.J.N.

NDK says: The Romany Explorer was designed in 1993 with the following features: A low rear deck for easy rolling. A white water cockpit. This gives the kayaker excellent grip, control and allows a quick exit if needed! Three compartments, including an offset day hatch, allowing the kayaker to reach into the compartment whilst at sea. Sloping rear bulkhead behind the seat, allowing the kayak to be emptied by lifting the bow (no X rescue necessary). Plenty of room for large feet or warm winter footwear. Exceptional manoeuvrability, with direction stability. Very fast in following seas.

This expedition sea kayak was designed by Nigel Dennis from Anglesey Sea & Surf Center, Wales. The Explorer is the longer sister of the popular Romany 16, introduced to the U.S. market in 1994. Explorer fills the niche for a sleek, yet stable expedition kayak. This kayak has a long waterline, is very fast, and yet maneuverable. It carves turns gracefully. Explorer tracks well even in an adverse conditions and for long expeditions it could be equipped with VCP retractable skeg. Its high volume bow stops the kayak from plunging into waves and together with its maneuverability allows good control in surf. Explorer has a roomy keyhole cockpit with thigh braces for easy handling. Exits from emergency landings are quick & efficient minimizing the time spent in potentially dangerous situation.

The kayak is built standard with three bulkheads and three watertight hatches (two 10 " and one 7.5" round hatch). The second bulkhead located just behind the cockpit rim is sloping and allows easy draining of cockpit during rescues. Access to the personal compartment behind the cockpit is via a VCP 7.5" round hatch. Optional Compac 50 deck pump or bulkhead mounted foot pump is available as well as Silva 70P compass.

Download NDK Explorer Data Sheet PDF (Low Quality 57KB)

Download NDK Explorer Data Sheet PDF (High Quality 832KB)

NDK Explorer Standard Equipment

• Length: - 17 feet 8 Inches, Width: - 21 1/2 inches ( 0.54m )
• Volumes per conpartment: Front 58 litres, Middle 39 litres, Rear 60 litres
• Deck: - 2.5 oz C.S mat plus foredeck rescue patch of extra 1.5 oz mat.
• Hull: - 2.5 oz C.S mat plus 8 oz cloth. 2 inch keel strip. Double thickness reinforced bow and stern.
• Inside seam: - 2 inch diolen plus 3 inch glass cloth. Outside seam: - 1 inch glass cloth.
• Large round hatches
• Minimum weather cocking in strong winds

Weight

• Fiberglass: 56 Lbs. (approximate weight with hatch covers and skeg)

NDK Optional Equipment

Retractable Skeg

VCP Rudder

Compact 50 Deckpump

Henderson Footpump

Strumbox

Silva 70P Compass

Kneetube

Foam Seat

Foam Pad

External Keelstrip

Towing Cleat/Fairlead

3 Piece Kayak

Custom Stripes

Metal Flake single color

2006 MSRP

• Fiberglass with Skeg $2,999

Images courtesy of NDK Kayaks