Not many kayaks are in a museum, but the Nordkapp is on display at the National Maritime museum in Greenwich, England. The Nordkapp is a classic. The Nordkapp has been on expeditions around the world. With each new Nordkapp generation it becomes an even better kayak. It is fast, good-tracking (with the skeg or modified hull) and handles rough conditions very well. It is a long kayak, so it will not turn like an Avocet, but if you are paddling longer distances, the Nordkapp is a great kayak to be in. The Nordkapp is an expedition kayak and paddles best wwhen loaded. Many paddlers use it as a day tripper, but the Nordkapp comes into its own when it is packed with expedition weight. The photo above shows the skeg version, and when you mouse over, shows the modified hull (integral skeg) version. The photo at right shows the keyhole cockpit on the Nordkapp H20 and the Ocean cockpit on the pre Nordkapp Jubilee edition. Each of the three Nordkapp version has a different hulls (original, Jubilee, H20).

I have paddled all the Nordkapps over the years and the H2O is my favorite. The H20 has a smaller bow than the Jubilee and the hull has been changed a bit (people thought the bow was too large). Valley took a bit of rocker off the stern and lengthened the boat a couple of inches to 17' 10". The H20 has been made slightly more stable, but still has the feel of a Nordkapp.

My complaint about the Nordkapp has been that it did not paddle well until enough weight was put into it. But since it is an expedition boat this has been a bit unfair. The updated hull has changed this. It is a fun boat to paddle with minimal gear, but it paddles well with more weight.

Valley Sea Kayaks says: The Nordkapp is the premier example of the West Greenland Eskimo kayak style and is used worldwide for the most demanding sea kayak expeditions. It is a long and narrow kayak. It tracks well without a rudder and is very fast. It has a low deck and fine bow and stern: these features present minimum resistance to the wind and the boat continues to track straight and remains maneuverable under all conditions, whether loaded or empty. Valley Canoe Products now have produced the second generation of Nordkapp, called "Nordkapp Jubilee". It refines the original highly successful design by slightly changing the stem and stern contours. Moreover, a new anatomical design of the cockpit was incorporated into the Nordkapp Jubilee, which includes recessed rear coaming. This allows the paddler to lean well back while executing an Eskimo roll or just plain relaxing. There are several variations of the basic Nordkapp design. The most popular is a modified (M) hull with built-in skeg as a part of the hull. This boat tracks like a train, but requires good kayaking technique, such as edging, in order to turn. Another variation of the Nordkapp is the standard (S) hull, equipped with a retractable skeg. Such a configuration adds great versatility to the kayak - just dropping the skeg will instantly change a maneuverable kayak into a straight running one for difficult quartering seas. The Nordkapp Jubilee has the new keyhole (29.5") cockpit as compared to the standard (ocean) cockpit (20"). All Nordkapp models are available in the standard three hatch/three bulkhead configuration ( two round 7.5" and one oval VCP hatches).

Download Nordkapp Data Sheet PDF (High Quality 260KB)

Download Nordkapp Data Sheet PDF (Low Quality 96KB)

Nordkapp H₂0 Standard Equipment

Heavy-duty diolene reinforced construction

Outside fiberglass seams

Three Watertight fiberglass bulkheads

Watertight VCP hatches (round 7.5" and two oval 16 x 9")

Recessed deck fittings

Deck lines and bungie cords

Compass recess

Yakima foot braces

Dimensions:

H20: 17' 10 long, 21" wide

Other Nordkapps: 17'8" long and 21" wide

Cockpit 29.5" x15.5"

Weight: 56 lbs.

2007 MSRP

Fiberglass with skeg $3,255

Pro Kevlar with skeg $3,799

Ultra Kevlar with skeg $4,599

Nordkapp Optional Equipment

Henderson deck pump (mounted fore or aft)

Retractable Skeg

Customized positions of bulkheads

Keel Strip

Custom Reinforcement

Silva 70 P Compass

Compass Light

Foot Pump

Knee Tube

Sectional boat (for air travel)

Towing Rig

Contact us for more information on the Nordkapp or any Valley Sea Kayaks Kayak or Accessory.