Refurbishing the NDK Explorer
I drilled a hole in the skeg and attached a line to aid a paddling companion to free your jammed skeg while on the water. I've only used such an aid once in nearly 20 years, but it was very useful at that point and is an easy modification to implement. I next filled the holes in the front bulkhead with well nuts. They can be removed to reinstall the foot pump, which I stored. The blemishes on the hull were small and easily repaired, but need to be smoothed and gel coat applied. The gel coat should show up next week.
The deck mounted tow rope was already set up to install except for the rope itself i.e cam cleat and fairlead bullseye. For the tow rope I used a stout bright blue rope and added a short section of shock cord. I'll need to try it out, having only used a waist mounted tow rope myself. I very rarely require using a tow rope, but when needed it can be crucial - or at least helpful.
I used minicell foam to support the back band and attached the preexisting NDK back band to that. This isn't even semi-permanent because I must try it out to see if my old back injury likes it. I may need to modify it.
The compass rotates smoothly, but seems confused about finding north. This is not resolved, but I have a strap-on compass which works fine.
I have neither named nor weighed the kayak. At the moment, I have it on Craigslist. Nevertheless I may keep it and then give it a name. I'll likely weigh it next week, once the gel coat is applied.
