An olde NDK Explorer .. rope skeg, even

I just purchased an older NDK Romany Explorer from someone in Spokane - on Saturday March 29, 2025. Like all Explorers, it is a handsome boat. And, like all early Explorers it is relatively heavy. It will either evolve into a guest kayak or be sold after 'restoration'. This is my third Explorer and the oldest, maybe also the heaviest. This is one of the most famous expedition designs. A new Explorer costs $4585 + tax, from Maine Island Kayak,

The kayak is sound, but needs straightforward refurbishing. It has the old rope skeg which needs a new bungee and control line. I hope the parts are not too worn. The skeg is currently disassembled, so hopefully I can figure it out. I had to adjust the rope skeg on an older Romany some years ago, but that memory has faded. In a worst case scenario, I could abandon the skeg, but my recollection is that the Explorer weathercocks enough so that I would want a skeg. We'll see ...

Update: The skeg is now installed and works smoothly. Luckily, I had appropriate lines in the garage i.e. a bungee and a control line - both the right size. Rope skegs are sometimes reviled, occasionally being finicky and hard to keep properly adjusted. But, they can be worked on when out in the wilderness.

Further plans:

• drill hole in skeg so jammed skeg can be freed when on the water
• fill holes in front bulkhead, no longer needed for foot pump mount
• repair a few spots on hull
• install deck mounted tow rope (with bungee extension)
• figure out a back band
  
• inspect marginal compass (remove?)
  
• name the kayak 
• weigh  the kayak
  
• further inspection
  

I have the needed parts etc. For example, I have well nuts to plug the holes in the front bulkhead. So here we go. The next report should provide results.

The Explorer specifications for this boat are

• length: 17' 6"
• width: 21.26"
  
• measured weight: with hatch covers etc., ?? pounds
  
• storage volume: 166 liters
  
• suggested paddler weight: 150 to 220 pounds
• 3 hatches: bow, stern, and day hatch
• rope skeg
• Keyhole cockpit 
• Coaming: inside 32.25" long, 15.5" wide
• Coaming: outside 34.5" long, 17.75" wide
• minicell seat (custom redfish at $255)

  

 

Verdict on Classic Nordic Fischer 62 skis

After 10 days on the classic Nordic Fischer 62 skis, I have formed an opinion. These new skis seem to climb ascents with better traction than my mohair inset skis. However, the Fischers don't seem to glide as well, but close. The metal edges don't seem to matter much for the trails I use. I have no measured data to support these conclusions, nor am I about to gather such data. So ... not very persuasive.

My typical route covers just over 13 km on the moderately hilly Schweitzer terrain, certainly more than at the start of the season. My most recent outing was in warmer weather than I'd prefer. Had I begun that outing much later, I would have had snow sticking to my skis, despite the glide wax I usually use.

My season distance is ~250 km so far. While on the trails I encounter 10 to 25 other Nordic skiers during my ~3 hour outing, I know perhaps a third of them, fewer on the weekends when the tourists show up. I most likely the oldest (age 84) and the slowest of anyone I meet. 

It is doubtful that Schweitzer makes money from its Nordic skiing trails. But some of the customers will buy food, drink, or other items from the Schweitzer shops ... so maybe a little money. Yet the grooming is just excellent and quite expensive. Schweitzer also maintains a short Nordic trail near the 'roundabout'. It is unadvertised and groomed less frequently (maybe 3 times per week). It is wonderful for beginners or short races. When and if the resort expands, the roundabout trail is destined to become a plowed/maintained road for a lower parking lot. Similarly, the main Nordic trail system will most likely be modified.

New Classic Nordic Skis

I just purchased a new pair of XC skis (from REI), 179 cm. Fischer Spider 62 Crown Xtralite classic Nordic skis. The bindings will work with my current boots. The major differences from my old skis are two:

1. the Fischers have metal edges (full Length)
2. and an aggressive fish scale base under foot.

The advantage of the metal edges is that my control on the steeper downhill segments of Schweitzer's trail system should be much better. Previously those segments could be harrowing under certain conditions. However, I do not yet know if the fish scale base will be as efficient on the uphills as the mohair I currently have. Further, the fish scale base might be slower than the mohair on the glide. Those who ski past me on the trails can see that speed is not important to me. Their laughter seems unkind.

Consequently the verdict awaits my next XC day. There is a cold spell right now, so I am unsure of my next outing. At this point I have accrued just 13 ski days. My arthritic left shoulder requires at least one day's rest between successive ski days. Conditions have been excellent because of Schweitzer's splendid grooming.

Schweitzer's Nordic Trails Have Opened Early.

 

It is now the season for cross country skiing in North Idaho. This view from the Schweitzer trails shows a fragment of Lake Pend Oreille, lying about 2800 feet below the Nordic trail system. 

I have accrued 7 Nordic (classic) ski days so far this season. At age 84 (in a few days) I have probably abandoned lift-served downhill skiing. I am more fragile and the downhill ski runs have become very crowded with too many reckless skiers, as evinced by the number of accidents. It feels as if there is a target on my back.

The Nordic skiing is off to a good start at elevations above 4000', but in town there is not yet enough snow. Although Schweitzer likely loses money on the Nordic skiing, it does a splendid job of grooming those trails - many on a daily basis.

Currently I average about 9 km per outing, but hope to increase the distance as the season progresses. The terrain is hilly, not friendly to a beginner. However, there is a relatively flat area located at the roundabout a mile or so before arriving at Schweitzer's base. We hope that it will be groomed as Christmas approaches, maybe 3 days per week or so. This roundabout trail is rather short and perhaps only attractive to beginning Nordic skiers, but perfect for skill development.

Goals for the 2025 Kayak Season

Before the next kayak season I tend to list goals for that coming season. Typically I don't achieve all (sometimes only a few) of them. So, here are my 2025 goals.

1. We have 3 kayaks - one for my wife and two others. Those other two are:

• Valley Avocet

• Current Designs Squamish

I hope to sell either the Avocet or the Squamish, my preference being to sell the Avocet. Used sea kayak sales have not been good for the last two or three seasons. Once either kayak is sold, I may replace it with a significantly cheaper kayak, meant for guests.

2. My Greenland paddle is a one piece. I would like to modify it to be a two piece.  I do have a ferrule for this modification.

3. I have a goal to kayak a total season's distance exceeding 200 nmi.

Were the 2024 Season's Goals Met?

Just before the kayak season I listed my goals for the 2024 season. So, how did it go?

1. I sold the Current Designs Slipstream. I was unable to sell the Valley 17.3 Etain, but traded it for a Valley Avocet. At any rate, we have 3 kayaks instead of 4. So this goal was more or less satisfied.

2. The Avocet for which I traded the Etain has a similar (not identical) back band problem for my particular back. This has been fixed with minicell foam. So this goal was more or less satisfied.

3. In the CD Squamish, I added some minicell padding between the coaming and my thighs. No further outfitting was needed. So this goal was more or less satisfied.

4. At this point, I have sold one kayak (CD Slipstream), not two. Had I sold another, I was planning to replace it with a cheaper classic. So this goal was not satisfied.

5. I sold the Aleutian paddle. The Greenland paddle remains. I haven't modified it to create a two piece. As mentioned in the pre-season post, somewhere in the garage I have a ferrule ready to use - if I decide to do so. This was not actually specified as a goal.

6. I did not paddle a distance exceeding my 200 nmi goal nor did I paddle as many as 40 days. Hence, these goals were not satisfied. 

Note: I reached a season's distance of 195.56 nmi on Sept. 17, which was more than the 2024 season. We then spent 10 days in NM and I had limited enthusiasm to continue kayaking in October once back in Sandpoint.

7. The Sand Creek Challenge was cancelled. It probably will not return. So this goal was nullified.

8. I did not recover my roll. Currently at age 83, I may abandon attempts to do so. This goal was not satisfied.

 

Current Favorite Kayak

 

 

 

 

 

At this point I have 2 kayaks, a composite (maybe kevlar, maybe carbide) CD Squamish and a fiberglass Valley Avocet. I've had the Squamish for a few years whereas the Avocet was acquired in a recent trade. By now I've used the Avocet enough times to have an opinion.

The Avocet, at 16', is slightly longer and slightly narrower than the Squamish, but with a bit more rocker. I expected the Avocet to be the faster of the 2 kayaks, but could not really verify that. If anything, the Squamish seemed faster. 

The Avocet has a third hatch (a day hatch) which I like. It wants me to fuss with the skeg, which I don't like. The Avocet seems more nimble than the Squamish. It is in unusually good shape. The Valley hatch covers will eventually need replacement - as Valley hatch covers typically do.

The shorter Squamish, at 15' 8", is very light - just under 40 pounds. Unfortunately, it has no day hatch. Remarkably, it does not weathercock in the conditions I paddle (typically under 10 knot winds). So I rarely use the skeg and never need to fuss with it.

Because the Squamish does not require me to fuss with the skeg, it has become my current favorite. The fact that it is so light makes handling it easy while on shore. This preference could change.

Now, with 2 kayaks in my diminishing fleet, I would still like to sell one. I have the Avocet on Craigslist. However, sea kayaks are not selling well over the last two years, so I am not hopeful. I am not eager enough to sell, so that I am not offering it at a bargain basement price.

First Impressions of Avocet

I have now tried my Avocet twice. First it was a rolling session. Then the next day was a modest outing in slightly windy conditions.

Rolling Session

I had a decent roll several years ago - just a roll on my strong side, unwilling to expose my bad shoulder on my other side. I lost this roll and have been trying to get it back over the last few years. The Avocet has very good thigh/knee pads. so I was somewhat hopeful. I have a rolling partner (who has an excellent roll). This spares me the wet exits from failed rolls. So, how did it go?

My first rolling session went poorly i.e. no success. I am keeping my head down longer, but my torso rotation is tragic. Matt was quite successful, rolls on both sides and a reenter and roll. The only small failure was a failed off-side roll, but he recovered with a good side roll, not requiring a wet exit.

An Outing - from 3rd Avenue Pier to Rocky Point and Back

I won't get much information from this outing. Perhaps I'll find how significant the weathercocking is. Recall that my CD Squamish does not weathercock in the weather conditions I paddle. And, is the speed slightly better than the Squamish? The Avocet should be slower than the Valley Etain (gone, traded for the Avocet). Those speed differences may not even be noticeable. So, how did it go?

The day was windier than expected, but nothing above ~7 knots. The boat weathercocks slightly, easily tuned out with the skeg. The back band isn't quite right for my ailing back and calls for some adjustment. I shortened my outing because of this discomfort ... before it became painful. I was not yet able to get a good reading on the kayak speed.

I will revisit these topics as time goes on.

Other

I've made three minor modifications to the Avocet, after the first outing described above.

• installed a Keel Eazy keel strip ... these have worked well for me in the past, considering the gentle conditions in which I paddle
• stuffed some minicell foam behind the seat back to enhance support for my injured back ... we'll see how well this works next time I paddle
• installed some bungees under the deck fore the coaming, where the manual bilge pump is stored