: That's true, but superior materials and construction produce produce a given
: level of durability without excessive weight.

: Sorry, but that's simply untrue. One of the major problems with NDK boats is
: that their layups are stiff, brittle and do not distribute impact loads
: well. The result is that a hard impact on an NDK will result in a crack or
: hole where the same impact on a more resilient layup that distributes
: stresses over a large area will result in little or no damage. If the
: impact is severe enough, even a more resilient layup will be damaged, but
: the failure modes is typically that the resin bond in the layup fails,
: resulting in a soft spot rather than a hole. The hull still maintains
: structural integrity and any leakage can be sealed by taping over the
: damaged area.

: I haven't seen either of those things, but here are some of the things that
: have been common in NDK boats: - Missing fiberglass in some areas, such as
: behind the skeg box. I've seen boats that were nothing but gelcoat in that
: area.

: - Cockpit rims installed so low in the deck that a spray skirt wouldn't fit
: under them. I've seen several with seriously crooked cockpit rims, some
: that were cut into the deck twisted and many that are higher on one side
: than the other.

: - Seat breakage is so common that people regard the seats as disposable. You
: use it until it breaks, then you replace it with something better.

: - Leaking bulkheads are very common.

: - Cracked hatch rims. This inevitably happens where they rivet them in place,
: which should not be done with either VCP or Kajak Sport hatch rims, as it
: causes them to split.

: There are more, but you get the point. While any manufacturer can have
: problems, when the same types of defects are common year after year, it's
: due to poor quality control, poor construction methods and a lack of
: concern for the customer, all of which are inexcusable.

I didn't have to worry about the seat construction, worst seat in all of kayaking for me anyway. Cut the silly thing out and carved a nice minicell seat. Course most glass seats are uncomfy for me, the NDK's just are worse than usual.

Bill H.