Folding kayak nortik navigator

seaadultsingle

The navigator an innovative wood frame single kayak, which has set new standards in that market segment. Unlike most of the regular wood frame folding boats, the navigator fits in only one packing bag, weighs just 22 kg and has a very unique design. While developing this lightweight single kayak with a wooden frame (white ash and birch plywood), it was clear, that it would be a kayak for the everyday paddler with ambition. It should be quick, stiff and solid, so that every paddler from novice to expert could feel at ease. Based on these considerations, we designed a shape of ribs that is normally reserved for rigid kayaks : a V-shape that slightly rounds up. The V-shape allows high primary stability whereas the rounded shape ensures an excellent secondary stability as well. This particular design is due to the placing of air tubes on both sides. They “embrace” the construction and gives the hull its rounded shape. A second functional effect of this construction shape: only the keel applies directly pressure on the skin. And this part of the skin is especially reinforced and protected against abrasion by a very strong keel strip. All other parts of the skin are being kept at distance from the frame thanks for the air tubes. Hence the buffer effect: on those parts the skin cannot be easily damaged - unlike with the traditional constructions - because it can always yield a little. For the skin material we chose a mix of the long proven PVC-Polyurethane. PU remains quite flexible by low temperatures (better than PVC) and the UV-resistant material is more abrasion-proof than full PVC.