We've the last boat manufactured by Necky CA before they were bought and moved to the states. Its a Nootka Outfitter and under the clear coat of the center hatch its inscribed with this message. It wasn't the boat we ordered but it was the boat they felt like making and we're pretty pleased to have it.
On our roof rack it makes fun of any car we carry it on but we carried it with pride to the lower St. Lawrence River for whale watching. With both my wife and I putting some back into it we can damned nearly keep up with blue whales.
In our own part of the world its carried us on extended passages along the Ontario coastlines of Lake Superior.
Its a wonderful, stable vessel
We have had our Nootka…
Submitted by:
paddler236773
on 5/19/2016
We have had our Nootka Outfitter for over ten years. It has been on day trips and expeditions in all types of weather here in the Northwest (mostly Washington where we live, and in Canada where we paddle in the summer). The boat is not only comfortable to paddle for hours on end, it is a smooth and swift and very stable ride. On our longer trips it comfortably carries what we figure to be around 600 lbs with both of us, all equipment, food and water for 10 days. The bow rides high enough, even when fully loaded, to rise above the rough water. No nose diving on this boat.
It tracks well and the rudder allows good steering in lively water when fully loaded. Unlike some boats we've paddled, the Nootka Outfitter feels safe at sea. The only chore involved is hauling its weight around and on/off the car. At 100 lbs, it is getting heavier as we get older. We've started looking into tandem Kevlar options at 75 lbs. but really love our boat.
We bought way back in 2001…
Submitted by:
paddler233068
on 4/13/2009
We bought way back in 2001 and so far it's been a great boat. We've been in the San Juan Islands exclusively and have been able to take everything with us. Seems the greater the load packed in, the steadier she glides... I call her 'our frigate'. As the other reviewer stated, it takes breaking waves/swells over the bow well. Always safe in this boat.
Thanks Necky.
We have had our Nootka…
Submitted by:
paddler228971
on 10/23/2000
We have had our Nootka Outfitter for about a year now. We bought the boat primarily for it's comfort and stablity. We are very comfortable in this boat in any condictions. We have been out in fairly rough conditions with waves breaking over the bow giving my wife a very wet ride (she is usually in the forward seat). We have never felt unstable or where we have had to make any serious brace strokes to stay upright. We have not been on any extended trips. We mostly do day trips. We do day trips in comfort. We have had some rather elaborate pic-nics. On a secluded beach, lounging in our folding camp chairs, table spread out with wine, bread and cheese, reading the latest issue of Sea Kayaking magazine. Since we purchased our Outfitter, we have been out on the average, at least once a week. We are in Northeren California where there is good paddling water every where, lakes, rivers, wetlands, bays (year around). We very much enjoy our Outfitter. Hauling a 100lb 22 ft Kayak is not an easy task. We have delt with that aspect very well. I made a support brace for the front of my Jeep Wrangler, installed a Yakima rack system with rollers. Most of the time I can load or unload the boat myself. We travel from Montery to Tahoe hauling our Outfitter. It's an awesome sight, the Jeep Wrangler with a green 22 ft. Kayak on top. We give our Outfitter a 10 of 10. Great Boat!
My wife and I just purchased…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 6/10/2000
My wife and I just purchased this boat, and so far we like it very much. This boat is great for people who want to get away from it all, and take alot of stuff with them! The middle storage compartment between the cockpits is huge. We can fit everything, (and I do mean everything), we need for a weekend outing, in the middle compartment alone! Actually, this boat may be to big for the kind of weekend warrior stuff that we do. It truely is an expedition caliber unit. We would give this boat 10 out of 10, but the brochure said that this boat would be around 85lbs in kevlar, and it actually weighes in at just under 100lbs. Kind of a bummer considering we have to transport it on top of an SUV. Anyway, overall this is a great boat with tons of storage.
