Legend

I've owned my Seaward built Legend for about 5 months. I've owned 20+ sea kayaks over the years and do mostly coastal day paddling, year round in widely varying conditions which often includes challenging surf and beach landings. While I'm still learning how to get the best from this subtly designed kayak, I'm very happy with it. It's enjoyable to paddle in calm, rough, & surf conditions as well as just noodling around. For a long boat it turns very efficiently, almost on the spot and the secret seems to be in the release of the stern / keel as you set the kayak on edge. I was surprised at how easily I was able to manage challenging surf conditions without broaching as a combination of stern rudder, edging & leaning fwd / back were sufficient to control position on the wave. If you do broach it handles the bumpy whitewater well, and is no less stable in that situation than other kayaks I've owned, including the NDK Explorer. As others have noted, the stern may get pushed around a in wind, but the skeg will counteract that fairly well although the kayak also responds to paddler input well enough to counteract this tendency. I suspect that with a load of camping gear, it would not occur. I traded my Explorer for the Legend and I'm pleased about that. This is a kayak you can grow with and I doubt I'll be replacing it in the future. The hull is an uncommon and appealing, rounded shape that transitions into hard chines and flattish sides (gunwhales?), and is I'm told where it gets it surprising speed and surf-ability in a following sea. The Legend feels fast and responsive when paddling in straight lines. I bought this kayak to suit my environs and the type of paddling I do. It is not quite as resistant to pearling in steeper, heavier surf as the Explorer, but is not far off and still performs really well in that respect. If the bow does start to bury, a little edge, lean back and it will break the surface again (having said that, I was burying the nose in my Gemini SP a bit in similar conditions anyway). The Explorer was outstanding in that respect and I think its lower rear deck may have helped, with the option for the paddler to lay right back and shift more weight to the stern. It's not as neutral in wind as the Impex or Explorer (2 of the best in that department, IMO) but good enough and the upside is that it feels "livelier" than both. It doesn't look all that manoeuvrable, but it is once you learn how to drive it and I enjoy paddling the Legend more than either Impex or Explorer. I have read comparisons of the NF Legend to the NDK Greenlander Pro but I can't see any meaningful similarity. Both are long, narrow, hard-chined and that's probably where the comparison ends. The GP is nice to paddle and fast but IMO not as responsive with less volume in the bow, more likely to bury the nose in surf.. not that I spent a enough time in it. The cockpit & seat layout felt great though and I was disappointed to find that the Explorer was not quite in the same league although appearing very similar. Things I would change in the Legend if I could... I'd prefer a lower deck behind the cockpit, to allow greater movement and layback onto the deck. I find the seat pan a liitle too deep so I'll sort that out with some foam, a solid tow point would be nice and longer deck lines on the foredeck (so I can attach things bag properly) -or I'd settle for a deck pod :).. other than that, a slightly larger skeg surface area would be beneficial. There's basically not much to complain about. It's lighter than the Impex and Explorer and neither were all that heavy for their size. The Seaward build and workmanship is excellent, with kevlar reinforcement along the bow section keel, a standard feature of the layup, and additional woven cloth reinforcing the area where the paddler sits. Vinylester resin was used which explains the lighter weight. A very good IR backband was fitted but I've removed it as an additional weight saver and have added a simple lightweight alternative. What else can I say? It's a beauty and ticks enough boxes for me that I feel I've found my ideal kayak. I still keep a shorter plastic, rockered, skeg-boat for certain conditions and between them, both kayaks seem to cover enough bases for me, but if I sold one, it would not be the Legend.

I have paddled, and still own, the Legend, a P&H Cappela, and a Prijon Kodiak. I would rate all of these as a 10/10. Each, however, exceeds in certain areas. The Legend, however, probably has the highest overlap when it comes to features and quality. The quickness of this large boat is impressive. The Kodiak and the Legend are similar in speed, but the Legend requires only a slight lean to turn. This boat is fun in the rough! Although I might prefer the Kodiak for an expedition, due to its overall speed and stability, the Legend is more fun to paddle in waves, strong currents, or simply while playing around. The Capella has been awesome, and fun to play with, but does not have the speed of the Legend. From a handling point of view, both the Capella and the Legend are responsive and turn on a lean, but somehow the Legend, although longer, seems to be quicker and more responsive, as well as faster. All in all, you will not fail with the Legend.

Following three months of increasingly learning to play and control the Legend, it has been a very great experience after 5 years of using other types of kayaks.

Directional control can be a bit difficult in the beginning coming from a rudder fitted kayak. The only problem was the skeg clotting with small stones in locations. This lead to the need for complete removal of the skeg. When doing so it turned out that the screw holding a small tube, that allows a knot to take the skeg up and down is unfortunately made of iron - which rusts within a few months here in Denmark - had to replace with a non-standard stainless steel part. The seawater is a bit salty (1-2%).

Seaward has been noted and will hopefully replace with stainless steel part in future production.

I have had my Legend for about six months. The quality of build by Seaward is simply excellent and the design of the boat is a true classic. I realize that something as personal as the handling of a kayak is subjective but if you are thinking of purchasing a kayak of this type you owe it to yourself to test paddle the Legend!

I have owned over 20 kayaks in the last 20 years ranging from white water boats, surf skis, Olympic K1's, to sea kayaks and doubles and the Legend is the sweetest and most versitile boat I have ever paddled. I currently own a Wilderness Systems Northstar Pro double and a CLC stitch and glue rocket. Both these boats have a place in my basement but still don't have the all round use of the Legend.

I have the kevlar lay-up, built by Seaward in Canada. The construction is first class and I think if I were buying a used one I would try to find the Seaward model. I bought used from a fellow who found it a little too tippy and a "Bit too much boat for him" If you are an experienced kayaker, or a keen begginner in the right weight range then this boat will last you a long time. It is very responsive to edging and I have found I have rarely needed the excellent skeg arrangement.My previous boat was a Current Designs Carribou S, and while this is a wonderful boat, the Legend is quicker and more responsive.Before buying a Legend make sure you have the right weight for it, too light will be just as bad as too heavy. If you fall outside the recommended range (Both empty and fully loaded) , then consider the other 2 models in the Nigel Foster range

Would I buy a legend again? Yes in a heart beat!

The Nigel Foster Legend is my second sea kayak; my first was a fiberglass P&H Capella. Much of my review of the Legend is based on my experience with the Capella. I sold the Legend and moved to the Capella because of two characteristics that I gradually came to dislike. First, the Capella had too much volume for me in the foredeck area. I am fairly big, 6'2", 225 lbs, and size 12 shoes. When I purchased the Capella, I liked the extra room, but as I got more into kayaking I wanted less volume. Secondly, the Capella carved nice turns but seemed slower to respond to edging than I wanted. I had to put the Capella on edge for a few seconds before it would start carving a turn then take it off edge before I made my intended heading, otherwise I would overshoot the turn. I didn’t like the sloppy response-I wanted a kayak that would turn more crisply. The Legend corrected both problems for me; it turns when I edge it and stops turning when I take it off edge. I found the Legend's initial stability to be lower (it feels tippy at first) but the stability as you roll it from chine to chine is very good. The initial stability is only really noticed (tippy) in flat water; in even small waves the kayak is much more initially stable. I primarily paddle on Michigan’s inland lakes with occasional trips to the Great Lakes. The hatches are completely watertight and the Legend will carry plenty of gear. Even though this is a fairly good-sized touring kayak, it only seems big on land. It is a pleasure to paddle, it runs straight and turns well once leaned. Edged and leaned turns are made easier by the good stability that is found by laying the boat over on its chine. The kayak rolls nicely, and is very accommodating for Greenland side sculls and chest sculls.

Having paddled for 20 years and making my living at it for most of them I have enjoyed my Legend immensely. At 5'10" and 170lbs its a pretty good fit for me and has ample room for expedition loads. Tracks straight yet carves beautifully when leaned. Now that the Legend in distributed by Walden Paddlers and built in Canada it has undergone some beginner friendly improvements also. The seat has been lowered increasing initial stability dramatically...it also now fits more people. Good, non-kinking skeg control, large hatches and greatly improved finish work in addition to new lighter weight make this more of a 12 out of 10. A great boat has become, well, a Legend.

I've been paddling one of the origional Legend's (from Southern Exposure) for many year's. The Legend is a built like a battleship and manuvers like a dream. There is a lot of leg room compared to the tight foot space of a nordkapp. As an outfitter/instructor for over a decade I couldn't ask for more in a boat...it surfs and handles wind with ease. The full size hatches in front and back make for easy loading. It is a very responsive boat and although excellent for someone with solid paddling skills, I would not recommend it for a beginner. Nigel's attention to the little details make a difference. eg. The recessed day hatch and slightly longer cockpit makes sliding in and out of the boat easy for a 6' 180lb lb guy like myself. My only quirk with the boat is the compass is far up front and is sometimes hard to see (but it's in a protected position). With all of the new slick boat designs on the market the Legend still stands up to any of them in performance, comfort, and function.

Sleek and fast, responsive and well mannered, worth noting that the Legends made by Southern Exposure are less stable than those made by Watermark/Nedyaks, mine is one of the latter and I think the balance of stability against performance is spot on!