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Frontier 12
Frontier 12 Description
The Frontier is the ultimate hybrid kayak, designed from the hull up for serious anglers and hunters. Whether you are fly fishing in salt water, bass fishing in a river, or hunting in the marshes, the Frontier fishing kayak will maximize your experience.Ridiculously stable, surprisingly agile, and easy to paddle, the self-bailing Frontier knows no limits. Go solo in style or tandem with room to spare. Position seats, rod holders, and accessories anywhere along the 70" Freedom Track. Face the action with 360 degree mobility. And don't just stand, walk & fish with confidence on the 20" wide Cast & Blast Deck.
Frontier 12 Specs and Features
- Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
- Cockpit Type: Sit on Top / Open Cockpit
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
NuCanoe Inc
Frontier 12 Reviews
Read reviews for the Frontier 12 by NuCanoe Inc as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!
My only complaint is that I…
My only complaint is that I developed cracks in the stern and flooring after a few years. Customer service was always helpful and quick to send me repair material, polyethylene discs. It requires heat transfer and is not the easiest to apply and can be tricky to apply. I should mention that this occurred even though the kayak has been stored inside during the winter.
I bought a Nucanoe Frontier…
I bought a Nucanoe Frontier in 2012 - it was sold by a dealer that was new to the area, and I believe we were one of the earlier customers in the St. Petersburg Florida area to buy one.
We loved the boat, and it served as a fantastic tender to our Sailboat – also so stable that our large dog got almost daily rides in it. Why the low rating? After several years we noticed stains around some of the fittings. Then about three years ago, the fittings started crumbling and the hull splitting - because amazingly the fittings were not stainless. They were obviously plain nickel steel and all crumbled into rust. We have now taken the boat to the dealer we bought it from and they are contacting the manufacturer to see what they might be able to do, but told us today that they didn’t think that they would be able to repair it. I was pretty disconcerted to hear the retail rep explain that this is bound to happen in saltwater - but I never received any warnings when I bought the boat that I could expect all the fittings to crumble apart after 4-5 years of use in saltwater. It would be different if you could just replace the fittings, but when they rust, they expand and the hull has now split in about 8 different spots. So, while I loved the boat - unless you plan to only use it in freshwater (or they now use stainless fittings) I would plan a five-year life for the boat before having to scrap it.
If the manufacturer comes back and offers some type of fix, I will be the first person to come back on and let you know.
Great boat and even better…
Great boat and even better customer service! These guys go above and beyond to make sure all customers are happy! Donna and Robby are great as well as the local pro staff member Christian.
I purchased a 2013 Frontier…
I purchased a 2013 Frontier 12, 2 seat about 6 months ago that had been neglected and barely equipped to begin with. I wired it for cockpit lights and a search light for night time use. The design of the boat allows good access for running wiring. I wired my kayak to have the plug in for a trolling motor at the stern and battery in the bow for the sake of weight distribution. I added a volt meter to monitor the battery and a raised seat kit for the sake of comfort. Now its both comfortable and feels stable. It's a good bit of work to paddle in windy weather which it often is on the Gulf where I live but worth the effort for the comfort and stability the design provides. I just purchased a 2.3 hp Honda outboard based on recommendations from Nucanoe staff and look forward to motoring to my destinations then paddling quietly while my wife and I go bird watching in the mangroves. I also purchased miscellaneous items from Nucanoe at what I felt were fair prices. The Frontier 12 offers the best of motoring and paddling opportunities. Many thanks to Donna at Nucanoe who has been very helpful and generous by providing a couple of needed items at no cost. Nucanoe is a great company to do business with.
One of the best and most…
One of the best and most stable kayaks on the market.
I was in the market for a…
I was in the market for a multi functional kayak with great stability. I wanted a boat to take my two boys and dog fishing. I am able to accomplish this with the Frontier 12! What an amazingly stable kayak. Not to mention it trackes well and paddles smooth. Even with both my sons on board. You even have a troll motor option! Well done Nucanoe.
Best fishing boat/kayak I…
"2 Year follow up - NuCanoe…
While not all Frontier owners shop at a big and tall store (stability appeals even to shorter people), this kayak really has attracted more than it's share of larger owners.
It's also a particularly good kayak if you want to fit it with a motor. Built for up to a 2.5 hp gas, or can easily support the weight of a type 29 battery and trolling motor. That's not my scene, but it's a growing demographic.
Downsides? Well, the weight. About 70lbs with no seat, with my big comfy jon boat seat installed, it's close to 90. I cartop it on a Ford Escape, but others have expressed the viewpoint that it's a bit heavy for that.
The other downside is the speed. You're not any slower that the other fishing paddle kayaks out there, but you're sure not fast either. I have no problem keeping up with friends in Ride 135's, Slayers, or Predators, but something like the Ultimate or a Manta Ray will leave you behind. Tracking is very good.
In short... I still love my NuCanoe, 2 years after the original purchase, and I've done a lot of different water in it. You won't find a more stable kayak anywhere, or one that's as comfortable, or friendly to big people. If that meets your needs, and you can deal with the weight and not being the fastest thing on the water... you should consider this kayak.
The Frontier 12 is highly…
I recently purchased a 2013…
Love my Frontier Model, I…
I graduated from a decent 12ft sit in kayak, and love the ease of getting in and out of the Frontier 12ft, i can even sit on the edge at shore and it will not flip over to step out
Great kayak for us older…
I like my NuCanoe Frontier 12…
Have owned a Frontier 12 for…
- stability is a 10 - dry well in front is…
- stability is a 10
- dry well in front is a 2
- weight is a 6
- handles and straps are a 2 (within first 2 months, the front and rear handles broke off and the dry well strap broke as well)
- lacks enough hardware for securing to truck racks
- overall a decent product but less rugged than the marketing suggests
The NuCanoe Frontier 12 is…
I started out with Nucanoe in…
Have owned my Frontier for…
Great kayak for just about…
The frontier 12 is the most…
For a kayak this size the frontier is very nimble and turns on a dime, though not the fastest paddling kayak, the huge weight capacity will handle your small outboard or troller and battery. you simply launch, and setup. Your seat for stability thanks to the slide tracks loading in my truck is also a breeze thanks to the oversized handles, and the accessories are endless!
Blake Young and everyone at Nucanoe really pulled out ALL the stops, you owe it to yourself to try the Nucanoe Frontier 12
It's a 10 for MY NEEDS. I do…
It's not the fastest, but then I'm not racing. Plenty of deck space, easy to customize, not any heavier that boat of a similar size. It's fit my needs perfectly, but I will acknowledge it is not for everyone.
Frontier 12: good kayak for…
Perfect for Louisiana marshes…
I can't imagine life without…
This boat is amazingly…
I'm 5'6 145lb, and I got no problems car topping this on my minivan solo. I really can't say enough about this boat the reviews don't lie!
This is my first "kayak"…
I use it on Kansas and Missouri strip pits, ponds, and small rivers, with the occasional trip to a major lake. At 64 years of age and 240 pounds it fills the bill for my needs. The only drawback is that for one person it can be a handful to portage or carry. That pales in comparison to its other features. I have also sometimes mounted a trolling motor on it and the ride and performance are terrific.
All in all, I feel that after two years of use, this was and is a great investment.
Let me start by saying I'm…
The Frontier is rated for 650 lbs. 400lbs dry without scupper plugs, so mine are essentially permanently installed. But that's misleading... The seat bases aren't that strong. I had to buy a "rigid" seat base (list price $75 but manufacturer gave discount when I complained) to support my greater weight. Kind of upset me that they didn't mention this fact.
I have a jon boat seat mounted.
Now, obviously... The strength of this is stability. Even with my tonnage, and riding with my butt 10" over the floor, it's not tippy at all. But what is surprising is that it is NOT as slow as you would expect. Granted, it's not going to win any races, but you should be able to keep up with your companions in other fishing kayaks.
Tracking is very good. Storage is very good... It's essentially a big open deck. It has a hatch with a dry bag with a way into the hull, and a "gear track" system that accepts yakattack mounts... I see no reason to ever drill into the hull.
I have a second seat base that I can take a "normal" sized person out with me. I haven't used it yet.
The downside is the weight. That 74 lbs they talk about is with no seat bases... You put a seat base, a rod holder, and a job boat seat on this, and we're pushing 100 lbs. I am strong enough to car top this on a Ford Escape, but I don't think that's something most people would choose to do. You also need a cart to move this. It's just too heavy.
Summary:
A good kayak for king sized paddlers or tandem usage. Tracks well. Very stable. Very friendly for stand up fishing. Not fast (not slow, but definitely not fast). Very heavy.
The NuCanoe Frontier 12 is an…
The Frontier 12 is not the fastest fishing kayak, but it tracks very well whether you're moving upstream or out on a wind swept lake. I previously owned a small canoe and I am much more confident and comfortable in the Frontier 12.
I love my Frontier 12 from NuCanoe.
I live in the central…
So I got my Nucanoe after a long research and a test drive. I am really surprised with its stability and comfort (the Frontier 12). I fish alone but I love to have my boys with me when they are home. Last week I cast my 7ft net and it felt like I was on the solid grounds as long as I spread my legs properly.
I can walk up and down my kayak and yes, it's not the fastest but I am in no hurry either. As the matter of facts I only carry the necessities and don't believe in rigging with permanent holes in my kayak. My transport cart and a truck bed extender and my Toyota Tacoma is all I need to go where I need to. the only thing I suggest is a long paddle maybe an eight footer.
This is a stable, heavy, slow…
I was looking for a…
Another big selling point was its stability. The secondary stability of this boat is unbelievable. I have seriously tried to flip it over to figure out where the limits were - WITHOUT any success. I stood in it, walked around on it and never felt unsafe. Keep in mind that this was my first time in a kayak in over 30 years.
This should lead one to the conclusion that it is a lumbering barge - Not at all! The Frontier tracks beautifully and is surprisingly fast. I have paddled it by myself with an injured passenger on board for 6 miles on the lake with no problems. It has a load capacity of 650lbs and my wife has loaded it up to the point that an onlooker asked: Are you sure its a kayak and not a houseboat?
Although I still don't know if its a kayak or a canoe - I would have given it an 11 on here if they let me.