Night Hawk 17.5

This Product Has Been Discontinued

The Night Hawk 17.5 has been replaced by the Sitka XT

Night Hawk 17.5 Description

The Night Hawk 17.5 is a kayak brought to you by Eddyline Kayaks. Read Night Hawk 17.5 reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you!

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Night Hawk 17.5 Reviews

Read reviews for the Night Hawk 17.5 by Eddyline Kayaks 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!

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5

It’s an excellent boat! My…

Submitted by: paddler781457 on 5/27/2020
It’s an excellent boat! My boat has a skeg; put it down and the boat tracks like it’s on rails, no matter the wind. Retract the skeg, and it is extremely easy to maneuver. I would highly recommend Eddyline kayaks to anyone.
5

I am a big guy. 6'2" and…

Submitted by: Xtremecc on 11/30/2017

I am a big guy. 6'2" and 220lb. Size 11 shoe. I can start by telling you, this is my favorite kayak. Sleek and long, Classic North American design with a long water line. Shallow v hull and round chines. Fish form for stability and room. Front and back dry hatches. No day hatch. The compartments are big, you can pack a lot of stuff in there for camping trips. They remain fairly dry.

The cockpit is very roomy. I have to put some padding on the sides of the seat for a snugger fit, otherwise I slide around. I can put another 30lb and probably fit me better. the seat is comfortable. I upgraded my backrest to the infinity backrest and I have no complains. I can spend a lot of time on the water. The big cockpit allows me to get in and out without a problem, specially when I have to do a wet exit. There is plenty of room inside for your legs and feet with room to spare.

The kayak is very stable. Primary and secondary stability are high . When edging, you feel safe. The kayak starts pushing back, trying to straighten itself up. It takes choppy water like a champ. It has a full longer bow which will take you on top of the wave/chop instead of cutting thru it. It does slap coming down, losing some speed but keeps you dry and safe.

The kayak is fast due to its long waterline, even when its 24.5 wide. I can keep up with slimmer boats and some people struggle to keep up with the nighthawk. It is a little harder to turn due to the longer bow since is not a symmetrical design. Does not take much to edge the boat which makes turning way easier. Very straight tracking boat with the skeg up. Put the skeg down and it feels like a laser beam. Somebody below complained that the bow is blunt and its like a barge. Yes, it is blunt but it is not designed to cut through the water nor touches the water. The water line starts below the "blunt" bow. The water starts by kissing the hull and displaces under and to the sides. Very efficient design for less wetted surface.

I have tried and owned several big guy kayaks and by far, the Nighthawk 17.5 is the best of them! It is a discontinued model and the last of the long boats Eddyline made for big/tall people. Their new model "Denali" is only a 15 footer. I am glad I was able to find and purchase one. I do give this kayak five stars because it has everything I am looking in a kayak. Its fast, its comfortable, tracks very good, can carry a load and it has rock solid stability which is very important to me. Good job Eddyline! ✌🏼

5

I have owned my Nighthawk…

Submitted by: ClintH on 2/2/2015
I have owned my Nighthawk 17.5 for a bit over two years. I bought it used, only one owner who used it once and then it sat in a barn for 5 years. It was like new. I paddle year-round, 3-4 times per week, in all kinds of weather.

I have been out on one of the largest lakes in the country in 25+ mph winds and seas about 2-4 feet. Also routinely paddle in a smaller lake with winds up to 40 mph and waves to 2+ feet. I've never felt uncomfortable in any weather. This boat loves the rough water - coming from any quarter it is predictable and very well behaved. If you have any issues, drop the skeg and it tracks like it is on rails! Half skeg with a following sea will usually set you up well.

The Nighthawk is very stable and even more so with a load. Pick up the skeg and she turns very well, indeed, taking an edge nicely and coming around in a very fast, secure manner.

The hull is tough, very tough. I have put a couple of pretty good dings and they are easily repaired. All the pertinent info is on the Eddyline website. If you have any problems, call them - they are all about helping their owners!

I'm 6-3 and weigh about 245 with a 32" inseam - a long torso with a high CG. The fit is awesome.

Nighthawk will pack a ton of stuff - way more than you should take - I camp with a lot of luxuries [a chair, table and thick sleeping pad] as well as the usual cooking implements, sleeping bag, food, and clothes. And I still have room to spare. While loaded she moves well - a couple of strokes and it is up to speed.

This is a terrific boat! If you can find one, get it!!

5

Purchased this kayak used,…

Submitted by: gap8246 on 9/6/2014
Purchased this kayak used, Kevlar and carbonite. Great for my journey on the Maine Island trail. Excellent storage: plenty of room for food, tent, sleeping bag, clothes etc. for a 4 day trip. Very stable fully loaded. Catches wind if empty. As I am tall, this large boat fits me well. I am very happy with this boat as it suits my needs well.
4

Just purchased a 3 yr old…

Submitted by: paddler234791 on 9/26/2012
Just purchased a 3 yr old Nighthawk. I have been kayaking regularly in NW Florida for 5 years. I'm 61, 6'2", 195 lbs., size 13 shoes. My other boats are a Necky Elaho HV, and a Wilderness T-160i. Suffice it to say that I have a new favorite boat.

Very playful and maneuverable with the skeg up....tracks nicely with the skeg down. This is a much less tippy boat than the Elaho. Very nice cockpit access/size. Can sit in with legs out and pull them in quite easily. Thigh braces are perfectly located for my size. It has the speed of the Necky and the stability of the Wilderness.

I could not be more pleased. Great boat in every respect. I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time in it this winter. For the first time in my kayak "career", I don't feel like I need another boat... that makes my wife very happy.

4

After 8 years of paddling an…

Submitted by: CharlesB on 7/21/2009
After 8 years of paddling an Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro and renting some rotomolded sit inside kayaks, I bought a used Nighthawk 17.5. I was hesitant to buy such a long boat but I've now put over 100 miles on the boat in the on rivers, lakes and in the Gulf of Mexico.

I'm 6' even and 210 pounds. This boat isn't only large enough for me but would probably fit me better if I put on 30 pounds. There is plenty of leg room. I've got a 32" inseam and there is about 6 more inches of adjustment left in the foot pegs. This is definitely a boat for large and tall paddlers. I'm thinking about putting some padding on the sides of the seat to make the fit a little more snug.

My fear about such a long boat being difficult to maneuver was unfounded. Now that I've learned to edge, turning isn't at all difficult. The Nighthawk doesn't track as easily as my 15 foot sit on top but I just drop the skeg and it holds a straight line with no effort at all. On calm water I don't use the skeg but it does come in handy paddling upstream or in windy conditions.

The primary and secondary stability are both excellent. I've actually put it up on edge far enough to get water in the cockpit without tipping over and I'm not an advanced paddler. The Nighthawk is not a racing boat. It doesn't accelerate as fast as sleeker kayaks but once I get moving I have no problem keeping up with other boats. I glides along really well.

My Nighthawk is a 2006 model with a hard plastic seat and backrest (not a back band). The first couple of times I took the boat out the backrest irritated me but now it doesn't bother me even after 5 hours in the boat. I'm completely satisfied with the backrest and have no plans to change it. The seat is another matter. My butt, specifically in the tailbone area, gets sore after about 3 hours of paddling. After 5 the pain becomes pretty intense. I just bought a gel filled seat pad to help with this. I know someone that has a Nighthawk 17.5 and like me, the hard seat is his only complaint. The gel pad worked for him.

The new Nighthawks come with an integrated seat pad. I might very well rate that a 10 of 10 but I give my 2006 hard seat model a 9.

4

I am 6'3" 255lbs and at a low…

Submitted by: paddler232366 on 10/27/2007
I am 6'3" 255lbs and at a low intermediate skill level.
I have owned three roto boats: the Old Town Adventure 160 XL and two Mad River Synergy 14's. I looked for four or five months to find a Sea Kayak that would meet my needs and "FIT" me. I narrowed the search down to the Eddyline Nighthawk 17.5, the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 175, the P&H Capella 173. My waist is 42" with a 31 inch inseam and a size 13 foot. I am 47 years old and have spinal issues.

The Tsunami is a nice boat, but I did not feel it offered enough of an improvement over the Adventure XL to buy another big roto boat. So the final test was between the Capella 173 and the Nighthawk 17.5. I sat in the P&H Quest and Cetus and did not feel that the seats/beam would be comfortable enough for me at the time. I also paddled the Eddyline Fathom and was not convinced that the loss of stability and room were worth the performance advantage at the time of my purchase. When I paddled the Capella 173, I found the boat to edge better and was more responsive to turning, in all other categories it fell behind the Nighthawk 17.5.

The Eddyline felt faster and more stable for me. The Eddyline really grew on me the more I used it, and I definitely like being able to be less careful when moving it or hitting the beach. The fit and finish is excellent and the hatches stay very dry. I have now put over 150 miles on the boat and am very happy with my decision. It needs 50% skeg in in strong quartering winds and it tends to pound the bow in chop rather than cut the wave as I expect the Capella would. The hardback Eddyline seat on my demo caused me some pain so I ordered mine with the back band. The back band is mounted too low for my needed low back support so I moved the mounting points up onto the lower coaming and a little forward for more adjust-ability. The seat is now very comfortable, but I would rate the Eddyline seats in general as their weakest feature.

I paddle mostly with guys who use British or Canadian composite boats or who build their own skin overs and strip boats. They all seem to be impressed with the Eddyline, both in its speed and ability to comfortably handle most conditions. The Nighthawk 17.5 seems to actually like the following seas, it will round up in big waves if you try to race it down, but for the most part it is very predictable. I plan on buying a Fathom for my wife, fortunately she so far does not realize who it is actually for. I laughed at the notion of paying decent money for a "plastic" boat. I am not laughing anymore; Eddyline makes a very impressive product and the people I have met from Eddyline thus far have really sold me on the company.

For a bigger person like me who is looking for speed, quality, comfort, and stability, I strongly suggest you consider the Nighthawk 17.5 when you are looking for a boat. I am looking forward to advancing my skills and paddling through the winter. The Fathom will be a good compliment to our current boats.

5

I ordered a new Eddyline…

Submitted by: paddler231173 on 6/29/2005
I ordered a new Eddyline Nighthawk 17.5 in their Modulus construction in March of 2004, at our annual Canoecopia extravaganza in Madison, WI. I had done a lot of research in looking at what the various manufacturers had to offer, and felt I had made a well-reasoned purchase. The product was well-crafted, offered cutting edge technology, and used construction methods that were environmentally responsible. This was also my first kayak (FYI I am 56 years old).

I received the boat in May of 2004 and was off paddling the waters of southeast Wisconsin, mainly on Lake Michigan, soon after delivery. The boat performed very well for me and brought a lot of compliments from other paddlers.

Sometime in July, the boat developed a ‘wrinkle’ on the lower hull on the starboard side, beneath the cockpit area. This progressed somewhat over the next month or so where the area affected was approximately 12 inches long by about 8 inches wide just kind of a ‘wavy’ area in the Kevlar/Carbonlite structure. It didn’t affect the performance of the boat in anyway that I could detect, but was not cosmetically pleasing. I let the problem rest over the winter months.

In early spring, I took a couple of digital pictures of the wrinkle and e-mailed them to Eddyline. I received a reply back from Joe at Eddyline soon after. He explained that they had a small number of hulls that exhibited this effect due to the interaction of the Vectran, carbon fiber, and Carbonlite materials. They had changed the layup mix and remedied the problem. Very matter of factly he said (I am paraphrasing here) ‘Well, we’ll just build you a new boat. We are moving into a new facility but should be able to take care of you in about 4-6 weeks.’ Well, the skeptic in me said ‘this was too easy’. But, I continued to use the boat and waited to hear back from Eddyline.

And hear back I did. I received the new boat in exchange for the old in early June. Yes, I already had memories attached to the first boat such as my first unceremonious broach, capsize, and subsequent wet exit in 3+ foot waves last August. But I am already attached to the new boat. Eddyline had also made some small production changes, for example, the new bulkheads are transparent.

My point for writing this story is to record this as an excellent example of superior customer service. Eddyline should be applauded for standing behind their product. And it is not just that they did that. I did not need to make repeat calls or e-mails. I was not referred to a dealer, or passed around a labyrinth of customer service persons. They listened to me and took care of my problem.

5

This is my 3rd kayak - this…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 6/22/2005
This is my 3rd kayak - this is one beautiful kayak. Workmanship is excellent and I find the boat very comfortable and stable. Although this boat is advertised for large paddlers, I'm 5' 10" and about 185 pounds. I certainly don't have any complaints about comfort. The seat is the best I've ever tried. I wanted a kayak to use for overnight trips and as far as I 'm concerned, there is tons of hatch space - maybe even more than I need. Initial and secondary stability is very good and the boat is stable enough to use as a fishing boat or photography. I did a lot of research and Eddyline is, I believe, one of the best mfg. in the country. Their service and willingness to stand behind their boats is legendary (that comes from being a small private company with pride of workmanship). If I buy another kayak - it will be an Eddyline!
4

I have owned my Nighthawk for…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 6/17/2005
I have owned my Nighthawk for 3 years and have had great experiences with both the boat and the manufacturer. The nighthawk 17.5 is a high volume boat that will accommodate large to very large paddlers with comfort and performance. I am a large paddler, 6 ft, an athletic 250 lbs and I fit snug but comfortable in the model with the thigh braces. I have also paddled the boat without the thigh braces with exceptional comfort and still good performance. The carbonlite material is very tough and will withstand a lot of abuse with very little consequence; of which I can personally attest. If you do manage to damage the boat (which I can also attest to through my own stupidity) Eddyline is a great company to deal with. They stand behind their product 100% and will go to great lengths to help you out.

Now for the boat itself. The sheer line is very reminiscent of the Aleutian Island baidarkas with a long graceful bow. The boat looks great and often elicits favorable comments. The 24 inch beam gives great initial stability but the soft v shaped hull still allows waves and wakes to pass under smoothly. The secondary stability is very reassuring; you can edge the boat till water is over the sprayskirt and still feel solid. For a boat of this length and beam it is still very maneuverable. A good edge and the boat will turn, lean her over on her side and she will turn sharply. The weathercocking has a nice balance. Skeg up the boat will weathercock; skeg down the boat will tend to leecock. With various skeg trims she will track very stiff even with beam winds and or seas. I have been in boats which either tracked better or turned easier, but none with as nice a balance between the two. Beam currents seem to have the most effect on the boat, but a little edge, paddle stroke or skeg seems to handle it. Speed is reasonable, she isn’t the fastest boat, but she is no slouch either. In rough water the overall performance of the boat is very reassuring. Twice I have been in ocean inlets with opposing wind and currents and the boat did wonderfully. We had to paddle a few miles into standing waves probably 2 to 3 feet high than across close to a mile with these waves on the beam and crossed without incident. Only once have I found any water inside the rear bulkhead but that was after 6 hours of rescue practice with my paddling partner, only 2 sponges full.

In conclusion it is a well mannered boat for the larger paddler. It will carry you and all your camping gear easily. Eddyline is a great family owned business. Every Eddyline owner I know would buy another Eddyline product if they are in the market for a new boat. If I lose some more weight I will buy a modulus Falcon.

5

Very fine ride! Predictable…

Submitted by: paddler230679 on 7/13/2004
Very fine ride! Predictable (in a good way) performance and excellent ergonomomics. Carbonlite much like its cousin Lexan is probably the finest plastic ever created. And a great deal of credit has to go to the engineers that have produced such a fine craft. I'm a 230# 6'2" 40ish helicopter/turboprop pilot with years at sea and overseas. The craft has a skeg that may be deployed at various trim for varying conditions. Thoughtful for the enginneers to place its control so convieniently! Tracking has never been a problem with the proper use of skeg trim and bracing. The Swift paddle is awesome too! My white with black trim NightHawk is incorrectly named. It should be Osprey, like the one that accompanies me on my travels in the bayou.
4

I don't own one of these…

Submitted by: paddler230376 on 10/2/2003
I don't own one of these kayaks but at the recent (2003) NW Kayak Symposium, I had an opportunity to paddle this boat. I am a big guy at 6'4" and 255 lbs so I tried virtually every kayak that I could squeeze into on the beach during the three days.

I own a Necky Looksha IV HV and have about four years of experience coupled with a lot of lessons from the best. But because of my large shoulders and top weight, I can say that I don't like boats that feel like they are about to roll and require a brace with every stroke yet I appreciate a twicky boat that has great secondary stability. Enough caveats and qualifications.

Of all the kayaks I paddled during the symposium, I kept coming back to the Night Hawk 17.5. I ended up paddling it 5 times in relatively flat water with a stiff breeze on occassion.

The cockpit is large and for me incredibly comfortable. The opening was one of the largest I have been in and it took my sprayskirt to the limit. But it was a good fit and the plastic braces were fine.

The boat was one of the most stable I have every paddled. There is something interesting about the stability almost like it wanted to right itself allowing me to keep pressure on the lean with total ease. By the 5th paddle, I could lean the boat over until the waterline was over my sprayskirt without feeling like the boat would heel. On such a lean, this kayak turns very quickly and smoothly. I was impressed.

The boat accelerated nicely and reached its probable optimal speed quickly. This boat is moderately fast, but not FAST-FAST in my hands.

In a stiff breeze, there was noticable weathercocking which could be overcome with a lean. I never deployed the skeg and did not feel a need too. On the other hand, I did not take the kayak for a 10 mile trip to really get a sense for its performance or to tire because of any under appreciated deficency. But of all the boats at the show, this one in particular, the Nimbus Telkwa, the the CD Solstice GTXL made the cut list as far as overall comfort, manueverability, and stability. Unfortunately, NW Kayaks chose to leave their XLs at home...I liked their Discovery but it was an uncomfortable fit.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone with experience with the Eddyline Nighthawk 17.5. At my exposure level, I do not share the opinion of the 5 of 10 reviewer although his experience may be much more extensive than mine.

3

This is a very good looking…

Submitted by: paddler230338 on 8/25/2003
This is a very good looking boat, and I fit comfortably in it. I am 6' 2" 238lb 34 inch waist 28 " thigh (from body building) and size 13 shoes. The boat has good initial and secondary stability and the carbonlight material is fantastic. Carbonlight is stiff, strong and light. Performance is another story.

This boat has a blunt bow keel, it’s about as sharp as my wrist and it does not slice through the water the way many other boats do. Instead it pushes its way through the water similar to a tug boat (you provide the push). As a result the tracking is very poor. With the skeg up its similar to paddling a raft, all water disturbances will affect your direction (boat wakes, waves) constant corrections are necessary to stay on course. Skeg down is mandatory but don't paddle down wind with skeg down. This boat weathercocks badly and doesn't respond well to weight shifts.

This boat comes complete with deck lines, spare paddle holder, compass mount and two cavernous storage compartments. The front bungie lines form a huge X. This X is so large that it only holds the largest items in place. Smaller items such as water bottles, maps, paddle float and pump aren’t secured. It is impossible to get more than one bungie cord across these items.

The foot pedals in the Night Hawk are flexible plastic. They flex under the pressure of the foot. Secure foot, knee, and hip contact are impossible. The track the foot pedal is mounted in is also plastic and there is always movement in these components.

The seatback is adjustable up and down, which is nice but is constructed from very thin plastic as is the seat bottom. The seat bottom could be a bit thicker as it flexed under my weight. Both seat back and bottom of the rental had small cracks in them. Something that would be a major concern in the future.

I spent several hours in this boat to see if this was the boat for me. It is a very accommodating, poorly designed boat. I give this boat a Rating of 5

other boats I have tried that perform better:

Prijon Kodiak : Tight in foot area
Current Design Storm : Soft Plastic
Seaward Navigator : Great fit
Necky Eskia : Tight in foot area
Nigel Foster Shadow : Good Fit
Nigel Dennis Explorer HV: Fast Boat

3

This is a very good looking…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/19/2003
This is a very good looking boat and it fits me perfectly. I am 6' 2" 238lb 34 inch waist 28" thigh (from weight training) and size 13 shoe. The boat has good initial and secondary stability and the carbonlight material is fantastic. Carbonlight is stiff, strong and light. Performance is another story.

This boat has a blunt bow keel, its about as sharp as my wrist and it does not slice through the water the way many other boats do. Instead it pushes its way through the water similar to a tug boat (you provide the push). As a result the tracking is very poor. With the skeg up its similar to paddling a raft, all water disturbances will affect your direction (boat wakes, waves) constant corrections are necessary to stay on course. Skeg down is mandatory but don't paddle down wind with skeg down. This boat weathercocks badly and doesn't respond to weight shifts.

This boat comes complete with deck lines, spare paddle holder, compass mount and two cavernous storage compartments. The front bungie lines form a huge X. This X is so large that it only holds the largest items in place. Water bottles, maps, paddle float and pump will be retrieved from the water many times during your outing.

I rented this boat several times and spent several hours in it each time in different conditions to see if this was the boat for me. It is very accommodating and that's about it. I give this boat a Rating of 5.

Other boats I have tried that perform better:

  • Prijon Kodiak - Tight in foot area
  • Current Design Storm - Soft Plastic
  • Seaward Navigator - Great fit
  • Necky Eskia - Tight in foot area
  • Nigel Foster Shadow - Good Fit
  • Nigel Dennis Explorer HV - Fast Boat
4

To start with, I am 6'5" and…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 9/26/2002
To start with, I am 6'5" and 270lbs with a 36" inseam. This boat is designed for a big paddler. This is not the 16' 22" beam Nighthawk. I got the boat with the Carbonlite construction and couldn't be happier with the material. It is plenty rigid, supports my weight very nicely when getting in and out of the boat. The finish is smooth and bright, most everyone thinks this is a composite boat. The cringes when I raft it up onto shores and ramps are always amusing. This is a polycarbonate material, not polyethylene. One of the nice things with it is you can do a repair in a similar fashion to a fiberglass boat, with polyethylene it is a stickier proposition to repair any hull damage.

Handling; this boat has a 24" beam which on paper had me hesitant. Out on the water however, this boat handles really nicely. It's plenty lively, edges very well and knee dragging will easily cover for any wind. Because of the beam it has excellent primary stability and with the soft V hull design beam currents and waves still pass nicely under the boat.

The secondary stability is also quite high on this boat. After a few outings with it I can essentially just drop it onto its sides, it's very reassuring and this makes for much more relaxed leaned turns and maneuvers. I would guess I have only about 60 miles on the boat so far so all of this is initial impression.

Cockpit comfort; the cockpit volume in this boat is massive. I have a 36" inseam and fairly large built legs. I can still cross my legs easily at the knee inside the boat. On the last peg my legs are in a just barely bent and fully relaxed position.

Finally a boat with enough reach to the pegs I can actually make use of a few positions. The cockpit opening is very large and is a bit tricky to find a skirt for as most outfitters don't have this boat listed yet. Snapdragon's XL deck size fits it perfectly, I have the Ocean Tour neo skirt and it works very well. The NRS "Monster" is several inches too small just to save people some time. The '9' is because the stock hard plastic seatback isn't all that great over long trips. I replaced it with a backband and it now feels like a Barcalounger. I've done two trips each in the area of 5hrs without any comfort issues at all. With a 40" waist and large legs I still could use some minicell for thigh hooks and hip pads. I would be willing to bet this boat would handle someone up to 350lbs no problem.

Manners in the water; I haven't had it out in truly advanced conditions but I have had it out in 2' and larger chop with 15+ knot winds and it was just fine...I could sit with my arms folded without any trouble. I've had waves breaking over the bow and wind stiff enough to blast spray back up and the boat just keeps on tracking. The skeg works very well, it's great to have for longer crossings to keep you on course in winds or currents.

Storage volume: Huge, I think I could ice down two cases of beer in the back hatch, the hatches are watertight, similar to if not Kajak Sport but without the added bungees in the ring channel. I'll be adding those myself. If you like to camp, this boat will haul it all.

This is a great confidence inspiring boat for the big paddler. It is plenty fast enough to keep up with Perception Eclipse or CD Storms and numerous Valley boats that I've been out with, yet it's also stable enough that you can enjoy the ride when things get whipped up.

My only wants would be a deck pump option, this boat isn't cheap and I'd bet the audience for it would appreciate this option...this sucker has a lot of water to pump out when the cockpit is full. The other want would be for a better backrest, the hard plastic is a bit rough over several hours and there is plenty of room to suspend a nice backband.

I'd buy it again, if I hit the lottery I might even spring for the Kevlar reinforced "Modulus" layup next time.