Frontier 12

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.

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.

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.

"2 Year follow up - NuCanoe Frontier from a big guy's viewpoint. I've had my NuCanoe Frontier 12 for 2 years. And the things that attracted me to this kayak are even more visible today than they were 2 years ago when I bought it. Unparalleled stability, both primary and secondary. 650lb weight capacity. Ability to do anything from Class II rapids to inshore fishing. I'm a very tall, very wide guy at 6'6"" and 290. And I can get up and walk on this kayak with the casting bar installed. My ""normal"" sized teenage sons are able to throw cast nets from it. I've never come close to flipping it. You want comfort? I have a regular upholstered jon boat seat raised about 12"" from the floor. I can cross my legs, stretch them, or get up to walk. (or answer a call of nature). Note that for big guys this is not a tandem kayak. If you weigh more than 250, you probably want to evaluate it in tandem mode, but mine has never had it's 2nd seatbase installed.

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.

I recently purchased a 2013 Frontier 12. It was used and at the time I didn't realize that the 2 railing were in very badly damaged, I called the folks at Nucanoe and told them of my problem, with absolutely no hesitation they are sending me at no cost a new set of rails. This is the type of company that wants to backup their products. Thank You to the folks at Nucanoe for that kind of service.

Great kayak for us older paddlers, easy to get in and out of, stable enough to stand up, also has the option to use a trolling motor the days you're hurting to bad to paddle. It's better to be out on the water than sitting in a recliner. Makes a great fishing kayak and can be converted to tandem in minutes.

Have owned a Frontier 12 for a couple months, definitely a 10 as far as i am concerned and i make it work. Im 6'2" 280 and my latest adventure was as a drift boat, set up with a modified rowing frame, on the middle fork of the Clearwater River in Idaho, never got wet except a little spray. Best yak I've been in and stable as a rock.

The NuCanoe Frontier 12 is what it is advertised to be. It is wide and stable and a great platform for fishing. Equipped with a Water Snake 54# trolling motor it cuts through the water quite nicely. I thought that the Frontier was a little hard to paddle but I admit I lack good paddling skills. Good boat.

Have owned my Frontier for two full seasons now and can't imagine life without it. Performs great in all waters fresh or salt. Fly fishing for Stripers or large mouth... Awesome.

The frontier 12 is the most stable platform I've fished from since going kayak only. It's 12 by 42 with a 20 inch casting deck. First day on the water I put it thru all the paces, walking around on it, jumping in it (within reason) and standing and paddling. The stability(primary)is just amazing, flipping and pitching was a breeze, turning around for another rod and reel, easy, and catching that Big ol bass and getting her in the boat, piece of cake!

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

Frontier 12: good kayak for newbies - and for those needing stability and max weight capacity. Okay for calm waters and weather. In currents and winds it's a barge. Funky flaws like uneven deck that keeps water from flowing to scupper holes. And massive foam insert (without which voids mfg. warranty) that eats up much of its potential internal storage space. No mid or rear internal access or storage. With seat(s) and accessories a bit unwieldy to handle, lift, load, move when solo.

I can't imagine life without my Frontier. I fish many different waters. Lakes, rivers, fresh and salt. Harbors and estuaries. I launch from boat ramps , beaches and lake shore openings and the frontier excels everywhere. I've owned other kayaks but none are as comfortable or as stable. Tracks straight. Might not be the fastest yak on the water but it's an awesome fishing machine

This is my first "kayak" after many years of owning canoes (both aluminum and plastic). I looked at many models on the market and asked for the most stable kayak available (I've been known roll a canoe on occasion). This model is far and away the most stable I've ever seen and to roll it you would have to work very hard.

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.

The NuCanoe Frontier 12 is an excellent fishing platform. I have fished from it solo as well as with my wife using the adjustable seating. The Frontier 12 is extremely stable to fish from allowing for beginner mistakes as well as allowing for standing to cast for the experienced angler.

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.

This is a stable, heavy, slow and surprisingly flexible boating system. I with swivel seats but hated them. The seat bases flexed so I sold them and got elite seats which are way better for comfort. The boat is not perfect because it is fairly slow but if you're not in a hurry then it may not matter for you. I've had my boat for 5 months now and I believe it was a good purchase. My 5 year old kid loves the boat. We catch fish in the lakes nearby. This thing can be rigged up anyway you want and has lots of storage. For lake fishing and maybe close to shore salts this is a good boat. Ok on calm rivers too...