Designed for rough water and covering distances, the Explorer is the main expedition kayak in the fleet and suits the medium sized paddler. It is faster than the Romany family, whilst still highly manoeuvrable and directionly stable. It has a large carrying capacity and has been used on a one-month expedition to Antarctica carrying all supplies with no support.
The Explorer first came on to the market in 1994 and set the benchmark for expedition sea kayaks, since then it has been used by most of the worlds leading expedition paddlers in every corner of the globe. The Explorer has evolved over time, you now have the option of a round or oval hatch at the rear and a small day hatch in front of the cockpit.
Living on the west coast of Scotland I’ve found that even on day paddles I would choose the Explorer every time. It’s quite common to be paddling 5-6 mile open crossings which are made a lot easier with this boat.
Features
- fitted with the High performance glass seat, unless otherwise requested
- low rear deck for easy rolling
- keyhole cockpit that gives excellent grip, control and allows quick exit if need be
- sloping bulkhead behind the seat allows the kayak to be emptied by lifting only the bow, no x-rescue is necessary.
- The Explorer is also available in low volume and high volume: HV and LV
An expedition kayak for the medium sized paddler, length: 533.5 cm, width: 54 cm, depth: 34.5 cm, overall volume: 313.5 litres, front hatch volume: 73 litres, cockpit volume: 147 litres, day hatch volume: 37.5 litres, rear hatch volume: 56 litres.
Price: £2,350
Awards
The Explorer was awarded Best Extended Touring Kayak 2011 by the readers of Sea Kayaker Magazine (US publication)
“The kayak that our readers chose for extended touring does not have a huge cargo capacity, so for a long cruise you’ll have to think like a backpacker when it comes to the gear you carry. What was likely more important to those readers who voted for the Explorer was its ability to handle the rough conditions that you’re more exposed to the farther you paddle. In our review of the Explorer, one of our test paddlers took on 30-knot winds and 3-foot waves and concluded: “The handling in stronger winds and the behavior in confused seas are addressed admirably by this kayak.” A second reviewer, after paddling the Explorer in 20-knot winds and 2-foot waves, wrote simply: “It makes sloppy conditions uneventful.” You couldn’t ask for more.”
These triennial Readers Choice awards have repeatedly featured sea kayaks from Nigel Dennis’s range. The Explorer was also voted Best Extended Touring Kayak in the previous awards in 2008.