Kayak Demo - NDK Romany Surf

[@mrfish1728]

Just started Kayaking and drove to the factory in wales where these are made, staff were great super friendly and really informative after talking about what i would like to get out of a kayak i walked away with a brand new Romeny Surf :) cant wait to get out in the water with her

[@AdventureOtaku]

It’s a beautiful boat. I was lucky to get to paddle her. Enjoy yours!

[@FrankLadd]

I've been enjoying your videos and I've got a Romany seat you can have and try to fit to your Delta.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I’m intrigued. Email me, id like to know the dimensions. BrettATAdventureotaku.con thanks!

[@lawrencehicks9607]

High performace kayaks ( NDK, Valley, P&H etc) all have hatches that come off hard. They are double sealed and don't leak. They won't come off if your kayak rolls full of gear. You can apply 303 spray protectant on your hatches to help protect them from UV and keep them flexible. Don't buy a boat with a black bottom or top, they are very hard to spot by other members in your group if your in trouble. I have 2 twenty year old Valley kayaks (Nordkapp, Anas Acuta) still in great shape. It's impossible to buy one kayak that will be good at everything. The Nordkapp is 17' 10" long. It's made to hold a lot of gear, track well and handle rough water when loaded. When empty it's fast and agile for an experienced paddler only. The Anas Acuta is 17' 2" long with hard chines, V shaped bottom , more rocker and less windage due to it's lower volume. It will hold enough gear for an overnight or weekend trip, it's not as fast as the Norkapp but is more stable when empty and is easier to paddle into the wind due to it's lower decks. They both are a blast to paddle in conditions and were picked because of their differences and reputation. I wanted boats that would challenge me to learn to be learn how to be a good paddler and keep me interested. My plan worked.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I would never buy a boat with a black hull…. I dont even like a white hull! I’ve never had a hatch come off - even on cheap boats - when rolling with gear. But I get your point. And I think every paddler should choose a boat that challenges them. It’s what I did with my first boat, and if I had the money I would do it now. Currently I would really like a valley…. Thanks for watching.

[@jimbokayaker5247]

You seem to not have the skills or conditions to accurately evaluate that kayak. That in and of itself isn’t bad, but to giving others a false impression of the kayak (and your skills) is not admirable. As for the Romany Surf, not my favorite, but it’s top notch. There are few people able to find its limits. Some observations: 1) Most importantly you should demo a boat in the conditions it’s made for. You’re essentially driving a Ferrari around the Walmart parking lot and complaining it’s too loud and the steering is bad. You never even hit the secondary stability. 2) You put the skeg down 20 feet away from the shore. You do NOT need a skeg in those “conditions” to keep that boat straight. If you need a skeg in that pond you need to work on your paddle stroke. The skeg is made for wind and currents. You encountered neither and it never needed to go down. 3) Romany Surf does not mean “surf” - it’s a sizing name used by NDK. NDK, as a brand, is a SEA kayak. Not a pond kayak. 4) There were so many small things: How many NDK’s have you seen with peeling decals on the side? NDK hatches are the industry standard. Their placement and type are excellent. You would never hear that skeg in even the smallest waves. The Dunning-Krueger effect here is on full display.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Both you AND me. Thanks for stopping by.

[@thomaspatten8378]

Nice demo and first look! Your videos inspired me to get into kayaking. I have big lakes around me and am only a couple of hours from the coast. I literally just bought an Eddyline Fathom 16'6" long. Have yet to get it out on the water, in a couple of days I am going out and gonna enjoy nature! Thanks for all the videos man, gives me something to nerd out on!

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thank you! Enjoy that boat, also on my list to test paddle! Now get it on the water!

[@ExceptionallyCleverUsername]

I've had a Romany Surf for about two years, paddling it in San Francisco bay. The Surf is their fat boy boat, and you may not be quite heavy enough--I'm about 220 lbs and I think that's about right for good tracking and stability. I'm an intermediate paddler, and I've found that the primary stability is a bit high for Bay conditions--it does feel like waves cause abrupt side-to-side rocking, which is not reassuring in dynamic conditions. Secondary stability though is great though, and the thing really doesn't want to actually capsize. At least I've never capsized unintentionally. If you do go over, it's a great roller and remounts are also pretty easy. T rescues inevitably scratch up the pretty deck though 😞. As for tracking and turning, with the skeg up the Surf is really maneuverable, but for me it also has great directional stability. It does weathercock without the skeg, but I can also paddle it downwind that way without much trouble, and sometimes the added maneuverability is worth it. Nice to know that if the skeg fails in conditions I'm not going to have a huge crisis. Cross winds, you do want the skeg down but the weathercocking is annoying rather than dangerous (out on the Bay, a boat that weathercocks excessively IMHO is pretty dangerous). Going upwind, the bow doesn't hunt around the way P&H boats tend to, and it doesn't insist on riding over every wave then smacking down and half-stopping in the troughs. Anyway, two years later I'm still very fond of the boat despite it's tradeoffs--the excessive primary stability, the low max speed which makes it hard to catch open-water waves (you hit a wall at 5 mph), and the somewhat limited cargo space (which doesn't bother me since I've never taken it camping). If you live somewhere with high winds and big waves, great choice of boat.

[@AdventureOtaku]

It’s a great boat. Just not the boat for me.

[@CheekyMonkey888]

dude, thanks for the precise review

[@philedwards5970]

I recently bought a Romany Surf I live about 6 miles away from where they're made & know the staff including Nigel Dennis. With the deck hatches being tight to remedy this just put the SLIGHTEST amount of silicone grease either around the hatch combings or inside the hatch covers. MUST STRESS you only a very very small amount I put silicone grease on the combing edges hardly any. My wife has had a Romany Classic for 4 years and she had a similar problem with tight hatch covers.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Congrats on the new boat… stay tuned, you may be surprised what you see here on the channel in about 3 weeks.

[@DustinRea]

When a critique of "I wouldn't mind it a half an inch narrower" is one of the nitpicks, it says, the boat is pretty darm good and the paddler is very tuned in to what works

[@AdventureOtaku]

Well…that boat is pretty darn good…. Ill make no bones about that (I almost edited together for the end a super cut of me saying things like super nice / really nice which I realized I said A LOT!) as to the half inch…I think the paddler just is just tuned to what works FOR HIM! But thank you for your kind words. Even though that boat didn’t suit my needs it was an amazing boat and has me thinking through some things….

[@DustinRea]

@@AdventureOtaku after considering a lot of what you've spoken of, I already know that my next boat will be much longer and thinner. I'm giving it 2 years to do the river adventures with this and then if I feel ready, and the world is still in one piece, I might go for a sea faring boat and go explore some west coast. If I don't stay hyper interested, then I may just do a rental and enjoy a whale watching trip that way.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Sounds like a good plan.

[@tommycheshire5508]

I had a roto mold Romany HV Surf. I paddled it over about 500 waves and surfed about 425 into shore. It surfs very well. It is stable and even when paddled at Lake Norman, I seldom used the skeg. At the coast I seldom used the skew. I used corrective strokes and seldom gave the skeg a thought. I managed a few rolls but discovered that when I dumped on a wave the water would yank me out of the boat. I would chase it to the shore before it hit anyone, often I was successful in catching the boat. The two major problems with my boat was that it has a pretty big leak that no one could fix. The second problem was that it was not fast. At Carolina Beach, the launch was about a mile from the inlet. I had trouble keeping up with the other surfers. I sold it to the guy who owns Kayak Georgia. I later bought a used P&H Delphin, also roto molded. It was a bit faster and surfed as well as the Romany Surf. I tried to fit into a glass Romany and I was a little too large. There were no HV models to demo. If you want to surf there are only a few boats to pick from because none of the commercial boat companies manufacture boats that have very little if any rocker. People with glass boats had a strip of extra glass on the bow reaching to the stern, because the bow and stern look almost identical in shape and size. The glass strip seems to solve all problems. There is actually very little reason to own a glass boat at the coast. In all my years I can only remember about five. The biggest advantage is humping back to the car. I have a little trolley to move mine. By the way, I happen to have a nicely restored Dennis Explorer! Just tell me how you want this to happen. I can leave it with you until September, when the numerous Doc say that I can hit the water again. So give me a plan so that I can get the boat to you. I also have an Epic 18, and a Nordkapp. You can take all three to try.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I actually really liked the surf, it just wasn’t a boat that suited my needs. It was what was available to paddle. Great boat though. Amazing offer, thanks. You’re in charlotte right? The next time I am going to be in NC, Ill send you an email and we can hook up. I don’t need to take the explorer, I just want to do a demo paddle. I can’t believe they couldn’t find the leak? You fill it with water, and see where it comes out? So weird. Thanks for the offer Ill be in touch.

[@bobrein8093]

I have paddled both; the Romany classic and the Explorer before I bought the Delta 16. The Romany was more stable than the Explorer but the dealer told me that for long distance paddling like I want to do, she recommended the Explorer. But it doesn't match up for tracking with my Delta. could possibly be the rudder??? Good video on how to evaluate a boat.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yeah, I am sure its the rudder…. Surprised the classic was more stable… I gotta get my butt in an explorer… im itching…

[@demondunk]

I really enjoy paddling my original NDK Romany. The low seat back is probably the best i think. Much more comfortable than my Venture islay 12.

[@AdventureOtaku]

YES! Love the seat back.... wish i could add this to my delta....

[@Mekkekk]

Great video, I absolutely love my surf, definitely not a flat water boat it really comes alive in waves curent, I personally really use the skeg and when I do I never take it completely down “definitely reduces the sound” You should try it in more dynamic conditions Keep the good work up ❤

[@AdventureOtaku]

I really appreciate this comment as I had someone leave a really angry comment - essentially everything I said was wrong. As opposed to an opinion from a sea/touring kayaker who doesn’t paddle surf. This boat was offered to me to paddle, at this location, at a specific time while the owner was teaching a class at the same venue. You can actually see her in the background of some shots. I WOULD LOVE to paddle this boat in more dynamic conditions, I am sure it comes alive. I really had nothing bad to say about the boat except for things that didn’t work for me and my needs… great boat. Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@hrmacdonald4471]

Nice review but I think you like your Delta better :) Looking forward to your review of an Explorer. Thank you & stay safe!

[@AdventureOtaku]

Delta does what I need better… but it was awful nice to paddle a boat like that. Thanks for watching!

[@lenjanssen9600]

Thanks that was very informative. I really like how you not only tell us what you like and don't like, but why and relate it to your own paddling. That helps me evaluate this boat relative to my own paddling. I'd enjoy seeing more of these...although a $5,500 boat is not in the market I would be shopping either. ;-)

[@AdventureOtaku]

I want to do more of these, but finding people to loan me $5000 boats isn't as easy as you would think.

[@lenjanssen9600]

@@AdventureOtaku I'll bet. Maybe try to do more boats accessable to us mere mortals. LOL

[@barry4fish19]

The P&H Volan 160 is a really nice boat too, has some similarities. But, if you wanted the cargo cruiser of that brand, the Cetus is their flagship. Definitely worth testing if you get a chance. I don’t own a P&H, but have paddled those models before and liked the way they are built, for the most part.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I’ve paddled the Cetus in past - but I thought I paddled it in plastic which doesn’t seem to be an option, or it went away, or I am remembering it wrong. I remember liking it, but I should definitely try and paddle it again.

[@FrankLadd]

@@AdventureOtaku The plastic version of the Cetus has always been called the Scorpio. They are delightful touring boats, but not as fun for day paddles as a play boat.

[@wisenber]

British style boats like that are great for the PNW and areas with lots of cliff sides. They just don't apply to 90% of the places I paddle.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I get ya, I could make it work though…

[@wisenber]

@@AdventureOtaku It'll work virtually anywhere I imagine. It just sacrifices tracking, cargo and speed versus the two boats I tour with most. However, if I were getting pushed towards a rocky coast, I'd gladly give up cargo, tracking and speed for the agility that boat has. Sort of like how you probably avoid most parking garages with your van.

[@williamkerry2626]

Given this is almost a year old, is it possible to revisit this and maybe give an update on this. I really like your guideline take on this and think maybe there’s some more or new info for this subject. Thank you

[@AdventureOtaku]

An update in what sense? I am working on other boats like this to demo but it is proving difficult..

[@williamkerry2626]

@@AdventureOtaku I apologize, I was watching your how to choose a kayak playlist and was actually trying to comment on the gear load out video. I must have hit send as it was crossing over.

[@AdventureOtaku]

which video were you watching? I will start doing multiday trips again at the end of the summer, so you will see gear load out decisions made then. If you have questions in the mean time, feel free to email me. BrettATadventureotaku.com.

[@williamkerry2626]

@@AdventureOtaku Kayaking safety gear load out was the specific video. The second to last video in your choosing a kayak playlist

[@AdventureOtaku]

Sorry it took me so long…Ill rewatch that, and see if there is anything to update. Thanks!

[@Trapster99]

Romany is another word for 'Gypsy'. And I am the Gypsy Wolf

[@AdventureOtaku]

I didn’t know either of those facts.

[@Trapster99]

@@AdventureOtaku LOL to you Sir.

[@gmontlake]

One of the great things about a Romany Surf is the fit. I have one and am 6’2” with size 12.5 feet. It’s small but I fit. It also fits a smaller paddler well. It’s just in that sweet spot. The weird thing is that an Explorer XL is actually smaller in the cockpit and fits fewer people. It’s funny we all love a 16’ boat, but few of us find them fast or large enough for that one boat that does everything. So while I have two Romany’s (an excel and a surf), they are just not fast enough for longer tours. But for open ocean, surf, rough water, rock gardening and pushing your limits, there simply is nothing better.

[@AdventureOtaku]

The Romany I was in fit me perfectly, BUT it had been seriously outfitted for the paddler who owned it - which I am going to duplicate in my delta - fortunately she was similar in size to me.

[@Trapster99]

@@AdventureOtaku I have an NC 17, keyhole cockpit. When I get into it, the fit is so tight I practically become part of it. I told my Uncle that perhaps it was too small for me. His reply: "Keep the kayak, lose the weight." Priceless advice, I am 12lbs lighter than I was last October. He and his wife are tiny, they actually ballast their kayaks with water jugs, kept secure with straps in the stern compartment. Possible video idea?

[@Grandpaige]

Do you have an actual school people can attend? If so, where do we find info?

[@AdventureOtaku]

For kayaking I don’t teach for a specific school (currently) - I teach privately and work mostly on the east coast of the US. Because I travel a lot I keep a list of people interested in instruction and when I know I am going to be near them, I let them know and try and schedule lessons. If you want to be on that list, email me your info BrettATadventureotaku.com.