Never tried one Posted by: steve_in_idaho on Aug-23-10 1:37 PM (EST)
But it's pretty easy to evaluate, from the info available. First - it's heavy...77lbs for the twelve footer. A comparable canoe (size and price) would be closer to 40lbs or less and typical recreational kayak only 50lbs or less - even in the heaviest plastic layup. Second - it's got to be relatively slow, base on the short length and length-to-width ratio. On the other hand, it does look like it would be easy to be comfortable (as in a feeling of security) on the water in, and it probably doesn't have the potential swamping issues of a regular canoe. And it wouldn't be quite as effected by the wind as a canoe - although more so than a SOT or a SINK. Personally - if I were going that route, I would opt for a regular canoe for most use and I would consider SOT or SINK if I expected to be out in the open with a lot of wind. To me, the Nu-Canoe seems too specialized and too heavy. But you could do worse, I think.