Pursuit Design Statement: In the early 1990’s, Northwest Kayaks began to design kayaks featuring the Greenland-style upswept bow. The beneficial features of this type of design have directly influenced our newest line of kayaks headed by the Pursuit.
This array of kayaks was developed with the intermediate/advanced paddler in mind but comfortable and functional for the advanced beginner. The Pursuit was created with more bow-to-stern rocker providing for exceptional maneuverability and handling in a kayak of this length. The increased rocker and the upswept bow enable confident paddling through the roughest of beach breaks. It comes equipped with an over-the-stern Feathercraft rudder that has been recessed into the deck, reducing the possibility of weathercocking.
At Northwest Kayaks, we pride ourselves on creating designs that are great for day paddles as well as expeditions, and the Pursuit is no exception. It was designed to accommodate enough equipment for an extended expedition and yet maintain excellent performance without a load.
The roomy cockpit and volume of the kayak comfortably fit paddlers between 175 and 250 pounds but may be outfitted with thigh braces to tighten the fit. The molded ABS plastic seat with adjustable backrest creates lasting comfort for the long days in the kayak.
Northwest Kayaks
Reviewers:
KW 6′ 2″, 200-pound male. Day trips in conditions from calm seas and light wind to 2- to 3-foot seas, 20-knot wind.
GL 5′ 11″, 165-pound male. Day trips (one 18 miles with light cargo load), pool practice. Calm seas to 20-knot winds with 1-foot chop.
TE 6’1″, 200-pound male. Day trips. From calm seas to waves at 11/2 to 2 feet with winds 15 to 20 mph.
Pursuit Kayak Reviews:
Our reviewers liked the lines of the Pursuit and were impressed by the quality of the glass work. The hull-to-deck seam is glassed inside and out. The Pursuit balances well for a shoulder carry but, at 59 pounds, it is “not a light boat. [Its weight] felt about average or slightly above average for a fiberglass kayak in its size range” (GL). Toggles for a tandem carry are attached to heavy-duty U-bolts at the bow and just forward of the rudder.
The deck fittings are padeyes laced with bungies for charts, paddle-float rescue and a spare paddle. Just ahead of the cockpit coaming are a pair of cleats mounted in recesses. “The cockpit is large with plenty of room to sit down in the seat and bring legs in afterward. There is plenty of foot room. This cockpit could accommodate a much larger person” (GL). “I thought the cockpit was especially deep, which gave me some trouble laying back during rolling or sculling. A smaller person might feel engulfed” (KW).
The seat is “slightly contoured with just the right amount of padding…completely comfortable throughout a 4-hour paddle” (GL). The seat was “just right for the width of my hips” (KW), but too wide for both GL and TE. They suggested adding hip padding for more lateral stability. The adjustable seat back “provided plenty of back support” (KW), but reaches about an inch above the coaming height, “limiting the ability to lean backward” (KW).
The thigh bracing consists of a layer of 1/4″ foam glued to the underside of the coaming and foredeck. “There isn’t enough hook in the pads to get a good grip. I’d add some custom shaped padding here” (TE).
The Keepers rudder pedals “slide on a rail, and the slider can be pulled out while seated for foot brace adjustment. You can get a grip if you push down with both feet” (GL), but if you push hard with one foot “the rudder flexes a lot when stowed” (TE) and results in “spongy bracing” (KW). “When deployed, the Feathercraft rudder works great. It is easily retracted into the slot in the aft deck-just wiggle it in” (TE).
The initial stability was rated from “low” (KW) and “adequate” (GL) to “good when on flat water, though it felt a little twitchy while in waves” (TE). TE and GL thought the secondary stability was “very solid, for confidence while edging” (TE). KW liked the Pursuit’s secondary stability while under way-it “really enhances carved turns”- but felt it “engages only after what I consider an extreme lean” when at rest.
The Pursuit is “very responsive to edged turns” (TE). A slight edging initiated a gentle turn, a strong lean produced a sharp turn. “Setting the boat on the opposite edge straightens it out again” (TE). The rudder functions perfectly without the feeling of drag” (GL), “but this boat does not need a rudder, and I rarely used it” (KW).
“This boat tracks extremely well. It went whereever I pointed it, and it did not wander” (KW). TE and GL both found they needed to make slight adjustments with edging or strokes to hold a straight course. For GL, turning downwind and holding a course downwind in quartering seas “took some work” while TE and KW found the Pursuit to be well balanced in wind. The Pursuit has a very dry ride. Its bow is “very buoyant and lifts over the waves” (TE). None of the fittings on the foredeck threw up significant spray.
All of the reviewers thought the Pursuit felt fast. With a knot meter, TE recorded just over five knots at a sustainable exercise pace and just over 61/2 knots in short sprints. On wind waves, KW thought he had enough speed to “easily outrun the waves” though it was slow to accelerate. TE also noted having to “pour on the power” to catch some waves, but had enough speed to get good long rides. While “the bow seemed to wander ” while catching a wave,” he had “better control steering the boat and getting it to respond to leaned turns [when] at speed on the wave’s face.”
In rolling the kayak, KW felt “hindered by the lack of thigh bracing, spongy foot pedals and the high freeboard, which tended to obstruct laying back.” GL also noted the loose fit and the height of the seat back, but still found the boat “very easy to hand roll.”
The Pursuit is “well configured for paddle-float rescue [and] quite stable with the paddle float attached” (KW). “The large cockpit [opening] and relatively low rear deck make it easy to climb back in. Reentry and roll was easy [even] with a cockpit full of water” (GL).
The tethered plastic hatches have dual gaskets. If the webbing straps holding the hatch in place are set up tight, the hatches are watertight. The aluminum lever that tightens the straps has a bend on the end that prevents the closures from releasing accidentally. The hatch openings (133/4 by 81/4 forward, and 183/4 by 123/4 aft) are large enough to make loading and unloading easy. The molded plastic bulkheads are sealed with caulking.
GL thought the Pursuit was “well suited for extended expeditions. Not the most stable for fishing, but certainly adequate for it, and still fast enough to keep up with the big boys. If I could own only one kayak, I would definitely be happy with this one.” “The Pursuit should make a good cruising boat for a larger paddler. There is plenty of room for gear, it responds well for a boat of its size and it’s comfortably dry in a chop” (TE). “An excellent expedition boat,” wrote KW, “it has superior control in rough water and wind, which would be extremely beneficial on long-distance trips in unpredictable conditions.”
Designer Response
Our thanks to the reviewers and the editorial staff at Sea Kayaker for their time and effort. It is gratifying to hear additional commentary showing that we have hit out target with the Pursuit. Customer response across the board has been positive.
At Northwest Kayaks, we pride ourselves on the strength and durability of our products as attested to by the number of out kayaks still in use today. The reviewers opening comments bring attention to the quality and craftsmanship displayed in our glasswork.
The Pursuit is designed to accommodate paddlers similar to and even larger than the reviewers. As mentioned by the test paddlers, the cockpit is quite roomy thereby enabling medium to large paddlers to truly be comfortable. And, knowing that paddlers come in a variety of sizes, we also have the Pursuit LP, designed for small to medium paddlers, or the Pursuit XL for the large to XL paddler. It is important to note that a thigh brace is available as an option to tighten the fit.
Once again, we would like to thank the reviewers for their time and efforts and Sea Kayak for the opportunity to have our product reviewed.
Northwest Kayaks
Options and Pricing
Designed: 1997
Standard Lay-up: Foam core reinforced fiberglass with vinylester resin.
Standard Features: Hatches with double seals, bulkheads, paddle park cleats, deck lines, Feathercraft rudder, stainless steel security U-bolts, adjustable foot pedals, seat and thigh padding.
Approximate Weight: 58 lbs.
Price: custom glass $2515
Availability: Dealers in North America and Japan.
Northwest Kayaks
15145 NE 90th St.
Redmond, WA 98052