Necky Looksha IV

[AlphaEcho]

Hello all. I've been scanning the ads for almost a year now watching to see if my stolen boat shows up. This one isn't it, but if you're a medium sized paddler, this is looks to be a good boat going for cheap. It looks pretty beat up outside, but you can see the Kevlar hull peeking through in one of the photos.

It's a Necky by the way, not a Nimbus.

nimbus kayak 18.5 feet - sporting goods - by owner

Nimbus kayak 18.5 feet. About 10 years old. Excellent kayak selling because we're upgraded to a sail boat. Comes with spray skirt paddle sponge hand water pump fishing rod holder and float for...

vancouver.craigslist.org

 

[KayakNinja]

I like the kayaks-in-the-livingroom setup!

 

[johnd]

Hello all. I've been scanning the ads for almost a year now watching to see if my stolen boat shows up. This one isn't it, but if you're a medium sized paddler, this is looks to be a good boat going for cheap. It looks pretty beat up outside, but you can see the Kevlar hull peeking through in one of the photos.

It's a Necky by the way, not a Nimbus.

nimbus kayak 18.5 feet - sporting goods - by owner

Nimbus kayak 18.5 feet. About 10 years old. Excellent kayak selling because we're upgraded to a sail boat. Comes with spray skirt paddle sponge hand water pump fishing rod holder and float for...

vancouver.craigslist.org

How is $900.00 for a beat up old necky cheap is my question. Every seller claims they are just " surface scratches" . Which is bad enough just from a cosmetic viewpoint. But I'm guessing any boat that has been handled that roughly is going to have a whole lot more than surface issues. No photos of the hull but I'd count on lots of gelcoat spider cracks which often enough mean cracks in the cloth beneath and probably worn down along the keel lines. Those old Lookshas were all hard chine boats and tended to show a lot of wear all along the lower chines. You could fix it all, but don't keep track of your time; you'll just get depressed. Nice racks though.

 

[JohnAbercrombie]

How is $900.00 for a beat up old necky cheap is my question.

Have you been watching kayak prices in the last year? The second-hand ads I see (and there aren't that many boats on the market) all seem to have quite high prices. But, I agree - that Looksha looks like the sort of boat I would have paid $300-400 for, a couple of years ago.
I am counting on those high prices for later this spring when I am planning to sell a couple of my boats....

 

[CPS]

I am counting on those high prices for later this spring when I am planning to sell a couple of my boats....

If retail kayak sales are anything to go by John, I think that's a safe bet. I think demand will be higher than last year, outpacing supply and driving up prices in the used market.

 

[a_c]

I think demand will be higher than last year, outpacing supply and driving up prices in the used market.

Prices on new have gone up significantly, too. A friend ordered a new boat from a local VI builder, it's a nearly 4-month waitlist (granted there are a lot of outfitters doing their deferred fleet refresh from last year) bit still....I peruse the used ads fairly regularly and I've never seen so few boats on the market. If you're sitting on any old stock this is probably a great time to 'thin the herd'!

 

[johnd]

Have you been watching kayak prices in the last year? The second-hand ads I see (and there aren't that many boats on the market) all seem to have quite high prices. But, I agree - that Looksha looks like the sort of boat I would have paid $300-400 for, a couple of years ago.
I am counting on those high prices for later this spring when I am planning to sell a couple of my boats....

Hey John, you might finally get to do your mariner updates for money instead of just for love. I paddled your renovated mariner II a while back. Nice boat although it takes some technique adjustments to manage it. Those hatches and bulkheads are a nice touch.

 

[johnd]

I have a feeling one reason for the the scarcity of used boats on the market, other than increased demand from folks bored from having to stay at home, is just a reluctance from sellers to invite strangers from outside their bubble into their garage for a viewing. Wasn't too long ago you wouldn't dream of letting a masked stranger onto your property. How things have changed. The situation will normalize soon enough .

 

[JohnAbercrombie]

Hey John, you might finally get to do your mariner updates for money instead of just for love. I paddled your renovated mariner II a while back. Nice boat although it takes some technique adjustments to manage it. Those hatches and bulkheads are a nice touch.

Thanks, but the prices would have to go up a whole lot for Mariner renos (or scratch-build wood core boats) to be a money-making operation for me! Kevlar Mariner Express, like new, with hatches and bulkheads, one of a kind....do I hear bids? $5500 ?
I did those Mariner renos mostly for myself and a couple of friends. When I got a serious 'paying job' on a Mariner a few years back and actually tracked my hours and the materials costs, it made it clear I was doing for my own amusement, not money!
And even then, the buyer wheedled about paying the bill.
Trying to sell a wood core composite boat (aka woodstrip) is a real eye-opener.

 

[JohnAbercrombie]

The situation will normalize soon enough .

Yes, the Economist magazine lists Canada as one of the countries to have 'full' vaccination for COVID by mid 2022.
So stay tuned.

 

[imp44]

Hello all. I've been scanning the ads for almost a year now watching to see if my stolen boat shows up. This one isn't it, but if you're a medium sized paddler, this is looks to be a good boat going for cheap. It looks pretty beat up outside, but you can see the Kevlar hull peeking through in one of the photos.

It's a Necky by the way, not a Nimbus.

nimbus kayak 18.5 feet - sporting goods - by owner

Nimbus kayak 18.5 feet. About 10 years old. Excellent kayak selling because we're upgraded to a sail boat. Comes with spray skirt paddle sponge hand water pump fishing rod holder and float for...

vancouver.craigslist.org

I'm just starting to browse the market after finally saving enough to consider buying a used kayak. This is within my budget. What sorts of things should I look out for if I go view in person?

Would this kayak be too big for me as at 5'5, 150 lbs? Weeekend- 1 week trips max.

 

[JohnAbercrombie]

I'm just starting to browse the market after finally saving enough to consider buying a used kayak. This is within my budget. What sorts of things should I look out for if I go view in person?

Would this kayak be too big for me as at 5'5, 150 lbs? Weeekend- 1 week trips max.

Are you 'handy'? Most used boats need some work done - new deck lines, and other minor things. You would probably have to add some glued in minicell foam padding for thigh braces at a minimum.
Getting a good fit in many kayaks is difficult for shorter paddlers as the built-in thigh braces or keyhole cockpit can put the pressure on the knees instead of the thighs - and that's not a comfortable situation.
I wouldn't be surprised if that boat needed some gelcoat (at least) work on the hull.
If the footpegs are the old sliding type where the pegs move back and forth to control the rudder, that could be a bargaining point. Many (not all) paddlers prefer 'gas pedal' footpegs which provide a more solid place for your feet, to allow easier edging of the kayak.
How are your paddling skills? Is this a boat to learn in/with?

 

[drahcir]

I'm just starting to browse the market after finally saving enough to consider buying a used kayak. This is within my budget. What sorts of things should I look out for if I go view in person?

Would this kayak be too big for me as at 5'5, 150 lbs? Weeekend- 1 week trips max.

If the photos are correct, it's a Looksha IV HV, probably way big on you.

 

[JohnAbercrombie]

If the photos are correct, it's a Looksha IV HV, probably way big on you.

Good catch I agree - way too big.

Looking at the pictures again, I can see laminate showing on the hull. This is a major fix-up project and more suitable for a larger DIY-inclined paddler looking for a 'freighter' for trips.

 

[JohnAbercrombie]

I'm just starting to browse the market after finally saving enough to consider buying a used kayak. This is within my budget.

If you get a good used boat, you can re-sell it for what you pay (or close to it). Paying too much for a boat that will be hard to sell later.... that's how I would label that Looksha IV HV.

 

[eriktheviking]

I'm just starting to browse the market after finally saving enough to consider buying a used kayak. This is within my budget. What sorts of things should I look out for if I go view in person?

Would this kayak be too big for me as at 5'5, 150 lbs? Weeekend- 1 week trips max.

There seem to be fewer smaller boats on the sites right now. Also key would be the type you are looking for-- skeg vs rudder, sporty vs longer and harder tracking, composite or plastic boat (rock gardening?). If you have rented or borrowed kayaks before- which did you use and like?

 

[imp44]

There seem to be fewer smaller boats on the sites right now. Also key would be the type you are looking for-- skeg vs rudder, sporty vs longer and harder tracking, composite or plastic boat (rock gardening?). If you have rented or borrowed kayaks before- which did you use and like?

I went to take a look yesterday with my brother who has a better e

Good catch I agree - way too big.

Looking at the pictures again, I can see laminate showing on the hull. This is a major fix-up project and more suitable for a larger DIY-inclined paddler looking for a 'freighter' for trips.

I went to take a look yesterday with my brother who has a better eye than me. From his judgement there are only a couple places where the fibreglass needs patching which should be straightforward. But he's more a big boat guy, so it's entirely possible he missed some things. I don't mind learning how to fix up a kayak, but at this price I'd want something in better condition.

The hatches are only sealed with neoprene and a hard shell that is buckled on top. I wouldn't trust that to keep my gear dry.
I assumed it must be a 17 ft looksha-IV, but indeed it is an 18.5ft IV-HV, and too big for me.

As for what I'm looking for: for now I really just want a boat I can take out for a leisurely paddle for the weekend, somewhere local like Indian Arm etc. I don't plan on rock gardening. I prefer a rudder

 

[eriktheviking]

I went to take a look yesterday with my brother who has a better eye than me. From his judgement there are only a couple places where the fibreglass needs patching which should be straightforward. But he's more a big boat guy, so it's entirely possible he missed some things. I don't mind learning how to fix up a kayak, but at this price I'd want something in better condition.

The hatches are only sealed with neoprene and a hard shell that is buckled on top. I wouldn't trust that to keep my gear dry.
I assumed it must be a 17 ft looksha-IV, but indeed it is an 18.5ft IV-HV, and too big for me.

As for what I'm looking for: for now I really just want a boat I can take out for a leisurely paddle for the weekend, somewhere local like Indian Arm etc. I don't plan on rock gardening. I prefer a rudder

The neoprene seal with a hard lid is quite secure as long as it's in good shape- most of the Seaward kayaks use that system. I paddled a Seaward Tyee for several weeks on Haida Gwaii (shout out to Butterfly Tours) without any issues on keeping things dry.

Given your stature a 17-18 foot boat will be a challenge to control- getting a good fit in the cockpit (likely way too big for you) and windage on a big boat will make it miserable if/when conditions get choppy. I would suggest looking for something in the 15-16 foot long range, 21-23 inch beam. As points of reference, the Seaward Luna or Delta 15S would easily handle the weekending or longer trips.

I didn't spot any likely ones on kijiji or the MEC gear swap page just now, but they do come up- lots of Lunas out there and normally they start appearing in Spring. This year might be weird though of course.

 

[imp44]

Hello all. I've been scanning the ads for almost a year now watching to see if my stolen boat shows up. This one isn't it, but if you're a medium sized paddler, this is looks to be a good boat going for cheap. It looks pretty beat up outside, but you can see the Kevlar hull peeking through in one of the photos.

It's a Necky by the way, not a Nimbus.

nimbus kayak 18.5 feet - sporting goods - by owner

Nimbus kayak 18.5 feet. About 10 years old. Excellent kayak selling because we're upgraded to a sail boat. Comes with spray skirt paddle sponge hand water pump fishing rod holder and float for...

vancouver.craigslist.org

If anyone's interested I grabbed a pic of the serial number while I was taking a look

Hello all. I've been scanning the ads for almost a year now watching to see if my stolen boat shows up. This one isn't it, but if you're a medium sized paddler, this is looks to be a good boat going for cheap. It looks pretty beat up outside, but you can see the Kevlar hull peeking through in one of the photos.

It's a Necky by the way, not a Nimbus.

nimbus kayak 18.5 feet - sporting goods - by owner

Nimbus kayak 18.5 feet. About 10 years old. Excellent kayak selling because we're upgraded to a sail boat. Comes with spray skirt paddle sponge hand water pump fishing rod holder and float for...

vancouver.craigslist.org

If anyone's interested I grabbed a pic of the serial number while I was taking a look

 

[JohnAbercrombie]

The neoprene seal with a hard lid is quite secure as long as it's in good shape-

I agree, but where can one get good replacement neoprene covers now that SnapDragon is closed?
The covers on that Looksha IV HV looked worn out from the pictures.