Model: Length: Hull Weight: Beam: Max Payload: Cockpit Size: Paddler Weight: Knee Height: Max. Men's Shoe Size:
Night Heron 18' 0" 40 lbs. 20 in. 300 lbs. 31" x 16" 150 - 220 lbs. 11" 11
see other Night Herons Stitch & Glue Night Heron High Deck Hybrid Hybrid High Deck Greenland Petrel Petrel Play S & G Petrel S & G Petrel Play
Night Heron Configurations:
» (click here to learn about kit options)
Standard Configurations:
Complete Kit
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$2189
$1925
Alternative Configurations:

Wood Parts Only Kit
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$1449
$1290

Forms & Strongback Only Kit
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$395
$375

Forms Only Kit
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$240
$228

Full-Size Plans
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$129
$116
Additional Components:

Retractable Skeg Kit
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$195
$185.25

Bulkheads
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$75
$71.25

Invisible Hatch Hold-Down Kit
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$24.95
$23.70

The Strip-Built Sea Kayak
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$19.95
$18.95
Materials List for Plans Builders:
» view the Night Heron materials list and order a la carte!
Popular Accessories:
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Supplies List for Kit Builders:
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view Kayak Comparison Chart

 

The Night Heron line is an evolutionary branch of the Guillemots, but Nick took a look back at Greenland Inuit boats for some of the hull shaping inspiration. This boat brings the volume of the hull out towards the ends more for a higher prismatic coefficient. This gives it good efficiency at faster speeds. It has fairly hard chines with no concave sections. A slight lean will allow the boat to turn easily. The low back deck permits the paddler to lean back so their head touches the back deck. The foredeck is high enough that most paddlers will be able to get their legs in and out while sitting down. If you need more room for your legs you should look at the High Deck Night Heron.

This boat has been widely admired for its beauty, with an example accepted in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art, but that does not detract from its on-the-water performance where it is fast and efficient and surfs very easily. It is a secure boat in rough water and responds well playing in the surge of rock gardens.

At 20" wide this is a narrow boat, however it is not scary to paddle. Even novice paddlers quickly get comfortable. The boat tracks well with good balance and is quite fast. It is very easy to roll and perform various braces.

Our strip-built and hybrid kits ship with 50% Western Red and 50% Alaskan Yellow cedar bead & cove strips. Photos on our website and printed materials may show patterns and accent strips with walnut or other materials. Optional walnut strips are available and can be shipped with kit orders