2008.01 Azure Njord

I have just started construction of another Njord designed by Björn Thomasson in Sweden. This one is being built for a local, NH customer and will be painted. What a nice change! To better suit my customer Björn scaled it down to approximately 93%. The new dimensions are below in the Project Summary. This Njord will be used for offshore racing and thus will be a complete departure from the “Nereida”. It will have some new advanced features like a white graphite hull, an advanced layup and will be fitted with a carbon fiber seat/aft bulkhead. All other deck fittings will be carbon fiber as well.

The hull will be coated in the new “white graphite” coating I tested recently. The product performed in the small test my customer agreed to use his boat as a full-scale test-bed for it.

You’ll notice that the deck will be painted in one-component Interlux Brightsides. In light of my recent panel test I would have preferred to use the two-part Perfection. My customer wanted to match an older boat he recently sold and the corresponding color was unavailable in Perfection. For the deck it’ll be fine. High wear areas will get protected with clear Trimbrite protection tape.

Should be a fun, quick build and a real pretty kayak. Keep reading for the summary…

Project # 2008.01 “Azure” Njord Summary

  • LOA = 520 cm (17.06′)
  • Beam = 49 cm (19.29″)
  • Draft = 11 cm (3.9″)
  • Wood strips: Northern White Cedar 4.75 mm (3/16″) Thick Strips
  • Fiberglass Layup: New lightweight “Performance” line utilizing S-glass and aerospace Zylon aramid fibers.
  • Finish, Hull: White Graphite
  • Finish, Deck: Interlux Brightsides in Medium Blue
  • Cockpit
    • Opening = 66×40 cm (26.0″ x 15.75″)
    • Coaming = Solid carbon fiber in full recess with thigh braces.
    • Seat and Aft Bulkhead: One-piece laminated carbon fiber
    • Foot Braces: Foam on bulkhead to allow 3″ adjustment in length MIN.
  • Deck Outfitting
    • Full perimeter lines and bungees.
    • Deck Fittings: Rectangular recessed carbon fiber with stainless steel rods.
    • Dual paddle parks
    • Toggles: Carbon fiber tubes
  • Compass: Ritchie RU-90 installed in recess
  • Hatches: Valley Canoe Products (VCP) in painted molded CF recesses
    • Bow: 7.5″ Round
    • Stern: 16×9″ Oval
  • Skeg: None installed. Access hatch will be made in deck for future installation of carbon fiber ONNO skeg.
  • Finished Target Weight: 14.5 kg (32 pounds)
  • Delivery Date: Late-June 2008