Brands · NuCanoe

NuCanoe Kayaks: Every Model Compared

F10, Flint, Frontier, U10, Unlimited and Unlimited MAX. Wide, flat, stand-up fishing platforms you can paddle, pedal or motor, and rig without drilling.

Why NuCanoe stands out

NuCanoe boats are built for people who like to rig. The decks are flat, the tracks are long, and almost everything drops in, from seats and consoles to pedal drives and motors. When I filmed the 2024 U10 I called it a blank slate, and that is the whole idea of the brand.

I knew the brand well before I ever met the team. At ICAST 2016 I got to hang out with Blake Young, NuCanoe’s owner, and look over the Frontier 12, which has long been considered one of the most stable kayaks in its class and one of the most versatile to rig. In 2017 I tested the H2 Pro-Ped pedal drive, the quietest drive I had tested on a kayak at that point. In 2019 I took a Flint out with the new Pivot Drive, and in 2022 I covered NuCanoe’s build off, where a fully rigged Unlimited went together with zero holes drilled.

Some background: NuCanoe was founded in 2006 by Tim Niemier, who also founded Ocean Kayak, and Blake Young. The company is based in Bellingham, Washington.

How to read this page: my first-hand time on NuCanoe boats is in the videos listed below. The specs in the tables come from NuCanoe’s published numbers in my reviews. Self-bailing capacity is how much weight the boat carries while still draining water off the deck.

Which NuCanoe is right for you?

  • Smallest and lightest: the F10 or Flint, both in the low 60 lb range for the hull.
  • Slimmer boat that still pedals: the Flint. It takes the Pivot Drive.
  • Most stable stand-up platform: the Frontier 12, or the Unlimited if you want more capacity.
  • Short boat with big boat features: the U10.
  • Biggest load or two-person fishing gear: the Unlimited MAX at 750 lb.
  • Ready to fish with a motor out of the box: one of the Unlimited packages with EPS or a Minn Kota Terrova.

NuCanoe kayaks

Model Length Width Hull weight Capacity Power Links
F10 10 ft 39 in 62 lb 500 lb Paddle, motor-ready Review · Product page
Flint 11 ft 3 in 33 in 63 lb 375 lb Paddle, pedal and motor ready Review · Product page
Frontier 12 12 ft 41 in 80 lb 650 lb Paddle, pedal and motor ready Review · Product page
U10 10 ft 10 in 41 in 72 lb 500 lb Paddle, pedal, trolling motor or outboard ready Review · Product page
Unlimited 12 ft 6 in 41 in 84 lb 650 lb (400 self-bailing) Paddle, pedal and motor ready Review · Product page
Unlimited MAX 13 ft 6 in 41 in about 100 lb 750 lb (500 self-bailing) Paddle, Pivot pedal or motor Review · Product page

Tournament and motor packages

The same hulls, sold rigged. These are the fastest way to a finished fishing setup.

Model Length Width Hull weight Capacity Power Links
U10 Tournament Package 10 ft 10 in 41 in 72 lb 500 lb (375 self-bailing) Pedal drive and motor ready Review · Product page
Unlimited Tournament Package 12 ft 6 in 41 in 84 lb 650 lb (400 self-bailing) Paddle, pedal or motor Review · Product page
Unlimited + EPS 12 ft 6 in 41 in 84 lb 650 lb (400 self-bailing) NuCanoe EPS electric motor Review · Product page
Unlimited + Minn Kota Terrova 12 ft 6 in 41 in 84 lb 650 lb (400 self-bailing) Minn Kota Terrova 55 lb thrust Review · Product page
Unlimited MAX Tournament Package 13 ft 6 in 42 in about 100 lb 750 lb (500 self-bailing) Bow-mount trolling motor included Review · Product page

Pedal drives, motors and wiring

The Pivot Drive fits the Frontier, Pursuit and Flint. NuCanoe also sells motor kits, an outboard bracket, wiring kits and the GearPod, which holds your electronics and battery so the whole system lifts off in one piece.

NuCanoe PIVOT Drive Pedal SystemNuCanoe PIVOT Drive Pedal SystemNuCanoe Honda 2.3hp Short ShaftNuCanoe Honda 2.3hp Short ShaftNuCanoe Plug and Play Bow Mount Motor KitNuCanoe Plug and Play Bow Mount Motor KitNuCanoe Outboard Motor BracketNuCanoe Outboard Motor BracketNuCanoe DIY Steering KitNuCanoe DIY Steering KitNuCanoe QuickConnect Rudder BladeNuCanoe QuickConnect Rudder BladeNuCanoe HD Wiring KitNuCanoe HD Wiring KitNuCanoe HD Wiring Kit w/ MAX PortNuCanoe HD Wiring Kit w/ MAX PortNuCanoe GearPodNuCanoe GearPodNuCanoe Transducer Retract SystemNuCanoe Transducer Retract SystemNuCanoe SwitchBlade Transducer ArmNuCanoe SwitchBlade Transducer Arm

Pedaling tip from my H2 Pro-Ped test: get your seat position right. I started too far back and my pedaling looked choppy. Once I moved the seat forward, it pedaled with ease. That applies to any pedal drive on a NuCanoe.

For motor ideas beyond NuCanoe’s own kits, see my best kayak motors guide and GPS trolling motor guide.

Seats and seat parts

Fusion, 360 and expedition seats, bases, swivels and height kits.

NuCanoe Fusion SeatNuCanoe Fusion SeatNuCanoe 360 Fusion SeatNuCanoe 360 Fusion SeatNuCanoe Mossy Oak Shadow Grass 360 Fusion SeatNuCanoe Mossy Oak Shadow Grass 360 Fusion SeatNuCanoe CH Fusion SeatNuCanoe CH Fusion SeatNuCanoe Expedition SeatNuCanoe Expedition SeatNuCanoe Buddy SeatNuCanoe Buddy SeatNuCanoe Bench SeatNuCanoe Bench SeatNuCanoe Frontier Fusion Seat BaseNuCanoe Frontier Fusion Seat BaseNuCanoe Fusion Seat Height KitNuCanoe Fusion Seat Height KitNuCanoe CH Seat Lift KitNuCanoe CH Seat Lift KitNuCanoe 360 Seat KitNuCanoe 360 Seat KitNuCanoe Locking 360 Seat KitNuCanoe Locking 360 Seat KitNuCanoe Quick Release Kit for 360 SeatsNuCanoe Quick Release Kit for 360 SeatsNuCanoe Stainless Steel Seat SwivelNuCanoe Stainless Steel Seat SwivelNuCanoe Steel SwivelNuCanoe Steel SwivelNuCanoe Camo Seat CoverNuCanoe Camo Seat CoverKayak Kushion Square Kushion | NuCanoeKayak Kushion Square Kushion | NuCanoe

Decking, consoles and rigging

Consoles, casting bars, decking kits, tracks and the small parts that make NuCanoe’s drop-in system work.

NuCanoe Frontier ConsoleNuCanoe Frontier ConsoleNuCanoe Pursuit ConsoleNuCanoe Pursuit ConsoleNuCanoe Flint ConsoleNuCanoe Flint ConsoleNuCanoe Pursuit Casting BarNuCanoe Pursuit Casting BarNuCanoe Casting BarNuCanoe Casting BarNuCanoe U10 Completion Decking KitNuCanoe U10 Completion Decking KitNuCanoe Unlimited Completion Decking KitNuCanoe Unlimited Completion Decking KitNuCanoe Unlimited Basic Decking KitNuCanoe Unlimited Basic Decking KitNuCanoe Unlimited MAX Completion Decking KitNuCanoe Unlimited MAX Completion Decking KitNuCanoe Dashboard XLNuCanoe Dashboard XLNuCanoe Stand Up HandleNuCanoe Stand Up HandleNuCanoe ShortStakNuCanoe ShortStakNuCanoe FUSION SideTrayNuCanoe FUSION SideTrayNuCanoe BlackPak Pro Track StrapsNuCanoe BlackPak Pro Track StrapsNuCanoe Track StrapsNuCanoe Track StrapsNuCanoe Freedom Track Slider KitNuCanoe Freedom Track Slider KitNuCanoe SpinGrip KnobsNuCanoe SpinGrip KnobsNuCanoe Gunwale Track MountNuCanoe Gunwale Track MountNuCanoe Track Mount PulleyNuCanoe Track Mount Pulley

Anchoring

NuCanoe LeverLoc Stealth Anchor TrolleyNuCanoe LeverLoc Stealth Anchor TrolleyNuCanoe Anchor Wizard Transom MountNuCanoe Anchor Wizard Transom MountNuCanoe Anchor Wizard Bow Mount Bracket- U10 & UnlimitedNuCanoe Anchor Wizard Bow Mount Bracket- U10 & UnlimitedNuCanoe Rope & Anchor KitNuCanoe Rope & Anchor KitYakGadget NuCanoe QuickStop™ Anchor SystemYakGadget NuCanoe QuickStop™ Anchor SystemYakGadget NuCanoe Unlimited QuickStop™ Pole Anchor SystemYakGadget NuCanoe Unlimited QuickStop™ Pole Anchor System

More on anchors in my kayak anchor system guide.

Carts and transport

NuCanoe Transport CartNuCanoe Transport CartNuCanoe SideKick CartNuCanoe SideKick CartNuCanoe Solo TrailerNuCanoe Solo TrailerNuCanoe Groovy Landing Gear AdapterNuCanoe Groovy Landing Gear Adapter

More NuCanoe gear

NuCanoe CellBlokNuCanoe CellBlokNuCanoe Elite KitNuCanoe Elite KitBoonedox Nucanoe Under Seat TrayBoonedox Nucanoe Under Seat TrayNuCanoe Combo TracPakNuCanoe Combo TracPakNuCanoe ToughClaw RotoGrip Paddle HolderNuCanoe ToughClaw RotoGrip Paddle HolderNucanoe TRS Update KitNucanoe TRS Update KitNuCanoe BlackPakNuCanoe BlackPakNuCanoe Paddle KeeperNuCanoe Paddle KeeperNucanoe VisiPole with NuCanoe FlagNucanoe VisiPole with NuCanoe FlagNuCanoe Aluminum Wave PaddleNuCanoe Aluminum Wave PaddleNuCanoe BlackPak ProNuCanoe BlackPak ProNuCanoe Hawg TroughNuCanoe Hawg TroughNuCanoe Deck Plate Storage BagNuCanoe Deck Plate Storage BagYakGadget QuickTrack™ NuCanoeYakGadget QuickTrack™ NuCanoeNuCanoe Omega Pro Rod HolderNuCanoe Omega Pro Rod HolderNuCanoe Foot PegsNuCanoe Foot PegsNuCanoe Gun/Bow MountsNuCanoe Gun/Bow MountsNuCanoe Adjustable Aluminum PaddleNuCanoe Adjustable Aluminum PaddleNuCanoe Adj Angler Fiberglass PaddleNuCanoe Adj Angler Fiberglass Paddle

My NuCanoe videos

mqdefaultFrontier 12 and Pursuit with NuCanoe's ownerICAST 2016mqdefaultH2 Pro-Ped pedal drive: the quietest drive I had tested2017, on the watermqdefaultPivot Drive and ProNav GPS motor announcedICAST 2018mqdefaultFlint with the Pivot Drive on the water2019, on the watermqdefaultUnlimited build off: a no-drill EPS rigICAST 2022

NuCanoe FAQ

Which NuCanoe is the most stable?

The Frontier 12 has long been considered one of the most stable kayaks in its class. The Unlimited and Unlimited MAX are just as wide (41 in) and carry more weight.

Can you pedal a NuCanoe?

Yes. The Pivot Drive pedal system fits the Frontier, Pursuit and Flint, and the Unlimited line is pedal ready. I tested the Flint with the Pivot Drive on the water.

Can you put a motor on a NuCanoe without drilling?

Yes. NuCanoe's drop-in system lets you add motor kits and a GearPod for the battery and electronics. At ICAST 2022 I saw a fully rigged Unlimited with an EPS motor and zero holes drilled.

Who makes NuCanoe kayaks?

NuCanoe was founded in 2006 by Tim Niemier, who also founded Ocean Kayak, and Blake Young. It is based in Bellingham, Washington.

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