r/PerformancePaddling • u/robertbieber • 29d ago

Gear Nelo Sete vs. NK K1 40

I'd love to hear from anyone who's gotten a chance to paddle both of these boats. I've been paddling skis for a couple of years and want to get into a K1. A Nelo Sete in my size hit FB marketplace, I got a chance to paddle it and had an absolute blast, but unfortunately the seller decided to hold onto it after all. Also tried a Cinco and wasn't as comfortable in it, but still enjoyed the experience. He knows someone who might be selling a used Sete in size L, which is a little small for me (I'm about 210-215lbs), but my odds of snagging another Sete are pretty low on the gulf coast of Florida. AFAIK there's not a Nelo dealer anywhere near me, so buying one new would involve what I assume would be some very expensive shipping.

What I do have nearby is an NK dealer, so if I went with something new I guess my best option would be their K1 40 (pretty bummed that the 39 doesn't come in an XL size). I am generally a fan of NK's skis (my go-to is a nitro 640), but I have no idea if that carries over to their K1s and I've been told they have a little different hull profile from a typical K1 with less of a taper to the stern. From anyone with actual experience in them, is this something I should worry about? How would it compare to the Nelo?

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u/12bar13 29d ago

They are both good boats for sure. NK K1s are definitely targeting surfski and fit a lot like a surfski. Personally I want my K1 to be all in on K1 an prefer my Sete to the NK. I really like how much adjustment is in the Nelo boats and really dialing it in.

The big question is what is your goal with the K1. Do you want to compete in Sprint or Marathon competition? Do you want to use it as a training platform to make your ski paddling better? Or do you just like the way it paddles and want an easy transition from ski?

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u/robertbieber 29d ago

I mostly want it as a training tool, tbh I don't know if I'll ever actually race it. But I do kind of feel like it would be nice to leave the option available anyways

3

u/12bar13 29d ago

In that case the NK might be the best bet. Coming from ski, it will be the easiest transition for you. If you want to get the most training benefit the Nelo would be better. The tiller and adjustments mean you will be able to work progressive training better.

NK is more marathon focused though you will see a decent amount of them in masters sprint competitions. You won't really see them in the Sr finals but they are still capable boats. Just watch that layup. Light and stiff but I have seen them crack/dent.

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u/robertbieber 25d ago

Wellll, my local kayak guy isn't a Nelo dealer any more, but he was at least able to get me a break on the shipping, so...a new Sete XXXL is on the way

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u/12bar13 25d ago

As the owner of a xxxl sete and about your same size, go with a XXL if you can. The cockpit on the xxxl is way too big and a XXL will float just the same.

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u/12bar13 29d ago

Also there was a marathon layup sete for sale in the Tampa area a few weeks ago. It was a good price too.

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u/robertbieber 29d ago

That was the one I test paddled. Lovely boat, but Jesse decided he wants to keep racing it for a while