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Fishing Kayak Reviews NuCanoe "Frontier 12"

NuCanoe "Frontier 12" Hot

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July 25, 2012

3.4

4.5 (7)

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Kayak Make & Model

Brand:

NuCanoe

Model:

Frontier

MSRP ($):

1,179.00

Length (ft):

In the NuCanoe “Frontier 12” you can do things your way... a better way! Go solo in style or tandem with room to spare. Position the seats anywhere along the 70" Freedom Track. Face the action with 360° Mobility. And don’t just stand, walk with confidence on the 20" wide Cast & Blast Deck.

In the Frontier, there are no limits. Put rod holders where you like them - on the Mount Docks or in the Freedom Track. Take all the tackle you could possibly need, and secure it in the Gear Vault or strap it in the Crate Space. Extra rods? Just remove the Hatch Sack to tuck them away in the Rod Chamber.

In the Frontier, the journey & the destination are up to you. Fish in the lakes. Float the rivers. Hunt in the marshes. Paddle through the surf. Go for a sunset cruise in the bay. Do more... and enjoy more! Go beyond the ordinary. Go to the Frontier.

Design Features

frontier-top1

Customize Your Frontier

The Frontier is fully customizable. You get to decide what gear you want and where you want it. And you are free to change it whenever you like.

Solo Bass Angler

Package Includes:
Qty.	Item No.	Desc.
1	3071	Max 360 Seat - Sand
1	2430	Fishing Crate Pak
2	4013	Rod Holder w/ Screwball
1	8070	275cm Aluminum Paddle

Tandem Bass Angler

Package Includes:
Qty.	Item No.	Desc.
2	3071	Max 360 Seat - Sand
1	2430	Fishing Crate Pak
2	4013	Rod Holder w/ Screwball
1	8070	275cm Aluminum Paddle

Tandem Coastal Angler

Package Includes:
Qty.	Item No.	Desc.
2	3010	Captain's Seat
1	2430	Fishing Crate Pak
2	4013	Rod Holder w/ Screwball
1	4110	VisiPole
1	8175	275cm FG Paddle

Solo Coastal Angler

Package Includes:
Qty.	Item No.	Desc.
1	3010	Captain's Seat
1	2430	Fishing Crate Pak
2	4013	Rod Holder w/ Screwball
1	4110	VisiPole
1	8175	275cm FG Paddle

Tandem Stand-Up Angler

Package Includes:
Qty.	Item No.	Desc.
2	3071	Max 360 Seat
1	2450	Casting Bar
2	4023	Fly Rod Holder w/ Screwball
1	8301	Transformer Paddle Lite

Solo Stand-Up Angler

Package Includes:
Qty.	Item No.	Desc.
1	3071	Max 360 Seat
1	2450	Casting Bar
2	4023	Fly Rod Holder w/ Screwball
1	8301	Transformer Paddle Lite

Pro Staffer

Package Includes:
Qty.	Item No.	Desc.
1	3071	Max 360 Seat
1	2430	Fishing Crate Pak
1	2441	Mighty Slide Mount
2	4013	Rod Holder w/ Screwball
2	4033	Rod Tube w/ Screwball
1	4110	VisiPole
1	4120	PanFish Portrait
1	8275	275cm CF Paddle

Photos

Over 500lbs paddling a swamped Frontier.

My daughter Taylor with a smallmouth caught in the Frontier

Editor review

Four months ago Blake Young showed us the concept drawing of a new kayak model for NuCanoe. From what I saw it seemed like all the shortcoming of the original NuCanoe had been addressed. Earlier this month we were informed the first kayaks had been completed and were headed to Kentucky. This weekend the YakAngler crew was able to put the yak through its paces like any true kayak fisherman would. I have two words for NuCanoe, Freakin Awesome!

Your first look at the Frontier there is no doubt it’s a NuCanoe, the company has stayed true to its roots with the overall look and feel of the kayak. It has the same length as the 12’ NuCanoe, and is a tad bit slimmer with a 41” beam. It’s easy to paddle and can hold a ton of weight. That’s where the similarities end.

The new kayak has a large flat deck that NuCanoe is calling the Cast and Blast deck, if you’ve paddled a NuCanoe before you know how big of an improvement the new flat deck. To quote Adam “No more Capt. Morgan stances while fishing”.

They have added a front gear locker which quickly was dubbed the “pantry” by Blake during our trip down the Elkhorn. The gear lockers is sealed very well; during our stability testing the Frontier was totally swamped but the gear locker stayed dry. There was a small amount in the hull but nothing a long day in the surf or white water wouldn’t do to any kayak.

You are now able to store your rods, spare paddle or any other gear you want out of the way in the internal rod chamber. I was able to put my rods into the Frontier easily; only issues I could see are it might be awkward to access your rods while on the water and things sliding out of reach of the front hatch.

Supper holes! Yes NuCanoe has added scupper holes to the Frontier, which I’m told were a late addition to the design. With just me in the kayak “200lbs” I didn’t have any water coming through the scuppers. With 2 of us in there was some water in the stern of the kayak but nothing alarming. With 3 of us there was probably an inch of water in the stern. This might be alarming if we hadn’t just swamped the entire kayak earlier with 3 adults in it and safely SUP’d “Stand Up Paddle” back to shore. Leaving the kayak level all the water quickly drained out within a minute or so.

NuCanoe has gone with a track system called the Freedom Track, which secures the universal seat base and other accessories. The track system fit my YakAttack MightyBolt allowing me to use my PanFish and other YakAttack accessories. Blake said they were working with YakAttack to possibly offer the threaded RAM Ball as an added accessory.

The hull has been tweaked adding Kiss Offs, we had the original NuCanoe out as well and the tracking has improved in the Frontier. I was able to SUP easily without zig zagging down the river. The stern of new hull also didn’t catch the current like the original.

Saving the best for last unbelievable Stability or as Adam put it “This thing is stupid stable”. I was by far the most impressed with how stable the Frontier is. Check out the videos below for 180’s, tandem 180’s, bow paddling, SUP’ing in a little white water.

I was easily able to turn around step over my seat, walk to the stern and grab any gear from my crate. At one point Adam and I even decided to switch places and walked past each other on the kayak! Bottom line the Frontier is the most stable “non outrigger” kayak I have ever had the pleasure fishing from.

In summery this has probably been one of the easiest reviews I’ve done on a kayak. It was hard to find anything I disliked about the Frontier. It’s a little on the heavy side at 76lbs and a little wide at 41”. That’s it, two faults out of a laundry list of likes; I’ll take percentage any day of the week! Would I recommend the NuCanoe Frontier 12 to kayak fishermen? Absolutely, get out to a NuCanoe retailer next year and try the Frontier for yourself; I’m almost positive you’ll also agree that it’s Freakin Awesome.

Update: This is still my go to kayak when fishing with the kids, I received a production model which is thankfully lighter then to Pre Production model but is still my no means a light kayak. I've used this kayak now for easily over 30 trips and still stand behind my original review. My only new complaint is the deluxe folding seat that came with my kayak. The seat bases flex and cause the deluxe folding seat to not provide much support for the lower back. I'm told this has been solved by the updated seat bases but I have yet to try them out.

Overall rating		3.4
Speed		1.0
Stability		5.0
Durability		5.0
Features		3.0
Value		3.0

Reviewed by Mark Watanabe May 13, 2013
Last updated: January 28, 2014
Top 10 Reviewer - View all my reviews (20)

NuCanoe Frontier (Pre Production) Review

User Info

Waters Fished:

Small Creeks
Large Lakes
Small Ponds

Used:

16-30 trips

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Stable, rigged solo or tandem, multiple rigging options with rails

Cons:

Heavy, bad lower back support in deluxe folding seat,wouldn't want to paddle over 5 miles in one

Comments (1)

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User reviews View all user reviews

Average user rating from: 7 user(s)

Overall rating		4.5
Speed		3.3 (7)
Stability		5.0 (7)
Durability		4.9 (7)
Features		4.7 (7)
Value		4.6 (7)

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Lots of options for 1-2 people to use for a variety of water activities. Great construction that allows for use on different waters and in varied conditions.

Overall rating		4.6
Speed		4.0
Stability		5.0
Durability		5.0
Features		4.0
Value		5.0

Reviewed by Kenny Ratliff April 18, 2014
Top 500 Reviewer - View all my reviews (1)

Practical, Stable, Versatile and Just Plain Fun - Nucanoe Frontier

Lots of options for 1-2 people to use for a variety of water activities. Great construction that allows for use on different waters and in varied conditions.

User Info

Waters Fished:

Large Rivers
Small Creeks
Large Lakes
Small Ponds

Used:

31+ trips

Modifications:

Added a Ram Mount for a camera, cell phone holder. Added mounts for GoPro cameras.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Great design and construction resulting in stability and versatility.

Cons:

Size of the boat may be an issue for some people to move around on land.

Comments (0)

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The NuCanoe Frontier 12 is arguably the most stable, versatile fishing platform in its class on the water today. I'm not saying that it is impossible to capsize or turtle this kayak, but I have been unable to do so thus far. I have taken the Frontier out in Long Island Sound, the Connecticut River and many freshwater lakes and streams and all I can say is that this thing is incredibly stable. The Frontier's Max 360 seats are super comfortable and being able to stand easily and sight fish is awesome. My only complaint if you want to call it that is that you give up some speed for all that stability.

Overall rating		4.4
Speed		2.0
Stability		5.0
Durability		5.0
Features		5.0
Value		5.0

Reviewed by Shawn DuGay April 18, 2014
Top 500 Reviewer - View all my reviews (1)

Super Versatile Fishing Platform

User Info

Waters Fished:

Large Rivers
Small Creeks
Saltwater Bays

Used:

31+ trips

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Stable, versatile, spacious

Cons:

Slow

Comments (0)

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I have been a NuCanoe fan since the original kayak model. I tested out the Frontier when Blake and Deanna with NuCanoe were passing through TN on the NuCanoe Frontier Tour so I got to try it out before putting money down on it. Me and another guy took it out together to test the weight limit. We took on some water but it handled a load of at least 450 lbs pretty easy. I am part of Team NuCanoe so hopefully my comments don't come across as one sided.

I love my Frontier 12. I am a big guy at 6'5" and weighting in at around 260 lbs. I am also one of the most clumsy folks you'll ever meet (maybe it is because I am top heavy with my gut). I say this to point out that the Frontier is the perfect boat for me as far as stability and size. If I was 5'8" and 160 lbs it may be a bit big for me.

Here is my quick list of Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantage
◾More Storage
I like to carry stuff and man you can carry everything plus more in the Frontier 12.
◾Stability is best in my opinion
I have not paddled every kayak but I have never paddled one more stable than the Frontier 12.
◾Great big water kayak
I have fished the ocean, the bays with boats, the Cumberland River with barges, and many big lakes with bass boats buzzing me out of my Frontier 12. I have never had an issue. Granted I am careful and didn’t go out in the ocean when it was rough I have always felt safe in my Frontier 12. The Frontier 12 is my go to big water boat.
◾Allows me to fish with my daughter
This is why I first got into a NuCanoe. I have fished out of both the Frontier 12 and the Frontier 10 with my daughter. Both work but the Frontier 12 is the way to go.
◾Will be my go to hunting kayak
I have my blind ready to go for next duck season. I also hope to get a deer from some of the islands on the lakes around TN. That extra room will work for getting my deer back to the main land.
◾Tracks great
It is easy to go in a straight line in the Frontier 12.

Disadvantage
◾Not as fast as some kayaks
This should be pretty easy to see but with the added width for stability speed goes down. I've never needed to go faster that I can think of but some folks really like to fly.
◾ Not as easy to load and unload with one person
I load in a pick up truck with a bed extender which isn't a problem but fully loaded my Frontier weights over 100 pounds I'd say. If you are going to car top you need to strip it down just the kayak.
◾Doesn’t turn as quick as some kayaks
It is fine in big water but skinny rivers or area with flow it you have to pay attention.

Overall rating		4.0
Speed		3.0
Stability		5.0
Durability		4.0
Features		4.0
Value		4.0

Reviewed by Kevin McCullough April 17, 2014
Top 500 Reviewer - View all my reviews (1)

NuCanoe Frontier 12

User Info

Waters Fished:

Large Rivers
Small Creeks
Large Lakes
Small Ponds

Used:

31+ trips

Modifications:

4 YakAttack Mighty Mounts and an anchor trolley are the only modifications I have made. I use a 360 seat.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Stability, Tandem or Solo, Room

Cons:

Speed

Comments (0)

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Having gotten back into fishing again after many years away I was looking for an inexpensive (relatively) boat to get me in and out of the lakes in my area. Not seeing anything in the bass boat market that would fit my needs I discovered the emerging kayak fishing scene. I spent the better part of 3 months doing research into the capabilities of the various offerings. I'm a big guy so I needed a kayak that could handle me, my gear and on occasion one of my daughters. The Frontier 12 seemed to hit all my check marks so I began looking at all the different options that the NuCanoe Frontier offered and pulled the trigger and purchased my boat at the end of this spring, 2013.

I ordered the Frontier 12 and began rigging it to my needs with an anchor trolley, fish finder, and rod holders. One thing I noticed was it was a little unwieldy to move around without the dolly that NuCanoe offers. A call to the dealer and the dolly was on the way. In my conversation with the dealer he told me that 90% of NuCanoe buyers purchase the dolly with the boat and the other 10% about a week later after they take delivery. So buy the dolly up front to avoid a 2nd trip or order from you dealer. It is well worth the cost. It makes getting the Frontier 12 on top of my small Chevy HHR a much easier task.

On the water the Frontier 12 is super stable and for someone who hasn't paddled a kayak for a looong time this was a big plus. After about 10 minutes on the water I felt very comfortable and the stability of the boat shined through. My first few trips out on the water were on small lakes that only allow electric motors so no big waves or boat wakes. I've since been out on lakes with water skiers and big pleasure boats and the Frontier 12 has performed very well in all conditions. It's fun to "surf" the wakes of the ski boats to help cross some of the big lakes I've fished. Though not very fast paddling the F12 is surprisingly easy and once you're underway it takes very little effort to maintain momentum.

Overall the Frontier 12 has delivered more then I thought it would and I'm completely hooked on kayak fishing and my yak. I also like the versatility of the NuCanoe and look forward to many fishing trips in the future.

Overall rating		4.4
Speed		3.0
Stability		5.0
Durability		5.0
Features		5.0
Value		4.0

Reviewed by John Diniz September 03, 2013
Last updated: September 04, 2013
View all my reviews (1)

NuCanoe Frontier 12 - Fishing Machine

User Info

Waters Fished:

Large Lakes
Small Ponds

Used:

7-15 trips

Modifications:

Added: Anchor Trolley Max 360 Seat 3ea Ram Rod Holders w/2ea screwball mounts

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Stability, Capacity, Design, Product Support, Community

Comments (0)

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We are older, heavier an losing core strength, so finding the right Kayak was difficult. We had a canoe for quite a while but wanted our own Kayaks, so the search began. Our first Kayaks were the Wilderness Commander 140 and 120. We were pretty happy with them and then the Frontier was released. We decided to get new yaks so we started to look and test many different yaks, Jacksons, Hobies, Natives and Oceans to name a few. We were able to test ride all the yaks except the Frontier. We read and studied and then went ahead and bought 2 frontiers over the phone without trying them.

Well, the first trip out to test them was going to be on a small river with overgrowth a decent current and sharp curves, not to mention other traffic. Once we launched and began our upstream trip, we breathed a giant sigh of relief. They were wonderful, very maneuverable, stable as all get out and a pleasure to paddle up that river.

Since that day we have set them up like we wanted for fishing, changed my seating option to a higher seat, used the slide tracks for adding 'stuff' - rod holders and the like, they are a top notch fishing machine... Large clear deck, cooler and milk crate in the back, tackle under my seat, deck completely clear, priceless..

They take heavy water in stride and you feel fairly secure. I have not been able to flip it, no matter how hard I try (we flipped a few of the ones we tested fairly easily). Standing is not a problem and now they have the stand up bar it is even easier.
NeCanoe is still developing accessories for the Frontiers (the 12' now has a little sister - the 10'). It can be easily powered with electric or gas motors, even having a solar cell for charging the batteries on the electric motor.

We do use it at times just to paddle some bays (Manatee season) and rivers and find it totally comfortable for distances. It is not as fast as one of the 29-30" wide yaks, but not too bad once you learn the long quiet stroke that works well with these boats. We take comfort over speed.

This is the total package, worth every penny for years of enjoyment. Thank you NuCanoe for this gem.