Wooden kayaks

A handmade wooden kayak: classic beauty and modern technology on the water

A quality kayak not only requires high-quality construction with premium materials but also must be based on a well-studied and thoroughly tested design.

A hallmark of Nautilus wooden kayaks is the integration of technological and practical materials and accessories into their construction.

I can confess that among my favorite designers are Guillemot Kayaks and Björn Thomasson. There are more, of course, but for me, these, with their different styles, offer behavior on the water and truly attractive lines. They both also offer such a variety of models to choose from that it would be difficult not to find a kayak that suits the particular need or expectation of any paddler.

Sandwich structure

The Nautilus wooden kayaks are, constructively speaking, a sandwich structure consisting of two thin outer layers of high strength (fiberglass) bonded to a lightweight wood core, achieving a strong, light, and very rigid hull.

High-quality woods

I work with paulownia wood (very light wood) and red cedar (darker), due to their low weight, high flexibility, and beauty, combining both woods to achieve beautiful aesthetics. Although the wood of our kayak will never be exposed to the exterior, it does not rot in contact with water. I use top-quality wood with absolutely no knots or defects.

Carbon fiber cockpit and watertight hatches

The symbiosis between classic woodworking construction and modern materials, such as carbon fiber cockpits and rubber hatch covers, etc., makes our kayaks a functional, comfortable, safe, and strong vessel, while also providing a highly recognizable aesthetic.

What do our customers say?

"Life is harmony, balance, and rhythm, three essentials that the kayak crafted by Roberto brings together. When I paddle, I feel the wood caressing me, and the Turks head knot he carved on the bow is a gem. I feel extraordinary when I sail and play with the sea in this unique boat."

Carmen Morillo

"I had the opportunity to participate in the Spanish championship with a kayak from Rober, where I became champion in my category. The Nautilus wooden kayak has the advantage of being a rigid kayak, it does not deform with the water ripples and due to its construction, it has very little weight, which is very important for speed. The sensations are magnificent, apart from its beauty, which makes you feel proud to have a work of art in your hands. Thanks Rober for giving me that opportunity!"

Paz

"I wanted a kayak for long journeys, but at the same time, fast. I contacted Roberto Yañez, builder of Nautilus Kayaks, explained my concerns regarding the kayak I wanted, and he recommended the NJORD model. A model he thought might match what I wanted, which was to navigate long journeys in all possible sea conditions while maintaining speed. We did it!!!! Today, I sail the SEAS, I have learned to eskimo roll, and we have become CHAMPIONS of ANDALUCIA in our first race. You can't ask for more. PS: The kayak is a beauty."

Sandra Muñoz

"The wooden kayaks always caught my attention for their retro aesthetic, but I never considered getting one. Until I tried Roberto's Night Heron. It was love at first paddle... Today, I am the happy owner of two wooden kayaks from my good friend and Master Roberto of Nautilus Kayaks. The first one was a "recreational" Surfski, Bjorn Thomasson's "Spray" model, which I enjoy in the summer as I don't have to use a spray skirt or bail out when reboarding. Besides, it surfs as well as a fiberglass one, pure pleasure... The second one is a traditional, Bjorn Thomasson's "Frej L" model (I like his designs), and I still haven't found anything that doesn't satisfy me. Its glide is very smooth, its pronounced rocker allows maneuvering it at will when circumstances require it, and to top it off, its stability, both primary and secondary, is foolproof for "clumsy" people like me. You can't ask for more. Every day I'm more delighted with my "Nautilus"... And yes, they are also works of art that I never tire of admiring."

Diego Tárraga

All our wooden kayaks are of the highest quality, exclusive, and personalized.

The delivery time for a wooden kayak is the most challenging aspect to define. Unlike Greenland paddles, for which the delivery time can be adjusted and calculated very accurately, in the case of a wooden kayak, it is much more complex.

During the construction phase of a wooden kayak, there are several factors that affect and can significantly vary the execution time., such as ambient temperature and the complexity of working with a natural material like wood.

Each wooden kayak from Nautilus Kayaks is constructed with state-of-the-art materials, in countless hours of quality woodworking craftsmanship.

It should be taken into consideration that it is not a task that can be built online (8 or 10 hours of work per day). Some days we may only be able to work on your wooden kayak for one or two hours, applying a layer of resin, for example.

The artisanal construction of a wooden kayak is a meticulous and manual job, 90% of which requires a lot of concentration and absence of rush.

When we work on a wooden kayak...
"time stands still... there is no existence."

That's why I ask for patience from my clients, I involve them and make them participants in every moment of the manufacturing process of their wooden kayak. They accompany me on this fantastic adventure until the day of its delivery.

Waiting and patience undoubtedly deserve the wait.

The final price of our wooden kayaks varies depending on the model, finish, and accessories added. A base price would start from 3,500€ (VAT included).