Hola! We're back from a great paddle in Baja! The K-Light performed admirably, though it was a bit small for an eight day trip that required all drinking water, as well as gear, to be carried. Assembly/disassembly was OK (just OK) (recall I was posting to the list about assembly problems before the trip)... this time the coaming went on as one of the last steps; off as one of the first. In the heat of the day I didn't have much patience for working through the difficult steps (inserting those crossribs), so when things got frustrating I ended up calling for my husband. Also found it a real hassle to have to sit there with directions in hand. It's one thing to put a boat together on a nice large table platform (as in the Feathercraft video), but quite another bending over kneeling in the hot sand. First attempt to put the boat together I had the seat frame sections in backwards; got down to inserting the bow and stern deck bars before I discovered the problem, and had to break it all down and back up to the seat part of the assembly process to correct it. I have to admit, after this experience I'm in the market for a hardshell boat. Fully loaded, the K-Light was incredibly stable, but slow as molasses, and tough to control in wind and currents without a rudder; also a bit fragile in the coral reefs. Ran into a man paddling a Khatsalano that was really moving along, but I'm not sure I want the assembly hassles in the field again.... This was my first kayak camping trip, BTW, and I loved it! We're already thinking the NW, more Baja, Caribbean islands, Hawaii..... ;-) Karen -- Karen Hancock San Clemente, CA magpi_at_access1.net 949/487-2602 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Karen, Glad you had such a good time. A couple suggestions for further consideration. All the Feathercraft *except* the K-Light have color-coded parts (with the assumption that the Light is so easy to assemble). Even so, I've added additional color coding to my Khats to help eliminate the backwards / backup / redo syndrome. Using colored electrical tape or nail polish, mark the frames and tubes where beneficial to keep things right-way-around. FC uses standard red for port (left) and green for right, plus one stripe for bow ends of tubes, two for stern. I have even written instructions on some of the ribs with nail polish to remind myself of critical assembly sequences, which eliminates the need for the instructions. Also, since I don't assemble my Khats all that frequently, I will review the tape and instructions and assemble the boat once or twice before a trip to re- familiarize myself and hopefully avoid beach frustration. This shakedown assembly also provides me with an opportunity to perform a complete inspection, cleaning and lubrication of all components. Happy travels, Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
HTERVORT_at_aol.com wrote: > > Karen, > > Glad you had such a good time. > > A couple suggestions for further consideration. > > All the Feathercraft *except* the K-Light have color-coded parts (with the > assumption that the Light is so easy to assemble). Even so, I've added > additional color coding to my Khats to help eliminate the backwards / backup / > redo syndrome. I agree with Harold on the suggestion of marking everything with tape although I have not yet done it with the K-Light. Since I find myself talking with people a lot when assembling this boat, I have made every mistake in the book. For example put the frame halves in the wrong halves of the hull. Same with the direction of the seat. Distraction usually causes this, but it is hard not to be social, and besides, if the great guru I am supposed to be can make a mistake, it makes others feel better...at least that is my excuse. :-) I was surprised to see that you (Karen) felt that the K-Light acted like a slug when loaded. My own experience with it loaded with up to six days of stuff and water was quite surprisingly fast. On one such trip, I wound up starting off the trip with a fellow alongside me in a fiberglass boat and he only loaded for a day trip. The guy commented on how fast the K-Light was moving. I think you may have to work on improving your paddling stroke for power and efficiency as well as get the assembly down pat. You said you may want a hardshell the next time but my suspicion is that you would find even a hardshell slow when loaded with gear. > Also, since I don't assemble my Khats all that frequently, I will review the > tape and instructions and assemble the boat once or twice before a trip to re- > familiarize myself and hopefully avoid beach frustration. This shakedown > assembly also provides me with an opportunity to perform a complete > inspection, cleaning and lubrication of all components. It is surprising how assembly becomes second nature if you do it a few times. My problem sometimes is that I deal with so many different models of boats that I tend to forget the order in some places. Also a boat like the K-Light has gone through quite a few iterations since introduced in the Spring of 1993. I had ingrained in me little quirks that were different and sometimes I slip up with the newer versions. For example, on the first iteration you put the beefy deck bar under the bow deck and not the stern deck. Also, you got on the coaming (it was made of aluminum tubing then) before even extending the keel (otherwise you could never put in the coaming). They introduced that velcro holding strap on the keel piece, and I invariably try removing the frame half and wonder why it will not pull out (the velcro strip is holding it down). The K-Light can be made in an honest 15 minutes by anyone. Perhaps you might want to plan your next camping trip to New York City and I will show you how. Sometime in May I am planning an assembly clinic on all folding kayaks...the K-Light is one of the easier of the boats. I will post the day, time and place (likely the Downtown Boathouse in Manhattan). ralph diaz > > Happy travels, > Harold > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Color coding the pieces is a good bit of advice. I had most pieces marked to indicate bow/stern, and thought I had the seat pieces inserted in the seat sling going in the proper direction when I packed the boat, but obviously I didn't. This assembly was about the 5th/6th I'd done... recall I'm the one who left the boat assembled 10 months! Not absolutely sure, but I think I worked on this assembly maybe an hour total, what with lubricating all the connections, wiping off the sand sticking to the lubricant, struggling to insert the skin into the coaming groove (it just was not going to fit with the boat assembled improperly), rereading the assembly manual to find the cause of the problem, backing up to reinstall the seat properly, and a good bit of time for cursing. ;-) Disassembly, on the other hand, may well have been only 15 minutes as I had my husband "pop" out the crossribs and the rest was easy. I don't expect to be traveling to the east coast any time soon, Ralph, but if you come to the symposium in Washington (Port Townsend, I think) I'll bring my boat for your demonstration. In fact, I'll do the assembly and let you critique! ;-) I have to stick with what I said about the boat being slow and hard to control in some of the conditions in which we were paddling. My paddling skills undoubtedly could use improvement although I've taken several series of paddling classes as well as read books and watched instructional videos so I've got a pretty good handle on proper technique, but when the wind blows that boat insists on turning right into it! The boat was incredibly stable, but making headway in a fairly strong wind with a good rip current was a real battle when crossing La Partida. My guys in the Sealution and Necky Narpa were struggling too, but at least they were able to maintain a course and concentrate their efforts on paddling. I was literally doing a sweep paddle most of the way across (2, 3 or 4 sweeps on the right, one short stroke on left) to keep the boat headed in the right direction and maintain some forward momentum. It was challenging paddling for everyone, but the pointed bow and sleeker design of the Sealution in particular seemed to be the most efficient in those conditions. BTW, I'd be interested in knowing how others control the direction of a rudderless boat in similar conditions. Also, any thoughts on the effect of deckbags and other gear tied on the deck in regard to wind? Appreciating everyone's comments, Karen AKA Baja Mama ;-) -- Karen Hancock San Clemente, CA magpi_at_access1.net 949/487-2602 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Karen H. wrote: > ... what with lubricating all the connections, wiping off the sand > sticking to the lubricant, Lubricating the connections only needs to be done once in a while, and I would do that at home in the living room watching tv -- not on the sand. > struggling to insert the skin into the > coaming groove (it just was not going to fit with the boat assembled > improperly), I forget if this is mentioned in the video (it is NOT in the video for the K1) but fitting the skin into the pointy end of the coaming first is a must as far as I am concerned. Once that is done, stretching the skin to get it started at the blunt end is much easier. I definitely remember strugling the first several times I put the boat together, but once I "got it", it took no strength at all except for the step of matching up the tube ends and getting the slider pushed over the join. Milo Poughkeepsie, NY *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Karen H. wrote: > > I don't expect to be traveling to the east coast any time soon, Ralph, > but if you come to the symposium in Washington (Port Townsend, I think) > I'll bring my boat for your demonstration. In fact, I'll do the assembly > and let you critique! ;-) Well, I have not been out that way for that syposium since 1993. Maybe I will come out. > > I have to stick with what I said about the boat being slow and hard to > control in some of the conditions in which we were paddling. > technique, but when the wind blows that boat insists on turning right > into it! > > The boat was incredibly stable, but making headway in a fairly strong > wind with a good rip current was a real battle when crossing La Partida. > My guys in the Sealution and Necky Narpa were struggling too, but at > least they were able to maintain a course and concentrate their efforts > on paddling. I was literally doing a sweep paddle most of the way across > (2, 3 or 4 sweeps on the right, one short stroke on left) to keep the > boat headed in the right direction and maintain some forward momentum. > It was challenging paddling for everyone, but the pointed bow and > sleeker design of the Sealution in particular seemed to be the most > efficient in those conditions. I think someone better qualified than I like John Winters might comment on boat design and weathercocking. But I do know that the first year or two of paddling I would find myself in the same predicament. I was in hardshells but that same zillion strokes on one side to one stroke on the other side. It just takes learning how to keep a boat going straight. > > BTW, I'd be interested in knowing how others control the direction of a > rudderless boat in similar conditions. Also, any thoughts on the effect > of deckbags and other gear tied on the deck in regard to wind? You have probably started a good discussion here. I find that several things work for me when a boat wants to turn on me: 1. Choke up on the paddle with the longest part of the paddle on the side toward which you are being pulled. Choking up like that on the paddle creates a turn in the opposite direction that counterbalances the tendency of the boat to turn. 2. Slide one cheek (the kind you sit on not the kind you smile with :-)) toward the side toward which the boat wants to turn. This makes the boat lean on that side and creates a turning movement in the opposite direction. 3. With every stroke on the side toward which the boat is being pulled, lean the boat in that direction in the middle of your stroke. Again this creates a turn counter to the turning tendency of the boat. 4. Put a little bit more power in the stroke on the side toward which the boat is being pulled; again this is a sweep that will turn you slightly away from the boat's pull. That is the basic set of things to do. You do them in gradations and in various mixes. There are other variations too. If you do these, you seldom will have to double or triple up paddle strokes on one side. I learned these with the Klepper Aerius single which always wanted to turn into any wind of any magnitude or type. Great boat for learning such technique. I have not found the K-Light at all behaving in this way. My current Nautiraid 1 acts somewhat that way though. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Ralph Your comment -- "But I do know that the first year or two of paddling I would find myself in the same predicament. I was in hardshells but that same zillion strokes on one side to one stroke on the other side. It just takes learning how to keep a boat going straight." -- triggered some hilarious memories for me. I remember only too well my first real paddle. It was in Florida's St. Andrew Bay (Panama City) in a rudderless 14' 4" Perception Spectrum. For my brother, who had been paddling for a couple of years, it was about a 6-mile paddle. For me, the paddle was twice that distance. No lie!!! After the first couple of hours of non-stop zigzagging, I would have bet my paycheck that something was wrong with that fricking boat, had it not been for my brother tracking along effortlessly out front -- in a rudderless Spectrum no less -- in as straight a line as could be. Absolutely hilarious -- looking back -- but certainly not on that day! And just so y'all know, that plastic Spectrum became my first kayak -- and it now tracks as straight as an arrow!!! <<g>> Jim Tynan Pike Road AL *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>The boat was incredibly stable, but making headway in a fairly strong >wind with a good rip current was a real battle when crossing La Partida. >My guys in the Sealution and Necky Narpa were struggling too, but at >least they were able to maintain a course and concentrate their efforts >on paddling. I was literally doing a sweep paddle most of the way across >(2, 3 or 4 sweeps on the right, one short stroke on left) to keep the >boat headed in the right direction and maintain some forward momentum. >It was challenging paddling for everyone, but the pointed bow and >sleeker design of the Sealution in particular seemed to be the most >efficient in those conditions. I've read the posts about learning to keep the boat straight, and I believe them all. In a couple of years I'm sure I'll be able to track without a problem. But FWIW, I had a full day instruction in the Necky and found it to be a huge pain in the [insert euphamism here]. It tracked like a top. My girlfriend was in a Sealution and had no problem. I spent most of my day on my hip trying to stop turning into the wind. In hindsight, it was a good instruction experience. The instructor wouldn't let me use the rudder so I learned early on that leaning is important. But if I were on a 7-day camping trip I would have seriously considered hiking into town for an outboard motor. Some boats track well and some don't. BTW, thanks to everyone who sent me their opinions on boats. The feedback has really helped. Since I just found out I'm being reassigned to South Florida for 2 months, I will be putting off the purchase. This just gives me a better chance to try out some of those tips I was given. Thanks everybody. La lucha sigue, Dan Horowitz DanH_at_gdi.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
On Wed, 31 Mar 1999, Karen H. wrote: > instructional videos so I've got a pretty good handle on proper > technique, but when the wind blows that boat insists on turning right > into it! A bow heavy boat will turn into the wind, a stern heavy boat will turn downwind (assuming similar bow and stern wind profiles). > The boat was incredibly stable, but making headway in a fairly strong > wind with a good rip current was a real battle when crossing La Partida. > My guys in the Sealution and Necky Narpa were struggling too, but at > least they were able to maintain a course and concentrate their efforts > on paddling. I was literally doing a sweep paddle most of the way across > (2, 3 or 4 sweeps on the right, one short stroke on left) to keep the > boat headed in the right direction and maintain some forward momentum. > It was challenging paddling for everyone, but the pointed bow and > sleeker design of the Sealution in particular seemed to be the most > efficient in those conditions. Adjusting the trim of the boat would have changed this... imagine your boat is a giant weathervane, the heavy end is turning into the wind. > BTW, I'd be interested in knowing how others control the direction of a > rudderless boat in similar conditions. In my racing canoes we have sliding seats. We regularly adjust where the seats are according to the wind direction and speed. For a race around a lake, on a windy day, it's likely that we will have different seat positions for crosswind, downwind and upwind directions. Ralph Diaz posted a list of ways to counter tracking problems by changing your paddle stroke or the boat lean. I prefer to adjust the trim of the boat if the wind conditions are fairly stable. > Also, any thoughts on the effect of deckbags and other gear tied on the deck in regard to wind? Sure, the more stuff of the deck, and the higher it is, the more it will be effected by wind. If all of your gear was on the back deck it would cause the boat to turn into the wind too. Moving more gear to the front would counteract a bow heavy boat. It's possible that your boat was not bow heavy, but had the gear equivalent of a sail on the back deck - keeping the boat doing the weathervane... kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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