Re: [Paddlewise] stuff on deck

-----Original Message-----
From: Gerald Foodman <klagjf_at_worldnet.att.net>
To: paddlewise <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Date: Saturday, May 29, 1999 6:44 PM
Subject: [Paddlewise] stuff on deck


>The cover of the June issue of Sea Kayaker shows two decks loaded with
>packs, sleeping pads, etc.  Surely this must seriously compromise the
>handling of the boats, especially in wind.  Has anyone tried to roll with
>decks loaded high with stuff?
>
>I think it would be better to get a larger volume boat and keep the decks
>clear.  Or take your narrow boat for shorter trips.
>
>Jerry


I know a little about the picture you are refering to. The photographer and
owner of the Mariner II in the picture (Craig Peterson) was on a trip
entirely around Vancouver Island and was very heavily loaded with gear.
Craig worked for me one summer, is a friend and sometime paddling partner.
Later he paddled from the north end of Vancouver Island up the open coast to
Sitka and Glacier Bay. I believethat made him the first (of now four people)
to have paddled the outside coast from Seattle to Glacier Bay. I don't
believe he unintentionally capsized once during either trip. I am confidant
he could roll up if he did and have watched him practice climbing back in
his empty (Express) kayak without the aid of a paddle float in rough seas
with steady winds over 40mph and gusting to well over 50 mph(much harder
this way than if the kayak is loaded with gear) . He probably could just
high brace back up as the light deck load would probably not allow the kayak
to capsize fully.
I'm sure Craig chose lighter bulky items to store on deck which would mean
the heavy stuff was low and stability was still very good (had the weather
been worse the orange and blue items on his front deck would be off the deck
and on his body). Also I have witnessed Craig stand up in his gear laden
Mariner II for a better view, so I don't think his stability was really
compromised much by the deck load .
The yellow item just in front of the cockpit is his spraydeck and he would
be wearing that while he paddled so it wasn't part of the deck load. I
noticed on a two week trip with him last summer that Craig likes to get out
of all his paddling gear as soon as he lands even for just a short time.
The gear stowed on the front deck is very light but may have been placed
there to help balance the windage of the rear deck load (which you notice
are just behind the cockpits to minimize the lever arm the wind has on the
stern).
A heavily loaded kayak does not get blown around in strong winds like a
light one does.
Craig bought an Express after the trip in the photograph (which was 11 years
ago) because it fit his smaller stature better than the Mariner II. When he
planned his trip up the open coast to Glacier Bay he again bought a Mariner
II especially for that trip and has used it as his only sea kayak since.
Although only 21.5" wide it is a relatively high volume kayak with a lot of
it usable storage space (and it apparently was the biggest kayak he was
willing to paddle on this major journey).
Matt Broze
www.marinerkayaks.com

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