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

As most of you regular subscribers know, I was one of the three rescued off
the Storm Islands in the middle of Queen Charlotte Sound/Straight during
our attempted off-season crossing in early April. The fellow who had the
most difficulty, even prior to his rudder-slider breakage during the
crossing, had a wide, stable boat full of gear and extra food. The boat
weighed a ton. If that wasn't bad enough, he had a home-made paddlefloat on
his rear deck. It was essentially a large foam cushion custom-covered in
vinyl, about 15" x 8" x 20". Additionally, he had a *very* large duffle bag
with more extraneous gear, also on the back deck of his already high volume
touring kayak. The other fellow was paddling an Arluk 1.8 and I was in my
low volume Nordkapp. There was no comparison between the two performance
boats as compared to the higher-than-high windage problems being
encountered by the paddler of the larger kayak with deck load. 

I will never again travel an open coastal section of a trip or attempt
crossings with someone with such diametrically opposed style, setup of
gear, and overall philosophy to open water paddling. That's not snobbery,
its just plain prudence. Unfortunately, I knew this was going to be a
problem when we started our trip, so the flames should come my way for
going along.

BTW, the duffel bag was similar to the one pictured in SK Magazine of Lone
Madsen. 

I "wouldn't be caught dead" with a huge duffel bag on my back deck in open
water - or as Hutchy would say, "Maybe I would".

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd      

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