[Paddlewise] [Fwd: Calypso-II]

Pulled this off rec.boats.paddle.touring -- an unusual incident!
-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
--

H.E. Doeve <henk.doeve_at_tip.nl> wrote:
> 
> Today, Oct. 24st, we could borrow a 2-months-old Calypso II, built by
> Northshore, England.
> It is the type that has 2 parts for easy transporting. It can be assembled
> into a 2-seater within 1 minute.
> The kayaking went OK. We did a paddling of about 15 km on a large lake in
> the netherlands (the IJsslemeer). Outward with a backwind of 4 Bf, even a
> bit of nice surfing.
> On the way back within sight distance of the harbour and a headwind of 5 Bf
> and waves of max 1 meter we heard some terrible wrong sounds: within
> several seconds the boat was falling apart in the 2 original sections. I
> was sitting in the front. Problem is: nothing behind the seat, so after 5
> meters of paddling alone the nose went up and I backwards down. I had to
> leave my part of the kayak Climbing on the other part wasn't easy because
> it is not very stable anymore. Kayaking has become impossible. Since teh
> temperature of the water was about 8C, we had to use the emergency-signals.
> Fortunately, after 15 minutes in the cold water a yacht who had seen our
> distress-signals came to rescue us.
> 
> Back on land we examined the boat: the material uswed for the clamps aren't
> just strong enough.
> Maybe they will hold in calm, flat water but even in these mild situation
> the used material or the construction isn't strong enough.
> We will inform the manufacturer and see what they come up with.
> Advice: till then don't use the Calypso II ( soory for Northshore who build
> fantstic kayaks)
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