[Paddlewise] 1st Time Out with New (to me) Boat

Hi All -

It was kinda rainy/sprinkly and a little windy so I called one of the guys
and said, "Count me out, I don't think I'll go."  After all I was very
nervous about getting my boat out (for the 1st time) of my neighbor's
backyard, on wheels, going through a carport (of the guy who gave me a
"don't ding my car" look last time I walked it through with my coworker who
is trying to figure out a system to get it up on my deck) - whew - then
getting it on my car.  (I guess I felt I needed more time to psyche myself
up for it.)  Anyway, he says, "What, you afraid you're gonna melt?  I'll
bring a rain hat for you."  :)  A challenge!  That's what this 55-year old
needs.

The hardest part is putting those dang foam blocks on the racks!  The boat
went up over my sloped Honda hatchback like a dream, tied her on then had a
heck of a time figuring out how I was going to tie down the bow and stern.
I had webbing, two pieces for each end, each one had a loop at the end.  The
longer piece had the buckle.  I wanted to loop the loops on themselves
through the tie-downs under the car (I did that) but what I wanted to do was
to run one of the straps through the loop/ring in the boat.  I couldn't
figure out how to do that because the longer strap had the buckle and to
tighten it mean it would come over and meet the other strap on the other
side.  (I didn't want to trust a knot of mine) under the car.  Anyway, I
ended up putting the buckle through the carry-loop and it seemed to work OK.
When I got to the put in the guys seemed to think it was fine.

Now the boat trip.  It was great - smooth water - for once (ok, twice).  We
put in in the Snohomish River and paddled along one of the sloughs - with
the tide.  And some spots were actually glassy, wow!  Peaceful.  Umm mmm
mmm.  It was a great trip, a great 1st time out with my new boat.

Oh, one thing I noticed.  I seemed to veer to the left somewhat sometimes
and I noticed that my right knee didn't want to stay tucked up in the boat.
Whenever I would become aware of the boat veering I would pay attention to
my right knee and it wasn't where it should be.  The foot pegs are as far
forward (or back - I'm short) as they'll go and we adjusted the seat back
which helped.  Do you think I need blocks on the foot pegs?  There are no
pads in it at all.  (Mariner XT)

Janet

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