[Paddlewise] Magazine out-Article by Doug L

David said:

<<<For those that are interested the latest edition (Issue 43) of the
NSW sea
kayaker magazine is now online at

http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/mag/contents.htm

David Whyte Australia>>>

For those hardcore paddlers interested, there is an article listed on
the latest edition, by me. It wouldn't interest most folks on this list,
as it pertains to kayak abuse and outside seams. There was a big debate
down-under over the issue, and it got rather controversial to the point
where one of the "combatants" was unable to have a rebuttal printed and
the matter closed (if I remember correctly). A number of kayaks have
been known to break up in the heavy Aussie surf, so it is a valid
concern there. I hate controversy, so was a bit shy to join the debate
at the tail end (yeah right, Doug!). I tried to contribute from direct
experience, including some of the incidents of boat breakage over the
years. This kept me neutral, and restricted me to divulging and
witnessing my own discoveries. It reads a bit extreme and macho, as it
distills over twenty years of the "worst". I credit Paddlewise on it,
and there is a bit about the Storm Islands.

What might be of interest however, are the accompanying pictures. You
can go directly to:

<http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/mag/43/seams.html>

Picture #1 is in the fall of 1998, just prior to the best-ever storm
season we've ever had on Vancouver Island. There are no outside seams
yet. I am wearing a breathing tube (was just finishing a trip into an
inlet where I played under a big waterfall after torrential rains).

Picture #2 is a bit out of sequence in the article, but is of our
departure at the beginning of April, 1999 from Port Hardy, getting ready
to leave for Bella Bella on the ferry. It is a clear day, with a huge
snow pack in the mountains and blowing 45 knots out in the Strait. The
kayak on the right is Dave's ruddered Necky Arluk (22' wide) with
outside seams. The middle one is my low volume Nordkapp with deep draft
rudder and rebuilt in and outside seams/paint/keel strip for the trip.
The left one is Andrew's CD Pieces (24" I believe) with his huge deck
load, paddlefloat, and sail mast attachment, all up on his homemade
cart.

Picture #3 is my Nordkapp just prior to a departure. It holds much more
than your average Nordkapp. You can see the custom oval hatch just
behind the cockpit. You can also see the day hatch on the fore deck,
that has a hole to the "knee tube" below. The small hatch cover for that
is off at the side. The picture does not show up the full extent of gear
due to shadows and poor resolution.

Picture #4 is a photo shoot for SK Mag. I was blown behind the
breakwater, but had been out in much bigger seas performing this Dereck
Hutchings manouver minutes earlier. The photo was taken by PW'er Kirby
Stevens. I threw the picture to annoy the Aussies, as they hate pumps.
Oi, oi, oi! Of course, they don't get told I have a foot pump too. Eh.
eh, eh!

PS David, would you forward this post to your NSW Sea Kayaker club
listserver, as it may help explain the pictures - but only if you want
to.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd

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