Re: [Paddlewise] Andomeda

Doug and all,

My testing of the Andromeda ranges from a 5-day, 100 mile trip down the
Willamette river to a 15NM upriver, downwind trip near Astoria.

On the Willy, the boat performed well.  Some fast current work and speedy
downstream paddling was fun.  The boat is speedy, spirited and sporty
(salesman talk for tippy, fast and maneuverable)  No wind so no skeg trial.
It's workmanship is 100%.  Deck layout (IMHO) is 80%. (Perimeter decklines
that don't do the whole perimeter, deck bungies 4" from the front of the
rim, lame spare paddle configuration.)

So I ordered two, one to demo and one to sell.

I should of tested it in some wind.

I got the demo and decided to take her out on a Columbia River EXplorer, our
level 4/5 instruction trips.  Wind was west _at_ 30 knots, seas were up to 4'.
perfect for a Astoria to Knappa landing run.  2 NDK Explorers and a Romany
16 were along for the *ride*.

We paddled up to Tongue point and I was having some trouble falling dead
downwind with the skeg fully deployed, while the NDK's surfed off into the
East.  I managed to get to Tongue where we took a much needed break in the
lee of the point.  I was checking out my chart, no glasses and far sighted,
and almost flipped (sporty, eh?).  Ok this can happen in any spirited boat,
tho I don't have the same problem in my Pintail. Anywho...... back out into
the wind and low and behold came to the conclusion that the boat
weathercocks to about 20º off the wind with the skeg fully deployed.  Rom16
and EX run about 5º.  Surfing was fun, fast and furious when I could get her
to stick at 0 but was quite frustrating when it would slip off to a WC
position.  The NDK's thought it was amusing that Ol' Capt. S was having a
hissy fit.  =:-o)

In looking at the set up it seems that the skeg is rather shallow and quite
far forward.  I would think that Sir Derek or CD would of tested this out
before release.  Maybe the focused market for this boat won't be paddling in
30 knots but I know this cowboy ain't going to pull the Ando outta the
stables for a gnarly ride. rrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

steve



***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************