[Paddlewise] Bangfangledbludderpus (was PH Capella)

Steve said:
<snip>
<<<What I'm looking for is a second boat for more aggressive paddling. A
beater if you will. Something tougher and more maneuverable. A boat that
I can run up on the rocks, seal launch off barnacles, play around in
surf and rock gardens. A boat that wouldn't likely be destroyed if I
were to go paddling with Doug Lloyd. Speed and storage isn't too
important but it's quite likely that I would use it for trips of up to a
week or so in duration.>>>
<snip>

Steve,
Looks like the Wicked Witch of the West is back, namely good ol' Mother
Nature, or more precisely, her nice westerly flow that hitherto has been
deflected northward by a stationary high for the last four months plus.
Little wind, sunshine everyday, and no rain. What the heck is that, as
far as good paddling weather, eh? So, get that beater and beat on it!

As far as beating on boats, I was out practicing seal launches. I've
gotten my seal landings down pat, but I've found in the past that
launching of steep rocks can be a real problem (this being necessary
after landing on certain remote spots where the swell picked up, making
normal launching difficult). I found some 40% gradient rocks that were
rather smooth. The biggest issue dealing with a steep gradient
(relatively speaking) is trying to get into the cockpit without the
kayak sliding forward and a small catastrophe ensuing.

I was able to experiment with some rope, using a quick knot that easily
pulled free while I was seated (it held the kayak in place on the
incline) in the kayak with the skirt in place. I was about 20-feet up,
and the sliding down runs were rather exciting. While I was able to work
on the technique (I develop a lot of my own techniques and answer to no
man for what I do), I unfortunately fell out of the kayak trying to
climb back up the slippery embankment after one of the planned wet
exits. My relatively new Speedtech  wrist barometer/ watch/ knot meter
($200.00 cnd) which was under the deck bungy disappeared. I then
muttered "bangfangledblubberpus,"  which is the preferred explative for
a Baptist of dubious intelligence and one culpable of willfull disregard
for good equipment stewardship. Uh hu. Well, another sacrifice to the
water gods, whom I am sure had conspired with their land-based
counterparts to extract yet another offering. It would appear I always
have to answer to them, at some point.

Good paddling, good kayak beating, and don't leave too much plastic on
the barnacles. See you on the water sometime soon. And don't forget your
sponsons, they are just the ticket for taking a crap at sea, apparently,
which is something you might do if you come paddling with me.

Doug in Victoria -- waiting on the "good" weather.

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