Re: [Paddlewise] My new boat in spring

Steve Holtzman wrote:
> 
> What kind of boat did you buy? I don't think I have the patience to order a
> boat that far in advance---I don't know how you can wait that long and keep
> your sanity.
> 

I try to keep my sanity by reading, dreaming, and maintaining my gear. I
made a new towing line, I am thinking up new ways to outfit the new
kayak, made the pump ready for installation, I made some new drybags...
I think I'll manage. Apart from that, Paddlewise keeps my dreams
alive... I'm glad some of us live in warm climates and share their trips
with me.

About the boat I'm going to buy: Last spring I bought a new boat, to be
used as a guest boat. It is not that long (4.30 meters), quite wide and
exceptionally well tracking, even in high winds and waves. While I was
testing it out (I don't want to put my guests in a boat I don't know
myself), I fell completely in love with it. It turns out to be a great
surfer, after some modifications I could even handroll it. Although it
was never meant as a seakayak, (too slow and too stable) I decided this
is the boat for me, so I ordered the same boat with hatches and
bulkheads. Still have to modify the cockpit coaming, add thighbraces,
add decklines, install electric pump, move seat... The usual. It's an
Oasis Evolution, an Italian design.

I sold my Prijon Seayak, mainly because I got fed up with its need of a
rudder. Apart from the drag, it is heavy and vulnerable, and a danger to
myself because of its sharp points. Even on the water it is a danger: To
pull it up, it has to be in line with the boat. That means that if one
of the rudder cables breaks, I can't retract it, have to swim to get it
out of the water, or finish my trip with a rudder at 50 degrees. Since
most of my trips are solo-trips, I can't ask anyone to retract it for
me.

Last summer, paddling the shore of Corsica, I reached back to put the
rudder into the water. Instead of the usual "Pssht" I heard a "Phlop". I
looked back and discovered that indeed I had put my rudder in the water.
Rudder and mount were hanging by the rudder cables, half a meter under
my hull. Luckily I was close to shore, so I managed an awkward surf into
the beach, where I could cut the rudder lines and store the whole mess
under the hatch.

I wish I could afford a Coaster from Mariner Kayaks. I also wish I could
afford a plane ticket to Matt, to test paddle that boat. Alas...

Niels.

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