[Paddlewise] Boats

Below is a copy of my trip report on a workout paddle we did last night. It
was my first chance really to see how my new boat performed keeping up to
speed. Although I admit to a few different varialbes, it seemed to me no
doubt that my Tempest is quite slower than my QCC. Guess I'll have to take
them both out with the GPS to see how they differ. Still, I was surprised by
the difference I perceived. Maybe the hull experts out there can clue me in.
At least it gives me a new respect for the Lollygagger.
Mark

Although I call my QCC the Lollygagger, I always realized the name applied
more to the pilot than the boat. QCCs are generally considered fast boats
and even my 500 with it's cavernous hatches and wide beam has a good turn of
speed. But for this Thursday night workout paddle, I decided to take the
Sapsucker(Tempest 170, plastic), which lived up to its name by sucking away
every ounce of my energy!
I think by far this has been my slowest paddling month since I started
kayaking. I'd only been out twice, as I have been fighting an earache. So I
knew I was in for a workout and probably chose unwisely picking the
Sapsucker out of my quiver. For some reason, I also decided to go with my
GP, which isn't my first choice in paddles. But the idea WAS to get a
workout, so what's the point of complainin'!
I decided not to be a social recluse and so abandoned the Secret Beach for
the Coast Guard Beach. Duane was there early to hang out and chat. We
started out with Duane, Montana Dave, me, Barb & Ken, Shameless Dave and
Howard & Sharon. On the water, Chuck Freeman had just returned from a paddle
and dauntlessly decided to join us. Farther down we met up with John Clinton
who was still confused from last months time change!
The group started in earnest against a chilly head wind under an overcast
sky. Duane and I were the only Gpers, but we never really hung out as I
could never get to the head of the group. Just to prove her Sainthood, Barb
acquiesced to hang out with me at the back of the crowd, although we strayed
not too far from the rear. Past Nick Cage's house, I poured on the speed
trying to catch up with Duane, but the Sapsucker just sank into its bow wave
and would give me no more.
We broke at the bridge on the far side of Lido Isle before starting the
downwind home stretch. Duane started off paddling backwards, but it didn't
matter. He could have beaten me home with a side draw!
Barb and I really fell off the pace and she kept saying she was tiring out.
I just wished she'd do it instead of talking about it, because I could
barely keep up with her! Still we ignored the fact that the rest of the
group was nowhere to be seen and focused on the ferry as a milestone for our
return. After that, the CGB wasn't far off and we at least made it to the
docks before Howard and Sharon were off the water.
Barb and I definitely got a workout, so I hope the rest did too. One snag on
the night was MD lost his keys and after much searching had to call AAA to
come get him in his van. It was a tough, though enjoyable night on the
water, which left me wondering what slowed me the most, the Sapsucker, my GP
or just my inactivity of late. I've often been the last to return from a
paddle, but not since my first days chasing the CKF crew has it been because
I had no other choice.
Mark
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