CdB Forum

CdB Whitewater Paddling Club Discussions => Paddling => Topic started by: ChristianG on July 08, 2009, 05:09:22 PM

Title: Sea kayaking at Champlain tonight
Post by: ChristianG on July 08, 2009, 05:09:22 PM

It's a bit late I know, but I'm going to try my new sea kayak (a big barge, Boreal Design Saguenay 18" expedition boat) at Champlain tonight, and maybe Thursday too. Anyone interested?

--C.

Title: Re: Sea kayaking at Champlain tonight
Post by: JohnN on July 08, 2009, 05:34:49 PM

Hi Christian

Thursday eve for sure. I got the new hip fit kit for the Wisper and want to try them out.

John

Title: Re: Sea kayaking at Champlain tonight
Post by: ChristianG on July 08, 2009, 06:23:07 PM

Ok, tomorrow then. Right now, it's raining, maybe thunderstorms later too...

Below is a picture of the new boat, a Boreal Design Saguenay 18' expedition kayak. What's interesting is that its rudder is a Feathercraft one! I may have to sell it, it barely fits in the garage... The inflatable Handirack (available at Paddle Shack, 120$) worked quite well, carrying the beast over 750 km at highway speeds.

I was quite impressed with Alfred's boat, a Boreal Design Baffin (plastic boat based on their composite Ellesmere). It has a lot of rocker and a low back deck, it's ridiculously easy to roll and would likely surf well.

Tonight I will be playing with the rolling rib again, and/or trying to add some more rocker to the Wisper. What I am trying to achieve is something closer to Alfred's boat. I will buy a sheet of HDPE and cut a rib that is somewhere between the standard rib #3 and the rolling rib in height, just to lower the aft deck to and (hopefully) add a bit of rocker, look at pictures on Dubside's website. And I'm curious about the hip pads too.

I had the Wisper on the Saguenay river (Baie des Ha! Ha! in fact) last weekend and was quite happy with it, in the wind and 2-foot waves. No problem tracking at all. It's strange at first to feel the frame flex, but you quickly forget it.

See you tomorrow then!

--C.

[attachment deleted by admin due to low storage space]

Title: Re: Sea kayaking at Champlain tonight
Post by: JohnN on July 08, 2009, 07:39:32 PM

Sounds good Christian.  I set my Wisper up so there is 1 hole left in the keel setting, 2 holes left in the chines and 3 in the gunwales.  Some sort of 3D curvature that I hope will produce the desired funky rocker.

I notified tk2o we were heading out, so maybe Alfred and crew might bite as well.

Title: Re: Sea kayaking at Champlain tonight
Post by: ChristianG on July 09, 2009, 09:08:17 AM

Oh no... I forgot that I am pouring beer at the Bluesfest from 16:00 to 20:00 tonight... Won't be able to make it unfortunately...

--C.