The last two days have been a true test of the new boat's capabilities. Yesterday I covered 5 miles paddling around in the surf near Sand Island, staying in the heavier seas and getting a feel for how she handles rough water. The caulking fix worked perfectly, and I remained dry while paddling in everything from large rolling swells to the choppy, unpredictable waves on the sandbars. The boat handles well in following seas, into the swell, abeam, and at all angles in between. The Pelican would have been completely swamped in yesterday's conditions.
Today I went back out for some distance work, now that I have a feel for how the Cape Horn handles.
10.8 miles in 3 hours:
Starting at Fort Gaines, I paddled to the pier as usual, and then set off down the west side of Sand Island. At the end of the island, I stopped for a short break, contemplating a trip down the eastern side back to the pier before pressing for home. Instead, I decided to make an open-water dash directly back to Fort Gaines. This shortened what would have been a 14-mile paddle down to just under 11, but also gave me a feel for open-water handling, emboldening me to make a future bay crossing or a trip down to the old Sand Island lighthouse. That light is 5 miles from the mouth of Mobile Bay where Sand Island used to be, before years of waves and currents moved it to its present position off the D.I. pier.
I'm tired from my first long paddle in months and happy with the new boat. As soon as the new camera arrives I'm going out again.
When I got back to Fort Gaines, I had my first dolphin sighting as well; 3 bottlenose dolphins crossing the small channel leading into the ferry dock and the Coast Guard station. Damn, I wish I'd taken even a disposable camera.
3 comments:
'Handles well in all seas"...what a sense of freedom this must be...
You won't like this but I'm gonna say it anyway..."You be careful out there Citizen"
I do my best to be. Safety is not something I screw around with. My safety and survival gear costs almost as much as the kayak does. That's coupled with years of having a water survival mentality pounded into my head. I still have much to learn in the kayak, but I think I've done a pretty good job of figuring out what I don't know and tailoring my trips accordingly. If you notice, each trip I've taken has been an incremental advance, pushing myself harder and harder and increasing my comfort level in various conditions. This is a flight training mentality applied to the water.
when you are ready for your Horn Island trip.
Let me know.
I've been once, loved it..feared the weather.
Must go again.
islanderpc@yahoo.com
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