Home Made Paddle Float for a Greenland Paddle.

My current inflatable paddle float is only suitable for a Euro Paddle and really doesn't work with my Greenland Paddle. This "just in case" piece of equipment is important, so I went on line and found a website, greenlandorbust.org with clear instructions and photo's on how to make a solid rubber float for my Greenland Paddle.

Not being a renowned handyman I was sceptical about making it, but by following the very clear instructions I surprised myself and achieved a perfectly working float.

Rubber cut and marked out prior to gluing.

After gluing the sheet is folded and held in place with weights until the glue has set.

The completed paddle float stitched on the glued side, with Greenland paddle inserted, ready for use.

The New Towline and Modifications.

    The PeakUK Towline Out Of The Bag (Promotional Photo)

I decided that it was time for a proper towline, the one I had been using had been cobbled together using an old dive belt, a line from Bunnings, an old fishing float and a net bag to hold the line from Kathmandu. It worked but wasn't very user friendly and in a proper emergency it probably would snag and be clumsy to use.

So time to find a proper one!  I had a look on the internet and of course could have saved my time and gone straight to Expedition Kayaks, where there was a genuine choice of several leading brands. In the end I chose the PeakUK towline, a brand that EK have just started to stock and has a good reputation for quality. 

When I took delivery of the Valley Etain there were two complimentory Sea Kayaking DVD's included from Valley ( Thanks by the way!) by Gordon Brown. I will post a review later, but they are well worth watching. One item was about towlines and made a lot of sense. So I set about modifying the rig to make it even more user friendly.

The first thing was to untie the knots at the carabiner end of the line and move the float about a boats length down the line. This stops it snagging in the deck lines on the towed kayak and facilitates a free run when the carabiner is released.

Secondly, at the carabiner I sewed the line together with needle and whipping twine and then whipped it so that the end was smooth and again snag free.

Thirdly, I daisy chained the line from the bag end to close to the float and secured it with the spare carabiner (provided).

I can use the line daisy chained for short tows, particularly into the wind or sea, where the towed kayak will be reasonably close behind.

Should I be towing down wind or with the sea, then I will undo the daisy chain and use the full 15 metres of line, to ensure that the towed kayak doesn't run into the back of me.

Rockpool Taran – A layman’s review. A contribution by James Chapman.

As you are probably aware if you follow this blog, two sea kayaks were recently delivered to Perth from Expedition Kayaks in Sydney.  

My choice was the Valley Etain and I have already posted a report. James Chapman, a paddling friend has taken delivery of a Rockpool Taran. Now, these are two very different beasts and it will be interesting in the coming months to follow our progress with our choices.  

James has very kindly put together his first impression of the Taran, and below are his thoughts.

Thanks James for your contribution.

Background

I have been paddling a composite Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 Pro over the past 2 years.   The Tempest provides a good blend of British style sea kayak movability and fun where the water meets land with touring potential.   However, it is a bit of a compromise.   Reasonably fast (starts to want to jump out of the water at around 9km/h) but not a screamer, carries lots of gear but a bit big for surfing and bouncing off rocks.  My plan is to specialise and get a small low volume skeg boat for play and a purpose built tourer to carry all my camping toys over large distances.  It just so happens that I have started with the latter, the Rockpool Taran. 

 Tempest 170 Pro

    

 Initial Impressions:

When I think of fast sea creatures the starfish immediately comes to mind.  Google tells me that Taran is Gaelic for Thunder.  Neither of these images capture my initial impressions of the Taran.  First thoughts are how wonderfully “she” is constructed and finished and how sleek she looks.  Normally sleek and narrow equates to tippy and swims but I was wrong here.  More on this later.    

I am happy with my choice of colours.   Having spent some 30 minutes consuming cake and coffee on the water front admiring my new toy I was happy to return to a relatively cool boat.  Understanding the impact heat and sun has on Carbon and Kevlar probably a wise choice for Perth.  

 A design element of note is the large flat section running probably over half the length of the kayak.  Untested so far but I guess this the secret to the Taran’s formidable reputation downwind particularly on following swells.

Flat bottom section minimal impact on resistance, maximum impact on downwind speed.
 

On the water:

Sitting in the boat the first thing I noticed was the lower primary stability when compared with my Tempest.  My body’s natural reaction was to try and balance the boat like I was delivering a tray of coffees.  Fortunately on experimentation beyond the threat of scolding coffee there is a predictable and solid secondary stability that I know will save me many times in the future.  The key will be to relax and let the boat do its thing.  In reflection this only took 3 or 4 paddles for me to adjust.  

Should I use the rudder?   There was no wind, the Taran was tracking beautifully and the slighted edge or sweep provided immediate response.  I paid for it so I better see what it does!  Like a skeg, on deployment, it does stiffen the boat up a bit.  However, at the slightest curl of the toe you are rewarded with an immediate response.     Will take a bit of getting used to.  Initially as I drove through my legs my toes moved which had me weaving like the V8s down Mount Panorama.  Not good for speed.  So I will need to train my mind, core and feet. 

The Taran slices through the water effortlessly.  Any feeling of apprehension as a small wave or chop approaches disappears as the Taran continues to track dead straight oblivious of the disturbance.   Not sure if it’s the rocker, the flat bottom or the starfish but the ability to maintain momentum is noticeable.  Within the speed range of my initial paddles (8-10km/h) resistance appears linear.  The Taran appears to glide between strokes, if you want to go faster just pick up the cadence.  In other words good reward for effort.  

I have not had a chance to get out in some decent swell yet but have been playing in some small runners.    The Taran accelerates easily onto any semblance of a wave and to my surprise just tracks in pretty much any direction I want to go.   Just rotating the body in preparation for a stern rudder and a slight inside edge is enough to have it running across the line.  Even before I get to put the blade in the water.     The opposite brings it back in line.  

This could easily become addictive and have me searching for large following seas.

On flat water I guess that wave resistance starts to catch up with you and go exponential around 10.5km/h.    I managed a short sprint to 11.5 km/h on my Sunnto but would not be sustainable.  Using my Werner Cyprus touring paddle and pushing into an 8-12 knot head wind with small chop the boat tracked well and I don’t expect it had a big impact on speed.  Although it did drive my heart rate up.   

Sunnto Ambit Trace http://www.movescount.com/moves/move19893860

Have rolled several times with no problems.  I think it likes being the right way up more than upside down.  This is always a good start.  In fact the only issues I have had were rolling too fast necessitating a hasty low brace to avoid going over the other side.  Probably a nice problem to have.  Will see how she like rolling full of gear.  I guess the same physics applies..

Comfort:

                          Simple but very comfy cockpit – Rudder deployment cord in foreground

I had ordered the wider seat to accommodate my sturdy base…  Untested this was a risk but fortunately it fits my ass like jelly in a mould.  Not sure about that analogy.   The cockpit setup relies on a performance moulded seat with well positioned thigh braces and a very low back band.  I am used to pads along side my hips to provide support and lock me to the boat.  Initially I found the lack of lateral support in the Taran disconcerting but now realise it frees up my legs for driving and the close fitting thigh braces provide more than enough support.   I didn’t have any of those falling out of the boat moments when rolling.  

The SmartTrack rudder and footpeg system works wonderfully.  Fixed footpegs for drive and toe peddles to move the rudder.  Very small peddle movement is needed to initiate surprisingly tight turns.  Not quite low brace turn tight but probably tighter that edging.    Probably the best part of the rudder is the ease and design elegance for retracting and deployment.    The blade is spring loaded and hence wants to be down.  The single cord only really comes into play to pull it up.  Very smooth.   A proper foiled blade shows that someone understands hydrodynamics.

SmartTrack Rudder

Conclusion:

In only 4 days, and 4 paddles I am sure I have found the right kayak for me.  Fitness boat, grand tourer, slightly quirky and confusing to the slappy ski paddlers and just the challenge I needed to push my paddling skills.  Just need to think of a name now…..

Valley Kayaks Etain 17.5: First Impression.

I must start by saying that the Etain looks terrific.  It has classic British lines, with up swept bow and stern, and clean hull lines (no rudder). For me, it is the epitome of a classic expedition sea kayak. 

Please note that this is not intended as a review, I’ll leave that to more qualified kayakers, it is purely my personal impression.

From the moment I climbed into the cockpit, I knew it was going to be a good ride. In fact after about half an hour, I forgot all about the kayak and just enjoyed the trip. The fit is like a glove, everything is in the right place.

What really impressed me about the Etain:

* The hull and deck finish are excellent. The bulkheads all fit the hull and the hatches are all water tight.

* Edging the kayak is a dream; there is just so much stability. It holds the edge well and doesn’t feel twitchy or unstable.

* The knee braces fit well, although initially I was disappointed they didn’t have padding, it soon became apparent that they weren’t necessary.

* The skeg works!!!! So easy to deploy and adjust.

*The hull tracks well, and the skeg, when deployed is excellent at correcting weather cocking.

* There was little sign of broaching in the following sea, albeit only one metre high.

* Rolling was just so good, plenty of low rear deck for those lay back rolls, it just popped up.

* Speed, well this is an unknown, as I paddled solo on this occasion. It is impossible to judge accurately, but I certainly appeared to be tracking along with ease and I didn’t feel tired after the paddle. The hull appears to be easily driven.

My thanks go to Mark Sundin of Expedition Kayaks, Sydney, for his advice. We spoke at some length about what I needed and what I’d paddled in the past, also I indicated that I wanted a kayak that would get me home, if I was caught out in bad weather. From that he narrowed the choice down to the Etain. I bought it unsighted and untried. Even though all the reviews were favourable, until you paddle it you never know.

Well, overall I am very pleased with the Etain 17.5, it’s just what I’m looking for in a sea kayak. The Etain appears to be without vices and ticks all the boxes. Does that make it boring? Well no, it makes it a kayak that you can do lots with and push your own envelope, knowing that it won’t let you down.

I’m looking forward to a summer of sea kayaking ……………….

My Thoughts On The Nimbus Telkwa Kayak.

It is always good to try other kayaks, so this post is my view of the kayak I used in Clayoquot Sound. This is in no way intended as an in depth review, more my personal observation, I'll leave a proper critic to more qualified kayakers.

The kayaks provided by Majestic Ocean Kayaking were excellent, in very good condition and designed for the task. One appeared to be brand new.

Both Marty and I used Nimbus Telkwa's and Gilly used the slightly smaller Nimbus Solander.

The Telkwa was designed to be a fully fledged ocean touring kayak, capable of doing unsupported trips of at least a couple of weeks duration, and it has a huge capacity. I have to hand it to the Canadian's when they go kayak camping they don't skimp on taking the comforts of home.  So a number of their kayaks have enough volume to hold what you want to take, rather than what you can cut down and survive with.  We met Brad and Chuck at Ahous Beach and they had a good set up, using a Current Design Solstice and an extended, home made CLC 17 foot kayak, they were out for a long weekend and appeared to be camping in style. 

Dimensions
Length        Beam        Depth       Weight (lbs.)         Cockpit size
18' 3"           24.375"     14"             53 Glass            32.625" x 17.625"

Storage Volume
Total volume (litres) Bow Hatch     Cockpit       Stern Hatch
         410                  80                195                   135



The Telkwa handled well, was very stable and quite fast. Fully loaded it was not too difficult to get up to cruising speed, once there, it was easy to maintain the pace. In rougher waters it was vice free and we enjoyed some nice surfing. Edging was difficult and even leaning the body over the side did little to tilt the hull. That said stability was rock solid and even in some unpleasant, choppy seas the Telkwa never caused concern.

The rudder worked well, even with the sliding foot rests that hire craft have.  Surprisingly, there is quite a lot of rocker in the hull, but the kayak tracked and manoeuvred well, both fully and partially loaded, but only with the rudder deployed. The Telkwa did not track terribly well without the rudder and this is probably due to the amount of rocker in the hull.

Summary: Designed as a load carrier for extended trips and for this purpose it's superb.   With its huge volume you can take the kitchen sink. After the low volume Scorpio, the Telkwa opened my eyes to comfortable kayak/camping. It doesn't have any vices and handled very well.  With water temperatures of 6 degrees, swimming was not an option and the Telkwa never caused me any concerns. I certainly will paddle one again, if I am lucky enough to return to Canada.

Question: How To Travel With A Greenland Paddle ?

Answer:

Purchase a Northern Lights carbon Greenland paddle, which breaks down into three pieces, the maximum length being just over 92 cm.  

It is promoted in the literature as “fitting into your luggage”. That is if you have a "REALLY BIG CASE", it will fit, otherwise it sticks out.

So out of the frying pan and into the fire, so to speak.

The next problem was finding a case big enough.

A chance meeting in a Mountain Designs store, with a lady shopper and her daughter, put me on the right track. She suggested using a wheeled hockey bag – the perfect solution.

Cathy Pacific accepted the case without question, but did insist it was lodged at the "Over Sized" counter after checking in. The advantage of having the paddle contained in the bag is that you don't incur an additional surcharge if it is to travel seperately as sporting goods ie we did have to pay a surcharge with Air New Zealand to get our ski's to Queenstown.

"These are a few of my favorite things"

Just a picture, but in the words of the song, “These are a few of my favorite things”.

 Silva makes such a fantastic compass, and thanks to P&H’s foresight there’s a neat recess in the decking of the Scorpio for it to fit into. Most people think it’s too far forward, but in practice it’s perfectly positioned, you only have to drop your eyes a fraction from the horizon to see it. Well damped, one can steer accurately, even in a lumpy sea.

I wouldn’t have a sea kayak without a magnetic compass; probably a hang over from my UK sailing days, where there was always a risk of fog. It is a form of insurance, just in case.

My other favorite thing, is the Greenland Paddle. Hand crafted by Tom Nicholson of Elver Paddles, a work of art in it’s own right and an absolute pleasure to paddle with. Just the feel of the wood in your hand, it’s so warm, unlike the impersonal feel of carbon and fiberglass. A joy to pick up.

More on paddles in another post, but I’m a convert to Greenland paddles and have recently sourced, from Tom Nicholson, a Northern Lights break down carbon paddle for the trip to Clayoquot Sound, next month.