New addition to the fleet

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Jennings on November 15, 2011 at 10:07am

Looks like the plastic might be similar to the stuff Tampico was using a few years ago.  Made in two pieces, not one like most roto-molded boats.  

 

Should be fun, I'll be interested to hear what you think.    Consider doing some re-entry practice in controlled situations before you start paddling too far off shore....

 

G

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Permalink Reply by Lance Pillsbury on November 15, 2011 at 10:18am

I plan to go out for 4 or 5 hours on Sunday.  Of that, 3 hours will be spent just trying to get off the beach.

 

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Permalink Reply by Lance Pillsbury on November 20, 2011 at 8:31am

Took the new boat out Saturday and I like it! Since a sit-in is new to me, just about everything was a learning experience. The kayak is a Barracuda Beachcomber Ultralite.  Its made in New Zealand and apparently this boat made it over here as part of a sample shipment to test the US market. I picked it up for $500 so I figured I had nothing to lose.  I  spent quite a bit of time watching numerous videos from the internet on launching, high brace, low brace, edging and it helped alot. At least I didn't look like a complete noob on the beach.

I spent a lot of time just cruising around the harbor, which if you never been to Channel Island Harbor, its huge. You can spend hours without going into the ocean.The kayak is a little more tippy than my Tarpon 160, but not to bad and I got used to it pretty quick. Its much more maneuverable and I can turn it on a dime, which surprised me the first time. I almost did a rollever and effectively used a low brace to stay upright.

The ocean was a bit choppy so I put the spray skirt on before heading out there.  I also readjusted the foot pads which helped alot.  I was amazed how more stable the kayak was with the skirt on. And I was very happy with how the kayak handled rough water. So much better than the Tarpon. I even started riding the waves on the end of the breakwater and felt pretty comfortable.  I figured out how to use the legs as braces against the inside of the kayak to help keep things under control. Again this is probably "duh" to you old timers, but this was a revelation to me. This kayak is much faster than the Tarpon, but again, I don't know how it compares to other sit-ins.

I headed out against the waves, which were running 2 to 3 foot swells, maybe 10 second spread. Lots of chop. The kayak sliced through fairly easy, a little bouncing which I thought was maybe due to the lightness. The kayak only weighs 38 lbs. Turning was fairly easy because I can turn it so fast. Coming back in with the waves was a joy. Turning it on its edge and following the swell made for some fun surfing.

The last test was paddling around the breakwater.  The back side of the breakwater, or ocean side, gets choppy as hell, even on a calm day. So it was a little like a washing machine yesterday. Swells and chop coming from both directions. And its fun when the swells meet right underneath you. But I felt much more secure in the sit-in than the sit-on. It was still a little nerve wracking, but fun. And I never came close to rolling.

So in comparing the Barracuda to other sit-ins, can't help you.  My impressions on reading the reviews from Australia and New Zealand is that the boat is considered a beginning to intermediate so its perfect for me. Maybe I'll meet up with Geoff one of these weekends and he can try it out.

Next step is go get some lessons on rolling and re-entry.

 

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Permalink Reply by Lance Pillsbury on December 4, 2011 at 7:40pm

So far really happy with the kayak.  Connected with a group of fellow kayakers from California Kayak Friends and they have been super nice.  They have worked on re-entry training with me and started rollover training. Lot of experience to draw on from.

 

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Jennings on December 5, 2011 at 9:11am

CKF is a good group.  It's been a long time since I've done anything with them, but a  lot of experience there to draw on.  

California Kayak Friends

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Permalink Reply by Lance Pillsbury on December 21, 2011 at 7:54am

So far the new boat is great!  Really happy with that purchase.  Been practicing re-entry practice and rolling with the CKF group out of Channel Islands Harbor and having a great time. Even did some lite surfing.

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Jennings on December 22, 2011 at 6:22am

Good deal!  

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