22-06-2013
Wind SW 6-7 bft.; paddled 25 km's.
Today I paddled inland waters: canals and the Alkmaardermeer. The strong winds today confirmed earlier observations:
- the kayak cuts the waves nicely when paddling against the wind and is rather fast.
- she weathercocks. when surfing with a tailwind from aside this slows down the surfing because strong course-corrections are necessary.
- but when surfing with a real tailwind she surfs very well.
- in the short waves on the lake she is very, very lively and is easy to steer. Responding immediately on every paddle stroke. This feels very nice. Feels like riding a thoroughbred.
- One exception: when I slowed down at a certain moment and the kayak turned parallel to the waves, it was hard work to turn her downwind again at low speed.
- Paddling parallel to waves or against the SI18 sometime leecocked but is easy to bring back on course after very wave.