30.05.2013
Conditions: wind 4 bft N. Distance ca. 28 km.
Today we planned a tour in the Voordelta-area: a circumnavigation of the sandbank Aardappelbult.
Hoping that conditions at the sea-side of the sandbank would be ocean-like with a nice swell as a result of the wind the days before.
But before we could start I had to wait for an hour due to traffic-problem for my paddling-mate.
I used that time to take a critical look at the kayak. And I was pleasantly surprised: it is a magnificent design with very nice lines in the hull. The bow is very sharp with a flare to give enough volume. The front-ship has quite a lot of volume whereas the aftship is very lean and slim. The hull looks very good.
The widest point of the deck-line is just in the middle. But the widest point of the hull is a bit in front of the seat; which is the result of the lower volume of the aftship.
I think that the designers did a good job by developing this kayak for stability, speed and behavior in waves.
But: everything is a compromise. So also with this kayak. The downside is that the SI18 weathercocks a bit too much. Especially when paddling in wind in combination through low waves.
In fact the seat should be moved backwards, but that's not a good idea with the lean aftship. So rests only the solution to increase the skeg-surface to probably double size. This solution is easy to realize because the only thing to change is the skeg-housing. What result is a maneuverable kayak that can be trimmed with the skeg when weathercocking.
30.05.2013
Conditions: wind 4 bft N. Distance ca. 28 km.
Today we planned a tour in the Voordelta-area: a circumnavigation of the sandbank Aardappelbult.
Hoping that conditions at the sea-side of the sandbank would be ocean-like with a nice swell as a result of the wind the days before.
But before we could start I had to wait for an hour due to traffic-problem for my paddling-mate.
I used that time to take a critical look at the kayak. And I was pleasantly surprised: it is a magnificent design with very nice lines in the hull. The bow is very sharp with a flare to give enough volume. The front-ship has quite a lot of volume whereas the aftship is very lean and slim. The hull looks very good.
The widest point of the deck-line is just in the middle. But the widest point of the hull is a bit in front of the seat; which is the result of the lower volume of the aftship.
I think that the designers did a good job by developing this kayak for stability, speed and behavior in waves.
But: everything is a compromise. So also with this kayak. The downside is that the SI18 weathercocks a bit too much. Especially when paddling in wind in combination through low waves.
In fact the seat should be moved backwards, but that's not a good idea with the lean aftship. So rests only the solution to increase the skeg-surface to probably double size. This solution is easy to realize because the only thing to change is the skeg-housing. What result is a maneuverable kayak that can be trimmed with the skeg when weathercocking.
What I found out this morning is that the deck is surprisingly strong. Much stronger than the hull on certain points. So may be there is hope and can the hull be reinforced in the same way as the deck.
Now about the paddling.
Before we were out at sea we had to paddle against the current for a few miles. When paddling against waves, wind and current the SI18 spliced the waves. Needing almost no corrections for weathercocking. At the foot of the lighthouse we traversed the stream to reach the sandbank. The tide-situation at the moment resulted in a real tidalrace with a front wave on which we could surf. But as we were next to a sandbank the tidal race was mixed with cresting waves coming from 2 directions resulting is clapotis-waves as well. A nice "inferno" of waves in which the SI18 was completely at home. She danced nicely over the waves and was complete under-control.
Out at sea we had to keep distance from the sandbank for over almost 1 km because the area was declared protected area. This for new for me and now we discovered that more out at sea runs a strong current of almost 2 knots. There was a nice ocean swell. No problem for this kayak.
With the following wind the kayak started to weathercock again. For today I did stow approx. 5 kg sand in the back-compartment and approx. 2kg in the front compartment. But unfortunately this did not have enough affect because, although the retractable skeg was lowered maximal, I had to make correction strokes all the time. I could not understand this yet because this trick works in most kayaks.
The positive side of the weathercocking today was that I could feel how well the kayak responds on edging and leaning in combination with sweep strokes. Positively influenced by the improved knee- and hip-contact as well.
Because the extra weight in the kayak did have effect you may even conclude that a heavier person than me probably will have the same experience regarding weathercocking.
At the end of the sandbank we turned east and now e could enjoy a following sea. The waves were a bit irregular and although did not invite for long surfs, I could feel the potential in this kayak: she is very eager to catch a wave; accelerating fast. In an other testsession I will take a closer look to the surfing.
The last leg of our tour brought us a lively sea; caused by crossing-waves coming from both NW and SW together. The SI18 really likes this and danced over them while cutting the water giving me the feeling as if it cost no energy at all to propel this kayak.
During the whole tour today I was happy with the stability. Primary- and secondary-stability are good and made me feel at home in all conditions e met today.
Back in the harbor I rolled the kayak twice. Rolling was no problem. Maybe it will be even easier without the sand-ballast. Something to investigate later.
Sculling is not as easy because you have to lift yourself out of the seat because of the high backband in combination with the cockpit-rim. But it can be done.
Other technical remarks of today are:
- The operating of the retractable skeg is very easy. The cable runs very supple.
- The front-compartment was bone dry afterwards
- The back-compartment has again about 1 liter of water inside. I suspect the glue-layer with which the hatch-rim is glued on the deck. I will take a look at that later. Honestly I cannot think that the hatch itself is the problem because the front-hatch is not leaking.
pictures will follow later.