A very short test of Hansel's awesome new Epic V12 surfski at the Mississauga Canoe Club.
To start the story at the beginning, Hansel is moving next week and decided not to take his old K1 with him. It needs some TLC and repairs, and he generously offered it to 'Bent, who loves to fix stuff, especially boats. So it was an
N+1 Day in our family - always a reason to celebrate! :)
I always thought that K1s were difficult to paddle because there is no final stability. But it's actually because there is no seat - just a screw with a wing nut in the middle of the cockpit. The mind boggles, imagining exactly what you are supposed to do with that.
[OK, OK, there *used* to be a seat. Hansel even had most of the pieces!]
This section of the Credit River is laced with goose poop and the occasional dead fish so nobody wanted to go swimming from a tippy boat. 'Bent forgot the PFD we were going to use so it would be actual swimming if we went in. Under the circumstances, 'Bent paddled first, trying the K1. Hansel helped him get ready to set off.
Then we both stepped back and exchanged a smile while I focused the camera on 'Bent to catch the inevitable splash. But it didn't happen! 'Bent stayed up! To say we were disappointed would be an understatement. ;)
Then it was my turn and I took out the V12, thinking it would be easier to paddle a boat that felt like our V8. I didn't find it super easy to balance but I didn't swim either. When I briefly got my nerve up to paddle a little harder, it felt like the boat could fly! The V12 is beyond my level (unless I had lots of time to practise) but I can see the appeal. I think I could get comfortable in a V10 though. We'd need a bigger garage - hmm. :)
'Bent tried the V12 too and also stayed dry. He said the K1 was tippier. I decided to wait until we're in water where I'd enjoy the swim.
Then Hansel, who has been paddling tippy boats since he was in diapers, hopped into the V12 with iFo on his lap as if it were as stable as the Queen Mary.
They went for a couple of paddles and didn't swim even though iFo really wanted to! In the end, he settled for being allowed to steer the boat while Daddy paddled.
Looks like this was super fun!
Thank you, Hansel, for setting 'Bent up with an interesting project and for giving us some exciting future adventures! :)
As country bumpkins on a rare trip to the city, we couldn't resist stopping by Burrito Boys and Starbucks. Yum!