The seasons are changing, the proof being in the gloomy skies and cool air. As Louise and I waited on the Cadboro Bay beach for our co-paddlers, the sun was hidden behind puffy grey clouds. We could see off-shore showers on the horizon, and a soft by cool breeze foreshadowed the stronger winds predicted to come later in the day.
But we weren't planning a long paddle today. In fact today's would be rather short and safe. We were being joined by Paula, as well as her daughter Lila and her new husband Yves who are visiting from Edmonton. Neither are experienced kayakers, in fact this was Yves' first time in a kayak and he is not a good swimmer, so we were going to stick close to shore. Also, we didn't have a lot of time to paddle as Yves wanted to attend pirate school later in the day.
And off we went. Paula put her herself and Yves into her inflatable....
....while Lila went out in the Pamlico.
Louise and I in our Delta sea kayaks kept the lead, usually without even trying. Seals were popping up here and there, but they were very shy and unapproachable.
I managed to sneak off and take and watch some cormorants.
And after a quick trip to the point and back, we were done.
Trip Length: 3.90 km
YTD: 207.04 km
More pictures are here.
Hi again,
ReplyDeleteLove looking at photos of Delta 17s, bought one this summer from Frontenac Outfitters in Ontario and absolutely love the boat. A thing of rare and precious beauty as some old dead literary guy said.
Curious: seems that one of you has a skeg and the other a rudder -- why the difference?
Cheers,
Brent
Hi Brent
ReplyDeleteLouise and I both used to have Delta 14.5's, both with rudders. When we upgraded, I decided to stick with the rudder on the 18.5, thinking that the long boat would track fairly straight, but that it might need a little help turning. Louise went the other way with her 17, thinking that the boat would be easy to turn but would need help tracking. She also wanted to learn how to use a skeg (and it's a little cheaper than the rudder).
And that pretty much how it's turned out. I find that I hardly ever use the rudder at all any more. On the other hand, Louise feels that she's never really mastered the art of the skeg and will probably return to a rudder on her next boat...someday.