If n' When II -- Launch

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Leak Test

Compliments of a friend planning a "can't miss" trip to the Black Canyon of the Colorado on February 2nd and 3rd, the boat got a "leak test" prior to being finished. It had one coat of varnish, the seat was only roughed out, and none of the deck rigging, compass, cockpit foam outfitting, or hydration bladder tube were installed. In addition to the initial trip for this boat, she had a brand new 14' NRS Cataraft that was on the water for the first time. Unfortunately, most of my photos suffered from horrible color shift! (The put in for this trip is a permit controlled access right below Hoover Dam.)

The ranger and shuttle driver were fussing about the time it was taking to rig the rafts, so we didn't get a chance to get the shots I wanted with the boat on the water and the dam in the background. I was VERY pleased with the way the boat handled. It was loaded full but fairly light (tent, clothes for two, sleeping bags for two, folding chairs for two, etc.)

The boat is fast, (7.4 mph on GPS - do I have to mention the 1.8 mph static drift that was assisting??) paddles easily, and tracks very well. It does respond to a carved turn, but required fairly significant edging to get a turn going without strong sweep strokes. Takes about ½ the width of the Colorado River to turn around using just edging. In messing around with said edging, I discovered the limit of the boat's secondary stability AND missed my brace. I can report that it rolls back up as easily as it rolls down - a "no noseclip" roll, no less! The hatches don't leak at all, but are going to need some modification. The magnet retention system is strong enough that I can't get them open with cold fingers! I didn't have an excuse to test the foot operated bilge pump. I'm going to have to downsize some drybags - 2 twenty liter bags don't quite fit side by side!

Launching!

With all the final rigging in place - varnish, perimeter line, bungies, carry toggles, and compass - the boat looks finished. I suspect it never really is done, so I'll refrain from saying it is, but it's sure usable. Since so many of the folks on the Kayak Building Bulletin Board are still suffering from "hard" water, i.e. ice, I thought it would be appropriate to try to get some Arizona pictures for the launch announcement. I'm very pleased with the boat, and looking for an excuse to build the next one.

February 18, 2002

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