Drifters First Day Out

[basscatcher]

It all came good today and we all set off for a small cove near Gorran Haven in Cornwall (South Coast). Place is called Caerhayes and has a lovelly big castle just behind the Beach.





Got car packed up with all my gear, wife, kids and sandwiches. I was to have my maiden voyage and do some surf play and the family could also chill out on the beach.



The sea was looking good with just enough surf to give me something to play with. Tide was at low and I would be out on the flood so if I was a useless paddler then the tide could do it for me.





The Kayak cart I had built worked well but I need to do something with it. I took on the previous advice to lower the supports and to extend them. It just made some marks and quite deep scratches in the bottom of the kayak. Need to put more rubber and padding on it.

Handy tip - if your struggling to find a drinks container to fit the purpose made recess of the kayak then Tesco Insulated ones fit 100% and could be turned upside down without falling out. Think it was just £2 something

I was reluctant to make the first step and stood in a couple of feet of water, paddle in hand but nervous. Then after a couple of breathes I was in and away.






It all felt right and extremely stable and bouyant. Paddled out like a goodun. Enjoyed the waves and practiced getting wet and wave riding in and out.



To be honest it was such good fun that my kids all had a go aswell. The youngest riding tandem with me. They all had wet suits and bouyancy aids so it was all safe.

I had heard the drifter is difficult to paddle and slow. I have nothing to compare it to but it all seemed right and fairly easy going. Paddled in and out for a couple of hours. Got wet a couple of times and fell very confident about it all now.

I was worried about strain and back ache but all seems ok. Arms and shoulders a bit heavey at the moment but tomorrow morning may tell a different tale.

Here's one for the Kayak Users Page.



Another one of my lad who was delighted with the day. ;D



This week I must get out onto Rodeford Resevoir and possibly take my fly rod and bag some nice stock brownies. ;D

Im now well and truly hooked. ;D


;D ;D ;D ;D

[johnlegg]

Looks like you had a great day with your family glad the rain kept off where you were. we got soaked today from above and below

john

[zebra]

great photos ian
i sent you an email
terry

[The Image ™]

Looks like you had fun. I think we had a drifter at the kayak try out at Pensarn and a few people found it fast but 'tippy' or was that the scrambler!? Looks like you're doing everything in the right order and practicing first. A trip to the reservoir is a good idea. I did a session in the Lake District before embarking on the ocean blue! Gives you a chance to try it all loaded up in calm waters before doing it in waves. No fun in losing tackle! Let us know how you get on. With a bit of luck you can be the first one to display a trout on this page!

[zebra]

scrambler at Pensarn

[basscatcher]

It was a great day and I am overjoyed with the thrill of kayaking.

Thanks for the emails and advice offered to me.

General question to all users - how can minor scrathces and patches be repaired (cosmetic only)? Do ocean kayak offer a free repair kit as I have seen somewhere? What can be used on them ie plastic padding. Can this be coloured yellow?

Just want to get my kayak all squeeky clean and tidy again.

Brown trout fishing on Rodeford is for stocked fish and there are some lovelly evening rises. The rangers there have said this would be possible and so I will give it a good try. Havent had my fly gear out for a couple of years so must be worth the effort.

[hursty]

Great set of photos mate , really enjoyed your write up , took me back a year ;D You'll get lots of battle scars on the yak and I know its difficult but just ignore them. You can fill them with a hot rod but its not worth the effort unless they compromise your safety.

[zebra]

hi ian
as hursty says just ignore them unles they compromise your safety .
but DONT use plastic padding. as plastic padding cures it gets very hot to hot for kayak plastic and would probably do more damage

[basscatcher]

I have filed down all corners on the cart supports and replaced the insulation pipe foam. I used two new lengths which where 3" oversized at each end. I then cut the bottom half of the section away on the overlap and used this as a flap to fold over and tape over the ends. It is all now wrapped up with Duct tape and now resembles a foam tube. Absolutley no hard or sharp ends and very resistant.

With Zeb's advice on cart positioning aswell I am happy no more damage can be done.

[The Image ™]

I really wouldn't get too pampering about it Ian or you'll spoil your enjoyment of it. It WILL get scratched, the moment you hit the shingle with a good bit of surf behind you or one of the other hundred things that'll happen. It may be shiny and new right now but if you intend to fish from it then it will definately get scratched....and soon!

[basscatcher]

Its my new baby - could never be happy with a few scratches.

Just thinking where I can get enough cotton wool to wrap it up in. ;D