Boating 2021

[deadheadskier]

Who's boating this season? What type of vessel do you have and where do you boat?

This is our second season on Winnipesaukee with a 24' Cobalt that we call Captain Fantasy. We lucked into one of our marinas new Cabana slips last season. It was still under construction last year, but ready to go now.

Spent the weekend building a 12 x 16 deck to put a 12 x 12 Cabana on. Hopefully get it finished and the boat launched next weekend.

 

[Edd]

Since we’ve decided not to do any serious traveling yet, we’re trying out a boat club in the Newington area. We’ve paid a fee to join and there will be monthly fees as long as we’re in the club.

Should be interesting in that I’m such a boating novice and this’ll be ocean waters. I will report back on that.

 

[abc]

Boating, did you say?

Here’s a boat:

 

[Not Sure]

Boating, did you say?

Here’s a boat:

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The fine print " Only for use in areas with ROUND ROCKS "

 

[abc]

1 year satisfaction guarantee.

(though as a rule, tippy kayak and rocks - of ANY shape - don’t go together well, period!)

 

[deadheadskier]

Really cool kayak abc. I had no idea they made origami kayaks! Does it perform almost as well as a traditional kayak you would typically throw on the roof of your car?

 

[abc]

Really cool kayak abc. I had no idea they made origami kayaks! Does it perform almost as well as a traditional kayak you would typically throw on the roof of your car?

It's not easy for me to give a definitive answer. I own a regular hard shell "performance" kayak (that's a good 30% longer). The folding one can't compare.

But then, it's not fair to compare a 12' one to a 16' one. I've never owned a hard shell 12 footer, never even rented or borrowed one to test paddle. So I don't have a fair reference point to compare. (I also never paddled any other folding kayaks. So I can't say how it compare with those either.)

The company makes a 16 footer too. But I bought a shorter version for a bunch of reasons. Not least that I'm not planning to use it for expedition! I have a somewhat lower expectation for the 12 footer. So for my intended use, the folder performs better than expected!

I'm able to get back in after capsize (intentional). My partner was able to empty the kayak using a standard "X rescue" (albeit with some difficulty, though I think that would improve once I put one or two more float bag into it). So it pass my safety test.

There're some limitations. Its shell is very flexible. So instead of "cutting through" waves, it flexes and conforms. It feels different. But it doesn't seem to affect its speed or tracking. It keeps direction very well, even in strong wind. And when I need to change direction, it turns on a dime.

Also, I haven't tried to use it as a rescue platform. The flexible skin of the deck is a bit of a concern. Will probably put it through its course later in the season.

The outfitting is very different due to the folding nature. I'd say it could use some further refinements there.

In most aspect, it performs very much "like" a hard shell boat of the same dimension. All I can say is the folder performs as expected. Or I may go so far to say it exceeds my (albeit somewhat lower) expectation.

 

[deadheadskier]

Finished off the big stuff with our Cabana build today. All that's left is cosmetics and moving in. Boat got splashed yesterday. Should get our first ride in next weekend.

 

[deadheadskier]

Finished off the Cabana construction today. Just a few more furnishings to move in.

Most importantly we got our first ride in of the season on a beautiful 75 degree day on Winnipesaukee

 

[Edd]

For the boat club, I’ve been out 6 days, 3 of which I was instructed. The two last days, the wife and I went alone on the open ocean, and one trip included a full round trip tour through Portsmouth harbor, which I was nervous about.

But conditions were ideal for both days and I gained some confidence with handling power boats. I can’t believe what I’m permitted to do with so little experience but I’m cautious as hell.

 

[dblskifanatic]

For the boat club, I’ve been out 6 days, 3 of which I was instructed. The two last days, the wife and I went alone on the open ocean, and one trip included a full round trip tour through Portsmouth harbor, which I was nervous about.

But conditions were ideal for both days and I gained some confidence with handling power boats. I can’t believe what I’m permitted to do with so little experience but I’m cautious as hell.

Do you get nervous about rocks or currents? We thought about joining a boat club "Freedom Boating" in Boston area. Not knowing the bays very well seems taxing.

 

[Edd]

Do you get nervous about rocks or currents? We thought about joining a boat club "Freedom Boating" in Boston area. Not knowing the bays very well seems taxing.

Initially a bit nerve wracking. Gotta keep an eye on the GPS for depths and be aware of tides that day, and also have a proper map.

 

[dblskifanatic]

Initially a bit nerve wracking. Gotta keep an eye on the GPS for depths and be aware of tides that day, and also have a proper map.

That would be a lot to keep track of in the beginning. In Lake Winnipesaukee, I hit a rock with my boat and it sent me into a panic. Was constantly looking for rocks after that event. I had just a scratch but could have been worse. Rocks look like monsters under water and close to the surface.

 

[deadheadskier]

Winni can be tough to navigate for sure. Especially on the Moultonborough side. Some of the hazards are well marked, others not so much.

 

[dblskifanatic]

Winni can be tough to navigate for sure. Especially on the Moultonborough side. Some of the hazards are well marked, others not so much.

Especially when you are new to boating and at night and unexpected fog rolls in.

 

[Edd]

Especially when you are new to boating and at night and unexpected fog rolls in.

Ballsy to try at night when you’re new, I think. I wont dare to try that this season. I’m aiming for the perfect days and ready to bail if it looks iffy.

 

[dblskifanatic]

I

Ballsy to try at night when you’re new, I think. I wont dare to try that this season. I’m aiming for the perfect days and ready to bail if it looks iffy.

That is the right way to go. I learned a lot that night like the lit up markers have numbers that are on the map. Learned how to use my spotlight, learned to take my time and not panic. Lastly, marine patrol are your friends.

 

[Edd]

Winni can be tough to navigate for sure. Especially on the Moultonborough side. Some of the hazards are well marked, others not so much.

I don’t get why that’s permitted to be. It seems in nobody’s interest to leave an unmarked hazard, especially on a busy lake like that.

 

[dblskifanatic]

I don’t get why that’s permitted to be. It seems in nobody’s interest to leave an unmarked hazard, especially on a busy lake like that.

The area called Witches is a prefect example of an area that has confused and killed boaters

 

[deadheadskier]

I don’t get why that’s permitted to be. It seems in nobody’s interest to leave an unmarked hazard, especially on a busy lake like that.

The sheer quantity is tough to keep up with. But the major issue is the ice in the winter can move markers around. So the spring time you have to be particularly careful.