After years of considering such a big purchase I pulled the trigger. I went with the Perception Avatar 16. The boat is just shy of 16' long and about 22" or 22.5" wide. For such a big boat, I'm surprised at the weight and how easy it is to get on and off of the truck. I worked from home yesterday so I go in a pre and post work paddle.
Pomperaug River (AM paddle) - I launched from the beach in Southbury at 7 AM. The air temps were in the high 40s or low 50s and there was a light wind. The beach is less than 10 minutes from my house so this might be one of my regular places to paddle. My goal was to paddle for about 30 minutes to get the feel of the boat. I'm glad I planned on a short outing. I haven't been in a boat in over a year. The Pomperaug flows into the Housatonic which, from what I've heard, is much colder due to the depths. I paddled up stream for 20 minutes staying within 15 feet or so from the shore. There wasn't too much going on in terms of animal life. I did see some fish activity. I paddled back downstream in 10 minutes. There is something very soothing about being on the water so early in then morning. I felt comfortable in the boat. But being so new to the sport I don't think I can accurately comments on the mannerisms of the boat.
Long Meadow Pond (PM paddle) - Since I was lazy in the morning and didn't take the boat off of the truck I decided to give it another go. I dropped the boat in Long Meadow Pond in Middlebury at 4 PM. The air temps were in the low 60s and that slight breeze was still kicking around. This is where I need to practice. Since it is a pond I don't have to worry about currents or encountering power boats. I paddled with the wind to my back to start out. My stability was much better than the morning (I'm sure it was the water not my skill). The pond is pretty small and a proficient paddler should be able to do a lap in 1.5 hrs. There were a few locals getting their lines wet. What I did notice was tons and tons of lilly pads and a few yellow buds. This should be a pretty place to paddle once those flowers bloom. When I turned and headed back to my launch site I was paddling into a head wind. I pointed my boat into the really mini waves. I found it easier paddling into the head wind. I don't know if I found some kind of rhythm or what.
I'm hoping to get back down to Long Meadow after work tonight. I plan on bringing a camera next time out. I was a little nervous to take a camera on my first few paddles. Its a back up camera but I need it for ski season.
Pomperaug River (AM paddle) - I launched from the beach in Southbury at 7 AM. The air temps were in the high 40s or low 50s and there was a light wind. The beach is less than 10 minutes from my house so this might be one of my regular places to paddle. My goal was to paddle for about 30 minutes to get the feel of the boat. I'm glad I planned on a short outing. I haven't been in a boat in over a year. The Pomperaug flows into the Housatonic which, from what I've heard, is much colder due to the depths. I paddled up stream for 20 minutes staying within 15 feet or so from the shore. There wasn't too much going on in terms of animal life. I did see some fish activity. I paddled back downstream in 10 minutes. There is something very soothing about being on the water so early in then morning. I felt comfortable in the boat. But being so new to the sport I don't think I can accurately comments on the mannerisms of the boat.
Long Meadow Pond (PM paddle) - Since I was lazy in the morning and didn't take the boat off of the truck I decided to give it another go. I dropped the boat in Long Meadow Pond in Middlebury at 4 PM. The air temps were in the low 60s and that slight breeze was still kicking around. This is where I need to practice. Since it is a pond I don't have to worry about currents or encountering power boats. I paddled with the wind to my back to start out. My stability was much better than the morning (I'm sure it was the water not my skill). The pond is pretty small and a proficient paddler should be able to do a lap in 1.5 hrs. There were a few locals getting their lines wet. What I did notice was tons and tons of lilly pads and a few yellow buds. This should be a pretty place to paddle once those flowers bloom. When I turned and headed back to my launch site I was paddling into a head wind. I pointed my boat into the really mini waves. I found it easier paddling into the head wind. I don't know if I found some kind of rhythm or what.
I'm hoping to get back down to Long Meadow after work tonight. I plan on bringing a camera next time out. I was a little nervous to take a camera on my first few paddles. Its a back up camera but I need it for ski season.
