The Shadow in full wind

My first plan today was to make a trip with the Skarabee to try the sail with more wind. But as the wind appeared a hefty 5 - 6 Bft I thought it was safer to postpone my sailing ambitions for a while. So I took the Shadow for a classic, bouncy trip.

The trip to isle Hooft took long while working against the wind. I used my power blade greenland paddle the whole trip and had the smaller one as a backup on deck. I felt no need to change paddles against the wind. During the trip I realized I had become quite familiar now with the Shadow. It is very comfortable due to it's new seat and I can lay back on the aft deck because of the better backrest. The problem I first had with the initial stability has dissappeared totally, partly because of the lower seat. The Shadow is now my number one sea kayak and would be my choice to take to Vlieland in the summer.

There were a few moments now that I found the boat was leecocking. Especially in a quartering incoming wind there were manual corrections necessary that you wouldn't expect with a well trimmed boat. In comparison: with the Baidarka I would even put the skeg a little down in this wind as it still wants to weathercock a little.

Rest at isle Hooft

Also on the way back the trim could be better. As earlier stated I have the idea the skeg is too small. Even with the skeg fully down, the boat luffs to a quartering course before the wind. When surfing the waves today it needed many corrections to prevent broaching. Well, these were steep and short waves, on sea they would be longer and probably easier. But despite of all this, it was a quick and nice ride again. It still amazes me how fast the Shadow can ride down the waves.

Some weeks ago after doing some wet exercises there was a lot of water in the day hatch. Today I filled the day hatch with the fire hose to check for leaks. These appeared to be in the upper left and right corners of the bulkhead. Happily not the places I have adapted with the removal of the backrest bulb. But very unconvenient of course. Just as the leaks in the cockpit rim this make me doubt about the build quality. Made in Middelburg, The Netherlands, I can't be very proud on this product made in my own country. When the Legend is ready I can work on the Shadow again...

First sailing experience

Last evening we went with our club for a trip on the lake Gooimeer. There were two kayak sailors, me and Leen with a Flat Earth sail. We decided to go with the main group so we could sail on our way back as the first part was against the wind. We didn't sail but I did try to hoist the sail but it fell sidewards. Strange.

At our rest on isle Huizerhoef I discovered it was the sheet that was still clamped preventing the mast to raise fully up. After this 'fix' and after the rest we took off and started sailing. Unfortunately the wind had decreased a bit but I could still make progress on sail alone. I had to make a few strokes now and then to match the speed of the other group members. So, this was an ideal first sailing trip, very quiet and safe.

I did try some different courses and was able to sail even by the wind. Very promising! It seems that the Falcon sail is indeed a better sailer than the Flat Earth sail, at least in these light winds.

Besides the problem with raising the mast there was another problem when lowering the mast. When the mast and sail comes down it is almost unreachable to grab them for tying down. I think I will make a longer line on the end of the boom. This line functions also as outrigger for the sail. And a wind vane on top of the sail would also be nice.

The Falcon sail has arrived

Finally, after almost three months, the Falcon sail arrived from the USA. EU customs must have delayed it, may be because of Covid-19. Yesterday I unpacked the box and admired all hi-tech stuff: the crispy sail, the carbon mast and boom and all stainless steel attributes. It took some time to install everything but today the Skarabee is ready for sailing:

the sail stands

The high quality of the materials was one reason to buy a Falcon sail and not a Flat Earth sail. The latter being the more 'common' sea kayak sail on the moment. The other reason is that the Falcon sail enables better sailing performance. However, at the cost of a higher heeling moment and a more complex trim, the Flat Earth sail is more forgiving. When I ordered the Falcon sail three months ago I thought it would be a good fit for the Skarabee with it's ample stability.

fore stay and boom vang cleats

sheet cleat and tie down loops

When working on the Skarabee I changed decklines and some shock cords too. 

ready for sailing

Tomorrow evening I will take her to the club for her first sail.