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...