Thoughts about the Zegul 550

After last summer in which I have used the Nigel Foster Shadow a lot, I took the Zegul 550 on a few trips lately. The last trip was a crossing of the lake IJsselmeer from Trintelhaven to Urk and back. We made this trip with 3 men. Soon, the wind developed to a 4 Bft with gusts to 5. Nice circumstances to get a better impression of the Zegul 550.

departure at Trintelhaven

The pointed bow of the Zegul likes to point into a steep wave instead of going over it. This gives a wet ride but doesn't seem to slow down the boat too much. Also when surfing this happens. Despite it's length the Zegul surfs quite well. That is, it is quite easy to get it in a surf, controlling it is much more difficult as the boat is very eager to break out.

on the beach at Urk

The long waterline makes the Zegul difficult to turn. Edging does work a little but you feel that you have to turn a long boat. Turning on top of a wave is always a good idea but 'within' the waves the sharp stem and stern lock themselves in the water. That could be an advantage like it is with a Baidarka: just going straight no matter what. But not the Zegul: the stem and stern are easily pushed away by the waves. In a three quarter or following sea I couldn't control the boat very well without using the vario skeg. It just wants to break out. You really need the skeg and if for any reason the skeg wouldn't work you would have a hard time then. 

To make matters worse the stem is also pushed aside very easily by the wind and waves resulting in bad pointing against the wind. I have managed up to bft 5 now but this would probably develop to a severe problem in stronger winds. 

Lighthouse Urk

Because of the high and narrow cockpit in front of the seat, the boat contact is not as good as other boats like the Shadow or even the Baidarka. For use as a sea kayak some extra padding for the thighs/knees would be a good idea. This would also help for rolling. Otherwise, this cockpit shape fascilitates a racy way to paddle with both knees together. I am not used to that but may be I can.

on the beach at Urk

Stability was never a problem for me. The initial stability is clearly better than the Shadow or Baidarka. The Zegul feels quite safe also in the waves.

What really is quite impressing is the speed. The Zegul 550 is certainly my fastest sea kayak that I have owned until now. Especially when using the Kinetic Wing paddle it is easy to leave all other group members behind you.

My current impression of the Zegul 550 is that it is mainly a fast sea kayak. Good for training and fast expeditions but on relative flat waters. It would have been perfect for the last circumnavigation of Flevoland e.g. For wild water and sea I would prefer other boats like the Shadow or Baidarka. These boats do sacrifice some speed but are far more comfortable and manageable under rougher circumstances.

Lendal Kinetic Wing revisited

The Kinetic Wing did a good job during the circumnavigation of Flevoland giving me more power than the Greenland paddle with the same forward stroke technique. It has become my main paddle but there are some minor issues that I wanted to be solved: increasing the shaft diameter and removal of the oval shaped grip for the right hand. Both lead to a bit cramped position of the fingers. The shaft diameter is only 29 mm, except for both ends having 30 mm. 

the right hand oval grip

I ordered a thin walled carbon tube with inner size 29 and outer size 30 mm. So it could be sleeved around the thinner part of the shaft. It's length is 1000 mm and that will increase the paddle length a few centimeters up to 227,5 cm. Quite nice. Due to it's thin wall it will not increase the weight of the paddle too much. The tube is already lacquered for UV-protection and has a smooth surface.

the new carbon tube in between both halves

it is a thin walled tube

First, both hand grips needs to be removed. They were quite easily stripped off after a small incision. The plastic insert that makes the oval grip is also easily taken off.

stripping the old sleeves

the stripped off parts

The new tube in place over the shaft until it reaches the thicker ends:

all 30 mm now

very nice

No glue has been applied yet. The seems are sealed with tape to prevent for incoming water and rotating of the blades. In this way it is possible to disassemble it.

finishing tape

Update: the sealing with tape did not prevent the blades rotating a bit. I have glued all parts now with epoxy.

Circumnavigation of Flevoland in three days

This circumnavigation of Flevoland has been planned for next Saturday, Sunday and Monday. With about 50 kms a day this will be a though trip. We will paddle clockwise around the isle with some Aquavite club members.

Flevoland

My plan is to use the Zegul 550 as this is a fast boat with sufficient storage for a few days. I will take my large GP but want to use the Lendal Kinetic Wing most of the time.

Update: Unfortunately the Zegul had a leaking hatch rim. Repair did not work out well before the trip. After some deliberation I decided to take the Shadow for the circumnavigation. At least the Shadow has enough storage space and it seats comfortable. The Inua would have been a good candidate too when the bulkhead is moved.

Floating rest at Pampus haven

We started with five men from Almere Haven. At our first rest on land at De Blocq van Kuffeler two members decided to return via the inland route. They couldn't keep up with the high speed, and they were right as we paddled around 8 km/h. It was no problem for me probably because of the Kinetic Wing paddle that seems to give extra power. So we continued to Lelystad with three men.

Bataviawerf at Lelystad

First campsite near Lelystad

After camping at a nice beach with good weather we continued the second day to the Ketelmeer. Unfortunately the forcasted tailwind appeared to be a headwind, making the leg to the Ketelbrug long and boring.

Passed the Ketelbrug

The Ketelmeer didn't give us any excitement and without any waves we entered the Randmeren. It had become quite warm and windless making it a though and long day. That day we paddled a distance of 55 km and we were all tired. Happily our camping site on Pierland isle was a nice place to stay.

Second campsite at dawn

The third day we started early and we paddled quiet on a quiet lake. After two breaks we arrived soon at Almere Haven, our starting point.

Break at Nuldernauw

During the trip the Lendal Kinetic Wing has proved to be a powerful paddle. When I switched back to the Greenland paddle I had more problems to maintain the high speed. The only thing is that the shaft is a bit too thin. I am thinking of methods to increase the shaft diameter in a nice way.

The Nigel Foster Shadow has proved to be fast enough to keep up with the high speeds. However these kind of expeditions would be very interesting to make with the Zegul 550 or Inua.

Lendal Kinetic Wing paddle

The Lendal Kinetic Wing paddle has always intrigued me. It's blade shape is somewhere in between a Euro and a Wing paddle. It seems to me an interesting paddle to use with the 'wing paddle style' forward stroke, similar to how you can use the Greenland paddle. The Kinetic Wing is not in production anymore and are hard to find now. When I got the opportunity to buy a Kinetic Wing paddle from a club member I bought it. So here it is, next to my largest GP:

I have used it on one trip with the Zegul 550. The first strokes felt very unconvenient as the blades went all over the place: sidewards and under the boat. But after some time everything settled down nicely. The blades move easily sidewards as expected, more easy than with the GP. When paddling against a Bft 4 wind the blades created a firm grip in the water while moving sidewards. I think this is a good paddle to use it in the same way as I use the GP. May be it can give a bit more power and speed.