Skeg or rudder?

I made a few trips with the Skarabee. I have already praised it's maneuverability which makes the long boat feel a lot shorter. However, this is without using the skeg. When you lower the skeg a bit, the boat feels completely different: it does not want to turn anymore, even on edge. Of course this is explainable as the skeg prevents the tail to slip sidewards and the skeg remains under water on edge. This is actually the purpose of a skeg, so it is not a failure but a design feature. But it is a pity to sacrify so much maneuverabililty when using it. With the Baidarka I never experienced such a difference. But with the Skarabee there is a huge difference in maneuverablility. I am now trying to remember how this was with the Orion, it should be about the same as this is also an easy to turn boat. But somehow it didn't bother me at the time.

That makes me wonder how to use the skeg in a surf: normally you put down the skeg when going downwind. It prevents the boat to break out and that is a good thing if you want to make long surfs. However, when it starts to break out it will be hard to correct because of the same skeg. On the other hand, when you don't use the skeg in a surf the boat definitely want to break out earlier but it would be easier to correct. May be because of the good maneuverability of the Skarabee this could work. Definitely more fun also. Something to test the coming months when there are enough waves to surf.

Now I realize the real benefit of a rudder: with a rudder you always keep maximum maneuverability. Especially in a surf this would be perfect. And it makes me think there are two types of sea kayaks: 'skeg boats' and 'rudder boats'. The Baidarka is a good example of a typical 'skeg boat': the vario skeg just varies the built in 'skeg' in the already well tracking hull. You use the skeg to fine tune the balance of the boat. There is not much difference in maneuverability with or without skeg (both are bad).

On the other hand a typical 'rudder boat' would be much more maneuverable. A skeg would spoil this, so a rudder is the better option. Because of the rudder it is not needed anymore to make the hull track well and it can be optimized for speed and/or maneuverability. Such a boat is the Tiderace Pace 17 Tour. One of the kayaks on my wish list...

May be the Skarabee would be also a good candidate for a rudder. At least, it is an option if you order a new one at MSC. Another thing to think about because a rudder has also some drawbacks.

NDK Explorer last trip

Last sunday we made a long trip and I enjoyed it very much. We paddled fast with periods above 8 km/h and the Explorer proved to be a fast boat again, so far so good. However after a few hours I noticed I had trouble placing my feet, the room seems just a bit too small for a comfortable position. And the tight fit under the knee braces seems to create a bit of tension in my legs. May be the HV version would have been a better fit for me? That evening it made me think and slowly it became clear what was bothering me the last weeks:

It was the memory of the Skarabee: it's seating position, it's stability and it's manouverability: all much better than the Explorer. And the Skarabee is at least as fast. The Explorer is certainly a good boat but after the Orion and Skarabee it seems to be a step back in some way. Despite it's stunning looks, it's speed and good reputation I never felt 'connected' to the Explorer. I was clearly infected by the Skarabee...

Then things went quick: the next day I sold the Explorer already to a club member and the next day I bought the Skarabee and I picked it up a day later...

A long car for a long boat

Euro vs Greenland paddle

After the somewhat disappointing first experience against 6Bft in the Explorer, I had some doubts on the Greenland Paddle (GP) I then used. Ok, the main problem was of course the wrong adjustment of the footrests, but did the GP had also a contribution to it? I believed it did.

So, I picked a good Euro paddle (EP) that I could adjust to 0 degrees blade twist: an Epic Active Touring. I started using it during a few trips with Strava as GPS tracker. I had already used Strava sometimes with the Orion with GP. The results then show an average of 7.0 km/h. This is a "fast cruising speed": a speed you can hold for an hour or so, no sprinting. Yes, it is not very scientific indeed.

The Explorer and Epic taking their rest

The first results with the Explorer and the EP show a mighty 8.0 km/h. Wow, that's a huge improvement! But... is it the paddle, or the boat, or the person? Difficult to say and what a pity I didn't make records with the Orion with an EP.

So, to collect more information I made today a trip with the Explorer, but now with the GP. Actually I expected the GP would be a bit slower, or may be I hoped so. However, after examining the logs I came on an ample 8,0 km/h... just as fast as with the EP... So, it must be the boat then? Is the Explorer 1 km/h faster than the Orion?... Well, it could be.

Of course I have to record much more trips in the future to get some more measurements for a better foundation. But on this moment I really cannot blame the GP for anything...

Explorer with GP in action

NDK Explorer arrival

The Skarabee has changed my opinion on how much money is reasonable for a used kayak. Until now I've only spend a few hundred Euro for an old British sea kayak. It is a sport to get such high quality boats for so little money. But you have to consider these boats are quite old now, in need for some repairs, have small hatch lids and they lack a day hatch. Besides, the design of sea kayaks has developed further.

So, when I encountered a used Nigel Dennis Explorer on the internet I started thinking... It is a well known and praised design with good performance and well balanced characteristics. It certainly is a good allround sea kayak and should be better than the Orion. You can still buy it new for a huge amount of money and this one was for sale for about half of it. Still not cheap but it seems in a very good state, almost new. So.... I went for a look.... and took her home.

My new acquisition ready for going home

This boat has made only a few trips, the owner got a back injury, and since then it had been resting in a garage. The fit was good, with thight knee support. And to my surprise I was able to use the keyhole cockpit properly: sit first and legs later. I was very happy with it: finally a modern sea kayak and not a low-budget boat. Happily, I could sell the Orion quick (but cheap) the same weekend.

P&H Orion

The Orion was some of the last designs from Derek Hutchinson for P&H. It is clearly a descendant of the older IceFloe and Fjord designs. Reading many positive reviews on the internet I got the feeling this boat is a bit underrated here in Holland. May be the large beam makes people think this is a slow and heavy boat for fat people.

The Orion has a high but not very buyant bow

On the contrary, the Orion appears to be a very vivid boat. Very manouverable. Reacts very quick on edging. Of course this is a benefit of the wide beam in the middle. On speed it tracks well and in rest you can turn it on a dime. The stability is much better and the boat feels very confident. Despite it's width it rolls easily. Well, it must be slow then? Actually, the Orion seems a bit faster to me then the Dawn Treader Odin. May be because of the simple hull design. With no integral skegs, it looks much more like a surfski than the complex hull shape of the Dawn Treader with it's deep V and sharp ends.

Simple shaped bottom

Are there no drawbacks? Well, I noticed the Orion tracks less convincing in following seas. The tail is sometimes pushed aside even with the skeg down. It is easy to correct though as the boat is very maneuverable but the Dawn Treader Odin does this better. Also the bow is not that buyant, I get much more spray into my face. And while surfing, a large part of the bow burries itself into the wave. Even with small waves. Not very assuring.

The non original foam seat with integral side pads

The seating position is much better even with (or because?) the non-original foam seat. The deck is lower which is a good thing for a tight fit but there is less room for my feet. I get the impression the overall volume is not that large as many people think. With my 95 kg the boat is lying already enough deep in the water. No need for ballast. The front compartment looks smaller than the Dawn Treader Odin. The aft compartment looks longer and wider. As you can see the Orion has also no hatch behind the cockpit. This still has to be added.

Overall, I am happy with the Orion. It seems to be a better allround kayak for me at the moment. If you compare it to the Dawn Treader Odin it is much more fun to paddle and a better platform to develop skills and technique on. However I didn't paddle it yet under more demanding circumstances so my opinion may change. I am especially curious to it's behaviour in a big surf...

P&H Dawn Treader Odin evaluation

After the very nice week at Vlieland it was clear that I want to continue sea kayaking.
I was thinking on next steps to take.

The Dawn Treader Odin did a good job as a low budget boat but it would need some serious work to upgrade it to a higher level of safety: foot pump, extra hatch behind the seat for easy emptying, compass. The question is: do I like the boat that much that I would like to do these investments? The answer is no, there are a few points that bother me:

First the stability. Why not change to a more stable boat? There are many good allround boats today that are more stable without sacrifying speed and seakeeping capabilities. Would it not be smarter to get an easier boat? You might say that you can get used to the stability during time but I doubt if I will reach the point that I can eat my sandwich in the waves without using my paddle.

Secondly the fit. The larger cockpit proved to be a loose fit. While upside down I literally fall out the cockpit or it takes a lot of effort to clamp myself in the boat. May be the fit could be improved by adding larger knee braces to the cockpit rim but that will make entry more difficult. A smaller ocean going cockpit seems a solution that is a lot easier. Or a larger keyhole cockpit where I can put my legs in while seated.

Anyway, I had made up my mind and decided to look for another boat. In any case the fit and the initial stability must be better. It didn't take long to find a boat that matches these requirements: an old P&H Orion. With it's ample width the stability must be great and the small cockpit gives a much better fit. The boat had some (ugly) repairs and a foam seat but the bottom was almost without scratches. It was cheap, so I bought it.

Goodbye Dawn Treader Odin

It took some time to sell the Dawn Treader, even for a low price. It is not a popular boat and it wasn't the right season. Finally it founds it's way to someone who is hopefully happy with it.