Flathead Lake Wayfarer's Park

After 9 years, Mother Nature finally decided to deliver the good weather for the Flathead Lake Paddlefest. Five of the regional stores work together to put on this event to promote the fun of paddling at one of my favorite work spots on the circuit--Wayfarer's Park, Flathead Lake MT. Silvermoon Kayak Company, Whitefish Sea Kayaking, Rocky Mountain Outfitters, Sportsman Ski Haus and Glacier Sea Kayaking should all be complimented on playing nicely together on the same plot of sand. Unfortunately, the park restricted access as the park filled up. Talk about an external limitation! Shame on MT Dept Fish and Wildlife! There was plenty of parking all over the park still available and we were not overwhelmed on the beach.

Highlights:

1. Dubside came over from Seattle to share his passion and skills for Greenland Style Paddling.

2. Emotion's Grand Slam was a big hit with the aspiring kayak fisherman. My personal review of the boat to come soon.

3. No British enthused Romany/NDK paddlers chose to race their boats for $500 against the Fathom. Dang! I could have used the gas money!

4. I put together the Pak Boat 16 Canoe and paddled out into the 3 foot waves and wind. The boat handled perfectly.

5. I stayed an extra day to hang out in this great park and for once take some time to paddle and play some guitar at one of the cool spots I travel to.

A perfect day on the water

What a perfect day on the water. Paul and his wife Kathleen helped set up this custom day on the water with me and Eddyline Kayaks. We did a little learning but mostly we had fun. I really enjoy getting on the water with people who are all about fun first and product second. By this time of the season I can get a little road weary. Thanks to the gang in Portland for recharging my batteries! Hope that you can keep paddling part of your adventures this summer and into the future. Super Kudos to Kathleen for learning how to self rescue! I'm impressed!

What did we learn:

1. Wind management--how does that skeg work? What does wind do to our boat?

2. Edging and bracing-- now these boats aren't tippy, just RESPONSIVE!

3. Boat design 101--the tradeoffs. Matching the right boat size to the right motor (paddler) and how to ground your boat selection in reality--What are you going to do 90% of the time?

4. That good friends on the water is the most important thing! After all this is our leisure time...why take it too seriously!!!

Thanks Friends!

Non-Motorized Boat Day at Scott's Valley

Now this is a great idea! Wolf Creek Wilderness and I went down to Scott's Valley Lake (near Grass Valley CA) to put all the toys on the beach and have a day in the sun. I had a blast with the laid back atmosphere and lack of sales pressure. People were able to enjoy glass like conditions on the lake all day. I assembled my Pak Boat Puffin 12 and took it for a spin. It went together in about 20-30 minutes but I think the next time it will take 10-15 minutes. It was super comfy and actually paddled quite well. There is no reason why you can't have a boat in your car at all times with Pak Boat.

Thanks to the Boy Scouts who helped me load some of my gear...they have saved my back twice this year!

Wish everyday on the lake could be non-motorized!

Penguin Paddler's Repair Clinic

We had a great repair and care clinic at Penguin Paddlers last night. We showed gel coat repair on a composite boat and repaired a small fracture on a Carbonlite boat. Hopefully people were able to see how easy both repairs were and that the shiny light boats on the market can be repaired to like new condition with just a few basic materials. For the Carbonlite repair I had a few basic materials:

Devcon Plastic Welder (I find it at Walmart or any hardware store)
Fiberglass Tape (you can get this at west marine or Eddyline can send you some)
Krylon Fusion spray paint or hobby pigment
3M Marine Sealant 5200 (for sealing bulkheads or skegs)
Rubbing Alchohol
Dremel tool
Wet Sandpaper (various grits)
Masking Tape

We talked about:
Lexel--A flexible clear sealant that is easy to apply with a caulking gun.

Eddyline details the repairs of Carbonlite boats at their website
http://www.eddyline.com/eddyline-kayaks-care-and-repair.php

or you can come to my next repair and care clinic.

Remember, the best thing you can do to take care of your boat is cover it up when car topping or storing outside with a Danuu Canoe and Kayak Cover and/or 303 UV Protectant.

Thanks to everyone that attended and braved my caffinated presentation! A special thanks to Garth, Jasper and all the Penguin Paddler's staff for their continued excellence in paddlesports service! In the words of Borat: Great Success!

This post is intended to show how easy it is to fix thermoformed kayaks. Themoformed canoes have been used and repaired for whitewater canoeing for years. The ABS plastic gives strength to these canoes is the same way it does for Carbonlite Eddylines.

Penguin Paddlers Super Kayak Swap

I braved $4.50 diesel to drive down to Sacramento CA today to help with Penguin Paddlers yearly spring kayak and canoe swap in Rocklin CA. There are some great prices on boats and paddling equipment! There is a sweet Dagger Impulse for $200, PFDs at 20-30% off. High end boats from Eddyline, Valley, P&H, Wilderness Tempest. I've come across a bunch of used Eddylines that customers have brought in. Some of the prices are really fantastic. Some real gems. There is great energy today and I expect to be real busy tomorrow. Right now, Bamboo and I are sitting outside amongst the sea of boats and working away on the computer.

Check out Penguin's website at http://www.penguinpaddlers.com/ . We are at the Rocklin location. Tomorrow morning I'm going to go paddling with his club members. Tonight I'm going to feature repair and care of thermo-formed boats and then do a little parking lot camping to be here bright in early in the morning.

Another great way to kick off the paddling season! Give me a call at 503.572.3848 if you want me to look for something for you. I'll haul it anywhere from here to WA (for a little charge).