Update - I’m on the water @ Lake LBJ. No one is on the lake today, absolute glass conditions. Took the Bawbary Corsair for a quick spin before unloading the rest of my car. I’m actually shocked by how fast I’m able to move and how easily I can turn in it.

Planning on practicing my rolling later this afternoon and doing short stints across the lake and back. Rest of the week gonna actually go further distances / up the Colorado and Llano.

Snagged a complete (shaft and blades) carbon fiber, feathered / adjustable paddle, 228 cm from Academy for only $120. Supposedly a little big (8cm) for my kayak width and my height based on my research, but I didn’t have any issues with it when I used it briefly. Got a leash, a manual bilge pump, and water whistle too. Still waiting on my PFD and VHF from Amazon but shouldn’t be an issue for the lake. Next purchases gonna be a lightweight tent, solar charger, and a couple waterproof bags.

Here are some quick pictures, will have lots more soon!

This post was edited on 8/31/21 at 2:23 pm

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Posted by AustinAggie

Behind Enemy Lines

Member since Jul 2021

1466 posts

Posted on 8/31/21 at 4:45 pm to AustinAggie

Initial thoughts after another solid paddle -

My hatches / bulkheads seem to be well sealed and in good condition, I flipped my kayak multiple times on purpose, splashed it with water over and over, and filled the middle sitting compartment with water and didn’t get a drop in the front or back hatch. Obviously coastal conditions will be different and more challenging but I’m happy there is no significant issue.

I tried rolling. Pretty difficult.

Managed it successfully only once out of around ten attempts. I think not having a neoprene skirt for my middle compartment is making it slightly more difficult than it should be. Getting one soon.

Also tried entering from the water without cowboying the front / using a special technique. Also difficult. Same success rate roughly, muscled my way in only once - flipped every other attempt.

Gonna watch some YouTube videos and get proper technique down and give it another go when the sun is lower. “Feels like” is 105 degrees right now and the water might as well be a warm bath.

This post was edited on 8/31/21 at 4:48 pm

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Posted by thegreatboudini