Took myself off out again on Monday to try and catch a breeze in my canoe.
Not much when I arrived!
But I loaded up the boat and set off into the lake
It's actually quite difficult to describe the feeling of paddling in conditions like this but I find it unquestionably relaxing
I took myself up the small river that feeds the lake, blissfully peaceful.
I got a fair way upstream then decided to turn back and get something to eat
I emerged back onto the lake and spotted a couple of boats on the bankside, one of which turned out to be a beautiful McNulty Boats "Beaver" cedar strip canoe
A breeze sprang up, so I decided to rig my sail and see what I could do.
I caught the wind and in no time was over to the Glenridding boat hire place, where I decided to have my dinner on the "beach"
After my lunch, I set off back up the lake and was lucky to have a nice breeze pushing me along at a fair old lick but after about 15mins it died back to flat calm again, so I furled the sail and just paddled gently along
The weather started looking a bit iffy and a few rain drops started pocking the water, so I rigged the sail again ready for the breeze I suspected was on its way.
It arrived about 10 mins later and I was off like leaf, I've no idea what speed I was doing but I couldn't operate the camera for trimming the sail and steering, while concentrating on keeping the boat from heeling over too far. Tricky, as you have to lean the other way to counter balance the tipping effect of the sail and if you're leaning too far when the wind dies off, over you go!
Anyway I took a few bits of video of the tame bits of sailing that I'll post up once I've trimmed the ends off!
That's it for now, I'll be going back again as soon as I can, weather and work permitting.
Steve
Not much when I arrived!
But I loaded up the boat and set off into the lake
It's actually quite difficult to describe the feeling of paddling in conditions like this but I find it unquestionably relaxing
I took myself up the small river that feeds the lake, blissfully peaceful.
I got a fair way upstream then decided to turn back and get something to eat
I emerged back onto the lake and spotted a couple of boats on the bankside, one of which turned out to be a beautiful McNulty Boats "Beaver" cedar strip canoe
A breeze sprang up, so I decided to rig my sail and see what I could do.
I caught the wind and in no time was over to the Glenridding boat hire place, where I decided to have my dinner on the "beach"
After my lunch, I set off back up the lake and was lucky to have a nice breeze pushing me along at a fair old lick but after about 15mins it died back to flat calm again, so I furled the sail and just paddled gently along
The weather started looking a bit iffy and a few rain drops started pocking the water, so I rigged the sail again ready for the breeze I suspected was on its way.
It arrived about 10 mins later and I was off like leaf, I've no idea what speed I was doing but I couldn't operate the camera for trimming the sail and steering, while concentrating on keeping the boat from heeling over too far. Tricky, as you have to lean the other way to counter balance the tipping effect of the sail and if you're leaning too far when the wind dies off, over you go!
Anyway I took a few bits of video of the tame bits of sailing that I'll post up once I've trimmed the ends off!
That's it for now, I'll be going back again as soon as I can, weather and work permitting.
Steve
