- on/off for 5 years on a sit-on top ( doubles and singles ), with/without leg straps, usually solo, to deserted islands in the southern part of Palau and so far, I've lived to tell about it, but I don't usually say anything 'cause people are just too jealous or amazed.
- others describe me a a survivor - I just like going where others dare ( I like the feeling of freedom ), and to get away from the crowds
-170cm/67Kg/47 years old and in pretty good shape
Today's conditions:
- southern coast of S. Korea (Namhae Island )
- Goretex dry suit with 7mm booties, cotton balaclava, neoprene gloves, winter toque, hiking socks ( synthetic ), synthetic ( fleece ) long johns, T+synthetic long-sleaved hiking shirt+fleece pull-over
- 10-12C
- some head winds ( around 10Kph or so - maybe a tad more )
- some swells, a couple whitecaps
- average continuous waves encountered ( during winds ): 50cm - but this was only for perhaps 15-20% of the trip - 11KM and change, in around 5 hours
- it was a great trip and I felt completely invigorated afterward
- next time I take a spare pair of socks, they were soaked, but the rest of me was all but perfect
Impressions:
- best investment I've made since the financial meltdown
- fast, relatively easy to carry from A to B
- will pass the weight restrictions on flights
- is fast enough for me ( I paddle for mental focus - consistency is my aim ), and frankly, on par with the single sit-on tops I"ve used.
- stable, very stable; you should be taking medz if you manage to tip one of these/fall out
- easy to get in and out of water
- easy ingress/egress
- it's stiff enough for good tracking - it'd be interesting to see how the backbone affects this, but like I say, it's good enough as is
- comes apart easily enough ( I like to take things apart to see how they work and to examine workmanship )
- the front end is a bit twitchy, but if you put in a 4 liter jug of water in the front, no problem or just pace yourself better
- to keep water from coming in through the front zipper I kept my knees wedged up against the cowling, but my right foot got a little cramped after a couple hours. This problem is well documented and can easily be remedied with a PVC truss. Of course I say if you've got the time and the money to be doing this, you should just grin and bear it ( and get the dry suit ).
- any wind over 20 Kph and your looking for trouble; this is only conjecture as I figure at these speeds you're getting continuous whitecaps and that wouldn't be too much fun.
- the spray cover is a functional necessity ( if you're picky about water in the unit, don't have appropriate dry bags for storage, or in cold water conditions where you don't have the appropriate gear ), but should have Velcro on the combing and unit for fastening as opposed to a draw string
All the above are fairly well discussed, but:
- the pockets for housing the plastic inserts in the front and rear ( inside ) are too flimsy; I would strongly urge sewn ( for strength should I wish to add some 'custom' inserts for increased rigidity ) elasticized mesh "pockets" ( for drainage )
If you've got the time, buy one, but you MUST have the time; otherwise rent one and don't keep track of how much you spend as you'll eventually discover you could've bought one.
I also know for a fact that these puppies will do things for your less than ideal body shape in no time, not to mention the focus it'll add to your life.
Safe passage all.
