kaskazi marlin offshore
Posted: 09 Jun 2015, 22:53
I've managed to get the marlin offshore now, so doing a write up to add to the database:
Location: Warrnambool and port fairy
Conditions: 2.5m swell with a little bit of chop on top
- also take into account that I have only minimal experience offshore at this stage
This yak was a bit unnerving to be out in at first, with it's lack of primary stability, but I soon learned that the secondary stability is amazing and it won't tip past a certain point (at least it hasn't yet ). The swell was not a problem with the marlin, it's design allowed me to easily power up the front of the swell and it raced off down the backside of the it (picking up to 10km/h with minimal effort (almost like catching runners)). This enabled me to paddle a lot further than I would have otherwise been capable of. When paddling side on to the swell the secondary stability was a god send, enabling me to comfortably rock into the swell and keep balanced at all times. In the chop the nose would dive occasionally, but I had full confidence that it would always come true, and it did, with no deviation or loss of momentum. Coming over the top of swells the marlin stayed true to it's course every time. This kayak could no doubt handle these conditions and worse (currently the limiting factor is the inexperienced kayaker).
The seat is extremely low, a guaranteed wet ride, and on both occasions I was sitting in a bucket of water for most of the time. The low seat does however lock your thighs in and give you more control, add that to the hull shape's design enabling you to turn by leaning one way or another and you feel like you have a lot of control in this yak.
Also due to the incredible secondary stability re-entries are easy and sitting side saddle is also surprisingly easy given how low the seat is.
I highly recommend a seat pad of some sort though, I hadn't had time to get one and after nearly 15kms of paddling out from port fairy I was paying the price.
Verdict:
As an offshore kayak, this thing is in it's element. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an offshore yak as it is defiantly an advantage being able to cut efficiently and track true through the swell and chop. I would also recommend that anyone moving to a glass yak like this one from a plastic yak take the time to get to know it and get use to it, otherwise it will be very unnerving. Once you start to get you to it you will really appreciate the difference.
Location: Warrnambool and port fairy
Conditions: 2.5m swell with a little bit of chop on top
- also take into account that I have only minimal experience offshore at this stage
This yak was a bit unnerving to be out in at first, with it's lack of primary stability, but I soon learned that the secondary stability is amazing and it won't tip past a certain point (at least it hasn't yet ). The swell was not a problem with the marlin, it's design allowed me to easily power up the front of the swell and it raced off down the backside of the it (picking up to 10km/h with minimal effort (almost like catching runners)). This enabled me to paddle a lot further than I would have otherwise been capable of. When paddling side on to the swell the secondary stability was a god send, enabling me to comfortably rock into the swell and keep balanced at all times. In the chop the nose would dive occasionally, but I had full confidence that it would always come true, and it did, with no deviation or loss of momentum. Coming over the top of swells the marlin stayed true to it's course every time. This kayak could no doubt handle these conditions and worse (currently the limiting factor is the inexperienced kayaker).
The seat is extremely low, a guaranteed wet ride, and on both occasions I was sitting in a bucket of water for most of the time. The low seat does however lock your thighs in and give you more control, add that to the hull shape's design enabling you to turn by leaning one way or another and you feel like you have a lot of control in this yak.
Also due to the incredible secondary stability re-entries are easy and sitting side saddle is also surprisingly easy given how low the seat is.
I highly recommend a seat pad of some sort though, I hadn't had time to get one and after nearly 15kms of paddling out from port fairy I was paying the price.
Verdict:
As an offshore kayak, this thing is in it's element. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an offshore yak as it is defiantly an advantage being able to cut efficiently and track true through the swell and chop. I would also recommend that anyone moving to a glass yak like this one from a plastic yak take the time to get to know it and get use to it, otherwise it will be very unnerving. Once you start to get you to it you will really appreciate the difference.