Maiden voyage of the new Esquif P15 yesterday. Unfortunately, I forgot my cell phone so no photos. It was also Bogan’s first trip post surgery. He was happy to get on the water. The p15 has lots of room for him to stretch, and he laid across the hull (side to side) on his yoga mat. He settled in for a comfy ride. I could fish all day from this platform, although I don’t fish in Ohio waters.
I carried the canoe down the trail towards the rocky beach from which I usually launch, but downed timber made it a fruitless trek, so I turned around and carried back to the boat ramp for put in. The carry was fine with the 63# hunk of plastic, not difficult once I got under the yoke.
I took two paddles along, my ZRE Whitewater and a Badger Ottertail, the handle newly wrapped to better fit my still stiff post-surgical hand. The shaft of this paddle is very thin, and the wrap was absolutely the way to go.
I soon learned the bent ZRE was too short for this canoe, at least that's the case for paddling backwards from the bow seat. I’ll try it again when I go tandem with my bride from the stern. Since the water is high and winds were light, I stuck with the Ottertail in the normally shallow backwater. Another benefit of the high water is the lack of visible froth and scum on the surface. I should have brought the BB Explorer I used with my Nova Craft P15 on Wisconsin rivers. I also did not bring a double blade. Next time.
I used 3 gallons of lake water in the front to trim the load, and I probably need 2 more gallons in this configuration, judging by the waterline stain on the hull.
With drift wood all over the ramp and a steady line of people launching fishing boats, I didn’t have good opportunity to experiment with loads and paddling positions. Next time I’ll pay the fee and use the sand beach on the other side of the lake so I can play with loads, paddles and positions.
My first impression is this boat craves a current. Moving and sustaining pace on flat water while soloing is more challenging with the Esquif, once I get the paddles sorted out, I’ll drop her in the little Miami river, where I’m sure she hull will shine.
As far as the weight goes, getting it up on my shoulders and on the roof rack are the big challenges. I can still exercise my right shoulder so my plan is to get that side stronger, let it do most of the lifting.
I carried the canoe down the trail towards the rocky beach from which I usually launch, but downed timber made it a fruitless trek, so I turned around and carried back to the boat ramp for put in. The carry was fine with the 63# hunk of plastic, not difficult once I got under the yoke.
I took two paddles along, my ZRE Whitewater and a Badger Ottertail, the handle newly wrapped to better fit my still stiff post-surgical hand. The shaft of this paddle is very thin, and the wrap was absolutely the way to go.
I soon learned the bent ZRE was too short for this canoe, at least that's the case for paddling backwards from the bow seat. I’ll try it again when I go tandem with my bride from the stern. Since the water is high and winds were light, I stuck with the Ottertail in the normally shallow backwater. Another benefit of the high water is the lack of visible froth and scum on the surface. I should have brought the BB Explorer I used with my Nova Craft P15 on Wisconsin rivers. I also did not bring a double blade. Next time.
I used 3 gallons of lake water in the front to trim the load, and I probably need 2 more gallons in this configuration, judging by the waterline stain on the hull.
With drift wood all over the ramp and a steady line of people launching fishing boats, I didn’t have good opportunity to experiment with loads and paddling positions. Next time I’ll pay the fee and use the sand beach on the other side of the lake so I can play with loads, paddles and positions.
My first impression is this boat craves a current. Moving and sustaining pace on flat water while soloing is more challenging with the Esquif, once I get the paddles sorted out, I’ll drop her in the little Miami river, where I’m sure she hull will shine.
As far as the weight goes, getting it up on my shoulders and on the roof rack are the big challenges. I can still exercise my right shoulder so my plan is to get that side stronger, let it do most of the lifting.
