My new boat is ready - May 8, 2011

Actually, its an old boat – older than two of my three kids.

I bought my first Dagger Encore a few years ago. Unfortunately, it got stolen last December from one of my local park-and-play spots when I left it by the side of the road and walked back to get my car. I won’t make that mistake again.

I was happy to get this one from Tommy. For a 20-year-old boat, the hull is in great shape. The outfitting was set up for someone smaller than me, so I ripped it all out and replaced it - Mike Yee outfitting with a 10” pedestal. Tommy would call it a “tower of terror”, but I like it. Its like paddling a Barcalounger.

Now all I need is some time to paddle it. Unfortunately, won't be today.

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Retrofitting the Impulse – December 18th

I spent some time yesterday getting my old Impulse ready to paddle. At some point, I’d like to replace the pedestal and straps, but that’s a big job, so it will have to wait.  For now, I spent $8 on tie-downs and $6 on para cord and re-rigged the bag cages. It came out OK. I would have preferred black para cord, but all I could find locally was blue - maybe it will grow on me.



I took the boat out this afternoon for some flatwater paddling down at Rivers Edge.  It doesn't turn like the Encore, or carve as tight a circle, but I'm starting to get use to it again.  I'll have lots of time off for the holidays, so hopefully I’ll be able to get some paddling in.