At last i've taken delivery of a Prowler 15 from http://www.boardtalkleisure.co.uk/ - excellent, friendly and helpful service from 'Kit', and a paddle chucked in to boot. Recommended.
Unfortunately it was delievered just as we were heading to the beach, so we had to take it with us. Headed through town to Pakefield (oh yes, the cod beach is right nearby) which has a quick drop off. Being a tad on the windy side with decent waves it was in some ways not the best moment to go for the maiden voyage, but then again what better way to instill confidence? Loads of kite surfers about, it was that kind of day.
So, In I went, and was immediately impressed with the stability (had a go on a Frenzy on the river - and this felt the same in the chop). Paddled out a couple of hundred yards, paddled into wind and turned it. Even to a newbie it was under control all the time until I tried to turn too close to the shore and failed - getting taken in instead. The friends we went with both used to canoe a lot (but not on SOT's) and also had a go. Again, comments were made on the stability. Of course, experience dictates that you simply MUST surf in. Lack of practice means you must do it sideways and get a dunking!
Having another go I decided to paddle out, get out, capsize it and then right it and clamber in, so that I'd know I could manage in a swell. No problem at all in righting it or clambering back on. Getting into the standard sitting position resulted in a headfirst dive over the side. Tried again with no problems. Surfed in fine. No roblems at all, but did find it heavy to hold in the surf. Impressed and pleased.
That evening I took it on the river. On a 40 minute run I went from Beccles Swimming Pool down to the Geldeston Lock Inn - I think about 2.5 to 3 miles. I then had a pint and came back by moonlight. Paddled easily and pretty straight but did let water in as soon as I got in. Scupper stoppers need to go in. coming back, i rounded a bend and saw, on the hill, Beccles Church all lit up. A cracking sight.
Am I pleased? yes. Am I impressed? Yes. Worth the money? Yes.
Sunday at 3:15 I was up for a two hour drive to Stansted to deposit my wife and children on a plane. 8am saw me at my brothers house and 10am saw me in the Prowler, him and his lodger and 5 of the six kids (3 each) deposited on the 5 Frenzy's he got last week after seeing my catalogue, launching down at Beccles. Well, we paddled through the bottom of town and back, them getting used to everything - and they loved it. Some reluctance at first from a couple of them but not for long.
Loaded up, we went back for a bit to eat and headed for the beach. About an hour of mucking about in wind that made slow progress for me and impossible conditions for the kids saw us heading back with a picnic to the river. launching at Ellingham Mill we headed dow to Geldeston Lock. This is non-navigable in powered craft and I can't think of a nicer area to take the yaks. Crystal clear water, loads of weeds and wildlife - and fish everywhere. Swans, dragonflies, ducks, and bitey-critters with wings. I went over a fair sized pike hovering in the water while chatting to my brother at slow speed. However, I did get my first catch from a Yak!!! Using an 11ft spinning rod with a shimano crestfire multiplier, 12lb line and a floating jointed Rapala on a 12lb wire trace I took out a 4oz perch. I then caught another about the same length as the lure. Greedy buggers, perch. Anyway, out at nightfall and in bed for 11:30.
10am and we were back on the river, heading from Geldeston down to Beccles. People are recognising us now. Has to be us, an armada to be sure. Two more perch, both around 4-6oz. Kids swimming and paddling, me fishing and paddling, a picnic with some lure fishing from the bank. Cracking day, out at 3pm. I saw two pencil thick grass snakes about 30cm long as well, swimming on the surface. Both came alongside and under me. Beautiful viewpoint on life from the middle of a river.
