Hatches? We Don't Need No Steenken Hatches

Good News: the hatches for the new KayakPro Marlin finally showed up.
Bad News: when putting the front hatch cover on, the plastic hatch rim popped right off of the kayak.

Very disappointing but with a bit of duct tape I was still able to go on the Chesapeake Paddler's Association Pirates of Georgetown Thursday night paddle on the Potomac (pictures courtesy of Page D.) It was a beautiful evening to paddle, with air temperatures in the low 50s and just enough breeze to keep it pleasant. The water temperature has just barely broken 50, so it is still dry suit weather. It will be nice to ditch all the extra clothing soon.

The cherry blossoms were out in a big way so it made for a very scenic paddle. It was a nice leisurely paddle - the only other boat traffic was the college rowing crews returning from training paddles. Very different from the land traffic, as the Tidal Basin area was jammed with blossom viewers. On the way back to Jack's newly renovated (and unfortunately much more homogenized) boathouse, Cyndi and I pushed the speed up a bit. We held 5.5-5.8 mph fighting a current, and I figured out I needed to lengthen my paddle a bit. Afterwards, a quick trip to Chipotle in Georgetown and then back home to emailing with Kayakpro about how to get this hatch situation fixed.

Comments

[Chris]

Hey there. I came across your blog while looking for some GPS maps of the Patapsco trails that I have been moutain biking for years - and nearly getting lost in anytime I venture off in a new direction. In the same post that Google sent me to, I saw that you did some cycling in Ashton - which is actually where I live... and I'm also in the information security field.

So quit copying me damnit. :)

Anyway, I just thought I would let you know that I enjoyed the blog, and appreciate the Patapsco GPS maps.

[John P.]

Hi, Chris - maybe we are both the same person in parallel universes?

[steenken]

just came across your site. thinking about trespassing over to calvert cliffs. um, yes my real last name. rt 213 on the chester river you should think about queenstown. still along open water paddle to eastern neck. my favorite local short trip is hillsboro up to tuckahoe park 3hr round trip. june gives them time to cut out fallen trees so no lifts

[kayak]

oh boy, i am trying to get some inspiration on pursuing kayaking as a recreation hobby. The more i read about the comments about this sports, i get weak in my knees

[John P.]

To Steenken - thanks for the tip about June being a good time (fallen trees removed by then) for that Hillsboro/Tuckahoe Park paddle - I want to try that one.

To Kayak - There is definitely a danger element to kayaking but if you get some training and stay within reasonable safety limits (try not to paddle alone, if you do then only in conditions you are comfortable with and not far from shore, etc) it is nothing daredevil. There are a lot of kayaking clubs that offer good inexpensive training and group trips - join one and take advantage!