What thoughts, ideas have you concerning the future?
I'd like the group to be what the members want it to be. On a personal level I'm quite excited about the idea of the 'Scottish Island' meet that the group is planning for June.
Great Outdoors Show, NEC Birmingham (NigelC)
Friday 17th - Sunday 19th March 2006
At our AGM in Jan 2005 the OCSG decided we would not have a stand at 'Canoe 2006', which forms part of this show; principally because of the cost against the number of new members it produced. Solway Dory, who shared our stand and costs, did not exhibit on their own.
Living 50 miles away, I went for a look on the opening day. There were fewer stands at Canoe 2006 than last year and it seemed ill-defined, as I twice found myself in Climbing 2006. There was a double sea kayak with a device on the bow that could be hauled up into a segment of a fan, with an area of about five square feet, for sailing down wind. There was also one stand showing a small dinghy.
Last year I saw lots of paddle notches on kayak decks and inflatable bags to go on the paddles, making a temporary outrigger. This would stabilize the boat so one can get back in after falling out. This device, I was told, is popular in the U.S.
This year there were detachable and adjustable skegs galore. Some made of metal sheet, others of aerofoil section; swinging out above the deck or retracting into a groove in the hull. Most were controlled by one or two ropes but there was one hydraulic set up. This was a two cylinder, double acting system so if the skeg hit a rock it would retract and force the control knob back. Hence the position of the knob told the paddler the skeg's position. The fluid was water, laced with anti-freeze. Neat outside but I could envisage the plastic plumbing catching a stuff bag as the latter was stowed away. In the rambling section there were masses of computerised maps and navigational aids. A proper dumbing down of scouting skills.
Ireland had a massive holiday stand shared by representatives of North and South who gave out separate literature and liquid samples. I'm now better prepared for our Lough Erne meeting and the renowned Irish hospitality.
At £7 for car parking and £14 entrance (£11 advance) it was not cheap but there were plenty of show offers to offset the cost. I personally think we would be better off at the Dinghy Show in Alexandra Palace, North London in March.
More On Tris And Outriggers (RoyB)
GrahamH, perhaps as a result of my questions about trimarans last year, has sent me some information on a couple of versions of such craft which he has found whilst trawling through the internet. My thanks to him.
The first he discovered is advertised by Knoydart. It's called a 'Batwing Expedition', about 14 ft long by the looks of things with a 32 sq ft Balogh sail. The blurb says this is a hang-glider inspired airfoil, fully battened with a low centre of effort. The hull is a kayak, the outriggers inflatable with aluminium beams (called a 'balogh outrigger stabilising system') and therefore lightweight. The kayaker can rig or de-rig on the water, apparently. It's aimed at the kayak cruising market, costs in the region of £1400 and claims to be a reliable, seaworthy craft. It wouldn't win races, but has been used on an expedition in the north-west passage above Canada. Should be OK for Bala, then.
The second that might be of interest is produced by White Water Consultancy (I must say that when I see the word 'consultancy' I become suspicious), a 'Windrider 10'; 10ft 11ins long, 52 sq ft sail, beam 10.5 ft. The photo shows a lady and a child in the cockpit, on water barely ruffled by the wind; the text declares that it "lets virtually everyone hop in and go". Now before you dismiss this as an unsophisticated craft, not worthy of consideration by true OCSG-ers, it seems to be the sort of thing that a family person might buy for the kids. And we are constantly looking for a new generation of canoe sailors. It's light and fits easily on a car top. At £1700 excluding VAT, however, we are talking serious money. The Camarthen canoe shop offers this and others or you can order one through the WWC web-site.
Incidentally, my sister-in-law's husband (ex-wind surfer), on a family visit to the Bala meet, was very impressed with the variety of boats on the shore and the quality of the workmanship. This variety is why I resist the idea of there being an OCSG 'class', apart from 44 sq ft max for racing. It gives us a definite appeal.
And whilst the arrival of outriggers in the OCSG has contributed to this ethos, they will not, I trust, be the end of the story. I wonder how the sailing canoe seen in the OCSG will further develop? What do you think? What new ideas might there be, without sacrificing the advantages you see in the sailing canoe?
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