Support a Beach Bum
It has been year or two since I actually did this, but I thought you might enjoy the experience & pics. I had purchased a inexpensive kayak & paddle on sale from Dicks Sporting Goods for around $350.00. While this paticular kayak was designed for flat water creeks, rivers & such, I thought it might be fun to try it in the surf. This was one of those days when the wind was blowing the dogs off of their chains....and the NE Wind was blowing the surf down with a strong southerly current. I launched the kayak by pushing off & hopping in between waves, It was a little difficult to paddle out but a blast to surf back in at an angle.
The problem with a sit-in kayak in the surf is that it tends to fill with water. There are kayaks specifically designed to to shed waves and drain water called sit-on kayaks which would be better suited for the surf.
After about a dozen trips in & out of the surf I decided to call it a day as the kayak would fill with water and I became concerned it could not structuraly handle the strain. All in all, it was a fun day and a nice try at challenging the sea.
I apologise for not updating recently, but I have been busy with my latest project. It is a Godsend. After a recent break- in of boats at our dock which caused several boat owners to move their boats, I was just fishing at the dock. The owners of a 26' Ketch which had been broken in to came to see the boat. I went down to introduce myself as I had helped tie it up when it had broken loose while they were out of town. They asked me if I wanted it, the price was a can of beer.
It is a center cockpit Ketch Rigged Sailboat an early design by John Cherinbini in the early 70's who became a renowned naval architect later on. My Essex 26 is missing the interior, but has good sails and equipment and I am considering building an interior and living aboard in the future & cruising. I temporarily replaced the broken hatch boards with plywood I found near our dumpster. My friends are donating several items, Salty- VHF Antenna, stainless steel rails, a table, & teak from a sunken scrapped boat....Sara, a small refrigerator. Another new friend from GA may donate some items as well. The generous people here are wonderful. Life is good. Today while sanding teak, I caught my dinner, a nice catfish & 2 sting ray.
It has been my dream most of my life to do some long distance sailing, unfortunately I had the right boats in the wrong place. Who knows, it may just happen soon. Its going to take a lot of work, but I will keep you posted. Here are some "before pics".
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