: Please post you impressions after you've had a chance to

: During the coming week local high water will be during daylight
: hours and a low pressure is due so I hope to get out in some
: rougher conditions for more testing.

Conditions looked good this afternoon, onshore wind 12/15mph from NW, 12 inch wave height, about 5ft. between crests. So I decided to have another paddle. Wrinkle behaved well into, and off, the wind but was difficult to turn. Big, edged, sweep strokes necessary to make laboured turns - especially difficult when broadside to the waves and wind. Decided to practice figure of eights to get used to the kayak's handling. At one point whilst broadside on to the waves I capsized.

The good news is that the wet exit was easy. The bad news was that I was about 70 yards from the shore and sea temperature was 52F. Unfortunately I lost my paddle. Luckily the onshore wind helped me back to the beach. It was also good to see Wrinkle had not taken on too much water. Upside down the waterline was 2/3 inches above the topside of the gunwale i.e. most of the hull was above water, making a good catch for the onshore wind.

It seems that the pool noodles I used for internal bouyancy did an excellent job.

A drysuit and neoprene balaclava were delivered to me two weeks ago - but have not been got into as yet. Guess what I will be doing tomorrow?

Cheers

TomR