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Launching: Gavia Immer got wet
By:scottbaxter
Date: 10/25/2013, 8:49 pm

After several delays Gavia Immer got wet today. Overall I am happy. Tracking is slightly stronger than my NW Discover and about the same as the Current Designs Extreme (neither are strong trackers) which is what I was shooting for. Stability was very good especially secondary stability with a prismatic coefficient of .569 I am happy with that. Speed was good 4.5 to 4.7 mph was a comfortable pace, 5.2 could be sustained and I maxed at 7. She weighs in at 48 lbs. fully rigged, a little heavier than I hoped for. The walnut and 2 layers of glass on the hull I am sure add a few pounds. I do like the cedar, basswood, and walnut combination. My favorite feature (this is hard to admit) is actually the seat. I used a Back Joy seat and although it is not marketed as a kayak seat it is the best kayak seat I have had. It holds your rear in place, is low, light, comfortable, allows great mobility in the back, promotes an upright posture, and when paddling seriously I get enough support on the back of my but I do not need the back band. Full disclosure I do not have any business relationship with the group but I did meet them at a trade show. Things I would change; I would raise the front of the cockpit by 3/4 inch but it is higher than my North West boats. The foot area accommodated size 11 winter boots from NRS with no room to spare I would add.5 inches of height I think. I would also raise the tip of the bow 1-1.5 inches starting about 3 feet back but I was paddling next to a Current Designs Extreme which has a high dolphin nose front end so that may have influenced the thought. I made distinct corners on the back of the cockpit to make putting a spray skirt on more easy, an I idea I picked dup from another designer. It works great but it also makes them harder to get off and I don't like that and I don't care for the look a lot either. I would move the cockpit back a couple of inches, I am about 1 inch from the back coming when I paddle. I am going to round the corners a bit I hope that helps. I still need to clean up the rigging, and add thigh braces but she is ready to go just in time for winter.





Messages In This Thread

Launching: Gavia Immer got wet
scottbaxter -- 10/25/2013, 8:49 pm
Re: Launching: Gavia Immer got wet
JohnAbercrombie -- 10/25/2013, 10:18 pm
Re: Launching: Gavia Immer got wet
Bill Mayberry -- 10/26/2013, 10:19 am
Re: Launching: Gavia Immer got wet
Sean Dawe -- 10/26/2013, 10:43 pm
Re: Launching: Gavia Immer got wet
scottbaxter -- 10/27/2013, 8:21 am