TESTING FOR THE FIRST TIME:
My first test paddle was on Lake Katherine. The stability of her is
better then I expected. Getting into her (in the shallow water) she
just sat there for me, and I did not go swimming. Pushed off from the
shore and out in the deep water she was nice and solid as I paddled
along. This surprised me because I was using one of the seats I made
for the pirogues and was sitting 5 inches above the bottom of the boat.
I was sure she was going to object to that height but she didn't.
While I was going around the lake, I would take an easy stroke on the
kayak paddle and I know I was going a lot faster then a tandem canoe
would be with two guys paddling like maniacs. She just drifted along,
nice and easy and held a straight line for me, no corrective strokes
were needed. Just going along and throwing a bow wake.
Making a turn was even easier - lean to the right, give a stroke on
the right side, and make a left hand turn. Just like a kayak, want to
go left lean to the right, just the reverse for the right hand turn.
Sitting still and starting out, a couple easy strokes and you are under
way, it is that easy. Maintaining a cruising speed it just as easy -
about one stroke per 1 ½ boat lengths.
With me (200 pounds @ 6-1 ) in her, the water comes up to the green
line next to the graphite at the center of the boat. While paddling
the edge of the coaming can be used as a knee brace if a person would
wants to. I would suggest covering it with some foam if it is going
to be used that way. One of those foam pipe insulating tubes, split
and put over the wood would work great. It would be removable.
The cockpit is large enough where getting in it is easy , get in the
boat then grab the front of the cockpit and lower yourself into the
seat.
Getting out is just the reverse or you can place your hands where the
sides of the cockpit meet the back of it and give yourself a push up
and forward. Either will work but I like grabbing the forward portion
of the cockpit , leaning forward and standing up.
The cockpit is roomy and if a paddler wants to he can bring one leg
back and rest the knee on the opposite side of the cockpit railing ,
then switch legs if he wants to. I did this with a large ammo can between
my legs and under the forward deck , this is where I had my camera.
Just pull the ammo can out when a picture was to be taken or leave it
out from under the cover when there is a chance of a lot of pictures.
My water jug was also there so when I wanted a drink it was handy and
close by.
SHAKE DOWN CRUISE:
After the above test on the Lake, I took the Freedom for a 3 night 4
day trip down the Ocklawaha River here in Florida. The Freedom 15-4
was packed up with all you see here:
She did everything I knew she could do, and did it even better. This
is one easy-paddling, stable, and fun boat for river tripping , even
when loaded down with camping gear. If I wanted to stay with one of
the guys paddling a canoe and talk with him I would have to back paddle
to stay there or I would find myself on down river and away from him
without any effort or work on my part. The guy's accused me of not working
(paddling) on this trip, just having fun and keeping my paddle dry.
I did dip it in the river now and then.
"OH" I need to tell you this. Joe (the outfitter at the Outpost
) tried the Freedom when we launched at the start of the trip. He is
around boats 24-7 and all he could say when he came back to the landing
was "I want one ". The reason is because it is very stable
and can be fast if the paddler wants to. When he runs the guided trips
on the river the speed & stability would let him keep an eye on
all other paddlers.
I did use one new item ( for me ) on the trip , the Sit Backer Chair.
Matt sells these on his site. It is comfortable, really comfortable.
The thing that appeals to me is the 2 inches of foam in the seat. When
my rear end is happy - then I am happy.
CONCLUSION:
This will be a fun boat to use for recreational paddling or covering
a long distance if a person wanted to do some tripping down a river.
She is a fast boat (if you are in a hurry), easy to paddle (no work
just easing along), good stability (I did not go swimming and felt really
safe in her) and just fun to paddle.
To lean her over you have to lean your body. She is nice and solid
unlike my kayak which if you sneeze you roll from one side or the other.
Two different boats for two different types of fun and both will do
an exceptional job for what they are made for.
For me, paddling, having fun on the water, and camping - or as they
call it today, touring, is a real blast. She would be a good boat for
someone who wants to paddle after work. Drop it in a lake and paddle
for a while to relax. It will allow you to have some freedom from stress
and worries, then load up and go home.
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