20251129 - An Liag agus Oileán na gCapall

Táim tar éis an sean-cadhc seo a dheisiú agus cóiriú, agus b'é mo chéad seans inniu triail a bhaint aisti.  

Chuas síos go dtí cé Baile an Chaisleáin go moch, le haghaidh tús maith den lae.

D'fhágas an fánán agus chuas ó thuaidh, i dtreo An Liag, áit ata saineolas agam air, agus fios maith agam go mbeadh sé breá cothrom agus ciúin ann.

Ag an tús ní rabhas ag suí i gceart sa suíochán, agus stopas ag An Liag chum mé féin a shocrú i gceart. Bhíos ní b'fhearr ina dhiaidh sin, ach d'airíos na pardóige ag taobh an suíochán ag fáscadh mo chromáin go daingean, agus bhíos míchompordach dá bhrí sin.

Chasas timpeall agus chuas siar ó dheas tríd an gcuan, ach bhí orm stopadh arís (ag Tráigh Carta) chun na pardóige siúd a bhaint den gcadhc.

Ní ba chompordaí ansin, chinneas dul amach tríd Flea Sound agus timpeall Oileán na gCapall.
Bhí sé beagán clabach ar an taobh theas den oileán, agus bhraitheas píosa corrach ar feadh nóiméad, ach bhí sé ceart go leor.

D'fhilleas ar ais go dtí an baile beag ansin, le fios agam go raibh an-chuid tincéireacht fós le déanamh agam leis an mbád seo, agus an-chuid cleachtadh le déanamh chun éirí muiníneach inti.
Táim ag súil go mór leis!

*****UASDÁTÚ*****

Ba é John Willacy a dhear an cadhc seo ar an gcéad dul síos, agus nuair a dúras leis go rabhas a braith míchompordach sa bhád, ba é seo an comhairle a thug sé dom:

Hi Tash

Good to hear you got your Taran on the water. There's a bit about padding your Taran here:

https://www.performanceseakayak.co.uk/Archive/category/taran/

But I guess you can figure it out yourself, a few thoughts:

The Taran needs a the rudder to be adjusted correctly to get the best from the boat. Basically the cables should be tight enough that you can get rudder movement with the slightest of foot movements, but not so tight it moves with every stroke. The boat should response to steering inputs pretty much instantaneous. Too loose and this won't happen. However, note that the rudder needs thin soled, soft soled footwear to work well, such as wet suit boots. I use 'barefoot' type running shoes - canyon boots, heavy duty paddling shoes etc just won't work, or fit in the boat.

Stability, the boat is pretty stable but it may be a different kind of stability to what you are used too. It doesn't sit completely solid on the water, but it doesn't have varying stability depending on lean angle etc. There is no primary/secondary stability that people often talk about, it is just what it is throughout from the start to the end irrespective of conditions/lean etc. Once you get used to it you will like it, and it will be nice to you!

Exercises:

Paddle inside very small surf (less than 1 ft) parallel to the beach, getting a feel for difference between green and broken waves side-on from either side. Only small waves though, you should be able to paddle continuously without significant bracing.

Paddle squares, again inside small surf on a beach: out, along, in, along and repeat. Get used to the handling of the boat in waves from all directions.

If you have a friendly bit of small clapotis or wall-rebound just sit in it, varying the heading angles a little. Be patient, take your time, get a feel for it. Have a go at paddling across it at varying directions and speeds.

Find a spot with gentle flow if you can and get used to doing ferry glides using the ruder. Once you get the hang of it you'll wonder how you did without.

Paddle the boat flat, with minimal leans as a rule. All steering is from the rudder. Leaning for moving water edging only.

Get used to the rudder, the boat should be paddled with the rudder throughout. Lift it to go backwards, turn on the spot, shallow water or going very slow in very strong winds - otherwise, if you are going forward the rudder is down all the time.


Any questions then get in touch.
Cheers
JW


Bhuel, sin plean traenála dhom! Go raibh míle maith agat John.