bishbash havin' a splash! New Apache![picheavy]

[Nagual]

Hey all,
This a blatant copy of my post over on SOTP, so if you've read it there sorry..

During the early hours of this morning Stu of Apache Canoes was making his was up to Loch Eck with a brand spanking new Apache for me. We met up at around 8, and quickly had the canoe waiting by the waters edge. A wee chat and a cuppa later it was time for a quick splash.

The canoe I've been using until now was a friends. His has a large flat bottomed base, and is very different to the Apaches handling. The Apache felt a lot more 'tippy' on first getting in, but this didn't bother me as Stu had already told me what to expect as I got in and how it should feel after a while, and of course he wasn't wrong. The initial wobble is just that, a little bit of wibbly wobblyness that vanishes as you paddle off. Now it has to be mentioned that I am not expert, for from it. I was playing and getting a feel for the way the boat handles, heeling over and whatnot. While I'll say I have a lot of playing to do, I felt very secure in the Apache, even in the minor winds and small waves that popped up later on in the morning.

Needless to say I had a lot of fun out on the water today, and I don't want to bore you all silly by telling you all how to suck eggs. They say a picture tells the story of a 1000 words or something like that.. so this must mean 24K story? :D

Me just into the boat, playing with the tippyness. Love the mist rising from the water
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/m3.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/me1.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/me2.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/me4.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/me5.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/water1.jpg

Stu showing me what it can do.
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/stu.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/stu2.jpg

Some pics from out on the water.
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/uglymug.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/water2.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/water3.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/water4.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/water5.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/water6.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/water7.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/water8.jpg

Some of a nice beach, sometimes camp.
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/campboat.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/campboat2.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/camp1.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/camp2.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/campview2.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/campview1.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/campview3.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/Nagual/new%20canoe/bathome.jpg

Thanks for looking...

So whos coming out for a paddle sometime.. ? :D

[Shewie]

Very nice Nag, lovely colour mate

What length did you go for ?

I should be back out playing in November if you fancy doing something one weekend

[bivibabe]

Me.me I want a shot! Oh wait a minute it's in my garden :D

[Nagual]

Cheers Shewie - aye the colour is nice innit? Even nice than the colour palette suggested. It's "Bushcraft Green" and don't le anyone tell you different :D Went for a 16 footer, so that I can do some tandem paddling. Anytime at all, just give me a shout. :) Just need to sort out roof rack doodaas now. Which isn't as clear cut as you may think.. lol Inflatables may be the way forward there. :lmao:

[Shewie]

Just need to sort out roof rack doodaas now. Which isn't as clear cut as you may think.. lol Inflatables may be the way forward there. :lmao:

Could be worse mate, at least you've got you own loch at the end of the garden

[mayobushcraft]

What kind of car do you have? Try getting some pipe insulation Snap it over the gunnells and tie the canoe upside down to the roof of the car. Presto instant roof rack. Used that for years. Just make sure to check the tie downs after the first few miles and then every hundred miles or so.

[Barn Owl]

Cracking pics Nag.

[Sanji]

I recognise that loch, if i owned a Canoe id be happy to join ya, but sadly i dont :( Awesome pics though!

[silentpaddler]

What kind of car do you have? Try getting some pipe insulation Snap it over the gunnells and tie the canoe upside down to the roof of the car. Presto instant roof rack. Used that for years. Just make sure to check the tie downs after the first few miles and then every hundred miles or so.

Don't know about over there, but here you can buy foam blocks specially made to snap onto the gunwales

[mayobushcraft]

Yea you can here as well. Was going the cheap route.

[TeeDee]

Thats some stunning backdrops you have for a play area.

[tiger stacker]

Only 40 miles awayish, am resisting the urge to buy one, the cars on its last year so no canoe for me just yet.