Yes the Jordanians are such lovely people, so hospitable aren’t they?
I went alone when my husband was in Afghanistan and then again when he was working there.
We are talking about where to go this winter. Christmas is amazing there and the Christians really go out with decorations.
We have a dream of flying over Wadi Rum 
Also camping with the Bedouin in the desert…
Speaking of that the Jordanian security found my dome port and thought it was for a drone. 
Congrats on the new boat, it’s a beauty! Did it not say Braveheart on the side, I would think it was a Tiderace as it really looks like an Aled Williams design (that’s a good thing). I’m also of the opinion that you should leave the thigh braces as-is until you spend a fair amount of time in the boat (unless they are causing significant pain or discomfort). I’ll be interested to hear your impressions as you spend more time paddling it.
I’m really enjoying getting this feedback since I’m usually just flying by the seat of my pants.
I’m keeping the old CDs Solstice GTS because I feel it’s just the perfect all round boat for the PNW, taking on the ferry to Vancouver island and out to the San Juans….I think this boat will be nice for hot days out on Lake Mohave where you want to get wet and play around. So, yes leaving those for now was very good guidance. Until I wet exit I’ll be a little cautious.
I’m curious to compare the sizes and dimension of that keyhole compared to the Solstice.
I first forgot to put the skeg down and was really missing my rudder but now that I’ve used it I feel I can hold a position pretty well for photography.
On the 15 hour flight on the way home maybe I’ll try and imagine the implications of the hull designs differences beyond just turning and edging.
I’m fascinated with how low the deck is and what that will translate to in big waves. Will I still be okay with a neoprene skirt for example. I’m not around any other kayakers because the population density is low where I hang out. I might need to venture out and translate some German forums to see where the boats like this are playing. I have a feeling it’s way up north on the North Sea near Denmark.
That’s not a good drive for me and it’s about eight hours. The Alpine Lakes in Austria and Switzerland and southern Germany are 2-4 hours and I encourage anyone that wants a mind blowing trip to fly nonstop Dreamliner (coach is almost like business class) into Munich and within an hour EASY beautiful drive you can be at a pristine lake. We just saw fares 450 usd fare from Atlanta to Frankfurt and the train is at the airport.
I hope to buy a dry suit and get some winter images.
I want to get traveling out on some rivers but I need
To learn how to go through some locks. You know you have to run them yourself??!!! It’s spooky to me and there is a handle you hold onto while sitting in the boat?! Eeek 
I need a buddy for that, maybe a therapist 
This is the guy that gave the demo and he paddles the modular version
He is sending me images of the lock systems and where is was
I’ve considered it but my husband would insist on putting it together and I need him to relax more
I know I know, I could insist on doing it myself but we are in rugged areas where I don’t want to be keeping up with parts
For
Me it would detract from my experience of just gliding in to a pristine lake
I’m that person that hates IKEA furniture and if I get something on Amazon that has to be assembled I just send it back
Now if I was rich, I’d get what Chris above has and fly it to Oman (and lots of places) but I have my dog and I’m so close to places I can car carry
We have a roof top tent so a modular would be great but I think I’ve talked him into selling the RTT and getting the one with an aluminum rack on top.
We want to head to Norway this next summer (we have driven it in a rental car Oslo —> Bergen)
Just trying to milk the last two years here on his twilight tour.
Sounds like you’re doing an outstanding job of it.
It’s a selfish life but yes.
Selfish and Self-interest differ in meaningful ways.
I’ll be thinking about that.
I get it. Though I’m the opposite – very mechanical and like to put things together (or take them apart and modify to improve them.)
You might want to look at Itiwit (like their X500 model) and Grabner inflatables. No real assembly, just unroll, shove the pump in the valves and blow 'em up in 5 minutes.
It certainly would solve an issue for us.
The good news is I have my Greenland paddle making the cut and being packed now. Did you use your new one?
Yeah, that’s the new Eastpole GP breakdown paddle in the photos I posted in the “Pretty Pictures” thread. I really like it – the loom is a little chunkier than my original one piece GP (custom made for me 14 years ago) but it is actually very comfortable. I tend to paddle with a loose grip anyway.
Only issue I have with the Eastpole is that the connector is extremely difficult to separate. I had such trouble the first time I used it that once I finally pried it apart I lubricated it with spray Boeshield T-9 before assembling it next time. That worked for separating it after the second outing.
But I did not re-lube it this last trip, though, recalling the difficulty in separating, I carefully wiped both sides of the connector to make sure there was no debris or sand inside. But after the trip, even with my paddling buddy hauling on one end while I held the other and depressed the release button we could not budge it.
I will try again today – it seems if the paddle is still damp it doesn’t like to seperate. The spring button is really stiff so keeping enough pressure on that while holding onto both ends is difficult. I wrapped some thick foam around one end and clamped it in my bench vice to hold it while I pulled it apart that first time.
Came across this video. I think this person offers a solid approach to assessing your kayak’s performance/tendency in progressive conditions. Stick through the first few minutes, which could be daunting for someone newer to rough water. After that, he goes through a checklist of what manuevers to use to assess your kayak in light/moderate winds and waves.
This will give you an idea if you had moved your seat too far back.
sing
Great list, thanks for posting.
I’m late to the thread here, but I agree with Sing and would not remove or trim the thigh braces until you’ve used the kayak a while. When I got my first LV sea kayak with keyhole cockpit it felt plenty snug and hard enough to enter and exit; but now I’m using kayaks with ocean cockpits and appreciating the extra deck over my thighs. When I get into my keyhole cockpit kayak now, I really wish I had thigh braces like those ones you have.
Yes I’ve gotten used to it already, I just have to get in and out one leg at a time unlike the Solstice.
