@Celia said:
I suspect we start out with a difference in perspective. I have only once capsized unintentionally on a regular outing in a kayak. I rolled up. (Other than whitewater) I have capsized plenty when I was pushing my skills in training.
I paddle solo when in Maine most of the time each summer for the last few years, with someone before that. I would not go out if I did not feel capable of doing at least two kinds of self-rescue. That takes practice each year.
In sum I don’t find it encouraging when someone has never capsized. It more often means that they have not pushed their limits, which you have admitted is how you feel about taking this open boat into the ocean.
If the Dragonfly is the pack boat by Stellar, it is only 12 ft. (Pack boats are a proper category of canoe, not kayaks.). I am skeptical it can handle the float bags that would make it rescuable on the water as well as you and a dog. Stellar also does not suggest it for open water on their site.
If it is the ressurected boat originally by Curtis, it is a canoe intended for more challenging water.
No the Dragonfly is definitely not for anything save flatwater. You do paddle it with a 2 blade paddle like a Kayak and its twin, the Compass is a Kayak, same hull but the Dragonfly has no deck and looks like a canoe and is 10lbs lighter. The wind and waves will throw it around like nothing. Any more than 10mph winds and you have to paddle at 100% because otherwise it won’t go straight, you have to keep paddling and continue applying power just to keep it from changing direction. I only use it for inland paddles in places without rapids like chill rivers, ponds, lakes and reservoirs that are legal to paddle. You can use floatbags but I don’t as I don’t take it out on open water because it handles so terribly there and Stellar themselves, who are familiar with my area, warned me specifically to only take it out on the ocean on a very calm day and in case the wind or waves kick up stay very close to shore for a hasty exit as it’s not designed for big waters at all and I would be asking for trouble.
I am not the kind of guy that likes to push it. I am in my early 40’s, in very good shape and still fit in my high school pants but very tall and unsteady. This kind of extreme sport stuff scares the crap out of me. I make sure to never do anything that makes me feel the least bit unsteady and if that means not pushing it I feel that is the best course of action for me. Am I limiting my long term growth? Maybe, but consider we are on the Sakonnet River which is considered one of the roughest, most savage and downright dangerous bodies of water in the local area.
With a Northstar and Polaris plastic doubles they are so fast and stable and heavy it’s hard to upset them and with all our gear (including semi dry suit or the 2 piece modern super warm wetsuits) as well as good life jackets we’re fine. I’ve never had a problem. So I think the Sakonnet will push us more than I’d like to admit, but again, I will paddle in such a way that boat stability is not just the top priority, but the first 10. I always look for the most stable, least tippy way to move so I don’t push it. For us paddling is an excercise, relaxation and family activity