The Boat

Ready to Load at Chamberlain SD

After 1,600 miles (~2,500 kms) I feel I should say something about my experience so far in the  "Barbara May" (the kayak not the wife).

I am not sponsored by or linked to Eddyline the manufacturer of the "Shasta" in any way so the following is my unbiased appraisal. I purchased the kayak solely on the recommendation of Andy Bugh who undertook the same journey last year and then continued on down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.

Firstly I have to say that I can't imagine a more suitable boat for me to undertake this voyage. I am not  an experienced kayaker and started this journey after only a few hours of paddling practice on the Swan River back home in Perth.

Stability

My greatest concern was the kayaks ability to keep me upright knowing that I would be crossing some huge lakes that have a reputation for generating waves like the ocean - and they did. The first lake, Fort Peck 139 miles long, taught me a lesson when I misjudged the weather and got caught in 4-5 foot waves  making a 3 mile crossing. At no time did I ever feel that the Shasta was going to tip or roll me over, even as I came in to the beach sideways to the waves. Although that experience was unnerving it gave me confidence on the larger lakes - Sakakawea 170 miles and Oahe 239 miles - to paddle and sail in rough conditions knowing that boat could handle it as long as I could. I have since, on Lake Francis Case, sailed 20 mile with a tailwind in 6 foot swells and enjoyed every minute - click on links below to see short video clips.

Sailing Lake Francis Case 1
Sailing Lake Francis Case 2

Handling

The Shasta is a joy to paddle, it glides easily over flat water and holds a true course with little need of the rudder to steer and it cuts through oncoming waves and troughs holding a steady course. With a following sea it will ride the swell and be be pushed forward  as though surfing. The rudder is quick to respond when manoeuvring to avoid obstacles in fast river conditions and when turning to come up-stream into a ramp it is simple with a bit of back-paddling to assist the turn. 

Under sail the Shasta is great, buying the WindPaddle sail has been the best equipment decision I've made and I highly recommend it to anyone undertaking distance kayaking. (I'm not sponsored by or linked to WindPaddle either)

Storage

I've probably got too much "stuff" but can't decide what I don't need (see picture above). I like every thing to be stored as low as possible and the only things I have on the deck are my spare paddles, a cut down juice bottle with a sponge inside as a bailer, and a bow rope, all drums and dry bags are stored below deck in the roomy 9 ft cockpit. I'm over 6ft tall and still have plenty of leg room when fully loaded. While I don't rely on the front and back hatches to be waterproof they pretty much are, even with waves coming over the top they haven't let water in. The covers press on easily and the only moisture I seem to get inside is from condensation which I control by placing 2 pounds of rice in a cotton bag in each hold as a  dessicate - a cheap $5 solution that works well.

I also purchased a fully fitted spray-skirt to keep me dry in rough conditions and a cockpit cover that keeps the rain and critters/snakes out and keeps my equipment out-of sight when I leave the boat unattended - they clip on over everything in the cockpit.

Maintenance

Not much to do at all really. I flush the steerage peddles with water every day or so to remove any mud/grit/sand and I sponge out both inside and outside each week to keep the boat looking clean. The cockpit is totally uncluttered, no frames or ribs to collect or hide debris and the seat is easily removed and replaced to assist cleaning. The only part that possibly could get damaged is the rudder assembly if the kayak "reversed" onto an obstacle or embankment, but after 1,600 miles I have had no problems at all. The rudder is designed to kick-up if it runs aground or hits something while going forward.

Service (from Eddyline)

From my initial contact enquiring about the Shasta to arranging shipping to receiving the kayak in Bozeman Montana, Eddyline have been more than helpful. An enquiry to clarify the single rudder configuration was answered by phone immediately and a follow up photo attached to email was received within the hour. I've had no problems at all with Eddyline, the quality of their product or the service I've received from them.

Summary

For a novice kayaker like me the "Shasta" has been a great buy and has lived up to everything I needed it to be - safe, reliable, responsive and fast; I'm sure a seasoned kayaker would make it sing and really get it to perform.

It would be an ideal boat for Australian conditions where every one of our major cities is situated on or near a river or an ocean estuary. The double configuration makes it a great day or weekender for two paddlers and it really comes in to it's own as a fully loaded single expedition kayak; I'd have no hesitation in paddling it in near coastal waters either.