Surf-ing in the Rain

I today rowed our two Dalmatians to the dog-walking park in our recently-built Bolger Surf, SAMA-J. It's about 40 minutes each way across Portage Inlet and a little way up Colquitz Creek. As we set out on the return home, it began to pitter-patter and before long the rain had become a heavy drizzle. The dogs weren't happy about it and began to complain (even though they weren't as wet as the seal that swam by!) but I didn't mind a bit. Walking or biking in the rain is not my favourite fun but, unless a strong wind is up, rowing while it's raining is a different kettle of fish (so to speak). As I stroked along this afternoon, I recalled that, several autumns ago, my wife and I vacationed on a narrowboat in England and it rained the first two or three days. Somehow we didn't mind a bit. To me, rain is part of the boating experience (and the British experience, too; it made the canal-side pubs all the cozier). By the same token, I at least had a good excuse for a spot of dark rum after I docked today.

Rain or no, I am pleased by the Surf's performance under oars. Being a relatively deep-bellied for sailing, it doesn't track as well as our Tender Craft, with its long, straight shoe and skeg. But SAMA-J skims along quite smartly and I expect tracking will improve once I build the kick-up rudder I will need for sailing. I do find the straight-bladed oars a bit heavy compared to the scoop-bladed 8-footers on the Tender Craft, NANDESSA. But it's my own fault: I have to lift a cantilevered extra foot each side because I bought 7.5-foot Berkeley Sound oars instead of the 6.5-footers prescribed by the plans.

Speaking of plans, I added a low stern seat for my wife to take her ease while I pull her around. The seat lifts out for sailing -- or to make room for a couple of spotted dogs on their way to the park.

John Ewing


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]