Take Out the Amundson In (sort of) Good Conditions

Name:		Track 017
Date:		Apr 18, 2014 10:27 am
Map: (valid until Oct 15, 2014)		View on Map
Distance:		4.59 miles
Elapsed Time:		1:19:48
Avg Speed:		3.5 mph
Max Speed:		4.9 mph
Avg Pace:		17' 22" per mile
Min Altitude:		0 ft
Max Altitude:		0 ft
Start Time:		2014-04-18T14:27:27Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	41º 17' 06" N
	Longitude:	73º 55' 56" W
End Location:
	Latitude:	41º 17' 06" N
	Longitude:	73º 55' 56" W

Okay, finally got the board out in pretty decent conditions with the Gladiator fin. I averaged about 3.5 mph over 4.59 miles. A few things working against me were that I've barely been paddling since early fall, I was covered in rubber, and there was a variable wind.

The board is really stable on the water. It just doesn't want to flip. Considering it's small size, that's pretty impressive. The Allison fin made a big improvement in going straight. I don't even know why I had that factory fin on. What a difference!

Being out in relatively calm conditions (if you discount the breeze plus the tide and current working against each other) I learned a few things about the board. It throws up a nice bow wave which acts kind of like a speedometer. The faster you go relative to the water, the bigger the wave. A paddled an NSP 12' last year that threw an even nicer wave, and I figure that comes from the sharp, vertical prow. Also, if the nose actually does dunk, there's no problem. The board doesn't want to pearl. It just cuts through the water and pushes it off either side of the deck.

Jim K said that a 12'6" would be about 10-12% slower than a 14 footer, and I think that's about right. Once I get back into shape, I figure I can do a relaxing 4 mph without too much trouble, in good conditions of course.

The board turns nicely, although the Gladiator fin probably takes a little away from that. I did a pivot turn pretty easily and didn't have to stomp on the tail to get the nose up. It also responds pretty well to a cross-bow turn, although that felt a little slow.


Things I don't like about this board:

Only four tie-downs.
Slower than a 14 footer (although that's to be expected).
A little less glide than I'm used to.


Things I like about this board:

Relatively lightweight and easy to carry.
The improved carry handle.
Definitely sturdier than other models I've paddled.
Bright yellow color makes you visible for miles.
Maneuverable.

Anyone else paddling a flat water Amundson around here?