Finally Got Out for a Maiden Voyage with the Jackson Cuda

Work and weather finally aligned to allow me to get the Cuda out for it's first outing.  It was also MY first outing on a vessel powered by something other than rotten dinosaurs.   

It was an awesome day, with temps in the mid 50's, <5 mph wind, and bright sunshine.   Water temp was about 45 at the Yakima River Delta.

I launched at the Wye Park Boat Launch, and paddled around the delta to get familiar with the boat.  And with paddling.   I managed to board the boat without dumping it, so things started out well.     I paddled a loop around the delta, returning to my launch point.  I didn't feel I'd spent enough time out, and headed back for the islands out in the mid delta area.  I pulled up to one island and got out to stretch my legs, then waded the yak out into chest deep water (this was the deepest I found between the two islands, and is one of the reasons I picked this area for my first paddle).  I then let myself float out, and kicked to attempt a self rescue.  I was successful on my first attempt, but I wouldn't claim it was elegant by any means.  I then headed north towards the Columbia, and decided to paddle up to Columbia Point Marina to see how the boat handled some current.   Total distance paddled according to Navionics on my C-Phone was 4.4 nautical miles.  Here are a couple of screen shots of the route.





I'd give my analysis on tracking, speed, stability, comfort, and the whole 9 yards, but I have absolutely nothing to gauge the experience against.   So these impressions are simply first impressions, and aren't measurable against anything and therefore likely meaningless to anyone but me.  I felt it was very stable, but not necessarily fast.   It felt a bit sluggish out of the hole, but once it got going it didn't take much effort to keep it going.  It seemed a little inclined to wander off course, especially when my attention wasn't focused on holding a steady bearing.  Being my first paddle, my focus was often distracted.   I'm sure the vast majority of you out there don't give these things a second thought, but to a newbie, I found myself constantly directing my attention to hand spacing, orientation of the blade with the knuckles, feet position, foot peg position, seat back position (I was constantly adjusting this to find the sweet spot of the seat), torso rotation, catch, power stroke, recovery, etc. etc. etc.  I have a long ways to go.   

Here's a shot of the boat.  If anyone wants any detail shots of it just let me know and I'll be happy to take some closeups.   



Shot of the bow.....



The delta was a frog pond.  This shot is looking almost directly towards the mouth, and the I-182 bridge between Richland and Pasco is in the distance to the left.     



There were a couple of power boats out that gave me a few waves to negotiate, but nothing over a 1' wave height.  The hull was kind of noisy with the waves hitting it, and I got a decent amount of geyser shooting through the forward scupper with the waves slapping the hull.   The hull didn't offer up any surprises as it rode up and over these small waves, and was very predictable. 

I didn't take any rods or tackle, as I didn't want to try and deal with too much on my first paddle.  The boat was essentially empty except for a couple of pieces of safety gear (spare paddle, 1st aid kit, small dry box, liter of water, and a hat and some gloves).  I spoke with just about everyone I saw on the shore or fishing from a boat, but no one had caught anything.  I one SINK out that was trolling a rod towards the take-out, but he hadn't caught anything either. 

At the takeout I found when I stripped off the Kokatat semi drysuit that the front of my legs from the waist down were wet.  There really wasn't any standing water in the bottom of the suit, and my feet weren't wet at all.  The only thing I could think of was that the relief zipper might not have been shut all the way, but when I checked it it was fully closed.  I'll have to wax up the zipper and give it another water test.  I'd hate to think it has a leak already, as it is the first time it's been worn except for the day I tried it on at Kayak Academy. 

The only other malfunction was that the aft bolt holding the starboard foot brace on lost its nut, and the bolt worked out causing the brace to fall.  I pivoted it back up, shoved the bolt back in the hole, and kept an eye on it the rest of the trip.  Should have checked all the fasteners prior to launching. 

Here's to hoping this early spring holds out, and the weather stays cooperative.   

The first photo looks like it's made of glow in the dark plastic.  Leave it out in the sun, then go for a night paddle.

that's what i thought too upon first look, and sure enough - http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2012/10/30/jackson-kayak-releases-its-new-illuminati-glow-in-the-dark-series/

Yep, it's the Illuminati.   Jackson still had a small amount of that color left when I ordered it last fall, but not much.  They said they won't be making any more, and when it's gone that color will be discontinued. 

thanks for sharing.  I picked up a 2014 Cuda 14 last week.  I haven't hit the water yet with it.
Could your legs have just been sweaty?  I know when I get warm in my waders sometimes it will feel like I have a leak because of perspiration.

thanks for sharing.  I picked up a 2014 Cuda 14 last week.  I haven't hit the water yet with it.
Could your legs have just been sweaty?  I know when I get warm in my waders sometimes it will feel like I have a leak because of perspiration.

I initially thought that it might have been sweat.   I didn't get all that hot though, and the Kokatat base layer I had underneath the nylon shell pants I was wearing was dry everywhere.   Only the outer front of the nylon pants were wet.  Along with the inside of the drysuit.   I'm thinking (hoping) it was simply a relief zipper leak. 

Great write-up - thanks! I love this kind of content.

I would bet it was a relief zipper issue. I realize you probably double-checked, but it can be challenging to get the relief zipper 100% seated in the closed position, at least on mine.

Looking forward to more content soon. I bet you're going to love fishing out that boat! Oh and the glow-in-the-dark is awesome - cool find!

Great write-up - thanks! I love this kind of content.

I would bet it was a relief zipper issue. I realize you probably double-checked, but it can be challenging to get the relief zipper 100% seated in the closed position, at least on mine.

Looking forward to more content soon. I bet you're going to love fishing out that boat! Oh and the glow-in-the-dark is awesome - cool find!

Thanks Lauren.

I am pretty sure the zipper was closed.  After I got home I opened it up, then zipped it shut again, and I'm pretty confident that it was seated.

I just ordered some ZipCare and ZipTech, and I'll add a drop of petroleum jelly to the end of the zipper like others have suggested in other threads. 

I'd strongly recommend against using petroleum - my stohlquist instructions state that it dissolves latex. Use dedicated zipper lube if you can.

I'd strongly recommend against using petroleum - my stohlquist instructions state that it dissolves latex. Use dedicated zipper lube if you can.

Thank you for the tip.  I did not know that.   

I looked up the instructions on the Kokatat website after reading your post, and while they recommend using Vaseline on the zippers, they give a very pointed caution against getting it on any gaskets.   

With a clean zipper, lubricate occasionally with a light coat of paraffin, beeswax, or any zip lube product. A dab of Vaseline in the closing end improves sealing. When using Vaseline, make sure it does not get on gaskets or other parts of the garment.

http://kokatat.com/media/pdfs/KokatatDSstorage.pdf

Congrats on the new Cuda and thanks for sharing the first trip report. I'm not an expert seaman, but I've found that focusing on a distant landmark helps to maintain a consistent bearing. A mountain or even a break in a cloud works. You find that after a while you naturally correct course and don't even think about it. Taking the zigs and zags out, also moves to your destination faster. Of course, if all the landmarks unexpectedly disappear in a grayout, that gps or backup compass becomes priceless.