Trident 13 Initial Shakedown

Talk about eye candy.  I've seen her nearly everyday for the last several months.  Passing silently now and then.  Sometimes sneaking a quick glimpse, other times gawking, knowing the time wasn't quite right to make my move.
So I finally get my chance.  I've laid the groundwork with some light rigging here, a couple of rod holders there.  You know, just breaking the ice and getting to know her a little.  Sunday arrives and I can tell she's ready so I whisk her off to a picturesque little river I know, with nary a soul around.
She looked HOT!  Long, sleek, with great lines and a nice smooth bottom.  I couldn't wait to mount her and sink some deep strokes...  But, I know how the hot ones are.  They like to make you work for it.
To my surprise, she rode smooth right out of the gates. Even with the gentlest of stokes she'd react.  Each push evoked a drawn out slide.  It just seemed so natural.  So familiar. And then came the rub....
Being less hippy, less rockered and carrying less volume than my previous ride, she offered exaggerated reactions to things like boat wakes and side chop.  When I'd make the long reach for my rod, I found myself dropping my feet in the water to ensure she didn't buck me off.  And, though I was sly enough to sneak the occasional peak into the crate, I swear that if she caught me turning my head far enough to see another kayak behind me, she'd dump me in a heartbeat. 
The ride was smooth as silk though and made up for her less desirable idiosyncrasies.  I was willing to put up with the bad points and dare I say it, change my own actions knowing what was waiting for me once I sunk my paddle and gave a firm pull.  Oh, for that sweet glide!
Time passed and things grew comfortable.  I was learning her limits and she'd trained me to not expose mine.  But I couldn't stop there.  No, there was more to discover and I wanted to know it all!
I pulled my line from the water and adjusted her foot pegs.  Head down, heedless of the weather, I laid into her.  15min of sprint paddling.  I found a seam in the sleet bearing winds and managed to pull a nearly consistent 5MPH.  We were in her element and my assumption held true.  She's built for speed! 
Once we reached our destination, I tied her fast with 80' of anchor line.  She slid easily on her stern line and settled into a straight, weightless hang.  She didn't try to cant away from the current and quickly found her point of least resistance....  Until the winds came again.  With her low draft, we didn't swing too far but the waves worrying her sleek sides once again set us rocking.  I know it's not fair to compare her to my prior ride but for that moment, as I held my rod to limit the bounce and sway, I was missing the battleship lines and broad beam of my Fish-n-Dive.
Don't get me wrong; I'll be taking her out again.  Things are never perfect your 1st time together.  I'll grow and she'll adopt new riggings.  We'll spend endless hours in that dreamlike glide.  I'll get my approach figured out and we'll catch some incredible fish together.
And, if it all goes to hell, it'll be OK.  You see, her sister, the T11 will be coming to live with her soon and I understand she's a pretty good ride in her own rite... 

i think i need to take a cold shower....

You made my initial shakedown cruise report sound cheap and sleazy 

I feel dirty...in a good way.

Damn Spot.  Everyone needs a new boat on a regular basis!!!

-Allen

This story just reminds me, it's been too long since i had a new boat....

So, you still gonna mount the chubby one Spot?

Dude, you're killing me!   

Thanks Spot. I really needed a good laugh to keep my sanity.

I think I hear Elvis ... "Little sister, don't you do what your big sister done."

Spot,

You don't happen to write under a "nom de plume"?

I hope it wasn't too over the top for y'all.

You don't happen to write under a "nom de plume"?

Why yes, yes I do.  Unfortunately it's all technical reports. 

So, you still gonna mount the chubby one Spot?

Of course I will.  It's my right and duty as their benefactor.  After all, doesn't the Kayakers Quaran state:

4:3
Fish of the kayaks, who seem good to you, two or three or four

But...

4:129
Ye will not be able to deal equally between kayaks, however much ye wish.

Spot,

i was browsing through sundays paper and found that Johnson's Outdoor sport was having a HUGE clearance sale...so after reading your post i was lusting after a T13 of my own to ride...i went there today and they had ONE left (of the angler version) for $400 bucks!!!...i couldnt whip out my wallet fast enough...i have some explaining to do at home about the "other woman" that followed me home...

PS the deals at johnson outdoor are AMAZING right now....

Spot,

i was browsing through sundays paper and found that Johnson's Outdoor sport was having a HUGE clearance sale...so after reading your post i was lusting after a T13 of my own to ride...i went there today and they had ONE left (of the angler version) for $400 bucks!!!...i couldnt whip out my wallet fast enough...i have some explaining to do at home about the "other woman" that followed me home...

PS the deals at johnson outdoor are AMAZING right now....

OH MY!!!

Did they have any other SOT's in the sub $500 range?  I'm wanting to get one for my wife/daughter.  It quite a drive for me (~2hrs) otherwise I'd head over there just to take a look around.

Spot,

...i went there today and they had ONE left (of the angler version) for $400 bucks!!!...

PS the deals at johnson outdoor are AMAZING right now....

$400.00?!?!?!?  I got $(R3W3D!!!  I actually had to go fishing to get mine.  

DAaaaaang!  That's a deal!

Spot,

...i went there today and they had ONE left (of the angler version) for $400 bucks!!!...

PS the deals at johnson outdoor are AMAZING right now....

$400.00?!?!?!?  I got $(R3W3D!!!  I actually had to go fishing to get mine.  

DAaaaaang!  That's a deal!

Mark,
I'll take that kayak off your hands for $400 if it's a burden...