Friday 14 February 2025 Cuttagee

A quick St Valentine's Day paddle between showers to play some more with the new kayak.

We launched at 8.40am and had another serene and happy paddle.

The Seaward Mantra kayak

We disturbed quick a few fish on our travels, L had one leap shoulder high out of the water right beside him.  And there was a lone prawn that skittered across the top of the water beside me.  It must be one of the few that escaped the many nets of the Christmas prawners. 

After paddling up to inspect how much water was under the bridge we headed down the northern side of the lake and got a good view of  a rare visitor to this area - the dark morph of the Pacific Reef Heron. We've only seen one once before, a few years ago down at the entrance to Mogareeka.

Shortly after we heard the young Sea Eagles chirruping for food. Following the sound, I found them in the same area we saw them a few days ago.  Being further back in the bush I wouldn't have spotted them if not for an adult flying out and perching in a tree close to the water.

Backtracking his/her flight I spotted the young ones, last years brood who probably fledged sometime in late October into September.  The parent had just delivered a fish to one of the young. The light coloured patch on the branch indicates this is a favourite dining perch.

 Having watched them for awhile, I paddled back to the northern side of the lake to rejoin L and we explored Woolybutts Bay before pulling in for morning tea. After which we poddled quietly back to our launch spot.

Boat stuff for those who are interested:

Firstly, the stated length includes the rudder.  The actual boat is only 414cm/13'6" long.

On this paddle I used a thin gel pad on top of the seat and my right foot didn't go numb and I was more comfortable.

Pros and cons purely from my perspective.

It takes a lot less effort to get up to speed compared to the Castine 145, but seems to require the same amount of effort to keep that speed. 

It tracks better than the Castine when not using the rudder, and I found the Mantra more responsive when using the rudder for direction, instead of the paddle, to drift closer to the Sea Eagle .

Compared to the Castine there is not much freeboard in a Seaward so it will be interesting when traversing choppy water as I don't use a spray skirt.

And of course, the reason for the purchase - it is much lighter.

We were lucky again with the weather, a change came through during the tea break and as we launched again it died away.  We got home, washed the boats off, got inside and only then the predicted rain began.