Wednesday 12 February 2025 1st paddle of the new boat Cuttagee

 I love my Castine 145 however it is a hefty beast weighing a tad over 30kgs and as decrepitude marches onwards alongside our advancing age we are finding it increasingly hard to lift and carry around. The search for a lighter replacement has been seriously hampered by the recent discovery that kayak outlets in Australia are closing down en masse.  For instance the two in Canberra selling sit-in recreational/touring kayaks have both closed. Of the five in Melbourne selling similar products only two remain. The two in Huskisson have closed.

Chances of finding a suitable replacement for the Castine were looking decidedly dim when I found a website, Synergy Paddlesports, a wholesaler based in Huskisson advertising an Ascente sea kayak and the kayak pictured below - its blurb stating it was designed for larger paddlers! 

As the company's most recent social media activity was back in 2022 I didn't hold out much hope as I dialed the number. Much to my surprise the owner, Ross, answered and yes indeedy, he still had a couple left. Turns out that Synergy Paddlesports was the importer of Delta Kayaks and was licenced to build Seaward Kayaks in Australia (Ross built L's Chinook) although the Mantra was imported from Canada.

The visit to his workshop was fascinating. Kayak moulds galore. I don't know if Ross is making kayaks any more as his latest project is a huge catamaran that has taken 6 years to build from scratch and is now nearing completion. If anyone is interested in everything fibreglass or how catamarans are built by hand Ross has a You Tube site, Life on the Hulls. L has been sucked right in. Compared to a catamaran making kayaks must be a doddle.

Anyway, to cut a long story short we came home with a new kayak. Due to other commitments, windy days, rainy days, windy and rainy days, today was the first chance we had to try it out.

We set off for a short paddle, with plenty of stops faffing about adjusting foot pegs, back rest etc until we got things right. Along the way we spotted a pair of immature sea eagles perched in neighbouring trees which called for another stop. 

We saw plenty of kangaroos along the shoreline; most scarpered when we approached but this mother and youngster warily stayed put as we glided by.

Halfway down the lake L took over the GoPro. 

Here is the result.

After a break at the end of  a little bay we headed back. In the same area we spotted one of the immature sea eagles.

As we approached it jumped to another perch as L pointed to its sibling flying in

We watched it land

in a neighbouring tree.

 L had disappeared when the camera had been stowed so I had a lovely period of paddling in quiet solitude until turning into the straight where he was waiting.

We saw three Greater Egrets today.

At the end of our paddle and feeling very happy.

That enough for now. In the next blog I will talk about, from my perspective, the pros and cons of the new kayak. Someone has already enquired about the Castine 145, but I will be keeping her. Nothing can beat it for spaciousness and load carrying - perfect for multi day kayak camping (while we still can!)

Trip notes:

See previous entries for Cuttagee Lake