Rough sea by Rangitoto Island

It was a 27.5 km (17 miles) trip that started nicely from St Heliers in the sun. The weather changed later with a 20 knots wind and lots of rain!
We went to Browns Island, Rangitoto Island and North Head before heading back.
I am paddling a Riot Edge 14.5 which is a touring kayak and Gerard is paddling a Barracuda Safari sea kayak.

[@IamNothing82]

Some nice small waves to catch 🙂

[@kayakintro]

Not that small when you go upwind! And this kayak has a reasonably high bow/rocker. With a V10L it would be a submarine 😂

[@Fishaholicboy]

You had some great speed!

[@kayakintro]

@@Fishaholicboy Thanks to the waves and wind!

[@larscrantz]

That was different from the one before😂, you must be in good shape paddling almost 30 kilometers in those rough waters...👍

[@kayakintro]

Most of my kayak trips are between 12 and 28km. I think on a sea kayak I could paddle easily more because balance isn’t an issue. With surfskis more concentration is required and after 20km it’s becoming harder. The guy paddling with me is just 70 yr old 😊

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

More rocker help with keeping the nose up when on a wave?

[@kayakintro]

Absolutely! That’s where a sea kayak like the Beachcomber and its banana shape would do very well! The Riot Edge has a flat hull but a high bow to help in the waves but the waves still come all around me. The spray deck is needed!

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

@@kayakintro One thing with the Prijon Marlin is that it has very little rocker great on the flat stuff and slow to turn. Haven't had it in anything rough yet. The Chinese Liker Explorer has big rocker and is so easy to turn though they are the same length.

[@kayakintro]

@@gadgetman_nz4092 I find the Riot Edge 14.5 hard to turn but it tracks well at least. With the rudder it turns well, but it isn't a sharp turn. The Perception Spectrum turns very well. I am curious about the Liker Explorer. Is it well built?