On Saturday, we launched a party of 8 in 5 boats from the put-in below Hoover dam for an overnight in Black Canyon. 3 kayaks and 2 catarafts including my nearly complete Redfish Return and a new 14 foot NRS cataraft. Joining the two new boats were friends on a 16 foot NRS cataraft, my wife in her Northwest Kayaks Sportee RM, and another friend in his Dagger Magellan. The weather was forecast to be clear but cool during the day (60 degrees) and cold (29 degrees) at night. (Keep in mind this is Arizona, folks!)

I didn't get many pictures, but did have LOTS of fun. The boat is pretty fast, (7.4 mph on GPS - do I have to mention the 1.8 mph static drift that was assisting??) paddles easily, and tracks very well. It does respond to a carved turn, but required fairly significant edging to get a turn going without strong sweep strokes. Takes about ½ the width of the Colorado River to turn around using just edging.

In messing around with said edging, I discovered the limit of the boat's secondary stability AND missed my brace. I can report that it rolls back up as easily as it rolls down - a "no noseclip" roll, no less! (Actually, I think it rolls easier than my Outlaw, and I don't have the cockpit fitted yet.) It's only fair to mention that I had it up on edge enough to bury the bilge pump discharge port!

The hatches don't leak at all, but they are going to need some modification. The magnet retention system is strong enough that I can't get them open with cold fingers! I think I'm going to have to add a nylon ribbon to each one as a pull tab. I didn't have an excuse to test the foot operated bilge pump.

All in all, a very pleasing experience! Lots of compliments and lots of fun! Thanks to each of you who had a part in making it happen.