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Launching
the Brielle
Having had such a favorable experience with the Hindeloopen
replica, I became very interested in paddling the Brielle replica,
which I launched a few months later. The Brielle's hull shape
is quite different from the Hindeloopen's, although it performed
very similarly. Its tracking was equally superb, except it seemed
to turn more easily, giving a feeling of being on the water, rather
than in it. This sensation is clearly because of its more squared-off
cross sections. The Brielle's box-like cross sections give feelings
of initial stability, but it is delicate: This "box"
is only 12 3/4" wide at the bottom and therefore isn't of
significant help. It appears to have more initial stability than
the Hindeloopen replica but is about equal with its secondary
stability.
The
Brielle replica proved to be very capable in wind and waves. It
handled them well from all points, despite being a wet ride. It
tracks easily in crosswinds and corrects very easily, especially
with edged turns. The Hindeloopen replica seemed to track better
in wind, most likely because of its lower profile. It doesn't
edge as well but corrects very easily.
Both
replicas provided many valuable contrasting and complimentary
insights on their designs. The original kayaks' respective paddlers
surely prized the agility and speed of their crafts. These forms
combine the beautiful and critical mix of swiftness and grace
in calm conditions and the ability to endure under the paddler's
control in rough conditions. They are easily controlled and don't
seem to work against me in rougher conditions. Dainty as these
kayaks may seem at 25 pounds each, I am far from finding the limits
of their seaworthiness.
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