First overnight test of my haka based sleeping platform (as seen on P16 of this post). I spent 18 hours entirely on the kayak (apart from a couple of minutes to take pics) to see if it was possible to set everything up when on the water. It was ...and I had a great time. I felt like I could live on this for a weeks expedition easily. The haka make living on the kayak possible. Set up on the aka they make great seats for cooking etc and also for walking around on. Unclip and relocate them over the hull for a comfortable camping platform.
Coupla things:
-I had a tarp setup using a tent pole in the mast holder and the mainsheet clipped to it but the tarp was flapping too much so I took it down. Back to the drawing board for that. The pole/mainsheet was handy for balance when walking around so it will be kept.
-I brought along an extra haka which worked great as a platform to access the bivvy bag. It made setting up the two main camping platform haka much easier.
- The tramps are still a must have. I wouldn't be without them. They are better for storing gear on and keeping the haka free for hiking out.
-The Cooper anchor with 2m SS 6mm chain performed great and held solid in what were some strong wind gusts. I had it routed through a snap hook on the bow padeye and tied off to an aka.
- I had no trouble accessing all points of the kayak, even the bow padeye and rear hatch while on the water.
It's a pity this trip was so short but I had to return home due to forecast very bad weather and without a rain tarp it would be very miserable.
I was really enjoying this first experience and can't wait to get out again. The 18 hours flew by!
A little video clip (apologies for the wobbly bits:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRjUyQqFSiQ[/youtube]