WS: What equipment or technique modifications have you been able to use or improve on during this trip and compared to last (round UK)?
JD: There are two big things. First, this time I have the capacity to carry more gear through the addition of the spray deck on the front. It’s not dry inside, but gives quite good protection for a drybag and the pair of crocs that I keep up front. Its real benefit over just strapping gear on is that the bow maintains quite reasonable wave piercing qualities.
The second big thing is the paddle. Going round Britain I started with a paddle but never found either a satisfactory stowage solution, or a method that allowed for paddling with a rigged sail. With the addition of the front spray deck the stowage issue solved itself – blade protected, shaft running back along the deck. The method for rigged sail paddling was more difficult to ‘solve’ and – still – making it work in anything other than a glassy sea state is a challenge, but it has got me out of numerous uncomfortable situations and contributes greatly to piece of mind when far from shore in an unreliable wind.
The system is basically two foam blocks that make a cradle for the boom to rest on, and some tie downs to hold it in place. For those who are curious there’s a video on the website.
