I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as… Willy!
Meet Jean’s new kayak, which we’ve named Willy (as in “free” per the killer whale flick…).
A yak whose slender hull is prest
Against Pier 40’s flowing breast…
A boat that looks so good all day
We’ve got to lift a glass and say:
Enough with the Joyce Kilmer already. Let’s paddle!
Yes, “Willy” the Tiderace Xplore S (as in, small, as in low-volume) floats. And flies. And rolls (Jean-dependent). In fact, last weekend at an indoor pool session, she performed such a Frankenstein sweep-C2C-wha?? roll that everyone guffawed and gave sleek, black-and-white-striped Willy a new name—Zonkey. That’s a zebra crossed with a donkey, in case you didn’t know.
OK then—cheers to Willy Z. And to Randy H. at New York Kayak Company in NYC, where we bought the new yak. Same afternoon, Willy Z’s maiden (?) voyage on L.I. Sound coincided with HHYC Commissioning Day. How handy, they even had champagne!
On our paddle, we discovered another new boat near Mamaroneck Harbor. So new, it’s not even a ship yet. Probably 100 feet, when it grows up.
You can see other bloggers’ interpretations of this week’s photo challenge, Works of Art, here.
Bon voyage 🙂
2 Geeks @ 3 Knots 
Love the Boat… Can’t wait to hear how you like it… I’m keeping my eye on the Tiderace series as my Go-To Option when I wear out my current boat.. Cheers! & Happy Paddling to the Lucky Girl!!!
Hey! You already said it: Love the Boat!!! It is everything I love about the Cetus LV, but (for me) faster, yet comfier. The shape is different (not Swede—I no longer have 3 fingers width of boat on either side of cockpit coaming). Deck raised a tad more, so my feet are happy even in winter boots. Still has the “ashtray” i.e., small day hatch up front, but it has a shallow, long well vs deep so I can move around better; and aggressive thigh braces!! But I’m hardly hampered by them while paddling–lots of room while rotating, etc–the difference is when capsized, yay! There they are! Heave ho. You should definitely check Tiderace out… I’m continually impressed with all the little but important stuff that it got right! G’night 🙂 the lucky girl
Nice choice of kayak. Performs well and is nicely built. But champagne….really !!!!… any decent sea kayak deserves a nice bottle of red. Maybe a big gutsy Shiraz to match its bold temperament or maybe its more subdued mood with a Shiraz Sangiovese, accompanied of course with a nice meal on a deserted beach. Now thats my style of paddling.
Haha, you are so right on all counts! Funny you should mention the red wine/deserted beach scenario… you just described our weekend (Norwalk Islands, CT, with pals Vlad and Johna, aka Wind Against Current). Except the shiraz was in a bag, not a bottle…BTW, are you a sommelier? Love yer style! J&A
Lots more photos of Willy coming up soon! 🙂
Right back at ya, Solstice! And…uh…does your kayak have a name?
Red Herring
Hurra, Bravo! Congratulations, Jean! Willy looks terrific and you too. we wish you lots and lots of happy hours with each other. Wonderful post! I’m still laughing myself silly about JJJJEEEESUS CHRRRIST FEEEEEEENTON! 🙂
Big hug, Dina & Co
Thank you, Dina! Stay tuned for the back story on Fenton… (yes, funniest thing ever! Jesus Christ!) Glad to report that so far, Willy is much better behaved 🙂