HMS Wick II

The two boys are thoroughly enjoying our weekends down Papermill Lock for a spot of kayaking. However one thing has quickly become apparent - a two seater kayak just isn't working as both boys always want to come out with me at the same time. Neither of them are old enough to have a single seater and two 2-seaters is not an option as Tina is not that interested. So I opted for the next best thing - a 3 seater! Decathlon were offering the fantastic Sevylor Hudson reduced by £100 and it was just too good an offer to turn down - we were dead lucky as we managed to get the very last one and even this had been reserved for someone else. So last weekend we headed off to the Lock for the first launch of HMS Wick II.

 

HMS Wick II's maiden voyage, Josh at the stern and Brandon at the bow.

If anything I would say the Hudson was easier to set-up than our old two seater inflatable kayak and took no more than 10-15 minutes to inflate. It is surprisingly much longer and wider than our old boat. On the plus side the seats provide far more support and leg room and there is a dry bag which is concealed in the back. The only real downside is that it is too big and heavy for just me to carry down to the water.

 

And off we all head on the Hudson's first cruise.

The Hudson handles and performs soooooo well. I was amazed at how much more stable and fast it was compared with our old kayak. It handles extremely well and is very manoeuvrable considering the length of it. The sides are a little lower than our old kayak which enables the boys to use the ores with much greater ease and efficiency. This really became apparent with Joshua and at times you really had to put the power down on the opposite side to where he was rowing as he was really starting to propel us along.

 

Much more stable and no bending in the middle of the kayak.

The Hudson seems to be built much more durable as well with all the inflatable parts concealed in a heavy nylon material. Then the bottom is lined with a thick rubber base. The chances of ever getting a puncture through the materials it is made of has got to be slim to none. Hopefully this kayak will last us several years until the boys are old enough to start going out in single seaters on their own.

Amy taking her nephews out for s spin on the mill pond Chelmer. in.

Brandon loves being on the water and every time he gets out of the boat he says something like, "well that was a good day out wasn't it?". Despite his enjoyment he often only likes little trips down the river and then wants to turn around and come back. So Amy dropped Brandon off after a while and then took Joshua off for a long haul down the Chelmer (probably further than he has been before). 

Amy and Joshua returning after their long haul down the Chelmer.

Fingers crossed this nice weather stays for a little longer so we can get a few more trips out on the Hudson (aka HMS Wick II) before the winter months set