K1 - Whats the point?

Originally posted by Pierre

   I launched my K1 about three weeks ago. I sail on the River Blackwater in Essex and launch off a gently graduated stone beach. I am 5'5, 60 kilos, so not your average weighty chap! I have no problems launching on my own and simply float her off, have a long painter, drag her in closer and drop the keel so she doesn't float away whilst i take the trolley up the beach. Getting away from the shore is not an issue except in a direct onshore breeze when I either get a tow out if it's a club day and there is a safety boat around or give up and retire to the bar (fortunately direct northerlys are fairly rare here). Getting back to shore just takes a bit of thought and advance planning but is not the issue I thought it might be. I can easily get the boat back on the trailer on my own and get her to the shore line. Thinking of buying a quad bike to get her up the beach though when my 'trolley dolly' (husband) is not around to help. I missed all the good weather early on and have been battling in some fairly gusty stuff. Very safe and secure and flys downwind, singing while she goes. Last week the phantoms were capsizing and others struggling with their kites in the gusty blows and I just whizzed by and had absolutely no worries of getting a dunking on the gibe. Currently have a few upwind issues in the strong stuff but all round she is an absolute delight. Reason I went for this boat?........got too exhausted, wet and cold righting capsizes. Happily a thing of the past.

Edited by debsw - 20 Jun 11 at 2:50pm