We picked up our 'new to us' ME this weekend (see my previous post: http://www.cboats.net/cforum/viewtopic.php?t=7960532), and my wife and I promptly got it out on the water. Here are a few notes for those interested; I don't have many pics, and I haven't learned how to post them yet.
ME is in quite good condition, though the wood gunwales are in need of maintenance, and one of the deck plates has come free (from rot), so I'll have to splice 6-12" of new wood at that end. The rest of the wood appears to be solid - the inwales in very good shape (I would guess that they've been varnished and are still holding it), the outwales well weathered with a bit of surface spongeyness. But solid underneath when probed, so I think some hand sanding (both inwale to get the varnish off, and the outwale to get down to solid wood) and oiling will bring them into form. From what I can see, probably will need to remove the outwale and sand/oil the inside face. Looks like plastic composite deckplates, so I may try to replace those with wood (assuming that I can).
Outfitting is basic, but in good shape (three individual saddles, single thighstraps, molded kneepads, & footbraces) though I'll want to shape the saddle a bit and add some ankle blocks (pretty tired feet after a full day). Be a few more trips until my bow partner commits to strapping in. In terms of water displacement, I wonder if it would make sense to add an airbag between us, over and around the solo saddle. When we take on water, we've got a fair amount of available volume. If we're going to learn to roll it (any youtube videos of that?), well, we'll deal with that when we get there. Didn't have a chance to measure the beam.
Great inagural paddle - Goodwin dam to Riverton section of the Farmington: class II, well within our comfort zone. Several nice little play spots. Got our first swim out of the way about 30 seconds after we pushed off. Swift portion of the river; I wasn't strapped in tight; and as noted above, my bow partner not at all. But after the swim, we quickly got the feel of the boat, and stayed upright for the rest of the day. Warm enough that we wanted to swim more.
I was hoping the ME would be a nimble tandem, and it certainly was - with some practice, we were able to catch small eddies well, caught several good surfing holes, but decided to wait on the side surfing. My bow partner felt empowered - could really feel her effect on the boat. A bit wet as noted, and we forgot our bailer, so we had to occasionally beach and drain; but we're still learning the boat (and to paddle together), and I'll remember the bailer next time, so I'll hold my assesment on that. Harder to control on flats than I'm used to - I could track my old Mohawk XL-13 pretty well (and of course tripping tandems), but I found the ME pretty squirrely. Kept wanting to spin towards my onside, and I wonder if the weight distribution/trim plays a part in that - it really felt like I was overtaking my partner and passing her, unless I regularly corrected with a stern draw.
We're looking forward to getting it out again soon - and I'd appreciate any thoughts/comments on my maintenance, outfitting, and paddling thoughts above. Thanks for the advice so far.
Thoughts on --MY-- Mad River ME
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Thoughts on --MY-- Mad River ME
Always on the look out for paddling partners in the Catskills...
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marclamenace
- CBoats Addict
- Posts: 711
- Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:28 pm
- Location: Quebec, Canada
Nice first ride I can see you had fun!
Some little thoughts:
- forget about the deckplates; remove the rotten stuff and you are fine. They pretty much have no use.
- A little electric pump is a dream to have in a boat like this. A little funky to setup but well worth the 100$ or so you'll spend there.
- If you can also find the courage to do it, peel off the middle saddle and add a barrel for floatation between you and the partner instead. Nice to put your lunch and clothes in there and you can always put the saddle back in with some velcro adhesive. I know it sounds cheezy but it works fine with some added D-rings for the saddle (they holds the barrel in place also)
You already saw how the boat likes to move with you instead of holding up a line on flatwater. He wants to play so keep on throwing the ball at him and have fun!
Some little thoughts:
- forget about the deckplates; remove the rotten stuff and you are fine. They pretty much have no use.
- A little electric pump is a dream to have in a boat like this. A little funky to setup but well worth the 100$ or so you'll spend there.
- If you can also find the courage to do it, peel off the middle saddle and add a barrel for floatation between you and the partner instead. Nice to put your lunch and clothes in there and you can always put the saddle back in with some velcro adhesive. I know it sounds cheezy but it works fine with some added D-rings for the saddle (they holds the barrel in place also)
You already saw how the boat likes to move with you instead of holding up a line on flatwater. He wants to play so keep on throwing the ball at him and have fun!
Watch out; that river has rocks on the bottom. 
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Toolboxafloat
- c
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- Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:27 pm
- Location: Tuebingen Germany
- Contact:
Having read this (and the linked thread on background-information on the ME) I wonder if anyone knows something about the history of MadRivers following(?) OC-modell, the Fantasy.
I happened to buy one of the few that have found their way over to Europe some time ago in Switzerland and like it a lot. There appear to exist only four of five of these boats on our continent (I know of two in Sweden a very beat up one - almost a wrack - somewhere in Germany and mine of course which is in pretty good shape).
Can anybody tell the story of the MadRiver Fantasy?
(curious) Axel
EDIT: Oooops, just found this thread (http://www.cboats.net/cforum/viewtopic.php?t=7960611). Sorry folks!
I happened to buy one of the few that have found their way over to Europe some time ago in Switzerland and like it a lot. There appear to exist only four of five of these boats on our continent (I know of two in Sweden a very beat up one - almost a wrack - somewhere in Germany and mine of course which is in pretty good shape).
Can anybody tell the story of the MadRiver Fantasy?
(curious) Axel
EDIT: Oooops, just found this thread (http://www.cboats.net/cforum/viewtopic.php?t=7960611). Sorry folks!