A wonderful fall day for a launch (Shad)

[oldpropfan]

Even though it's only 90 % complete we decided to launch my son's Shad today as we are rapidly running out of paddling weather. Actually only need the deck lines and final seat installation, maybe 95% complete. Anyway, it was a fantastic fall day here in the inland PNW so off to the mighty Columbia River we went!

Getting settled in:


Checking the tracking while paddling backwards:


Stable enough to text your friends while on the water:


Just paddling along:








On the beach next to my trusty, but slightly squirrely, rental steed:


After 2 hours on the water, time to head back to the car and load up for home:


Big thank you to my son Christopher for putting up with my quirks during the build, to Jeff for the great design and plans, and to the forum members for their help when we had questions.

All the pieces for my Nimrod build are cut and ready to go for spring so we can do it all over again, can't wait. Lots of water to explore!

Al

[P Doug (WA)]

Looks great on the water and out of the water.  Wish I had known, I'd been there to watch.  Howard Amon park is beautiful.  Don't get there often.  Congratulations on the launch.

[bwhip]

Beautiful boat. You did good.

 

I collected a lot of sunburns at Howard Amon park during my well-spent youth. I developed a mean rock-skipping arm there too.

[Action Tiger]

Excelsior!

[azucha]

Great work -- a head turner!  Congratulations.

[tcmate]

That is a great looking boat. Good job.