Pre-Review of Current Designs Slipstream

Introduction

 

I frequently change my kayak fleet, selling refurbished kayaks and buying replacements (a fun hobby for me). It is rarely feasible to water test each kayak before I purchase it. However, I do read reviews and am discerning. If a kayak reviewer is clearly experienced through many years with multiple kayaks, I pay attention. On the other hand, new kayakers who get a new-to-them kayak are like parents with a new baby, a baby who is invariably incredible and exactly perfect. I am 100% wary of them. Otherwise my back yard would be full of recreational kayaks and sea barges.

Before purchasing this older Slipstream, I carefully inspected the hull and deck. I made sure the skeg worked smoothly. I liked the easily replaced KayakSport hatches. My feet fit when sitting inside while wearing my largish water shoes, so I could move them around to relax my legs. The coaming was padded properly underneath so rolling would not require further modifications. Hence, I was relatively confident that my newly purchased used kayak would work for me, despite my massive 143 pound physique. Then, buying it before the season’s start, I made assorted trivial modifications such as 

• a keel strip
• reorganized rigging
• a stainless steel pad eye at the bow
• a paddle park modeled on those from the (Broze Brothers) Mariners
• a skeg line to release a stuck skeg while underway
  

but nothing fundamental to how the kayak paddled. So to me the primary questions that remain are:

• is the overall fit acceptable
• what leaks exist (please not the skeg box)
  
• is the weathercocking easily tuned out with the skeg
• how slow is it - I don't need speed, but I need to keep up with a group
  
• is the backband comfortable
• can I roll it easily

Note that I would normally expect to modify the backband because of a compromised lower back (an old ski injury). This is almost always necessary, but I remain hopeful and won't modify the backband unnecessarily. 

End of 2021/22 Ski Season

As of April 10, 2022, the Schweitzer Ski season has closed. Both the alpine lifts and Nordic trails are done until next season. The season snow statistics at season's end are:

• total snowfall 275" (average is ~300")
• snowpack at lodge 52"
• snowpack at midway 76"
  
• snowpack at  peak 96"
• snotel site 111"
  

Many skiers log a huge number of days. However, in my own case, I only had 19 days of alpine and 21 days of Nordic. It was a good ski year, but definitely not a superb powder year for the alpine skiers. The grooming nowadays is excellent for both Alpine and Nordic. 

Good grooming is essential for Nordic, especially for the skate skiers. Further, track setting for the classic Nordic skiers was superior to past years. I heard that the new track setter equipment is better. So the Nordic skiing was, in fact, superb.

Other than dedicated alpine racers, most of us prefer off piste terrain for our playground. This year was not a good off piste year, given the dearth of fresh powder (distinct from Pend Oreille Premix). Hence, the excellent grooming tided us over.

For those unfamiliar with the ski area, its top elevation is ~6400', its lowest elevation is ~4000', and has ~2900 acres of skiable terrain.

We did have some visitors over the ski season. Friends from Vancouver Island came over to ski and snowshoe. The Nordic conditions were fine, but the alpine conditions were not so good. In fact, on the final day of their visit, we were plagued by deep, heavy, wet snow. Nevertheless, the visiting was splendid. They even regaled us with music - violin and guitar.

Near the season's end, my elder daughter visited for 2 weeks. Despite coming from the Austrian alps, she still got in 6 days of alpine plus a day of Nordic. She hadn't skied Schweitzer for 40 years and was interested in the many changes. My son visited for 2 days, and was able to ski with her on one of those days. The snow during her stay was hardpack, but she was happy enough.

Here is a recent photo of the back bowl taken from the yurt by a friend:

Without zooming in, it is hard to see the Sky House at the top as well as the chair lift that accesses that ridge.

And here is a photo taken by another friend. It shows the lake from Switchback #6 (used to be Switchback#9) on the road up to Schweitzer:

The periphery of the lake is 110 miles. It is the 5th deepest lake in the USA.