Phoenix Hurricane 140

[Occy]

Damn you Jokina. If I get divorced in the next few weeks it will all be your fault. Why I hear you ask? Because of you and your ridiculous Hot Buys post I went up to Gosford (Kayak Direct Warehouse) this morning and bought the Phoenix Hurricane 140 http://hurricaneaquasports.com/kayaks/p ... 0.htmlthey had on special. And I did it without telling the cheese and kisses didn't I.

Snuck out whilst she was at work like a mangey dog and secretly purchased something I know I shouldn't have. I still can't believe it actually, as I'm not generally the impulsive type, but this is one very sexy piece of plastic, especially in that really seriously attractive metallic Papaya colour. Check this one out to see what I mean http://www.floridapaddlesports.net/Prod ... x_140.html. When he confirmed it had indeed been reduced to a lousy $999 (a massive $800 less than it is selling for elsewhere) I was a goner.

At the normal price (around $1800) this is a seriously good alternative to the Barracuda (around $2400) so there was no reason to muck around. Thirty minutes later with a new trolley (my old scupper cart won't fit as this yak only has one scupper in the hull would you believe) and seat, all at a very keen price I might add, I was throwing it up onto the i30. And when I say throwing it I mean it, because I just couldn't believe how light this thing is. At 23 kg it's a lightweight compared to Cavendish, and it's only 5kg more than the Barracuda. No doubt after I've finished pimping it will be a tad more heavy, but none the less I'm starting from a significantly lower base.

Ten minutes after that I was back on the freeway making my way home; all the while furiously trying to figure out how to break the news to SWMBO. Best plan I came up with was to hide it under a tarp up the back yard until I get the courage to tell her about it. I just hope she doesn't find it in the mean time. Yeh I know I am a wimp, but what else could I do? Does anyone have any good lines I could use? What would you have done?

[dru]

Paul, you've seen the operation at my place. First you find an excuse that Bazzoo just has to be entertained, back from checking out a yak, paddle, spot, doesn't matter, use your imagination. Then mention it in passing while Bazzoo is trying to recruit his next nubile.

Guaranteed. He fails, you win, he doesn't fail... Well you've solved the purchase problem anyway. That's a win-win.

[scorpio]

Easily done. Take her out to dinner.(this in itself may be suspicious, but wait). Tell her how lucky you are to have met her and lay it on really thick till you almost make yourself sick. After dinner and over coffee tell her what a great night it was just to be alone with her. Take her home and just go about as normal for a day. Buy a bunch of flowers to take home and tell her you were thinking of her that's why the flowers. By this time she will offer to forgive you for whatever it was and does'nt want to know, just as long as you cut out all the crap. In the meantime you are exercising your quads getting ready to run like buggary for when she finally lifts up the tarp. All will be forgiven when she finally buys that wardrobe full of clothes that she has wanted but was not game to buy untill you bought that BLOODY kayak. I bought my new kayak and rang my wife while she was at work and can't understand why I still have'nt got into trouble. The new car looks good though.

[Occy]

Thanks guys, I was thinking of the flowers and dinner, but have already used that one up for some trips away (Conjola being one such occassion I might add), a few times this year actually.

Then I thought about the old "but look at how much I saved" line, but that doesn't work with me any more due to my penchant for buying crap, any crap just because it's cheap. By the way anyone want to buy a brand new never been used singing all dancing weather station I picked up cheap from Vinnies the other day. I already have one but it was a steal at $60.

Then I thought of the "but look how sexy it is in that chick magnet Papaya colour" line, but on reflection I might leave that one out. So it looks like I'll have to trot out the tried but true "when I sell Cavendish and Lady Finger I will actually be in front" trick. It's worked before, so hopefully it will again. Anyone want to buy a cheap but seriously sexy chick magnet yella Kingfisher?

PS: In keeping with my theme of naming my yaks after the fruit they resemble (my Kingfisher was of course named after a variety of banana called Cavendish, and my little Calypso was Lady Finger) I have decided this yak will henceforth be known as Sunrise. Which is of course a variety of Papaya. And given Papayas come from latin America, where my by line "Lazumba - Live The Life You Love" comes from I think that's quite appropriate.

[gonetroppo]

Hope to see a full report and pictures soon occy. If i get a new kayak the move will be to a lighter one, so this one looks like its on the cards.

[Angles]

Congrats Occy - hope your not in too much trouble mate Keep us posted on the Yak - they sure are a good looking boat. Make sure you give us a full review of Sunrise - eager too hear as they are on my wishlist too
Phil

[Occy]

I tried out my Phoenix 140 the other day on a short trip over and back to Cockatoo Island. I must say I was rather taken by surprise at first as it seemed quite a bit tippier than Cavendish (as it bloody well should considering the weight difference) but I soon got used to it. It also felt like I was sitting a little higher, which is probably a good thing.

The trip over was smooth as a babies, no wind or chop, and again I was surprised, this time at how little effort I had to put into paddling, and how much glide there was after ceasing to paddle. I was used to Cavendish stopping almost dead, so a yak that just keeps on going whilst you take a breather and look around was a delight. I deliberately didn't put the rudder down on way over to see how it would go, and as it turned out it wasn't necessary, as it handled just fine.

The trip back was a different story, blowing an absolute howler of a gale, with white caps everywhere. Notwithstanding I got quite wet paddling into the gale most of the way, I was very happy with how it went. If it had been Cavendish I would have really struggled I think, and most probably would have been drenched in anything that day. I'm glad I had the rudder to keep me on track, because I needed it as the Phoenix sits quite high and is susceptible to a bit of wind.

More to come.

[Occy]

Second trip out today, in much better conditions (again to Cockatoo) reveals that my first impression that this is a seriously efficient yak was correct. I'm even more amazed at how little effort it takes to get this thing up and running. More to come including some photos soon I hope.