: Hi Larry- I would love some feedback on you RBA when you get a chance to
: paddle it. Where are you located?

: Ken

Ken, So far I have paddled the RBA twice. I will have pics soon (still varnishing). I had expected the RBA to be quite tippy and probably need a rudder. I had asked Nick about tippiness of the RBA when I ordered the plans. He told me I "would probably not want to eat a sandwich while sitting in the boat"!

My observations so far: The RBA has very good initial stability, not as solid as my Coho or Guillemot EXP. but, much, much better than expected. Tracking is pretty solid but side winds do produce weathercocking. I think the rudder for racing/go fast paddling is probably a good idea. I won't bother this season though. I really can't comment on speed or rough water use yet. It does seem to take a lot less effort to maintain my normal cruising pace. I will have to check it on the training course that I record times for, every paddle.
Leaned turns are very responsive and secondary stability seems solid (another surprise). Sweep strokes have less affect than leaned turns. I rolled her on my first attempt even though I don't have any thigh hooks.

I love my bulkhead foot brace. I wish I had done this on other boats. Don't know how I will handle the rudder though.

So far the RBA is fitting the bill for it's intended purpose (racing/ fast paddling). I'm glad It is not more than 36# because I have to carry it 1/4 Mi. in my next race. I did this carry today and it was no problem. My intended use is FW rivers and inland lakes. I don't paddle open ocean and won't be able to comment on that type of paddling.

Stay tuned,

Larry C.