*Day 100 - Necky 'Manitou Sport'

The surf is big in Southern California right now. That's why, despite the fact that I didn't get to bed till nearly midnight last night, I got up at 4:30 this morning in order to get out on the waves before work. Paul and I took advantage of the low tide this morning and headed down to Sunset Cliffs at a break called "Garbage". It was running pretty well and we enjoyed some screaming fast rides on waves that were well overhead. The size of the waves, and tremendous power they seemed to carry, left me feeling a little humbled. Consequently, I didn't feel quite confidant enough to do many cutbacks or moves instead I pretty much dropped in and ran for my life toward the shoulder before getting caught in the massive chundering pile closing in behind me.

I knew I'd need speed to play on waves this big so I brought my Mega Airforce along with me this morning. Seems how it's my favorite surf boat and tales of surfing big waves are very exciting, it would make sense to review my Mega for the 100th day of the 100 days challenge. However, folks that have been keeping track will know that I already reported on the Airforce a few weeks back. So when a great group of friends stopped by today to congratulate me on the completion of the 100 boats challenge (complete with a creatively decorated giant cookie) it was, in fact, a bit of a pre-celebration because I still needed to get in another boat for an hour to make it official. I told everyone that I figured I'd go out after work in a nice graceful touring boat like the Romany S or the like. However, after a long, hot, busy work day, when I realized that we had six people signed up for a fireworks tour launching at 8:30, I didn't have the energy to fuss with a special boat so I once again drew from the bag-o-boats and came out with the spunky little 'Manitou Sport'.

This was the first I'd ever been in this 10'-11" recreational kayak and I didn't know if it would be able to keep up with the three tandems full of clients that I launched for the tour, but I was in charge so they could only go as fast as me anyway. Ultimately speed wasn't an issue as we ended up with the typical mysterious couple that couldn't seem to make an 18' touring tandem move above a coasting speed. So it was at that leisured pace that we cruised the bay up behind Sea World to watch their nightly fireworks show. Not surprisingly the Sport turned on a dime but I was pleased to discover that for such a short boat it tracks quite well. In addition, unlike so many recreational boats, the Manitou Sport has a cockpit opening that allows for some knee to deck connection which makes the boat feel more stable and puts the paddler more in control.

Manitou Sport Review

Manufacturer = Johnson Outdoors
Brand = Necky
Model = Manitou Sport
Type = Recreational
Material = Plastic
Length = 10'-11"
Width = 26.5"
Weight = 44 lbs.

Location = Mission Bay - Fireworks Tour
Time = 8:30 PM
Distance = About 4.5 miles
Duration = 2:00
Avg. Speed = N/A
Conditions = Calm, clear, and warm