Another year, another great summer adventure.  10,000 miles across the country, up the West Coast, and home again. We had a wonderful time at each of our stops during August and September, and we hope you did, too, if you were able to join us.

As usual, our first stop was Madison, WI. Rutabaga Paddlesports has been hosting us for many years, and the turnout for our demo was so big that I think we tested their patience a little. They would never say as much, however, and a huge thanks to the whole Rutabaga team for putting up with us! It was a great day on the water in Wisconsin. Don't miss Rutabaga if you happen through Madison, and be sure to tell them "thank you" for being awesome.

Rutabaga 2015

Rutabaga 2015

Then it was on to the Golden State, where Newport Beach was indeed golden in the sunshine and our SoCal friends arrived in droves to check out the boats.

Newport Beach 2015

Our California visits wouldn't be complete without our friend, colleague, and paddleboard Jedi, Larry Froley.  Larry brought a bunch of the Kaholo SUP boards and was tirelessly helpful with demos and advice.

We can't think of a better way to spend Labor Day than playing in the water at Lake Natoma in Sacramento. Judging by the mob scene that met us there, a great many of you agree.

Check out these lovely Mill Creek 16.5 Hybrids our friend Clive R. brought along.

Our annual peregrination was capped by three days at the Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend, WA. As usual the weather was almost perfect and we had a huge booth out on Hudson Point.

Wooden Boat Festival. Photo by Jon Lee

Our friend Jon L. got this shot of our booth from his PocketShip, sailing by the festival site. Speaking of PocketShip, we can't say enough nice things about Jerry M., who brought his Carlyn J to the festival. Absolutely everyone was tickled with the boat, including designer John Harris.

PocketShip Carlyn J at the Wooden Boat Festival

Our friend Nick Schade was with us, too, building a prototype of the Sea Island sit-on-top in our booth.  You're familiar with our Sea Island Sport kit;  the smaller Sea Island is a shorter, more-compact sit-on-top that's about half cedar strips and half plywood.  Stay tuned for more on this new design, coming in 2016.

The Sea Island Sport (strip version) under construction in the booth

Southwester Dory Makes a Splash in Puget Sound!

While we were in Port Townsend, we were able to make good use of the beautiful water and light on Puget Sound and squeezed in a photo shoot with the Southwester Dory. This new 19-foot camp-cruiser started shipping in August and is gaining many admirers.

 

Southwester Dory Boat Kit

Southwester Dory Boat Kit

Southwester Dory Boat Kit

Southwester Dory Boat Kit

Southwester Dory Boat Kit

Southwester Dory Boat Kit

Out for a ride in "motor launch" mode!