Submitted: 07-23-2007 by LeeG
Update:
two days later, breeze upwards of 10mph and numerous boat wakes in Annapolis. This is a smidge disappointing. Nice range of stability and wave handling. Very comfortable surfing little waves. But the bow doesn't unweight enough when leaned, so it doesn't correct weathercocking well enough until leaned hard over. Weathercocks less than a Tempest 170 but not as responsive when leaned. Kind of like a Pygmy Coho except the pivot point is a foot or so too far forward.
The 16'x21", 17'x22" and 18'x21 Mergansers are similar in pivot point resistance to weathercocking and response on a lean, the 17W sticks out regarding weathercocking and response to a lean. You could toss five lbs in the stern or add a long 3/4" skeg to the stern but a retractable skeg would probably be ideal. Moving the seat back would put one up against the coaming. What would really be ideal is a slight re-design so it handled similar to the other Mergansers. |