PDR appreciation
By Jamie SauderDear Mr Shorty Pen,
I just wanted to write and say thank you for creating the PDR and the website. I have been reading your posts for years and finding joy and motivation. I looked through the other “going 3D” posts on the website and realised that most people send photos of unfinished boats. I thought I would send a couple photos of our finished one.
This summer my daughter and I finally built a PDR together (Hull number 1080 Chiken Gravy). That in itself was fun, but once we got it on the water, I was thrilled by the performance and stability. She learned to sail in it and her first time out was in 12 knots of wind. No problem. Later, I took it out in 15-20 knots and got it planing, even with the sail reefed down to 40 square feet. Crazy fun. I had never planed like that before, water shooting in all directions.
In September, we took it out on the Ottawa river on a mild, calm day, the two of us together. Wind picked up and we ended up sailing 4 miles downstream to the bridge. Then the wind died. That’s when I first noticed the current, and the rapids just past the bridge. We sailed and paddled like hell but couldn’t beat the current, even close to shore. So we beached the boat. I thought, uh-oh, disaster. My daughter will never sail with me again. But she was cool. We ran back the 4 miles to the car along the bicycle path in our crocs, lifejackets and wool hats. People stared at us. It was lots of fun and a memorable day.
Your posts and articles often made me laugh out loud. I hope to see you post something again soon.
Thanks for doing what you do,
Jamie
I just wanted to write and say thank you for creating the PDR and the website. I have been reading your posts for years and finding joy and motivation. I looked through the other “going 3D” posts on the website and realised that most people send photos of unfinished boats. I thought I would send a couple photos of our finished one.
This summer my daughter and I finally built a PDR together (Hull number 1080 Chiken Gravy). That in itself was fun, but once we got it on the water, I was thrilled by the performance and stability. She learned to sail in it and her first time out was in 12 knots of wind. No problem. Later, I took it out in 15-20 knots and got it planing, even with the sail reefed down to 40 square feet. Crazy fun. I had never planed like that before, water shooting in all directions.
In September, we took it out on the Ottawa river on a mild, calm day, the two of us together. Wind picked up and we ended up sailing 4 miles downstream to the bridge. Then the wind died. That’s when I first noticed the current, and the rapids just past the bridge. We sailed and paddled like hell but couldn’t beat the current, even close to shore. So we beached the boat. I thought, uh-oh, disaster. My daughter will never sail with me again. But she was cool. We ran back the 4 miles to the car along the bicycle path in our crocs, lifejackets and wool hats. People stared at us. It was lots of fun and a memorable day.
Your posts and articles often made me laugh out loud. I hope to see you post something again soon.
Thanks for doing what you do,
Jamie
