And here’s why. . . I can’t be tempted out of my little rocket. My Rockpool Alaw Bach is just too much of a good thing. Yeah, she took a beating in Puerto Rico. She looks about 10 years old now with all the scratches and scars acquired along the way. She’s not as fast as my NDK Greenlander was, but certainly faster than any other boat I’ve had. My Alaw is more nimble then anything I’ve paddled, without becoming unwieldy. Much of the time during the CTA trip I did have the skeg down a bit to keep her from turning into the waves, but unlike other boats I’ve tried the skeg did not slow me down. I really didn’t notice, other than with it down we were paddling on a line.

The Alaw is also an amazing roller. There is nothing I could do in the Acuta that I can’t do in the Alaw. In fact it’s much easier for me to hand roll the Alaw, even with full expedition gear on. It just pops up. I just feel more “one” with the boat.

What’s maybe more than that is that my Alaw is a proven friend. So much time in that cockpit has made me feel one with the boat. We can move together like an old married couple and yet looking out over the deck she is as hot as a Latin dancer. It actually is exciting to me every time I slide in. (pardon the adult metaphors) That’s why every morning in Puerto Rico, right before we would launch I found myself with a new catch phrase. I’d see my little rocket sitting there ready to go and I’d turn to my partner and say, “Let’s Light’er up!”. And that’s what it feels like. Just like jumping into an F-16 and getting ready to roar into the wild blue.

I know someone will make that same connection to the Angel. She’s a classy lady and needs a good home.