Jim Snyder

Earth Day paddle! We were David Mercer, Bill Doucet, Mike Habich, Barb Ryan, Ricardo Caivano, Fred Goodman, Sue Hriciga, and myself. If you were looking for a lot of crazy water excitement you would have been disappointed. But if you were looking for a relaxed early spring venue in a beautiful stretch of coastline with a great group this checked all the boxes. We left West Beach headed for the Rams with a strong tail wind. We knew the wind was predicted to drop in the afternoon and since it was offshore we could get some relief on the return. There were occasional places to play in the waves with the small long period swell. I think Ricardo got the best trip of the day, or at least the only one I got pictures of. Our lunch and turnaround was at White Beach. On the way back we played a little at NSPN Rock (not sure how it got that nickname) but there wasn't much action. This is a great place to paddle. We should petition Beverly to let us launch there year round.

Monday is my annual trip to buy fertilizer for my hayfields at Neptune's Harvest in Gloucester. For years I have been combining this trip with a paddle in the area, although in the past I think I've always done a non-club trip. Conditions are predicted to be pretty tame, leaving options to paddle up the coast or out to islands. I can arrive in time for a 10:30am launch after fish buying. If you'd like to join me, let me know and I'll start a group message. Sea temperature has warmed up to 45 degrees! Drysuits still required.

I was thinking Rye Harbor might be the best choice. Bass Beach is nice, with decent off season parking. It's near Rye Ledge, which can be fun. Magic Seaweed referred to it as Rye Rocks".

I'm withdrawing from this plan. You guys should go ahead without me if you are happy with the forecast.

Aw shucks. Let me invite you to become a member, it's cheap! Also show us a picture of your new explorer.

The whole assembly slides down and out if there's enough slack in the rope. It may take some force if it hasn't been removed in a while. If you can pull it down about 1 1/2" you will see the forward hole. If it doesn't pivot freely on its axle you'll need to pull the whole thing out to work on it.

The rear two holes are for the pull up rope. You go through one then the other, which has a countersink recess to accommodate the knot. The bungee is looped through the forward hole and both ends are trapped under the center deck fitting.

I have a meeting at Seacoast Science Center on Friday at 9:30 and would like to paddle afterwards but it would require flexible paddling friends. I probably wouldn't be able to launch until around 11 and Odiorne might not be the best option with a low tide at 3:17pm. Maybe Bass Beach. Let me know if interested.

John Brosnihan, harbormaster, sent me this picture from his boat: Not sure if the buoy was transmitting info or if he got it another way.

I've talked to the Kittery harbormaster about the buoy, waiting to hear back about what it's marking.

A brief report as sadly I have no pictures. We were Sandy Blanchard, Dana Sigall, David Mercer and myself. We headed out from the boat ramp into a light breeze and current and made for Jaffrey Point. With 2' predicted swell and onshore breeze the rocky shoals between Jaffrey and Fort Stark were fun to look at. We did find a little safer rock play farther up the coast. As we approached the lighthouse at Fort Constitution we paused to discuss the anticipated strong currents expected on the spring tide on the river. Sandy and I noticed a yellow buoy a little offshore and wondered about it. I remembered seeing one of these in Boston Harbor years ago but couldn't remember the purpose. I found this on the internet: IALA Special Purpose Buoys & Marks A buoy or mark used to indicate something notable in the area it is located in. It has no lateral significance or directional meaning. The yellow color of the buoy is a reminder that caution should be exercised until you have determined the reason that any “Special Purpose Buoy or Mark” has been placed in a particular location. If you cannot determine the reason the mark is placed in its location, it should be given a wide berth where possible or the area should be transited with caution. https://www.offshoreblue.com/nav/special-marks.php The currents in the river were strong as predicted but not difficult. We made a swift passage up to Pierce Island where we stopped for lunch. We had to fight a little current getting back to the Shapleigh Island bridge to complete our circumnavigation of New Castle with a leisurely paddle through the islands north of Little Harbor.

Dan, I appreciate the creative thinking but I think this apparently small company have devised some really innovative safety devices and deserve to not have their work copied. I will be ordering from them.

I'll start a pm for those who have shown interest. If you want to be added pm me.

I'm willing to organise an order.

I'm going to respond to Deb in pm so as not to clog up the forum with a conversation between the two of us. That being said if others are interested in a group order they should respond here I guess and we can start a group message.