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

Jim Snyder you are a superstar.

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.

Thanks Jim, I can only see the two rear holes. How do you access the front hole? Dismantle the blade? Thanks.

11am Friday sounds good to me

Sorry I’ll miss this one. I’ll be up in Penobscot Bay Area then.

Sounds great. Sandy

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.

Hi, I realize this is an old thread, but here goes anyways... I just bought an old Explorer with the rope skeg. My problem is there was no bungee cord attached so I'm a bit blind as to how it operates. I see there are two holes in the skeg close together. One has the rope to the deck and the other I assume is for the bungee cord. Is that correct? Thanks and appreciation.

That is challenging Janet! I will aim to take a field trip with my boats to check them out and let you know if I get this accomplished.

Barb if you try them definitely give a report! I am currently sharing one functional set of valleys between 2 boats which is just asking for a mistake (and a flooded hatch) so I am eager to hear how you like them!

Trip Report 4_13_2024 Cold Water Workshop. 10:30am-4:00pm. Shari G, Bob L, Sue R, Barb R, Jody H, Rainer K, Ben R, Janice C. Beverly Farms Library Conrad Room 10:30am-1:00pm, Manchester Harbor Skills Session, 1:30pm-3:30pm. 50F air, 42F water, SW 10-15 kts sustained, >20kts gusts, HT 4:50pm, Tide range 9.8ft. On-the-water participants, Shari G, Bob L, Sue R, Barb R, Jody H, Ben R. The session started with a discussion of some major topics related to paddling in the winter, although it was emphasized that all of New England paddles are “cold water”. Topics included the benefits of winter paddling, and cold water parameters to consider including conditions, route, time frame, and participants. It was emphasized that the parameters that define a cold water paddle are personal to each individual and determined by experience. It was also emphasized that hypothermia is the key issue and can sneak up on a paddler. Modes of heat loss; convection, evaporation, and radiation were noted. This led to a detailed “medical” review of hypothermia including prevention, recognition of hypothermia stages, and treatment. Each of the stages; mild, moderate, and severe, required different levels of intervention that were discussed. The next topic focused on where one is likely to cool down rapidly, namely outside of the boat. Staging the car, clothes, and gear for launch/landing procedures was mentioned, as well as the importance of choosing a wind-sheltered and sunny spot for lunch. It was noted that on particularly cold days, simply eating lunch in the boat (the warmest location) is always an option. The importance of fast, easy access to hats, gloves, and food/water was emphasized. The benefit of a mat or removable kayak seat for use at lunch was noted. The next section was a detailed review of gear, including the drysuit, pogies, hoodies, neck warmers, socks and boots, thermos, and easily accessible quick carbs. The Bothy Bag was introduced and tested (see pictures below). Further it was noted that normal paddling gear, such as the PFD, spray skirt, and helmet are warming and should not be taken off during a cold trip. A hypo kit was emptied onto the table including hand warmers, silvered medical blanket, oversized coat, extra pogies, extra gloves, hat, and dry clothes. A discussion of special topics and tips followed. It started with an interesting back and forth on “hand strategies”. Everyone had experienced cold hands, and various types of pogies, mitts, and gloves were related. Tips included using the thermos or lunch bag itself to warm hands, gloves without fingers for dexterity, and large wool mittens in the lunch bag. Hyperthermia was also noted as an issue, and it was suggested to wear exterior clothing that can be removed in layers or dipping one's head in the water. Layers of wicking undergarments were also discussed. During an in-house lunch we discussed the on-the-water segment of the session which focused on rescues. The timeline of hypothermia - gasp reflex (second), loss of hands (minutes) and exhaustion/core hypothermia (tens of minutes) was noted. In addition to the gasp reflex it was noted that another involuntary response can be the rapid onset of vertigo from cold water being in direct contact with the “eardrum” (tympanic membrane). It was emphasized that the overall goal of either self- or assisted- cold water rescues is to get the swimmer out of the water. Speed is critical. For assisted rescues, it was noted that the cold-water T-rescue in which the swimmer climbs onto the rescuers boat while the boat is being drained is an option. It was emphasized that in that case the T-configuration is critical to stabilize the climb up. It is sometimes preferable to simply have the swimmer directly heal-hook into a flooded boat and sort out the drain later (either by pumping or having the swimmer climb further onto the rescuers boat for a T-rescue). If there is a group of paddlers, it was noted that a quick raft can be used for the swimmer to climb on while his/her boat is being retrieved or drained. Self-rescue is a serious situation. It was noted that re-enter and roll can be difficult as it involves the swimmers head and body re-submerging into the cold water for the set-up. Cowboys are preferable but can be difficult in conditions. If unable to self-rescue, various options are available. One key point is to stay with your boat, as it is very easy to underestimate the time to swim to shore. A swimmer can climb up onto the stern of the boat to get a large part of their torso out of the water. It may be possible then kick to work the boat towards the shore. With practice, a swimmer can swim a boat to shore (or a safer location for a cowboy) as fast or faster than direct swimming. Again, with practice, the paddle and a tow belt can further speed up the swim. Due to predicted conditions, we decided to move the session to Tucks Point in Manchester Harbor (town restrictions were not enforced due to the off season). Shari and I partnered up and the four other participants rotated as pairs. The goal was to have everyone practice assisted cold water rescues in various scenarios in which the swimmer had to get out of the water as quickly as possible. In turn everyone swam and performed a rescue of a swimmer. Rescues included cold water T-rescues, rafted rescues, and flooded cockpit rescues with subsequent pumping or climbing onto the rescuers boat. There was a lost boat rescue in which a raft was used for the swimmer while the boat was retrieved. This one was particularly interesting as the raft had to be bulldogged because of separation due to the flood current and winds. As it turned out, it was necessary to continually adjust the site for rescues due to high winds on the harbor - a good exercise in situational awareness. Shari and I demo-ed a scoop rescue of a swimmer unable to climb into the boat. As for self-rescues, people were able to do cowboys. We ended the session, by noting we could see the four-foot swells bursting out on the Ram Islands. A lone paddler could easily round the corner into unexpected waves and capsize relatively close to shore, but in conditions impossible for re-entry. This motivated the need for swimming a boat back to an area where self-rescue or landing was possible. Accordingly, Shari demo-ed swimming in her boat without a tow belt, and I swam mine in with the tow belt. Thanks to our enthusiastic participants. It was a great day all around! Bothy Bag Exercise at Beverly Farms Library On the Water Session, Tucks Point

Hello Fellow NSPNer's, From all of us, I want to express a big "Thank You !" to Bob and Shari for presenting our first Skills Session of 2024. Yesterday morning they held a Cold Water/Weather learning roundtable at the Farms Library in Beverly and then bravely headed out to sea with their charges. These hardy souls spent time in their boats and in the water ! From all reports it was an informative and fun day. I also want to thank the participants for their interest and commitment to furthering their sea kayaking skills, both benefiting them personally and helping to strengthen our Club. Safe and Joyful Sea Journeys Everyone ! Sue

Thanks for your feedback friends! All good ideas. I am definitely needing a new day hatch cover for my Avocet (agree Mike- their covers are compostable) and, not an emergency but wondering if there is one that will go on more easily and efficiently than the Kajak Sport I have for my Cetus's rear hatch. I have used 303 on it and the rim of the hatch several times and have worked to get it seated properly and tho I think it is, often it isn't and I take on water. I have checked for hatch leaks and it is the cover. Seems like it should be easier. Maybe not possible. I see these new materials and wonder.

Give Randi a call. She’s a good egg.

Reach out to Greg Paquin at Kayakwavology in CT. He is a dealer for Whetman and very likely has them in stock. Greg is the Southern NE dealer for SKUK and many other items. Greg and Paula R. run many courses and events is some very playful waters of Long Island Sound and beyond.

Me wonders if one of the secret components is silicone? g-a satisfied sea-lect hatch covers (all of which are tethered) customer

The shipping is pretty expensive from the UK. Capital City Kayak carries them: https://www.capitalcitykayak.com/product-page/whetman-sea-kayak-hatch-covers. I'd say it would be worth a try to order one (or a set) from them. BTW, I don't like the Sea-Lect hatch covers because I find them hard to put on securely.

Sea-Lects float. Valleys sink.

No mention of whether they float or not. Might be important to some. Especially the day hatch cover. Ed Lawson

No experience, but Steve Whitman does good stuff. Sea-Lect make excellent replacements for Valley hatch covers, and they’re readily available. Just black. Valley covers deteriorate so fast they should claim they’re compostable.

https://www.whetmanequipment.com/sea-kayak-hatch-cover.html#/ Hi Friends! I am going to need to replace at least one of my Valley hatch covers soon and if these are as nice as they look may replace more. This video is impressive from my limited experience and gotta love those colors! What do you think? If anyone buys any please report back. Thanks! Barb

LOBO Buoy Program : Marine Sciences of Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Renewable Energy (umaine.edu) Maine EPSCoR LOBO (loboviz.com)