Jump to content

Gcosloy

Guest
  • Posts

    1,489
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Gcosloy

  1. Thanks for all the sensible advise _ I plan to go out perhaps today and paddle with my cedar GP and try and get a sense if the current loom is just right or needs to be smaller or larger. I get it about stalling from a dead stop-will see what happens when up to speed.
  2. I have a cedar GP that I've made following Bryan N's book. I've never liked it because it flutters on take off. 84" with a 19" loom. What I liked about the Superior paddle was the complete absence of flutter and a solid feel on each stroke. My choices would be 84" 17" loom. 85" 18" loom or 86" 19" loom. I'm thinking the 85" may be the best compromise for me.
  3. I'm thinking of investing in a Superior GP. Unfortunately despite an expensive investment they seem to offer specific sizes in length which also defines loom size. For any paddlers who have one what size is recommended: I'm 5'10" and currently paddle a euro at 215mm. I borrowed one on Saturday and really liked it even though the length and loom were too large for me. If I order a 84" it comes with a 17.5" loom-I'd need to go to 86.5 if I want a 19" loom. Non of my boats are skin boats and are about 21 or 21.5" wide.
  4. I can see your point! However if one closes the flap on the bag after the shorter portion has been deployed the rest of the line should remain in the bag. It is one more thing to remember to do however and in a dramatic situation could be overlooked.
  5. I just purchased the NRS Pro Kayak tow line. http://www.nrs.com/product/18291/nrs-pro-kayak-tow-line What I like about it is a line with built in stretch-no additional bungee required-a large bag for stuffing and the option of moving the bag about 90degrees on the belt so you can have the bag in front and the quick release nearby as well. On another subject: why the need to daisy chain to shorten the tow line? How about tying a loop say 20' and connecting the loop to a carbiner and the end of the line attachement secured in the bag. 20' should be ideal for short tows away from coastal rocks and if a longer tow is needed, then release the loop from the biner and voila-50' feet is available. Can you see a problem with this method?
  6. The picture of Cathy being contact towed out of the rocks is awesome.
  7. La propriété, c'est le vol. Usually translated as "property is theft". Attributed to the French nihilist Proudhon. While I'm somewhat sympathetic to this view, particularly when it comes to beach frontage I do respect the property of others and stay within the legal boundaries as established by the Massachusetts Bay Colony circa 16?? Ah tradition!
  8. Et tu Leon, You have also become a literalist; perhaps too much time in Florida? Rick, you repeat yourself-your views on this subject are well known! I can only say that my post about a haul out on Bakers was "tongue in cheek" and I suspect Mike's post was also to invoke humor. Don't you guys get it?
  9. Not to worry Mike-I just received my new tow system from NRS today-so we can all practice a haul out on Bakers. Besides what can they do -call the harbor patrol on us?
  10. Pawtuckaway sounds nice, now that I can pronounce Piscataqua correctly I need another challenge.
  11. REI sells these Nalgene containers that are waterproof. The smallest is currently 1 oz. In the past I was able to get one even smaller, but the 1oz size can fit in a pfd pocket. http://www.rei.com/product/402057/nalgene-polyethylene-bottle-1-fl-oz
  12. I'm a Stohlquist fan of the B-pod. It has a thick soft neoprene neck that is so comfortable and doesn't allow water into the suit. The cuffs are latex significantly heavier than Kokatat. They use their own breathable fabric not Goretex and in 5 seasons of use has never delaminated. The suit is also about half the price of Kokatat. Sizing runs a bit small so I have a large and the booties also run small so I needed to get x-large booties on a large suit for my 11-1/2 to 12 feet. No extra charge. Joel at NESC has them and sometimes has a sale on them as well.
  13. Robin, I enjoyed the video you posted of difficult landings. While the individuals were impressive it was the group behavior that most impressed me. While I would never contemplate that kind of landing I'm sure we have a number of NSPNers who as a group could do something similar. And while I would not boast of such skills, if I was with such a group that I trusted, I would not reject such a landing. First let me acquire a plastic boat!
  14. This was my third year of participating in the valuable Cam on the water event. I usually attend for the fun and comaraderie; what surprises me is that I often come away learning new things. Yesterday was no different. While our group was not dubbed "more adventurous" several of our party capsized in breaking water and one performed a splendid combat role. Way to go Sherrie! We spent most of our day outside of the Little Harbor breaker and had some fun with serious water breaking over rocks . Phil and Bob were excellent coaches and I think a day like this demonstrates the NSPN motto of pay it forward. Much thanks and appreciation for the organizers.
  15. The Paul and Bob pod focused a lot on the CAM aspect of moving on the water. At several intervals paddlers volunteered as lead and sweep. After crossing the entrance to Marblehead Harbor we proceeded on to Childrens Island where we could see the other group resting on a steep cobblestone beach. Paul volunteered to check it out and help facilitate the landing. Two participants demurred and suggested choosing an easier landing which we did around the corner in a protected cove. After all 10 had landed safely a discussion ensued about the best way to land in surf: legs out and popping the spray skirt or legs in with spray skirt secured. To Paul's credit, although he preferred one way over the other he allowed for individual differences and that one should try both and decide. On the way back many of us had a chance to do long length tows of a simulated and rafted paddler who was incapacitated. Bob capsized too near the rocks outside of Children's and had to be contact towed out of danger. He also lost his boat and I decided to rescue the swimmer and not the boat. Surprising to me Paul pointed out the circumstances where the reverse is preferred. After reentering the harbor fun and games were had by all: rolls, T rescues, Eskimo rolls and re-enter and rolls. My one moment of serious excitement happened heading back to Riverhead Beach when I suddenly found myself hoisted upon a hidden rock. Bracing desperately on both sides until enough water rolled in to release me I escaped with only an attack to my pride and gel coat. Another 50 feet further there was a buoy marked ironically "Rock". I could tell from the many smiles that everyone in our group had a great time.
  16. Leon-I think you've been spending too much time in the sun-time to return to NE.
  17. Lisa-did you take the drug test? Only kidding-congratulations gal!
  18. I'm in for June 7-8. Definitely newbie to camping!
  19. I don't know what I was more impressed with, the pictures, the map of your course or Pru's knee shots. Hope to see some of you soon with two new hips. Now should be no excuse for poor torso rotation. If this keeps up in years to come we may need to rename NSPN to NSBPN (North Shore Bionic Paddlers Network.
  20. Sad to see-the Cat Force series was a unique design in expedition sea kayaks that will be missed. I'm glad to have mine.
  21. A drysuit is almost always more comfortable even in warmer air. As was already said you can always cool off by rotating. If you don't roll, grab onto the bow of a paddle mate and dunk yourself. The wetsuit is more difficult to moderate. You may be perfectly comfortable in the air and even during immersion. It is after immersion that with light to moderate wind, evaporative cooling can take its toll on body temperature. My rule of thumb is you can never dress too warmly - if you get too warm you can compensate-if you get too cold there may be little you can do about it.
  22. Thank you Cathy, as my wife tells me, "You can never find anything".
  23. Looks like a lovely lineup of opportunities to paddle. I hope to add to this list later in the season. One question however-what ever happened to the NSPN matrix of Levels? How's a participant to know whether they are proficient for a Level 2 or 3 paddle without this guide?
  24. Phil-I think the benefit of this product is that it doesn't require a splint for strength.
×
×
  • Create New...