alcoons

>Quite a while ago some of us emailed our representives about > "H.2126: An Act Relative to Making Mnadatory Installation >of Safety Flags on Kayaks." I mentioned in a previous email that one rep had responded. Now Senator Shannon has also responded with interest. He mentioned that he "is aware of only one bill affecting kayak users, and that is House Bill 4456." He asked me to clarify the origin and status of the flag proposal I mentioned in my email [House Bill No. 2126] and copied and quoted that information from our club's message board back to him. He sent me a copy of House Bill No. 4456. It asks that in addition to existing laws (which are not listed): a) Any person aboard a kayak shall wear at all times a Coast Guiard approved personal flotation device of Type I, II or II. Kayaks shall also be equpped with a compass and a whistle. I wrote back:In terms of Bill 4456. This clearly is a reaction to the unfortunate events last summer in Cape Cod. Those paddlers made very bad choices in terms of conditions, experience, equipment and gear. 1) I assume no one in our club would ever consider going out without an approved flotation device when the paddle requires one - which is most of the time. Any time we go as a group it is requirement. However, the way this bill reads, if I wish to paddle in a narrow part of the Charles River (100 feet wide), when it is 100 degrees out, I am required to WEAR the flotation. Do we require all swimmers to have wear flotation devices? Do we require all other boaters to wear them at all times? Sailers in small boats are often in more danger in high winds and seas than kayakers. 2) A whistle is a good and expected safety device. But what is wrong with other and perhaps more effective types of signaling devices? What if you had a small air horn rather than a whistle? 3) A compass without maps, training, and sense of direction and location is of no use. While of course the goal of carrying a compass is sensible, requiring a compass is like requiring an AM radio. It will give you information but not useful information. I carry one at all times, but I know how to use it, also carry a map, and know where I am. Thanks again for finding the time to deal with this issue. The club I am a member of does promote safety and trains its members endless by example and expectations to make good decisions. Amendments to the present laws may be in order, but I hope that individuals, national organizations, and clubs that have true expertise can be included in helping frame changes that will, in fact, improve safety. Al PS. Please note that I speaking for myself here and not the club I am a member of.

Some questioins for those of us beginning our second season with the club: (1) When do club paddles switch over from the required dry suit season to the required wet suit season? (2) Since the water is still going to be quite cold, what clothing advice might you give paddlers who are going out at the beginning of wet suit season? By that I mean, yes I paddled in an inexpensive wet suit at the end of last October but I believe the water will be much colder this spring. Should we have neoprene gloves, head covering, full/thick wet suits, ...????? (3) Should I buy a new kayak with heated seat and remote starter? Thanks in advance, Al

Quite a while ago some of us emailed our representives about "H.2126: An Act Relative to Making Mnadatory Installation of Safety Flags on Kayaks." I just received a very personalized letter from Paul Casey, the State Rep from my district. He or his people had obviously read the copy of the good information I forwarded that had been posted here and saw the logic in it. He wrote that he planned to share it with the appropriate commitee (Public Safety). So, who knows how our reps will vote when it comes down the actual ballot, but at least Mr. Casey has impressed me with taking the time to read and respond in detail to something like this. Al

Below is an announcement for a Wildnerness First Responder course that I received on the NOLS list server in case anyone has the time and interest. Al ----------- <<-Do you enjoy spending time in the outdoors? -Do you want to learn skills that can build your confidence responding to medical situations in the backcountry? -Are you interested in leading trips or working in the backcountry but are worried you are not yet qualified? A yes to any of these questions should lead you to consider becoming a certified Wilderness First Responder at Harvard this spring! It's a great opportunity to meet cool people (like you) who want to learn medical skills to use on their next trip or adventure. Read on.... Wilderness First Responder course Taught by SOLO instructors Offered March 27 -- April 4 At Harvard University $500 (what a deal!) Room and board not included For more info, go to www.harvardfop.com or email fop@fas.harvard.edu>>

Dave. Great idea and count me in. By the way, I think that Sunday is May 2 not May 1. Al Coons

>For what it's worth, it's best to have a packet of each: the >rockets to send up a long-floating distress signal, the >handhelds (like the type state cops used to mark traffic >accidents) as a beacon for rescue personnel once they have a >general bead on you. For us non-leader serious types...is there a general consensus that this would be a sensible set of flares for us? Or, should we carry fewer flares and more beers for the leaders? Al

Brian. It only took me 2 minutes to send a copy of your great comment along with a comment of my own to my MA representatives. I hope many others will. I have found in the past that this type of issue will die quickly if those against it contract their representatives with sensible, serious, respectful arguments. Thanks for dong the hard work. Al

Update. All blades are now exposed after continuing to apply hot water and a little bit of leverage. Action is stiff. Moving to WD-40 if the WD-40 has not frozen! Stay warm. Al

> I assumed from Al's description that he was talking about a >lump of rust rather than something with surface rust. This >method does indeed work and work well given the limitation >relative to surface rust. > Thanks for everyone suggestions. Sorry I wasn't clearer...really didn't expect there was a solution. I have soaked it for a while in hot water and much of the external salt crust has come off. Even got the screwdriver out. That is the tool that is least embedded. However, I can still see more salt crust and the other blades are still stuck - not surprising since they are embedded with little room for water to penetrate when they are closed. There is no rust showing at all. So, I will continue to soak in hot water. Will report back about this crucial life-saving matter as progress is made. Note: If I can get 10 responses to a problem with a swiss army knife, I wonder how many I would get when I post a serious problem? If I ever think of seeking professional counseling, maybe I could save big bucks here! Thanks again. Al

Eddyline Nighthawk Not a drop inside during the first season - even after a serious 1/2 roll onto the beach. Al

Last season, while I awaiting the arrival of an appropriate knife to hang on my PFD, I took along a Swiss Army knife for repairs. It did get wet from time to time but I cleaned it as soon as I got home. I just retrieved it from my gear and either I forgot to clean it last time or we had a very salty snow storm recently. It is now the ultimate safety swiss army knife since nothing open. I assume it is a gonner??? Any cures? Al Eddyline Nighthawk Red/Over White when upright

My wife and I are having a debate. Now that Christmas is over I think I am almost fully equipped for the spring. Thanks to good suggests and help from all of you, my PFD will be loaded with a whistle, knife, radio, sunscreen, lipbalm and I will have a tow belt around my waists (both of them now that the Holiday Season is drawing to a close). We know that I am missing both 1) cup holders and 2) gorp/popcorn containers. The debate is which is most appropriate as her next present to me. I feel that dual cup holders lined with appropriate foam so that appropriate liquids are quickly available with either a left hand grab or right hand grap are first priority. I know that we should not skimp and get the cheap holders. Like everything in kayaking, you want the good stuff as soon as you see the faults with the inexpensive gear. I know I need the special $300 attachment system which is compatible for my PFD since it is the only one that keeps the lids from flying off the cups when surfing. She feels strongly that I can always steal camelbacks from other kayakers in the group (after the appropriate bonking with my $8000 ginsu paddle) so I really need to get the gorp/popcorn containers first. Again, we know that we want the expensive models that both select the right color MMs out of the gorp while using solar power to pop and butter the popcorn. The kayak division of the Mars Company makes one unit that is compatible with my PFD for only $250. We can only afford one of these right now. As always, your help on deciding which to buy first is appreciated. Al Eddyline Knighthawk

This might be something the Outdoors Club at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School would enjoy sponsoring. I teach there and use to run the club. BB&N is on the Charles River in Cambridge opposite the Mt Auburn Hospital (where you cross over from Storrow Drive to get to Fresh Pond Parkway). Would this be a good location? We have a nice room with appropriate AV that holds close to 100. We are on a college schedule so it would have to be during the first two weeks of March. We have free parking. Al Coons al_coons at bbns.org

I was thinking back about the past year as I get ready to go to my parents house in PA for the Holidays. One of the very first things that came to mind was how receptive, helpful, and fun all of you made this new member's initial dunkings into New England kayaking. Thank you all for making everyone feel welcome and safe. Thank you all for sharing your time and energy. Thank you all for being so open in discussing mistakes and confusions, successes and small victories. Thank you all for creating something that is rare in this day and age -- a truly diverse group of people with different talents, interests, backgrounds that can work and play together and have fun. Al red/white (the majority of the time) white/red (after errors)

>Hi Al, > >I get hot easily also. I'm assuming that your paddling >jacket was made of something breathable. >Liz N. Liz - thanks for the response. Actually, my paddle jacket is from 1972 and it is not breathable. Obviously (now that I read your response) modern ones are and that would make all the difference! Anyone interested in a 1972 paddle jacket: wide red, white, and blue vertical strips...finally back in style? Will give it away for the patriotic price of $3000. Al

I did the fall multiclub paddle with Conyak and had a great time. As we neared the lunch stop I started to get a bit cold. I had been munching on some snacks but was slowly going downhill, even while paddling hard. With land ahead I knew things were fine. However, if we had to paddle another 20 minutes I would have been colder than I think would have been good. Some caveats before my question: 1) I am an experienced winter climber/camper so I understand all about modern clothing, food, layering, temperature control when it is -10 F and I am out for multiple days. 2) While buying a dry suit is something I will do, my question involves situations where I might not be wearing one. Conditions and Clothing: I was wearing a farmer john (that went to just above my knees), paddle boots, polypro long sleeve undershirt, and paddle jacket. Even had a poly hat near the end. I am a big guy and sweat easily. There were strong high winds, some spray. Question: Given these conditions, would most people have another fleece layer on their upper body? This is what I would do if I was hiking. Without one, the moisture in the poly underwear layer really does not have air space to wick to. Or am I missing another solution. Thanks, Al beard/chin Eddyline Nighthawk red/white

Hi. When I first joined the club I posted a question about tow belts, but I was too new to really digest the great answers. After a while I bought a Kokatat system which has the rope wrapped around a card. While it made sense at REI, it did not work so well in the water. Deployed without warning and takes too much focus to make sure you undo the loop correctly before you deploy it. Can anyone point me towards the standard bag type tow belt? Manufacturer? Also, is there one or two online mail order houses that carry really complete selections of kayak gear? Thanks, Al boat/my head <- not a good position Eddyline Nighthawk red/white

Hi. My wife and I are going on a trip in March. We are hoping our friends from NC can join us, but he is 6'6", 210 lbs, 36" inseam, 38" waist. Boats available for his use are Sealutions XL or Necky Eskai. Of couse, if he could find one of these boats near home he could try it out. Assuming he cannot, anyone have some measurements or experience that would ensure he does not have his knees in his nose? Need to make sure the length to the foot pegs is enough and also his big feet will fit. We are trying to get the info from the boat supplier, but need to make a decision ASAP. Thanks, Al Stomach/navel Eddyline Nighthawk: red/white

>Don't know about indoor rolling sessions but most of my >outdoor ones occur after a blown brace, or stupid human >kayak trick. >Bob We must have learned from the same expert. My half-roll is solid. The one from head above the water to head below the water. Al

Will there be indoor rolling sessions this winter? When do they typical occur? Thanks, Al

Hi everyone. I was about to take my kayak rack off my car when I realized I would want to use it to transport my boat to rolling sessions this winter. Any words of wisdom on leaving the rack on over the winter? Obviously you want to careful when cleaning snow and ice off around it. What else do I need to know? Thanks, Al brown hair/skin colored bald spot Eddyline Nighthawk (Red/White)