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Jim: Lithium batteries are rather complicated devices about which I know little. However the following might be helpful: 1. They like being cool and do not like being warm; 2. They deteriorate the most when fully charged or discharged to the extent the protective circuitry allows; 3. They are happiest when kept in a range of @30% to 80% charged: 4. The happier they are the longer they will last: 5. No matter how happy you make them, they will eventually die of old age or having gone through an established number of full charge/discharge cycles. Which in both cases is less than many assume; 6. When you leave it in the charging cradle, the charging circuity will not allow it to get to its happy place and instead keep it fully charged causing it to fail sooner rather than later as it is being kept it in a state that will cause it to deteriorate more quickly. I suspect what you experienced is the battery no longer had any useful working capacity, meaning it had no ability to actually supply current, but it would charge up to the rated voltage so the charging circuitry thought all was working OK since the battery showed the rated voltage across a high resistance through which essentially no current was drawn. Turning on the radio immediately drained it of what little working capacity it had. This is not a binary situation. For example a battery might have adequate capacity to operate a radio on receive for a long time, but the current draw to transmit is much higher and transmitting will deplete the battery very quickly. Ed Lawson

I believe NDK boats have been made with two different day hatch rims/covers which are close, but not identical in size. The standard rim and cover is a KajakSport one and the optional one is a Valley. It would be exceptional for the Kajaksport cover to fail after a year so suspect it was a Valley cover. One confusing fact is KajakSport now makes covers for Valley rims and Select makes covers for KajakSport and Valley rims. The day hatch KajakSport rim is 8.25 inches or 20 CM while the Valley rim is 8 inches or 19.5 CM. So one needs to take care to be sure the cover really matches the rim. A KajakSport 20 will go on a Valley, but not fit tight. Top Kayaker in Ossipee NH usually has all three brands in stock. Ed Lawson

Gary; As you know, short term memory is first to go. and the elderly speak of the past as if yesterday. If that is Mary on the far left, then from left to right it is Mary, me, Carl, Gerry, and Jason. Ed Lawson Who also remembers Jason rolling half way to Jewell and a nice neat hole put into his Sahadow during the first "new" 4 start assessment in NA.. Just don't ask me what I had for lunch today; let alone for dinner.

Mary Bennett is the person you are thinking of. Talk about kayak loading and not letting the bow get too high. It was something to behold when she put her kayak up on the RV. Not sure if that is Mary on the far left. As I recall that was the trip Jason with some dubious help replaced his decklines. Ed Lawson

Dave: Have not camped on Pond, but have heard good things. East Barred is nice and the MITA island West of Eagle has spectacular views. I agree the southern campsite on Monroe provides nice views. Ed Lawson

David: Not sure what your goals are, but you might consider the run up from Port Clyde to High island which is a MCHT island and nice little place to visit. Can be fun bit of coast to paddle along. Could visit Muscle Ridge from there or go on to Monroe for second night. If you have never visited the MITA/MCHT islands north of Vinalhaven suggest they are definitely worth a visit. Lots of places in Penobscot Bay. Ed Lawson

David: It has been a few years since I visited Munroe, but it did not look used that much on the south side, and I had the island to myself in the middle of the season. Recently, it has seemed to me that many MITA and MCHT islands are not used that much. I have not had to share an island for around four years. I believe Munroe is now a MCHT preserve so things may have changed. YMMV Ed Lawson

Big Bird: You said the Explorer would tip over when parallel to boat wake, but I assume it did not, the boat wake was indeed a modest non-breaking wave, and you were tense trying to keep the boat level/under control. Based on this comment, my $.02 is stop thinking about buying a boat. The issue is unrelated to the stability or lack thereof in the Explorer and/or Chepeague in my opinion. Instead, invest is a few quality lessons, arrange a day's demo paddle at MICKO, get a decent paddler to accompany you, and take one of the suggested boats, Roany Surf seems a solid choice, around Peaks I. when conditions are modest. Maybe take the Explorer then the Romany. I'm not saying you won't end up with a new boat or that a good boat will not make paddling more fun and assist in dealing with more textured water. Just the boat is not always the cure, and the Explorer is such a solid boat that I doubt it was the problem under the conditions you described. Ever ride your bike though a deep sandy patch where it squirms and slithers about? I bet you learned not to fight the bike, but let it move about,, and ride it out by staying over it and and only dialing in some control when needed. Essentially the same in a kayak when the water gets textured. Ed Lawson

Brian: What a great bit of writing is your review of the Sisu. I found many golden nuggets sprinkled throughout. So many small things can have a big impact on how a kayak works. Ed Lawson

Here is the fist edition so to speak of Brian's opinion about secondary stability. https://kitchi-gami.com/2018/10/21/sea-kayaks-there-is-no-such-thing-as-secondary-stability/ I agree with the second edition far more than I do the first edition and I had intended to refer to this one in my post. Ed Lawson

On the question of what is the primary factor in the amount of "primary stability", I believe most would say it is the kayak's beam as Peter said. No doubt the water plane when level is a p-art of that. The terms "primary stability" and "secondary stability" are rather slippery. You might find the following of interest although I don't buy everything he says. If for no other reason than once upon a time liked the P&H Bayiha very much and it, along with the Nordkapp, is usually considered a "tippy" sea kayak. https://paddlingmag.com/stories/columns/rock-the-boat/why-theres-no-such-thing-as-secondary-stability-in-sea-kayaks/ As for your feelings about how stable any given kayak feels to you, time in a boat and skill level are factors, but also very important are how much you weigh, your overall size, center of mass. Without that information, impossible to know what kayak would be suitable and then the question is suitable for what? Different paddlers enjoy doing different things when they paddle and that influences kayak selection. Often people migrate from one boat to another as their comfort level increases, their understanding of what they want in a kayak changes, and/or their interests change. As Peter says, it is a very personal choice. It is not unheard of for someone to initially not like a kayak, but become very fond and trusting of it over time as well as to doggedly keep paddling a highly touted boat even though they never really become comfy with it. This may seem like heresy, but I suspect the Chebeague is a perfectly nice boat, fast enough, seaworthy and adequate for weekend camping trips. So you could do a lot worse than just take the boat you have and go paddle it as much as you can in as great a variety of water as you can. Then you will develop a better "feel" and understanding of what works for you and that will be important when it comes time to get a different kayak. Ed Lawqson

A prophet is without honor in his own country. Ed Lawson

Gary: Did you Photshop those pictures? I don't believe I have ever seen it so flat around Popham. Have been thinking about that stretch for awhile and wondering how to make it not a long paddle. Now I know about Head Beach and how to do it as a reasonable day paddle...maybe even up to Perkins before returning. Ed Lawson

It is amazing how bits of history show up at yard sales. A guide in Maine bought an old, well used Romany at yard sale for $50. Turned out to be one of if not first Romany ever shipped to US. Predated MICKO, etc. Still solid and still used last I heard. Ed Lawson

I believe Derek talked about that boat in one of his books. Urban legend is that someone complained to Derek about one of his boats being twitchy and in response he asked how much kit they were carrying. When they said it was typical day paddle stuff he scoffed and said, " I designed it to handle right with a 100# of kit for tripping. What do you expect?". Maybe this was the boat that cuased Derek to say the right length for a sea kayak was no more than 18' because he could not make anything longer in his garage. A rare find and no doubt still sound and ready for an adventure. Ham radio people love to buy old tube gear often 50 years old to restore just for the fun of using them warts and all. Maybe someone will see value in doing same for old kayaks. Ed Lawson

One thing not mentioned, but making sure the compass is aligned with lubber line is important. While it is not easy to hold a precise heading while paddling in less than calm water, having the compass properly aligned is important. Even a few degrees off can be a big deal if you do not rely upon a GPS. Confess I get very picky/over engineer this aspect of compass installation. Ed Lawson

My experience has been it is OK to use the little screws that come with the compass. I have never used the template, but use a manual drill with a very small bit and use the compass itself for a guide. I tend to smear some 3M 4200 or 5200 on the screws, clip the portion of the screws that protrude into the hatch, and cover the screw end with a small dab of epoxy. Never had a problem with leakage or integrity of the installation. Of course you can over engineer it with bolts and nuts, etc. Nothing wrong with that approach, but not sure it is necessary. Ed Lawson

Gary, I believe we are good to go. As in now! Ed

Pierce Island too? And people complain about Maine.

In the past the area across the bridge and opposite the ramp has been used for launching. Still available? Ed Lawson

FWIW, a federal judge in Maine refused today to issue a preliminary injunction against the 14 day quarantine rule in a lawsuit brought by some campgrounds and individuals. The US DOJ intervened to support the campgrounds, but that did not sway the judge. So rule will stand during litigation or until Maine amends the rule. Interestingly, in NH to rent a campground site or motel starting next week ( up to now out of state folks could not rent rooms or campsites in NH), all out so state persons must attest they have quarantined in NH or their home state. I guess the wink-wink approach does not anger folks. Ed Lawson

Suggest you get this book. It will be very helpful as you plan your adventure. Don't assume the MITA guide/app is comprehensive regarding places to launch. https://www.amazon.com/Kayaking-Maine-Coast-Paddlers-Cobscook/dp/0881507059 Ed Lawson

Gary: Saw you paddle in neoprene socks. Do you have other footwear for getting out of the boat on those less than foot friendly landings...snot-grass covered rocks, etc.? I have never found a good solution to that problem as foot room has always been a problem in low volume boats for me. Ed Lawson

This is the WS fiberglass version of the classic Greenland design by Mark Rogers. Excellent condition as even the hull has few scratches. Not heavily rockered like the AA so easy to paddle quickly, but still turns easily. A low volume, responsive boat that is fun for day paddles, but has plenty of space for a weekend trip. In fact someone used another SH to paddle the whole MITA trail. No skeg, but weathercocking easy to control. Weighs 42# and 16.5' L and 21.5" W . Currently the seat and foot pegs are out of boat as I use a foam pad and bulkhead, but both can easily be bolted back into the boat. Best for someone on the small side as foot room is limited due to low deck and cockpit is only a little bigger than standard OC. Asking $750.

Just in case anyone misinterpreted my comments, you cannot stay/camp at a campsite/area open to only residents and those who have completed the 14 day quarantine in order to self quarantine. For example, you must have done a 14 day quarantine before using a Allagash Wilderness Waterway campsite. While some businesses in Maine are advocating the state remove the 14 day quarantine others are not. The Gov. has said and it is understood that voluntary compliance is expected and law enforcement resources are not going to be used to chase down the inevitable scofflaws. Does not mean you can ignore the rules. Heard that on Vinalhaven a tree was dropped across a driveway as a subtle suggestion those from away staying there follow the rules. Knowing how people feel here about early arriving summer folk, as they are called in polite conversation, did not surprise me. Since I understand the feelings, I doubt I will be up in Maine kayaking till the quarantine is altered or eliminated even though I can see a technical way to do it and comply. Ed Lawson