gyork

Peter, we experienced the same washing machine conditions on the southern tip last October while day-tripping. It's a beautiful spot, and in warmer weather, interactive trail guides with map lead you around the island-wide loop hike: http://www.bbrlt.org/pdf/Damariscove-History.pdf http://www.bbrlt.org/pdf/Damariscove-Nature.pdf

I don't believe any harm will come to the compass proper, but be sure to flip your boat upside-down to drain out all the potential water collected in the kayak recess behind the compass.

Classic Downeast umah. Satisfying to know this stuff isn't made up. Doubtless these characters are telling the same story over and over. Aside: a six-back is not considered a navigational aid. On the other hand a cardboard wine box serves as a decent straightedge.

Don't worry about the cavity, except before you store it for the winter, as you want to drain any water in the recess. Be concerned about a complete seal around the screw holes, and take care to cover the exposed screw tips in the hatch. Diminutive, gooped, nylon acorn nuts work for me. Suggest search " install Brunton compass" or "p70 compass" for all kinds of tricks. gary

garnet That's the downside-need a rudder for proper steering. These sails were incredibly fast to put up/take down. The whole system, including the "boom" and batten supporting the sail quickly collapse and stow in a conical sleeve strapped to the foredeck. The mast drops down a hole in the deck and seats in a receptacle glassed to the cockpit floor.

More pix, including Elli and Laurie's splendid sailing rigs, and close-up of garnet-studded granite at one of our stops. http://picasaweb.google.com/garyleeyork/SouthportIsland109# Gary

.......while surveying the local shark/dogfish population.

Last call

Refreshing; 3 definites so far for the best of seasons, kayaking or otherwise.

Scattered INTEREST; no COMMITMENTS as yet

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Stay at Gray's Homestead campground http://www.graysoceancamping.com/tenting.htm at group site. Tentative: Friday to Damariscove Island and others. Pot luck at campground. Saturday circumnav Southport Island with detour to Five Islands Lobster Co. Restaurant. Please Private Message or post here intentions/interest. Gary

This may be obvious to most readers, and you may have done this Liz, but is standard protocol to inform local authorities when a kayak sans paddler is recovered? Which authorities? Gary

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/13275.shtml 0.48 Nm

Older post, but thought I'd recommend Princeton Tec Quad LED Headlamp. Waterproof to 1m. BBLeans has it on sale for $23 at their outlet stores, sold under the Bean logo. Gary

If you're camping on the western shore, consider Dutch Neck launch (paved ramp, all tides; 44.02.378N 069.22.247W) or Medomack Town Landing (short, steep carry to the shore, ample parking; 43.59.872N 069.24.099W). You should have ample time poking about the northern reaches of the Bay, checking out future campsites. When you have more time, consider taking advantage of your MITA membership and spend multiple days on one of the islands base camping or island hopping in the southern Bay, hoping for the right conditions for a trek to see the puffins. But what you discovered from the archives is mostly true-not a desirable kayaking destination (spread the word!) Gary

Hard to predict. Our May trip to Jewell was easy going until we hit the 10-15 sou'westerlies straight on, coming around the N tip of Chebeague. Two days later, returning to launch, flat as pondwater. Throw in some fog, sprinkle in some boomers, and expect the unexpected.

Inland waters NH require white light illumination, 360 degrees of view. A C-light works well, strapped to a head band, or cradled within a night stick that rises above your head. Laws specify continuous "on" mode, but in a kayak, keep it at the ready to activate as boats approach.

We had good success last month doing an open, one-mile fog-bound crossing last month, near slack low. We were originally paddling on a 110 degree heading towards the Otter Ledge #11 green day marker, from Lobster Buoy campground. http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/13303.shtml I was careful to watch the stopwatch function on my "kitchen sink" watch, stopping when progress stopped, restarting when underway, figuring we'd cover the mile in about 20 minutes, given conditions and paddling pace. About midway we decided to "aim off" to 120, thinking there would be no "catching feature" or "backstop" (terms/phrases in quotations from orienteering glossary) if we were off northerly, and we'd be off to Vinalhaven. We heard gulls squawking (maybe island/ledge nearby?) and a fishing boat's diesel (all bets are off), and at the predicted "reckoning" time red#10 appeared 100 yards to starboard. Believe your compass(es), mind your stopwatch, and be able to predict your speed/course over water under current conditions. gary

Paging Peter Brady, who seems to have cleverly figured this one out. Peter, are you able to provide photos of your prototype or is patent pending?

Yes, the sun was shining in ME T, W, and Th last week. Pix from a solo to Thief and other MITA islands: HERE gary

I consider myself cautious and safety-conscious, yet repeatly neglect this important information. How about others? gary

Trip report (via pix) of day-tripping from Lobster Buoy campground. https://photos.app.goo.gl/UqypokuKvQJUVtZT9 Gary