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Ditto to Karen, save for 3" webbing, suspended from rafters. Gary

Kevin, are these plugs that you insert before launching, that stay in while paddling? The venting allows normal conversation? Where to purchase? Gary

Of course you are right Ed, but even when I am working in miniature (cord to secure hatch cover or stake out a tent fly) I follow the same "route" (as pictured) that I have committed to memory when employing ropes and sheets (sailing). Gary

Thank you David for putting this together. My simple brain is too challenged to construct this. Gary

That's it. Works great on car windshields (intended use), especially when highway driving. Gary

Thought I'd open up this forum as a way for fellow kayakers to share tips, gadgets, short-cuts, etc. Recent tidbits include bright orange tape (Cathy Foley) and Rain-X for camera lens (Brad Gwynn). One of the items in my day hatch is a piece of 1.5 inch by 4 foot strip of truck rubber inner tube. Its thickness provides great elastic strength. I've used it for strapping gear to the deck, encircling my makeshift paddle float (2 kick boards), and a shock absorber for bow/stern tie-down lines when car-topping. On a recent trip it was used to retract a friend's deployed skeg when the line broke. If you're lucky enough to find a large inner tube, you can obtain several giant rubber bands by cutting circumferentially. These are used to a great advantage on moving day. By shortening them with knots, they are great at securing moving pads over furniture. Thinner, but equally utile rubber can be found at your local bike shop, where discarded bicycle inner tubes are free for the asking. I use a piece of this for a paddle leash. What's in your hatch?

I have a series of 8 photos that depict how to tie this knot in 2 seconds. I would like to share this with the general readership, but lack the wherewithall to post this to a weblink. Is there a kind soul out there to whom I could E my photos, for placement on such a site? Yes-thank you David Lewis. Gary

I'm in agreement with Gene and Ed's sentiments. Rather than be referred to as a "leader" or "instigator", I'd suggest that the poster of a SNG be considered a "host" or "facillitator". As a poster of a SNG, I will do my best to accomodate others who have joined me. A posted SNG might read as folows: Subject Line-"SNG Oct 13, Casco Bay(Cousin's Island), 10AM" Message Line-"Arrive 9:30 for 10 am departure from Sandy Beach in Yarmouth. CounterCW Great Chebeague, lunch at Bangs Island, return to Sandy Beach. HT-12N; LT-6AM. L3,~10nm. Reply to me via E" Those who respond will let me know they will be there, or will have questions about the trip. I'll obtain contact info from everyone, including work/home phone, E, and cell number. I'll ask those who have signed up to let me know if they are NOT coming by ____am the day of the trip by calling my cell/home. I'll let all the participants know that my cell will be on until posted launch time, so that they can contact me if they are late/not coming. If they are not present and have not contacted me, I'll probably try calling their cell/home. I certainly won't be a/the leader, but staying close to the slower boats in the group. At the end of the day of paddling I'll usually be the last to leave. Gary

Suz, I'm confused by the term "tunnel". Are you referring to the overskirt as described by Kokatat ("adjustable overskirt with Smoothskin neoprene waistband keeps water out of your cockpit")? Does this overskirt substitute for the skirt I use during the warmer months? Gary Newbie

Saw some on display at Kittery Trading Post, about 1/2 the cost of the "K" brand, but didn't have time to get advice at the store. Please educate me re: Palm brand and drysuits in general, especially "How do you keep your tootsies warm?". I'd like to be able to kayak throughout the year. Gary

Joe, Your trip report reflects my beginner journeys a litle over a year ago. Those initial solo outings take courage, advanced preparation, and most importantly, sound judgement. I think you will soon find yourself venturing out alone more and more, as I do, and realizing that your paddling experiences need not be restricted to the preferable group outings. There's just so much to explore and so little time! Gary

Leon, I'm assuming you're now good friends with the Lobsterman-NOT!? Gary

Kevin , I've done it many times, always clockwise at high tide. The meandering route will likely be un-navigable beyond +/- 1hour of high tide. There's a nice beach (Southpoint) south of Brave Boat Harbor that would be a nice lunch/snack/frisbee pit stop, perhaps to or from a destination of York Harbor, for instance. Gary

Ditto with the duck thing- its only deployment. Gary

More speculation-consider heart attack. Gary

Great pix Brad! What a clever set-up you have. Now if you could only coordinate that 10-sec, automatic shutter release to capture you upside-down (though image would still be right-side up) with a wide, closed, smile! Gary

Call me anal-retentive (and I'll agree) re: boat maintenance, but this newby takes the <5min to wash the yak with soap and fresh water after every saltwater trip. Does it make a difference? Who knows?-I simply can't help myself. Gary

For owners of the W10 and others in-the-know, is the W20 http://www.dpreview.com/news/0608/06080701pentaxw20.asp worth the extra $50 to $75? I'm no camera aficionado, simpler the better, looking to capture those fleeting moments of recent, close, wildlife encounters (seals, loons, bald eagle, ?porpoise/dolphin) Gary

After a day on Squam with close encounters of wood duck, loons, and bald eagle, I regret not having had a waterproof camera in my PFD pocket. For those who have the Pentax Optio W10, do you see any advantages of choosing the soon-to-be-released W20? Gary

Carl, planning to be at Squam tomorrow from 9am on. Post here if you'd like to join me. I will be monitoring channel 72, but plan to launch from SLA at 9am. Gary

Cheers to you Bill, for buying a hybrid. I wouldn't expect you'd have any problem with the Prius, assuming you've got the correct mounting accessories, but what do I know? ...not enough! Gary

Mary, I made a paddle float for $15, consisting of 2 dry-cell foam kickboards (local YMCA). The back-to-back boards are held together by 3 evenly-spaced homade rubber bands (local bicycle shop-ask for discarded inner tubes. They can either be tied or gorilla-glued (my preference)). This supplies sufficient tension to securely hold a paddle blade in place, without slippage. I store my float behind the forward bulkhead; this is quite comfy against my feet. You may have to trim to fit without compromising function. The float serves as a great seat cushion when circumstances require. Gary

I remember paying $10 as a guest for summer solstice 2005, for what it's worth. Gary

For those who "didn't make the cut", I'm tentatively planning a trip next week, Mon-Wed, either Casco Bay or Boothbay/Sheepscot River, to include camping, possibly on one or more of the MITA islands (see private trips). Gary

News like this makes me wonder if any unattended yak is immune from theft, including when locked with some type of cable system. Mine is 1/4" aircraft cable, "homemade", but have doubts of its value as deterrent to determined thieves. Note to self, for what it's worth- record serial #, store in kayak documents, and consider inscribing/embedding some other unique marking/identifier. Gary