Phil Allen

They're very similar Ed. The sea wolf doesn't come with either a short tow or other rescue vest features like reinforced shoulder straps and clip in points. The other difference is that the side/chest straps on the Sea Wolf have snaps. Nice if you're in a hurry to get out. best Phil

And just to clarify, the boat launch gate gets locked 1/2 hour before the main lot. As the summer goes on the park closing time gets adjusted for the shorter day. Best Phil

ps: on the subject of Cohasset, the harbor master has asked that folks leave a float plan with her. Her office is in the yellow building close to the bridge. It helps you having someone know you're out there should a storm come up etc and I think it helps her tracking use of the local marine environment. best Phil

Thanks Dan. Also, the ebb current doesn't start until an hour after high and in my experience doesn't get interesting till 2 hours after high. best Phil

ps: much better days for Cohasset on th 16th and 17th best Phil

Hi Cathy- Definitely go play (and I may be able to join you in Cohasset in May). Ed generalized some of great thoughts about the use versus demonstration of skills. My specific issue with the way many folks apply the low brace turn is that: a) requires lots of speed and therefore room, which you may not have and as done by many leaves the boat pretty much right on or just passed the eddy line. Having been knocked over, swallowed by whirl pools (though not like Rick) and had sea sickness suddenly arise when I was on the eddy line it's just not a great place to hang out. Unless it's mild and you're having fun doing spins etc ;-) . So think about the goal when applying the low brace turn. best Phil

Cathy- Just my 0.02$ worth, but I'd be hesitant to use a low brace turn (with the paddle in the water) to cross eddy lines in a long boat. Since the brace acts like a break, it slows you down just at the most chaotic point in the transition from eddy to current. Get across the eddy line then use it perpendicular to the boat as Rick and Suz say to make a deep edged turn in the direction you want to go. In short boats it's more appropriate as there is less of the boat feeling opposing forces for less time. best Phil

Congrats Cathy! Phil

Actually Leon, only the Kestrel is a rec kayak. The tsunami is a short high volume sea kayak with front and read bulkheaded compartments and a day hatch. It's fine for putting your self out around the ocean side of harbors and poking about. It has a significant moderate v-hull and is much more seaworthy than many suspect. That said, it's high volume and 14 feet long, so it's never going to be fast or efficient in traveling distances. Somango, Katherine is asking the correct questions. How do you envision using your soon to be acquired boat? best Phil

Great trip report once again Pru! We were thinking of you all as we drove back from western MA through the snow squalls and traffic jams. best Phil

Hey Gene This post ended up in the boat repair subsection. Probably won't get too many responses here. best Phil

I've had both and they're very similar in the current versions. One addition on the sea wolf is the side straps have releasable buckles on the chest straps. Makes it easier to take the jacket off at the expense of the climbing harness like reinforcing in the GJ. Best Phil

We've got the Jetta wagon as well, with 48" bars and two yakima swing open J-craddle link things. We can just barely squeeze a boat on its seam between the two cradles. Put a piece of foam under it and strap it off one of the cradles and it's good to go. If you need to buy gear, the best approach is the vertical stackers, with all the boats on seam. Probably could get 4 or 5 on a 58" bar that way, but don't ignore the weight limits. best Phil

I'm babying my old keens so that they might survive another season, though the amount of aqua seal might exceed the amount of neoprene at this point. Anybody have suggestions for relatively supportive boots appropriate for the rough granite of the maine coast and beyond? I've seen lots of sneaker variants, but not many boots so if you know of them AND they're available speak up below. best Phil

Lorrie's is about 10 years old at this point. We picked it up from H20 Outfitters for our first kayak camping trip. They now sell one of the ones linked to above so I think hers is no longer available. I had one as well, but the zipper died in a few years from salt water corrosion. best Phil

The Minimo is a new variant with a supposedly much improved flame intensity and a wider pot. Arguably you can simmer in it. We'll have to wait for a report from DanF as to if that's actually true. Great for hot water though. best Phil

just like a surf session, except the water's frozen. ;-) hope you've enjoyed missing this winter Scott. best Phil

A wide ranging discussion for sure. I applaud your desire to give back to a sport that you clearly enjoy. I guess the relevant question is what would specifically make you feel good. If it's showing folks new places, maybe continue to expand yourguiding roles. If it's helping students acquire new skill, maybe do some instructor training and continue your teaching. I know that I've gotten a lot of benefit from the animations you've done of some of the more dynamic areas we paddle. Best Phil

Hi Mike- Glad you had fun. Was ice an issue? How big was the tide and how soon before high where you playing? We've been down in short playboats and in longer Necky Jives. Usually the playboats rule from about 3 hours before highwhen it starts to about 1.5 hours. Then the wave flattens and the longer boats are better. best Phil

Hey Bob Lorrie and I would like to help out if useful. Andy, sorry about the wrist. Best Phil

Great report Pru (as always) for what sounds like a most amazing trip. Quite jealous both that you went and that you missed at least some of the blizzards. best Phil

One spot claimed as of 10am Friday 2/27. Another available if you're interested. best Phil

Nice. Would bring new meaning to the term ice cream headache!

Hi Leon- It should work really well at home right now assuming you can get enough speed through the ice. Pack ice makes the blade even more supportive when you're on edge, assuming the blade is well centered and doesn't slip off said ice Joking aside, did you try it into oncoming current? Looks like the submerged blade is getting more lift by being sliced into the current across the eddy line. Still looks like another way to get wet to me (which will be good come July or August). best Phil

Though we'd love to play in the warm water, the entrance into the area where we keep our boats is a tightly twisting path through a 10-15' high pile of snow. So there are two openings for this Saturday. Contact me if you want them, and we can arrange payment sometime convenient. best Phil