Dabend

Okay, thanks. That's do-able. Full disclosure, this boat is out of my price range but am shopping for a short, light boat to complement my NDK Explorer. If I don't find what I am looking for in my price range, I may reach back out. Thanks, David

Where are you? I'd be interested in paddling it.

Hi, Is this still available? And is it really just 42 pounds with outfitting? Thanks, David

I have to drop out of the Wilderness First Aid course scheduled for Dec 11 and 12. If you are interested in taking my spot, please PM me. Cost is $185. David

also interested

You were right, Rob. Kink in the cable. Got it repaired and it slides easily now. d

Thanks Ed. I was just on High Island in July. Not to camp but did see the camping area. Nice place. I did do a run from Port Clyde (actually, started at Round Pond) up to N****le a few years back. N***le is tough for more than a Bivy. But I may try that for one night. I'd love to head up to Vinalhaven/Isleboro but my paddling partners aren't up for the drive or too much open water. My goal is to feel like I am far from the madding crowd. I know Monroe doesn't fit that description. But I have heard that if you're on the southern campsite, the view to the south, southeast is pretty nice and you feel like you're getting away from it all. I did Jonesport last year and lost all my paddling buddies because it was too far. So I am looking for a compromise this year. And as I mentioned to Joe, we've done all the best of Muscongus so we wanted to try something new. I think Monroe will be taking a risk but in the end, I'm on the water off the coast of Maine. Things could be worse. Just curious, have you ever camped on the MCHT island Pond east of Isleboro? Thanks for your input. David

Thanks Joe. I've done all of Muscongus. Many times. So looking for something different. And schedules limit how far east we go. Not a lot between there and Stonington. Will play it by ear. Thanks. David

I am a member of NSPN. I will try to figure out why I am showing up as a Guest

I'm planning a fall camping trip and was wondering if anyone has any experience camping on Munroe Island (MCHT) off Owls Head. Just wondering if its proximity to the mainland results in a lot of traffic and competition for camping sites. Any insight is much appreciated. David

Not sure if my registration went through but I am planning on being there. Can't wait. David

Hey Josko, I have a story to tell about SH and and NRS PFD. I have a SH HX870 and a NSR Cvest with a radio pocket. The pocket is too narrow for this radio (any radio really) so when I slid it in, the DSC flap on the side got snagged and opened up. Unaware of this, I began practicing rolls which somehow tripped the DSC button. I then start hearing the alarm going off that I have tripped the DSC and try to use my radio to contact the Coast Guard. In a perfect storm of malfunctions, water had gotten into the radio (a manufacturer's defect which got me a new radio) and my radio no longer functioned as a 2-way...I could only hear the alarm and see a read out to cancel it if I wanted to. But because it was wet, it wouldn't let me cancel it. A minute later, the radio was completely dead. Realizing that if the DSC actually worked, the CG would be on its way, I raced back into shore (about a 1000 yards), ran up to the house where I was staying, and called the CG directly. The good news is that the DSC worked and they were prepping a helicopter. The better news is that I was able to stop them before they sent it and avoided what would have been an incredibly embarrassing moment -- even though it wasn't my fault. As I said, SH replaced my radio free of charge. But I have always struggled to get my radio into the pocket of my Cvest without snagging the DSC flap and thereby exposing the button. Last week, finally gave in and bought a new CVest with a much wider radio pocket. And finally, to get back to the point of your post, my radio was off when I went out that day. But the radio has a Water Hazard feature which turns it on if a sensor gets wet. So I presume that by rolling, I triggered that sensor which turned the radio on, and then subsequent to that, I somehow pressed the DSC button by mistake through the pocket. Your radio is a different model than mine, but it it has the Water Hazard feature, and it's on, and you're rolling, that might explain it. Or not. David

Thanks Rob. That may be. If so, it's been that way since I bought it about 15 years ago. It does slide easily once i get it started. But I find it difficult to get it started with a glove on. I'll tinker with it. thanks,

Hi all, I have an NDK Explorer and am trying to figure out the best way to operate the slider while using neoprene gloves. The problem is the neoprene is too thick to get leverage on the slider. I have tried using my knife which works, but I have lost a knife that way when it slipped out of my hands. I have tried using a thin piece of flat metal secured with a bungie to my boat or PFD. This also works but I really don't like another thing hanging from a bungie that could get tangled. I keep thinking there should be a way to put a cord through the hole in the slider tab but I can't do it and I've never seen a pic of an Explorer that does that so I assume that is not possible. I'll bet there is a really simple way to do this but I haven't figured it out. Any ideas? David

Thanks for the feedback everyone. The Foretrex continues to be the right tool for the job for me. I think I just have to be more diligent in trying to prevent leakage to the battery case (tape) and then removing the batteries and drying out the battery case after each use. I don't think it will make it last forever, but maybe another year. David

Hi all, I use the Garmin Foretrex 401. It's a great waterproof, wrist-mounted GPS that gives me what I need. BUT....it is not durable. I have had 3 because the water always finds its way into the battery casing and corrodes the contacts. It is a slow death that begins the very first time it gets wet and can take a couple of years to kill it completely. Just wondering if anyone else has a recommendation for a waterproof, wrist-mounted GPS. Or another solution that is waterproof and does not require taking hands off the paddle to use. Thanks, David

I am interested. Am around until August 17th. Gone for a week and then able to do it after that too. David

I have a tentative plan to do a quick, 3 day, 2 night camping trip out of Jonesport beginning on Sunday, October 6. I'm looking for a partner who is experienced paddling in the seas, wind and cold that is possible on that part of the coast at that time of year. (knowing it's just as likely to be dead calm, flat water and 65 degrees) I'm not looking to organize a group or be part of one. Just looking to get away. Destination, routes, islands are up for discussion. DM me if you are interested. Thanks, David

Thanks David. I'll try them.

I have a long crack in my NDK Explorer. It is too serious to try to repair it on my own. Is there anyone out there that does this type of repair? Thanks, David

So, after blaming my skirt for all the water in my cockpit last fall, I finally caught my hull at the right angle and in the right light and saw a thin, 5 inch long crack in my hull. It is exactly in line with where the front of the seat is attached to the interior of the hull which makes me think it has something to do with the seat. I covered the crack with duct tape and did a 3 hour paddle last weekend and ended up with a totally dry cockpit so the good news is that my skirt is off the hook. But that leaves me with a significant crack to repair. All I've ever done is superficial gel coat repairs. Does anyone have any advice on the best way to repair something like this? it seems very structural. That is, it looks as if the crack will easily expand along the same lines even if I repair the existing crack. Your advice and/or YouTube videos would be appreciated. David

I want to thank everyone for their advice. I ended up going with the Gath Gedi which I customized using sandpaper. As with ski boots, you always want to make a small helmet bigger than a big helmet smaller. Thanks, David

I need to get a helmet for general sea kayaking and was wondering if anyone had some recommendations. I was looking at the WRSI Trident because I liked the visor but I see it has no vents and I worry it will be too hot in the summer. Would love to find out what others use. Thanks, David

Thanks Dan. I did try skipping steps on the SeaTow site and it would not let me continue. SeaTow was free. BoatUS is $25. But you also get the membership with that. So I guess it works out. thanks, David

I apologize if there is already a thread on getting an MMSI but I could not find one. I recently got a new handheld VHF with DSC and I wanted to get my MMSI number. I have tried a couple of places to regisgter online but they don't seem to be for a kayak. They want vessel registration numbers, home ports etc etc. Has anyone done this recently and can give me tips on how (if?) you can do this for a kayak? thanks, David