Hal Boudreau

Hope there is room for one more......

I was with you at the Solstice paddle-- had the 15 yr old girl with me. Yes, Hal's been off Kings beach and I just wanted to go out there with Him and a few others. I will let you know if we are in for sure later tonight. What time does is launch-- I'm missing that in the posts I saw. Nancy

Thanks Jason, thats just what i was looking for....... Hal

Could anyone explain what the "Blackburn" is, and when its happening for the newbies like me? Hal

I like the fixed blade for two reasons, (1) you may be trying to hang on to one thing and need to cut with the other and unless you can flick the knife open, you could be in trouble. (2) In a rough sea you may want to keep your hand away from the blade even if you only mean to open it. (3) Scissors.... Hmmmm... If it were really cold, could you manipulate them? Could you use them with neoprene gloves on? I use a very sharp and trustworthy, Winoka, two clip, blunt ended diving knife. I put a rubber band through the end hole and stretch it down to the end to keep it from coming out unintended. The rubber band is small enough that I can break it easily if need be, but strong enough to keep it in the sheath. I only take it out to change the rubber band periodically. (no pbj, butter, slice a bagle etc.. emergency only!!!) I have a bad feeling about tethering it to me in any way. I'd rather use it the time I need it to save myself and toss it if need be than take a chance it would cut through my drysuit or me.............

Thanks for all the great info.... My friend Brad, Just happened to have a few pieces and we changed the old one out for a new one. The mechanism is a simple one and anyone with decent mechanical ability will be able to do this as long as you have the right tools and patience. A good friend with a helping hand doesnt hurt either. I noticed that the new cable was wound much tighter and had a stiffer feel to it although it seemed to be a smaller gauge. (1x7 braid- 3/16 gauge) Once we cut the line with a pair of cable cutters, Brad had me file the end to a bullet shape to make it easier to pass through the tube. I replaced both clips with 3/8 band clamps, the rear one is a real @#$%^. Thats where the patience thing came in. I also had to remove the seat to get at the forward clamp. All in all a great learning experience. There are some great tips as well as pictures on this site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TempestOwners/ See you on the water!!!

Does anyone know where I can find a skeg cable? I bent mine up pretty bad inside the skeg box and it needs to be replaced. I'd also like to get a spare one to carry with me. I will also need a cable cutter since I noticed that when you cut it with a regular wire cutter or linesmans pliers , the cable frays wildy at the cut end......

After viewing all the responses and thinking of my own experiences, being a newbie, (3rd season of paddling, it takes a while before you can assume your a paddler (( 5yrs of on the water experience and pool sessions in between)) and even after that your still subject to things that can go wrong for you, as an individual, given your own limitations and experiences. You can not be prepared for all situations. You can not expect your group to be prepared for all situations. Even in calm conditions the ocean is dangerous, unforgiving, and foriegn to us in our view of the landscape at times... I'm with Rick..... IF that paddler said to someone in the group that they didn't want to participate, didn't want to be there and that they were going to leave alone AGAINST the advice of experienced judgement offered and then paddled miles and miles away...THEN, you have no more to do with it than any other boater that happens to be in the general vicinity...which is to say, nothing. If I leave the group, than I should be responsable for my own safety. It shouldnt have to be AGAINST the advice of any judgement. I made the call, period......

Thanks Suz, Now of course, where do i get one? Hal...

I am looking for a hydration pac that I can put on the back of my PFD, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as I haven't been able to find one that will go on any particular vest without some modifications. I did see someone with a kokatat vest/ hydration pack combo, but am not sure what it was as I didn't get close enough to really give it a good look.... I would like to stop having to carry all these random water bottles in or on my boat.....

Thanks guys, Thief, I did take you up on the "Tempest owners group" as my girl friend and I are both Tempest owners. I found that after I loosened the screw on the slider grip, that I could see the cable. Should I pull the line through the slider and then put the grip in the same spot and tighten it to hold the cable in the new position? and how do I access the cable? I'm about 2 inches out more than I'd like.........

I was wondering if anyone with a wilderness kayak has experienced any problems with their skeg, cable, or cable tube. I had some problems with the control for the skeg on my tempest. After some close inspection, I found that the cable tube had become disattached from the control end of the cable line, so instead of the cable riding through the tube, the whole tube would move when the slider was being used. After some effort, I managed to get the tube back in place and noticed that the clip that was supposed to hold the tube there was not in very good shape. I immediately checked the skeg end of the cable tube and when I put my hand on the clip, it just disintergrated in my fingers. Hmm not made of a material that can withstand the effects of salt water I see. I did manage to fix it up with some very small clamps ( made of a more suitable metal ) that I could put around the tube and tighten with a nut driver. I find now that my skeg hangs down a little to much and needs adjusting. Can I fix this problem by moving the grip on the controller or is it more complicated? Is this a common problem with wilderness kayaks? Thanks for any advice in advance... Hal

After a recent paddle, I realized how useful a headlamp can be after reaching the beach in the dark and having to put my wheel kit together..... does anyone have any advice as to a tried and true model?

Wow, great fish tail..... Sorry I missed that trip, and the PPPO that followed!!!

Sounds like a great paddle .... Would love to join in... Still getting some cold water paddling nesessities together...