josko

Yesterday (16/6) a RI policeman asked me to leave the beach parking lot on the Sakonnet because 'due to COVID, beach and boating access is for RI residents only'. Heads-up if you're thinking of heading to a RI paddle with out of state plates. If anybody knows when this will be lifted, I'd love to hear.

Will this 'present a positive image of our club and/or our sport to the general public or officials'?

It's interesting we're seeing a consistent attack point on most kayak attacks, about 1/3 of the way from the paddler to the stern. I'd guess they see the boat as a long fish, and are trying to disable the propulsor. Seal and swimmer bites seem to be further forward.

Sharks don't seem to like fiberglass: https://www.surfski.info/latest-news/story/1713/paddler-escapes-unhurt-as-shark-attacks-surfski.html

Here's the extension: https://www.necn.com/news/coronavirus/maine-gov-mills-to-detail-plans-for-reopening-economy/2265284/

Boating access on upper Cape Cod is in pre-Covid mode, i.e. the usual parking sticker/beach/ramp regulations are in place. Parking enforcement is unusually strict. I did notice a couple folks with out-of-state plates in animated discussions with police.

https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/sites/maine.gov.governor.mills/files/inline-files/An Order Establishing Quarantine Restrictions On Travelers Arriving in Maine.pdf

I'm sorry to read about you and your wife breaking the law.

Given that paddle length is not adjustable, and that the connection wears out (loosens and starts clicking) in a couple years' use, I;d say this is an obsolete design worth staying away from.

FWIW, this might be worth attending if you're just starting out: https://activities.outdoors.org/search/index.cfm/action/details/id/118702&act=15 It's designed as an introduction to sea kayaking.

Why?

For completeness' sake, here are GPS logs from both trips.

What about something like getting gas or using a restroom while you're up there?

FWIW, I have small groups going around Naushon Island Sat. (5/16) and a mellow trip to the Weepecket island seabird rookery on Sunday (5/17). I think we're doing well wrt social-distance paddling guidelines. Contact me if interested.

So much for paddling Maine this summer.

Pru, the short version is that a Taran is made for controlled moving at 7-8 knots, and playboats are just not. Remember that a wave's speed is proportional to (the square root of) its' length. So a 16' wave(length) moves along at ~5 knots, and a Romany can catch it just fine. However, that's a pretty short wave. When they get to , say 25', they are moving a 6-7 ish knots; it's hard to accelerate a Romany to catch it, and when you do catch one, it'll start bouncing and otherwise misbehaving on plane. A Taran will just 'stay calm' and do what you want until ~40-50' (wavelength) seas , when a surfski will just trounce it (because they move fine at 10 knots.) Second thing is the rudder. (Because of orbital wave velocity), surfing kayaks like to broach. A combination of skeg, ruddering and edging works, but a rudder is just soo much easier, allowing the paddler to focus on surfing strategy and linking rides. Third, a rockered kayak is a bit like an upside-down airplane wing. It develops downwards lift and makes it harder to 'pop' a boat on plane. A straight hull section amidships avoids that. C'mon down this summer and try all three! (This does NOT apply to beach waves, whose speed is proportional to water depth.)

I have a Romany Surf and love it for rough conditions. I can't imagine a better boat for the combination of chop/current that we have in Woods Hole. I sold my Explorer last year 'cause i was spending all my rough-water time in the Surf, and have a Taran for fitness paddling. FWIW, one of our favorite playgrounds is Middle Ground shoal near the Vineyard; I routinely take folks in Aries/Delphins there, and while they own the tiderace while there, they do struggle with the two mile transit there and back, particularly in the afternoon when the seabreeze kicks up and we're in the trough. So, I'd say that an Aries is much more of a park 'n play boat than a Surf. Like Matt, I've gotten hooked on downwind surfing. If you're a bump skier, you'll love it. Surf or Aries are definitely NOT the boats for that. I use the Taran and am trying to grow into an Epic G3V10, but still don't dare traipse around with the V10 alone regardless of conditions. On flat water, with comparable effort, I can move a Surf at 3.5 kts, Explorer at 4 and Taran at 4.8-5. Interestingly, when moving along at a typical group pace of 3 kts, the Surf is MUCH easier to move along than a Taran. All that said, I think the Explorer is the best all-around hull for New England conditions.

I want to bring this back after a hiatus because sea kayaker numbers continue to drop. I only met one group in Woods Hole the entire last summer, (and that's in 1000+ miles on the water). Why do I care - partly because I live in a great paddling area , and there are hardly any sea kayaks on the water. I miss gathering up 3-4 like-minded souls and sharing a tiderace or destination; sometimes things are more fun in groups. Also, Osprey sea kayaks going up for sale is not a good sign, IMHO.

If you folks want to do a current/tides one in Woods Hole, I'd be glad to head it up.

Is anybody heading down to the Gales this year? I'll be at Noah's for Sunday breakfast and most likely dinner.

OK - I'll be at the Cove Cafe by 0830 with a Romany Surf on the car.

I might actually try to make this. Could someone let me know: Is there a decent place for breakfast/pre-paddle meetup nearby? Given the type of trip you have in mind, am I better off in a Taran or Romany Surf?

From the files of a local scientist; Hudson Bay, 1930: Inuit_kayaks_with_sail.pdf

Again, folks wanting to learn rock-hopping would do well to paddle with RICKA. There's a good deal to this skill, and they are very knowledgeable, skilled, supportive and helpful. Rhode Island offers some of the best rock-hopping in the Northeast.

Sunday's weather forecast looks ideal for a downwind run from Woods Hole to Bourne bridge. We'd be glad to accomodate one or two competent kayak or surfski paddlers looking for challenging downwind conditions.