Joseph Berkovitz Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 This Level 3 trip will launch from Hilton Park near Dover Point NH on the Piscataqua River. It's an opportunity to play on the river in flood, probably hopping eddies on our way downriver and then working our way back. Joining us [drum roll, please] will be "river mentor" Paul Sylvester who gets on these waters very frequently and knows his way around. The currents will definitely be somewhere from 3 knots up, with some ability to decide how spicy we would like our meal to be. While this trip is not suitable as an introduction to paddling in current, it should be a great opportunity to revisit and improve our current game! The float plan registration link is here (this thread is for Q&A and trip info, not for signups) https://forms.gle/8xM2qALAes8A4bwu6 Since the environment can get messy I will be keeping this trip smallish, probably 6-8. Here are the NOAA current predictions for Frankfort Island: Time (LST/LDT) Event Speed (knots) 2020-10-19 12:06 AM flood 3.61 2020-10-19 03:30 AM slack - 2020-10-19 06:12 AM ebb -4.01 2020-10-19 09:30 AM slack - 2020-10-19 12:06 PM flood 3.71 2020-10-19 03:48 PM slack - 2020-10-19 06:48 PM ebb -4.39 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 Looking forward to it! Launch time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Berkovitz Posted October 10, 2020 Author Share Posted October 10, 2020 Probably launch around 9 or 9.30 so we can warm up in the building current. Details forthcoming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pintail Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 I'd love to participate, Joe; but am car-less for a few days, until I get it fixed (starter solenoid, I think). Will let you know if I can make it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David M Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Furiously moving things around on my schedule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 Sounds like my type of fun. Bill H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Sylvester Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 The wind should be down and the temps. decent on Monday. We had to post it at level 3 but with 5-10 kts. of wind expected and little boat traffic on a Monday this will be more of a "moving water" paddle. The plan is to leave Hilton by 9:30 and paddle down towards Frankfort Island in South Eliot on the Maine side. We may venture further down the river on the Maine side depending on the mood. We can break at the "Dead Duck Inn" boat launch. There are many very safe and mild areas along this route with the main flood near the channel and eddies forming on the sides. As it gets closer to max flood we will ride the current back to the bridge for some "observation" of the flows. The flood at noon under the bridge shows up to 5.33 kt's. and we will ride it up under the bridge. We can then use the eddies to loop back under the bridge if the group wants. After we can ride the flood up into Little Bay and take a break at Fox Point. There may be a small tidal race going off near the point. You do not have to get near this. Getting back to Hilton with some flood we can find the eddies and it will not be too hard iMO. Maybe 7-9 miles total and off by 3 pm. Please PM with concerns and remember... It is moving water but once your boat is moving with the current it is pretty easy. This will be great for boat control and edging. A few observations about the river: Off Fox Point there are small tidal races that set up (flood and ebb) on high flow days. These are partly wind dependent for them to get sporty. Great Bay appears protected but is shallow and the fetch is large so it gets choppy fast. The area in Little Bay in front of Great Bay Marina can be one of the most dangerous areas when the wind is up. In South Eliot Maine there is a day marker on a point of land. About a mile up river from the Piscataqua river bridge. This is a great play spot on an ebb or a major hazard... From Pierce in downtown Portsmouth if you paddle up to the tugboats the ebb current can get really strong here. Any waves bounce off the riverbanks under the condos. Instant chop.. The NH side is more industrial and the Maine side is more residential with recreational and commercial boats moored. If traversing the river it is safer on the Maine side. It is much wider with many bailouts and much less flow. In certain areas 2' mooring balls can be sucked under water on good flows. In the summer with high traffic the boat wakes moving through the eddies can get very playful. This happens a lot off Pierce Island. The area around Wood Island often develops standing waves on the ebb. Especially as ocean swells and wind work against the flows. I have paddled in mild swells outside of New Castle only to cross over to Wood (on the ebb) and find some challenging spots that I was not comfortable playing in alone. You are in front of the CG station also..So I hate to make the nervous. Enjoy, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhabich Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 This is just too tempting. Haven't found much current this year. Another thought about the river: As Paul says, the NH side is rather industrial, with lots of docks and barges...in other words, places where you could get pinned. Heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Sylvester Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 11 hours ago, mhabich said: This is just too tempting. Haven't found much current this year. Another thought about the river: As Paul says, the NH side is rather industrial, with lots of docks and barges...in other words, places where you could get pinned. Heads up. But no worries. I don't want to scare anyone off. Yes there are some scary pin points at the docks but we are going to keep to the safe side. The river (like any other) is a place for situational awareness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David M Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 Regretfully, Monday no longer works. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pintail Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 Very much as I also want to join you, PS, I am unable to do so: cannot get motorcar attention until mid-week! (My "man" is a one-man show and very heavily booked at present...alas!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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