Jim Snyder Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 Once again the Wood Island Life Saving Station Association is sponsoring a celebration and fireworks to honor the 233rd birthday of the Coast Guard. I wood like to organize a night paddle for fireworks viewing and maybe a pub stop after. Obviously conditions will determine what is possible. I'm considering several possible launch sites but would welcome input. I think the Kittery Town Dock might be best but involves a walk to the school parking. Please post here if you have ideas or interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Rechel Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 Following with interest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynthia W Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 Also following with interest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaneC Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 I’m in if it all works out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyce Carpenter Posted June 23, 2023 Share Posted June 23, 2023 (edited) I wonder if we could contact Fort Stark and ask if a volunteer there would open the parking lot for us, perhaps if we paid them or made a contribution? @billvossi know you spoke to a volunteer who opens the gates early. Do you know how to get in contact? Edited June 23, 2023 by Joyce Carpenter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Ryan Posted June 23, 2023 Share Posted June 23, 2023 Sounds great to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billvoss Posted June 23, 2023 Share Posted June 23, 2023 13 minutes ago, Joyce Carpenter said: I wonder if we could contact Fort Stark and ask if a volunteer there would open the parking lot for us, perhaps if we paid them or made a contribution? @billvossi know you spoke to a volunteer who opens the gates early. Do you know how to get in contact? Actually @Joyce Carpentermy information source was the state employee working the Fort Stark museum desk the weekend of the NSPN kickoff paddle. That state employee told me the 10:00 AM official opening time was because the state didn't want to pay someone to open the gate earlier, but that the volunteers had decided they could open the gate at 8:00 AM. I don't have a contact among the volunteers. However, https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/fort-stark-state-historic-site the webpage for Fort Stark has a link to the Facebook page for the Fort Stark Brigade and Friends which might be useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Snyder Posted June 23, 2023 Author Share Posted June 23, 2023 I asked about getting to use Odiorne late and they wanted me to apply as an "event" with a $100 application fee and $1,000,000 worth of insurance. Fort Stark is a State Park also apparently and would have the same process. I'm starting to think that even with the potential parking issues that the Kittery Town Dock might be the best bet. Then maybe pack a dinner and eat at Fort Foster or someplace before the fireworks. I'm going to check in with the Harbormaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyce Carpenter Posted June 23, 2023 Share Posted June 23, 2023 (edited) Agree that a state park is sounding bad. One other place I’ve launched that would be a possibility is Traip Academy. So long as school is out, there’s plenty of parking just up from the ramp. I wouldn’t use it when motor boats are likely to be launching or landing as the ramp is small and access to it is limited. But it’s easy to use even at low tide and had a clean porta potty with a welcome mat. https://maps.app.goo.gl/fU9F7KCb8a9bkxHw5?g_st=ic Edit: changed link Edited June 23, 2023 by Joyce Carpenter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Sylvester Posted June 24, 2023 Share Posted June 24, 2023 13 hours ago, Joyce Carpenter said: Agree that a state park is sounding bad. One other place I’ve launched that would be a possibility is Traip Academy. So long as school is out, there’s plenty of parking just up from the ramp. I wouldn’t use it when motor boats are likely to be launching or landing as the ramp is small and access to it is limited. But it’s easy to use even at low tide and had a clean porta potty with a welcome mat. https://maps.app.goo.gl/fU9F7KCb8a9bkxHw5?g_st=ic Edit: changed link Traip is a good option, but you have to know exactly what the current will be doing at any given hour. The back channel moves very fast and has some "interesting" areas that are not for newer paddlers at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Snyder Posted June 24, 2023 Author Share Posted June 24, 2023 Paul, your familiarity with Traip will be helpful if we go that direction. I think the tides and currents are pretty favorable on this night. At Kittery Point, it's slack at 4pm and 11pm around a 9:19 high. Max flow at 6:24pm is 1.4kt. I still think Kittery is the better launch point to avoid river paddling as much as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyce Carpenter Posted June 24, 2023 Share Posted June 24, 2023 Paddling out to see these fireworks sounds like such a great time, but, as a morning person, the idea of walking up to get cars AFTER fireworks does not sound so fun. I’m sure Kittery Point is best, and I’ll just have to try to sleep in that morning. THANKS, Jim! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Snyder Posted June 24, 2023 Author Share Posted June 24, 2023 I just spoke with John Brosnihan, Kittery Harbormaster. He of course first cautioned me about the risks inherent in paddling at night in potentially heavy boat traffic. He also reminded me that some kind of "mast light" would be required. We might be able to use some of the non-resident parking there but otherwise would have to park at the school, as I expected. Non-resident launch fee will be $10, $5 for over 65. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEL Posted June 24, 2023 Share Posted June 24, 2023 Interesting comment about "mast light" requirement. I thought the Maine state requirements were the same as the Federal rules in which case no light required for kayak beyond having a light available for use as needed. That said NH requirement is for 360 white light to be displayed. Ed Lawson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Rask Posted June 24, 2023 Share Posted June 24, 2023 I'm interested in going. thanks to everyone for your efforts getting this organized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Snyder Posted August 4, 2023 Author Share Posted August 4, 2023 I heard from Sam Reid of https://woodislandlifesaving.org/ that this event is on for next Saturday. I'm not starting a group thread until we get a little closer as the long range weather forecast is not encouraging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Snyder Posted August 8, 2023 Author Share Posted August 8, 2023 I'm keeping an open mind on this but the current forecast is for long fetch south winds gusting over 20kts. I don't think we'd have sufficient protection even inside Pepperell Cove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Snyder Posted August 9, 2023 Author Share Posted August 9, 2023 I'm regretfully pulling out of this plan due to the forecast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Ryan Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Sounds like a wise decision Jim. Thanks for dreaming this up. It was a great idea and fun to Imagine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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