tvcrider

I also have Kokatat Expedition (2012) and I was considering an 'upgrade' to the two piece Radius. Up until now all I had read were 'positive' reviews in regard the Idol/Radius. The user feedback here on NSPN definitely tips the scales. Thank you Jonathan, John and all.

Yep, that's spot on and I have already heard back from him. Thanks!

Does anyone have a current address for Chuck Sutherland (aka Nav-aid guy)? I had him at skimmer@mail3.enter.net, but that is apparently no longer valid. Thanks in advance.

Nate, I got it. The belly-pouch = the hand-warmer area on an Astral pfd. Reference you posting on pnet: http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=1602337#1602469 Thanks.

Nate, We are pretty much the same page. I just purchased a 2014 Astral Sea Wolf. The ICOM M88/72/73 will fit in the clam-shell pocket if you poke the antenna out between the dual zippers. The antenna extends approximately 3/4" of out the pocket. I am not sure what the "belly-pouch" is you refer to, same as the clam-shell? Fwiw, the M92D may have the same battery capacity as the M72/73, but ICOM list 8-10 hours of operation on a full charge. I believe the the M72/73 is rated up to 14-16 hours.

Nate, How do you find the form factor of the M92D? I have never seen the unit in person, but I have heard it is "huge" when compared to the ICOM M88/72/73. One kayaker commented that they would never want to carry a radio that large on their pfd (can't remember where). The same person also mentioned that the text on the M92D display is quite small and for we older geezers very difficult to read.

The reason I was considering the M73 Plus is that my hearing has noticeably declined over the years. Ironically the ability for me to project my voice has also decreased due to a bizarre vocal condition. Any VHF radio function that could improve me hearing or transmitting would be of benefit.

Ed, Thanks for your input.

Leon, Thanks very much. Your comments in regard to the ICOM M73 were much more helpful than any advice I received on pnet.

Has anyone compared the two models of the ICOM M73? Are the the additional features in the M73 Plus of benefit to the coastal kayaker (e.g. Last call and noise reduction)? Thanks.

Ed, Thanks very much for your post. Based on it I placed an order and just received their Windbloc beanie. It is very nice! It will make a great lunch break paddling toque for my kayaking adventures. It should also be great for XC skiing and other cool weather activities.

Yep, Optics Planet is where I picked-up my last Brunton 70P. I recollect that I even found a $5 off coupon for a being a first time order.

I previously caught this video on the UK Sea Kayak Guidebook forums. It really is incredible! Two thumbs up!

For anyone that is interested I have two Reed Aquatherm emergency hatch covers that I am willing to part with. The round will fit the 8" day hatch of a Valley boat and the oval will fit the standard VCP fore and aft deck hatch openings. Yes, they were indeed purchased from Chris at Second Wind. Neither spare cover has been used. Why am I parting with them? I recently sold my Valley Aquanaut LV and purchased a P&H boat. These emergency covers do not fit the Kajaksport hatch openings.

Doug and Rick, After carefully contemplating your contributions to this topic I believe I came down on Ellen a bit hard. I guess that was my knee-jerk reaction to the original NYT article, what I perceived as disrespect toward her rescuers, and reprinted email correspondence from Ellen posted on p.net. I am very thankful that she and her husband are alive to tell their tale and paddle another day. With that said I will take a deep breathe, two steps back and let more moderate voices prevail.

Au contraire, IMHO this would make (with editing) an ideal piece for Sea Kayaker Magazine. It might not be flattering to the victims, but they are poster children for many who have "years of kayaking experience without mishap".

What I thought was a really nice touch was how the couple rewarded those who rescued them. They outed the fact that their rescuers were pouching deer, after specifically being asked not to. In a nationally distributed newspaper no less! I'm not sure I would invite them to any safety seminar. They are apparently just a bit to self-possessed.

Hi David, I had to confirm it using Derrick Mayoleth's blog: http://www.kayakquixotica.com/2009/12/15/c...ulations-freya/ It appears that most of the links on Freya blog appear to be down/broken.

As of 12/10/09 the estimate is that Freya is about a week from finishing her circumnavigation of Australia. Wow, what an effort!

Click here: http://qajaqunderground.com/australia-2008...ia-trip-report/ then click on the link "Google Earth Trip Map" immediately under the pictorial map of Australia Or This should take you there directly: http://www.vskc.org.au/ExpedDashboard.asp?ExpedID=3 Note that this map is not updated daily. In respect to Freya's progress there have been times that input to the map has lagged behind by up to 10 days. Today 12/7 it is fairly current.

Hi Karen, If you are looking for input from someone who has paddled both boats extensively give Dorothy Seddon a call at The River Connection. I am sure she could set you up to demo both boats side-by-side. http://www.the-river-connection.com/ Safe paddling, Joe

I have had a number of books in my Sea kayaking library over the years. Many of these publications have already been mentioned above. What I am about to say may border on heresy I personally do not care for Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation by David Burch. Over the years I have heard many respected coaches tout it as the book on sea kayak navigation. That may very well have been the case 4-5 years ago, but here are now better options out there. Burch's book is OK as a desk reference on the subject, but it is in need of some serious editing. The book is overly long, poorly organized and induces a high snooze factor. Gosh, it's a drag to read! I would strongly recommend Simple Kayak Navigation by Ray Killen. It is any easy read that is well organized and can be used to teach one's self or others the principles of navigation. It doesn't hurt that Mr. Killen is often humorous and that he has been teaching coastal navigation to sea kayakers for years. I will add that I churn my personal kayaking library every year or two. Simple Kayak Navigation is the only book that has remained in my library over the last four years. You can pick it up at Amazon, if you can't find it locally. I have also heard that Ferraro's nav book is good, but with a UK sort of slant, but I have not read it myself.

Sid, Any trip out of Colt State Park off of Poppasquash Road in Bristol, RI should meet your needs. You can launch near the boat ramp. There is ample parking. Lots of nice islands to see/visit. One nice trip would be out and around Prudence island, just be careful of power boats. I have personally done three trips out of Colt Park. I also suggest you contact Cat or her husband at nearby Ocean State Adventures also on Poppasquash Road in Bristol could provide you with some other destinations. http://oceanstateadventures.com/contactus.htm

Scott, I really appreciate your insights. You asked some questions I should have honestly asked myself. Perhaps I am looking for something I do not need. I previously owned the Northwater QR Tow system which came with 55' of line. I never had any issues with it, but I also had it daisy chained down to around 25-30 feet. With the Sea-Tec tow I was concerned that if I needed the extra length in a large swell it would not be there. As you pointed out, do I really need the extra length here in the Northeast where I do ALL of my paddling? Probably not.

Well, I just checked NRS. They have several grades of 1/4" floating polypro line. Depending on their static breaking strength, they run $0.35 to $0.80 per foot. Now the Northwater line maybe some super stuff. It has a listed strength of 3,000 lbs, but I am not sure why one would need something quite so robust for towing purposes. I think I would like the line to fail, before my body did!