Suz

Hey, where was the chocolate (other than the imagined chocolate on Isle of Haut)? Welcome to all! Peter great job for organizing and Scott/Rick for giving up your valuable time to help! Funny how I always learn something at these events. I think it reinforced with me setting expectations and being clear up front! Suz

I don't like the 'noise' of the blow up air mattresses such as Exped's or the Thermarest Neoaire. I have slept in the tent with people using both of those and I just don't like it. On a trip I borrowed one and also didn't like it based on blowing it up (lightheaded) combined with the noise. Personally I prefer the simplicity of a thermarest. I think mine is like this: http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/prolite-plus/product Some foam for warmth (even if you lose air, it can insulate a bit) and a few breaths brings it to the perfect firmness. I think I may be in the minority on my camping needs. I won't go without a chair but minimalist on the bed is enough to suit me:) Suz

I will second Nate's use of Landfall Navigation. It is a print on demand service for charts. We have ordered in the past through them.

Hey John, We too have electronic fobs for the car. We make a copy of the valet key and put it on a cord and wear it around our neck. That locks the car but doesn't drive the car. We lock the electronic fob in the car on day trips. When taking the key with me on a multi day trip, I put it in a pelican case (with a gasket) along with the phone. I never trust cases/ boxes and such so the phone is always in a life proof case along with the pelican case. Suz

Vacuum sealing... I wondered about vacuum sealing things like this. Do things work without ever being in the air? Why not just put it in one of the dry bags made for VHF? They are made for it and then it can be opened and aired out. Sure it will fail but in the meantime it would keep most of the water out and in the meantime remain easily used. Personally I have found that when storing things in a vacuum sealed bag and then keeping in my pocket, the seal always fails and then the stuff is sitting in the water.

Well, not troubling... just cold after you do. Plus your urine covered body requires rinsing. Usually I scoop water in through the top and let it out at the ankles. Mine is a summer suit so don't mind doing it at the time of year that I am using the suit. As for the winter suits, suppose you could bring water and rinse after taking it off and before dressing. Hot water in a cooler in the car is helpful.

My two cents for what they are worth. I seem to be getting colder earlier in the Fall and choose to wear a drysuit and then leave it on longer when it finally becomes summer. A few years back there was a group of us out around the Boothbay area for a paddle, not instruction and it was almost July and half of us were in drysuits. There are many factors that go into deciding when to wear a drysuit... - personal cold tolerance - personal skill level - solo vs group Mainly what I do to decide is if I feel like I wouldn't get into the water depending on the conditions of the day (choose to swim, either really, swim, get wet or be a guinea pig or choose to roll), then I wear a drysuit. Like Phil above, I move from shorts to drysuit. While I agree with Johnnysmoke above, there are many surfer's wetsuits that are infinitely more comfortable than a traditional paddling wetsuit (I own one and use it when surfing for short periods of time), I certainly wouldn't want to wear one on a full day outing. They are not designed with a relief zipper and I have need to relief myself quite frequently! I still need to do that when using it and boy do they get cold once you! Saturday morning at 9:45 I will be doing a lecture at the New England Paddlesports Show http://www.nspn.org/forum/topic/9904-at-what-time-of-year-do-you-stop-wearing-a-drysuit/page-2 . It is only an hour but I do address many of your concerns. I tailor my discussion to topics chosen by participants. Suz

I have always found that if I can't get my hands/feet warmed up, then my temperature is dropping. Last night when snowplowing, I was a wee bit over dressed and found my hands were much toastier than usual when snowplowing. I think if you are warm to almost sweating, your hands and feet just can't be cold. Only way for that to happen is exertion or overdressing.

Jeff, That really good because I really couldn't remember saying that about the beer! Really 3 is usually my limit! Suz

Glad you got out and had fun. Surely I didn't really say that! I suppose though if you remember it, I probably did. My reference to the beers is from the fact that personally alcohol consumption affects my metabolism greatly the next day. It is never more apparent than in trying to keep warm after a night of drinking. I don't mean heavy consumption, just a few glasses of wine, a few beers, a few martinis. I do mean a few of any of those, not a few of each of those. I don't think everyone is affected as much as I am. Everyone needs to develop their own rule for what works for them on the water. Combining 20 degree air temps with a 20 KT wind, makes for a really cold day! Suz

Cathy - as for weather. Yes, yes, yes. It is sudden and quick and also forecastable, perhaps not at the same time though. Definitely drysuit water. I have been on the Lake and 90 degree days and with a drysuit on. Lake Superior is considered a year round drysuit place. When the winds blow from across the lake, it moves the warm top water away and then the cold water is pulled up from the very bottom of the lake. Beautiful water and great area which reminds me of the lakes region in Maine. Very remote. When the weather is nice, it is a bathtub. When it isn't, there is no place to hide from the winds.

Wow, that will be an amazing trip. As for who has been up that way, I only know personally of Russell Farrow of Sweetwater Kayaks. Call him at the shop and see if he would share with you the logistics. Also Nigel Foster has spent some time up that way. He has a website and you could approach him through that. I would suggest you read up a bit on Nigel Foster's early trip up that way. He did return later with his wife Kristen and to hear her tell the Polar Bear stories, it would make you think twice! They did have guns but had landed for a quick pee and the bear was there before they could have gotten the gun off the deck.

I don't know what a Zdarsky hut is either. I do carry year round a lightweight multi person floor less shelter - a 4-6 person one. I think it would work well to improvise an overnight situation if necessary. For added safety, I bring along extra layers, a cag, a heavy duty garbage bag, a 2' x 4' pad. I don't pack extra coat as Phil does but think I probably should. I do have an old coat of Werner's that instead of donating I think I will pack. Although, I have to say I have not gotten out this winter at all. (Can't find that embarrassed smiley face to include with this) Suz

I too bought covers and don't use them for day to day. Mainly because it makes it harder for me to load and unload my boat. I load from my shoulder to the side of the car. If something is covering the cockpit it would prevent me from easily loading/unloading as I can't get my shoulder quickly into the cockpit. I would use them when we are traveling long distance if I remembered to put them on. Suz

Glad it was worthwhile!

Booked the community room at REI for January 9 at 6:30 -8:30. Here is the calendar post: http://www.nspn.org/forum/calendar/event/913-drysuit-workshop-gasket-replacement-care/ For some reason when I read the calendar post it shows as 11:30 pm. I did check my clock settings and the current time is showing correctly. So, don't expect me there at 11:30 pm! It will take place at 6:30. See everyone who can make it there!

Betty has e-mailed me to organize this. I have suggested either the Gould Barn or REI at their community room. REI is free and it is centrally located. I will change one of Betty's neck gaskets and a wrist on one of my suits. Will talk about how to properly care for a drysuit. Will also review what to do in the event of a gasket failure on water. Bring in any drysuit you want me to look at and answer questions about. I provided these dates to Betty: Jan 7, 8, 9 or 14, 15 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Such fleeting artistry. How beautiful they are.

I have been carrying these: http://www.painswessex.com/products/non-solas/day-and-night-mk8 I like the dual duty and so good for day/night. Truly though - this allows someone who you have already contacted to pinpoint you. I suppose it may get someone's attention who is passing by. I don't keep them on my person but do keep a Greatland Laser on my lifejacket.

Peter, thanks for sharing. I am very saddened by the news. I always enjoyed paddling with Dave and Deb. You could see the joy they shared in their lives together. They were always doing something active and outside.

Good job Paula!

Just to be clear, this will be taking place at their shop in Freeport.

Thanks Robert! Your instructions were helpful. The first time around I just missed one of the last steps.

Here is the pic following Robert's instructions. 9 days, 9 breakfasts, 9 lunch, 9 dinners all but the perishables.