bob budd

The moon painting a bearing across the nearly flat water. The smell of the bonfires on Wingaersheak (sp?) beach. The (bioluminescent) glowing wake of your paddle. Fine use of a Friday evening.

I don't know if I'd be okay with an ocean cockpit but I'm pretty sure I would not be able to raise my knees from time to time as I now need to keep the sciatica at bay. I could see that someone a bit less supple than another would be intimidated by or downright unfit for an ocean cockpit. As this is mostly light-hearted banter its also to pertinent to point out that the failure to recognize the reasons why a keyhole is offered is outright curmudeonry. And Ken, it is your age.

Talk of the Salvages was offered by other paddlers. Even with the promise of ample moonlight they are probably best left to another night with a more favourable tide. As for "What's "7-2"? Channel 72?" I find myself in the position of advising the Doctor of Diction, the Prince of Propriety on the expected use of language. Per radio protocol one is expected to say "seven-two" instead of "seventy-two". I would suggest that more would be gained, however, in discussing the proper recipe for margaritas.

Yes, I do plan on attending. I will begin my trek in Westford, Ma that evening and may be delayed by traffic so don't wait for me. Pls see that at least one radio is on "7-2" if you leave before I arrive and I will head out towards Halibut, etc. looking for glowing kayakers unless I find same bound for Crane's or thereabouts. As for cell numbers, I am willing to provide same on a personal e-mail but not on the message board. Someone recently sent me a personal message through the board but I can't say how that was done.

...nice photoshop work... It obviously never occurred to me. I paddled in Vancouver with a guide who experienced the beginnings of this feeding behaviour and had ample time to leave the area. The water takes on a different colour and texture as the "netting" collects the prey. I've been asked several times what draws the whales to Race Point and can only assume it is herring.

Were one to exercise appropriate caution and observe the feeding behaviour this sort of circumstance is totally avoidable. I'm glad the whale wasn't injured.

...details/ information on the launch location... See "Events & Planning"/"Put-ins/Directions" (above) for directions, "left at the rotary" means go around ~270 degrees. There is a sea wall with a small shallow cove inside. I'd recommend going to the far right/east side of the cove where there is ample parking and a ramp, perhaps dropping your boat at the ramp as you pass. The cove is not for beginners in conditions, especially with Northerlies, as the mouth of the sea wall is narrow. From the mouth to your distant left is Crane's beach and a sharp left takes you to the Anisquam river while to the right you head toward Halibut Point and the east side of Cape Ann. I find the cove the best in the off season, in winter be mindful of the tides and the possibility of ice at high tide blocking access to the shore. At times in the summer it might seem a bit crowded though never the least bit hazardous due to traffic, it is often used by outfitters and the odd stink pot launches from the ramp.

If you Google "Bonnie nausea" you get several hits on the Bonnie Hunt show. Talk about your bad reviews.

Bonine is a trade name for meclizine, an antihistamine most commonly used to mitigate the effects of motion sickness. Bonnie is probably a misspelling of bonine.

As regards transom, I refer to something that allows the tow rig to freely move from side to side behind the cockpit. In sailing I recall it allows for the sheet at the end of the mainsail to slide thus and be fixed at various points, especiallly useful when racing and otherwise tacking often. For the tow rig it does not offer the ability to fix the position of the rig. As regards short tow behind, I have a bungy "weave" behind my cockpit that holds the bag portion of the long tow to the deck on one side (across form the day hatch) and enough "weave" to wrap and hold down the short tow on the other side (over/beside the day hatch). Both tows are thus within easy reach on opposite sides and due to the large "'biners" are easy to grasp, release, etc. I suppose one could similarly deploy their short and/or long tows for easy access without the "transom" where a belt tow could be grabbed and put on. I've had no success with pictures on the message board. If you want a photo you should leave me an e-mail address and I'll send a treo-quality image.

The transom puts the tow gear on the boat, not on my person, and is more comfortable and endurable for extended tows. (Perhaps debatably) changes in direction are handled better this way as well. The "transom" is a rope that passes from side to side behind the cockpit, the release is right behind me on the right. It is always deployed and ready, both short and long, without wearing something around my waist (and remembering or choosing to put it on). Though not a feature of the transom but rather of the two tows available I can uncoil one tow to wrap up a boat without lines, something I presume Scott or another will show in the upcoming session(s), and tow it with the other. It does mean I can't easily pass the tow to another tower, considering this and other downsides the tradeoffs leave it a clear preference.

Mine is ~5ft daisy chained, ~15ft extended. I tie it to a transom-like line behind the cockpit. I'd never wear a tow device again if I had a choice.

Contact tows are definitely useful. I've used it to keep boats off the rocks while rescues were in progress. It also is useful to haul a boat through shallow water. It is a short to medium tow rope, shortened by what I was taught is a "sheep shank" that quickly unfolds to 3x its length. The article describes passing the line across your stomach, I'd never take the entanglement risk this entails.

Far and away the biggest tragedy here is the death of two young women, not what (mis)information was reported. It is indeed to Tom's credit that he quickly acted to assuage the suffering of the other parents who were fearing the worst for their kids, as is the respect so many hold for him. I can also say I am happy we convinced a paddler to stay on shore Saturday afternoon when we departed for a night on the harbour. I just wish I had remembered my pillow.

This may be a good time to remind many that a hypothermic person should be treated with a specific protocol and that common mistakes such as bringing them inside are not made.

I like this idea, though I'd show up just to see Jeff Casey in a kayak anytime.

I believe in the CAM concept there are no leaders with responsibility they should feel is solely theirs and thus might find proposing or initiating trips less intimidating. Anyone should feel free to initiate a trip, and be prepared to adjust the trip based upon who shows, what they know/don't know/want to learn, what they've done/haven't done/want to do, and what the collective experience level dictates.

I'd mention night blindness due to other bright lights and would therefore make a stronger pitch for headlamps. If you don't have a headlamp or don't have your headlamp on while paddling its good to have a light handy, though usually not on. This is obviously useful for landing, etc. but is also useful in case you need to let someone know where you are. Its best to night paddle with a good moon, checking not only the moon cycle but the state of the sky. Also, you can string glow-in-the-dark beads on your deck lines.

In the days of leader training a given leader was expected to lead trips at one or more levels below their own. This probably contributed to the population of lower level paddles. There was also an informal commitment to lead at least one lower level paddle each year for newbies, etc. - see "pay it forward". The show-n-gos and "workshops" were therefore typically the higher level organized paddles. In a volunteer organization it comes down to the acts of individuals as much, if not more, than the stated mission. When I was posting show-n-gos we welcomed lower level paddlers and downsized our paddle as needed (or got rescue and equipment recovery practice - just ask Barry).

If I were a gambling man (none too subtle foreshadowing) I'd bet this would be Mr. Casey's last paddle as a resident of the fair commonwealth.

I have a Greenland paddle made specifically for me that is beefier due to my lack of regard for most any tool I use. In addition, I glass the ends roughly once a year (and add reflective coatings for visibility). Oiled whenever it begins to look dry, this paddle is several years old and little the worse for wear. I'd say the wood paddle is the way to go.

As regards fit, most simply end up with what amounts to a shortened cockpit, i.e. a flat surface not unlike your bulkhead. This allows you to move your feet around and find different positions depending on what you are doing at the time while still providing a firm enough grip when needed. As regards a full cockpit, I would suggest everyone go through the exercise of flooding their boat and/or cockpit to know what its like, perhaps in a pool. You will find, for instance, that a boat full of water is easier to roll up (though stopping at up can be a challenge). Turning, edging, are very different and frustrating experiences. Something like this is best experienced the first time or two in controlled circumstances.

I doubt the plastic tracks weigh more than a couple pounds while the metal tracks might be twice that. Its easy enough to take them out and weigh them on a scale, you might need to subtract your weight with from without the material on a household scale. If/when you put them back be sure to put gunk in the holes. And yes, the foam costs money but face it, pegs SUCK! You will also spend some time making your footrest and might lose one or two in transit as time goes by. Make it fit nice and tight so it won't come out when you (unexpectedly or otherwise) invert/exit. You can use the more rigid foams/glass to construct storage behind the footrest. I'd also consider leaving the tracks in place and carrying the pegs in a hatch, aside from being able to paddle when you arrive at the put-in and realize your footrest blew out miles ago, there is upside to having adjustable pegs as a backup.

We recently bought a 2(3) person (most 3 person tents I have are comfortable for 2) screen tent and had it in a heavy extended downpour. In the AM there was dirt above the bath tub on the screen but we were very dry. Its great with one of these to leave the tarp prepared but on the ground should it rain and sleep under the stars. Got it at REI with a rebate.

I read your post. I'd still recommend a greenland storm paddle on your fore deck. No need to put it together when the need arises. Easy to slide in/out under bungies. Personally, I'd rather have a bag behind me and/or figure out why all the stuff doesn't fit in the hatches (you're carrying too much?). Good luck, the classic aft deck bungie arrangement does suit those funny paddles well.