bob budd

The beach at Lynch Park is fine for launching at high tide but is long and shallow such that you face a long mucky portage at low tide. I can't say much about how close to high tide you want to paddle, their your boots after all. In the neighbourhood you will also find Tuck Point in the shadow of the new Salem-Beverly bridge. You can drive on the beach and park on the side street. I haven't been there in season yet, in the off-season parking isn't a problem. I was there at 8:30AM on a Wednesday recently and parking looked feasible. It gets pretty shallow at low tide in the vicinity of Tuck Point such that you want stay on the Beverly side as you reach the "mouth". If you make your way up the coast near Misery Island Chub Creek provides a bit of standing wave to play in at favourable times. The area provides a nice assortment of islands and rocks.

>Aside from Lanes Cove, does anyone know of other stops along >the route? Before Halibut Point there is Folly Cove. Depending on the water you may be able to land at Halibut Point. After you cross Rockport Harbour (they have ice cream there) there is Straitsmouth Island and past Straitsmouth there are a couple beaches on the mainland, Pebble Beach being one. After Thatcher's there's Milk Island and Good Harbour beach on the mainland. You can land in Brace Cove outside the mouth of Gloucester harbour. You might consider an exercise proposed at rescue/tow training. Land against the jetty and pass your boats over to launch on the far side. A real team-building exercise that. Or just paddle around. > Is Thatcher's open? Never closed, though they may shew you away from the boat ramp if using it wherein there are plenty of places to land. The gulls, on the other hand, are never welcoming.

I know someone whose version of the Blackburn is to launch from Lane's Cove and a do a round trip to/from Brace Cove. One advantage to this is not having to paddle the Anisquam (sp?), negotiate the canal, etc. Another is that you are at sea the entire time. Whatever course you choose, I hope you enjoy the paddle.

>that's my picture on page 10! ...and it caught your best side!

Temperatures are moderate. Winds are light to moderate. Revere Beach is open. The bacteria, etc. that closed beaches as far away as Marblehead has been contained. contained - gotten under control; "the oil spill is contained" - restrained or managed or kept within certain bounds

Perhaps your lack of moose was due to their participation, once suitably trained, in Spamalot.

Contact the Hogans.

Saturday departed Manchester harbour bound for Good Harbour Beach around 1:45PM. The tide very high then, there was no avoiding going around the bit of dock there. Enough boats were passing the "channel" there that we hightailed it across and wound our way between the moored craft toward House Island. The day was very clear, not at all like last week, and Baker's and Misery were visible as was the whole of Salem Sound. The high water made easy passage at the mouth of the harbour as we head up the coast. There was a bit of bulging and nuzzling to be had there, though it was modest. As we approached Kettle Island, the notion of a short break was advanced. Ultimately it was decided to take a short break, a "stretch of the legs" as it were. The high water made for an easy landing on rocks that we sat looking up at only a week ago. Once all three boats were secured on the rocks, we set about stretching our legs. The "stretch" led to "nap" and "eat", as often happens, and we never ventured further. Donning the diving mask I spent a bit of time in the small cove and trench looking at the starfish, urchins, and crabs. Several stripers were in attendance as well, wondering where Adam was. Not much more can be said of what transpired there, as we were quite lazy. When the inevitable return to land and domicile crept upon us we looked at our boats, now perched high above the water and seaweed. This was no time for conserving gel coat. Soon enough we were all back in the water and headed around Kettle Island. As we approached the end of the island, I spied what looked like a duck. It dove and returned to the surface which strangely. As I peered through my salt-encrusted sunglasses I realized it was instead the head of a seal pup. He came close my boat then dove and swam about the three of us, popping up for a peak now and then. He couldn't have been more than eighteen inches long. When we returned to Manchester harbour we found it now quite shallow with the receding tide. In the shallows we saw the first live sand dollars in the sand, they were many. A bit of sculling practice, then on to the put-in. As I passed the dock I spied a couple in white at the end of the dock who had recently taken the plunge. We concurred that it was an excellent day for the activities we each had chosen. Sunday departed Marblehead harbour with the customary lack of definite goals found in a show-and-go. After a short chat once were free of all the boats, we pointed ourselves toward Eagle Island. The trip across the water featured a bit of swell now and then and the odd boat but was uneventful. On the way we passed a sailboat race but otherwise accelerated or waited as each boat passed. At Eagle one of our number needed a Power Bar so we bobbed about the water near the shore for a few minutes. The next destination chosen was Misery Island, which was light work from our present position. The strait between the two islands was populated with moored boats, a selection of dinghies, and the odd swimmer. Once ashore, we headed for high ground looking towards Baker's for our lunch. Our visitors during that time included Rigor, the dog, and his humans. The boats below included many sailboats, the odd stink boat - one under tow, and what must have been a rower in a nearly invisible craft. Our trip back took us on the back side of Eagle and Cat/Children's but little bulging and nuzzling was to be found. The trip through Marblehead harbour featured the familiar dodge through the many boats. At the put-in we saw the distinctive pink Sirius, formerly of Mr. Godfrey.

The Red-headed Seal Watchers plan to launch from Tuck Point Beverly at 8AM with the intent of being off the water by 12PM. Likely path is up the coast, perhaps as far as Kettle Island. Also anticipating spending time in the Gooseberries and the Breakers. The usual protocols apply. Got a call last night from one participant no longer coming. Got another call from another participant that he was running late. Given my 12PM take-out I chose to bag the trip. Stopped at the put-in at 8:30A anyway and found no participant. I apologize if anyone was waiting and gave up. Me, I have settle for two paddles this week instead of three.

>...put that woman in a bathtub... http://www.bathtub.island.net/

You're assuming they are actually there...

If you are considering/looking for a used plastic boat plastics are subject to UV degradation. Whether they are stored outside versus in a garage/shed makes a big difference on their lifetime.

I can't recommend a boat. You can find deals on used glass boats that are similar in cost to new plastic boats, though you probably know that. Have you considered building a wooden boat?

I'd always go with bolts and nuts.

I'd expect you will want to seal the holes somehow though I can't suggest a technique. A trick we have used is to screw foam under the unit, i.e. between compass and deck. This would mean new hardware, make sure it is appropriate for salt water. Another consideration is what's going on under the deck. If its a hatch, you probably want to dress whatever protrudes so things won't catch on it. If its the cockpit then protect those little piggies...

See you there. We (Dee and I) may also head out to deeper water.

The next time he grabs you paddle, etc. file assault charges. This will get his attention. You can send a letter to the paper(s), the paper in Beverly posts most anything I write. Someone from the paper might call you. Do you have a camera that takes video? My camera does so. If you can produce some evidence to give the police perhaps they will at least admit the problem and talk to your country club buddy.

I don't own the WP, I chose a camera with waterproof case. I don't think you are asking for recommendations and usually forget my camera when I paddle so won't provide one. Waterproof, truly waterproof, is a problem you may be aware of from reading a long thread(diatribe) or more about the latest VHF radio failure. The most popular waterproofing "standard" is JIS and most people look for JIS-7 or better for their radios. It would seem there are more or less three degrees of waterproofedness; can it take a splash, can it take being dropped in the water, can it take prolonged exposure to water. If I were you I'd make sure the camera is warrantied as such and then paddle with it submerged for a period of time (away from the rocks) and see if it still works. There is also the long-term corrosion prospects. This comes down to seals, especially with respect to charging ports, battery terminal, and similar connectors. We have a VHF radio with impeccable connectors and gaskets that forgot to waterproof the mating standoffs for the screws providing case closure. Nothing beats a testimonial. Kate, love that first picture.

Little did we know when he threw a wet blanket on a rousing game of "Pass The Log" he was actually preparing this bit of photojournalism.

The town of Manchester will soon be placing meters or otherwise preventing long-term parking behind the police station. Before planning/departing I suggest you call the police station.

"actual wet exit training" doesn't specify getting wet, quite a bit of training and execution can go on while dry. "Training or no spray skirt" is superior to "It's the law, now get in the water you dweeb". On-the-spot demands for a refund would likely ensue.

Where the Gomes law places a higher standard on kayakers and neglects to do so to other craft this law treats something unique to kayakers. I don't have a problem with a first aid/CPR requirement, though the state should provide training for same at a reasonable cost and the "training program" should be part of the bill. The ACA "or similar organization" requirement is unacceptable. While this sort of clause may be meant to improve the credentials of the subject it leads to exception and inclusion of "similar organizations" based upon dubious grounds. This also represents an additional cost to the instructor and if it stays in the bill it should be subsidized or paid by the state as with first aid/CPR. Initial wet exit execution should be carried out early in the day in a shallow area with assistance at the ready. (Can you say gasp reflex?) Getting wet/cold more or less right away isn't a good reason to avoid this. If a beginner isn't dressed to capsize, which they are likely to do and do so away from the put-in, they shouldn't be taking the class. This will also tend to improve the dress of beginners. There is enough warm flat water around to stage such classes.

Thank you for providing me direction in life. This weekend I plan to "paddle a boat" every day. Perhaps you can join us at Bailey Island for a day. I'd also like to congratulate the two of you in embarking on one of life's most harrowing and rewarding adventures. I might also mention that you may incorrectly assume you are the one doing the taking in this case. Best wishes.

Though the topic of speculation and doubt, it would appear that the Union Jack may have been originated during the reign of Queen Anne I. The flag married English, Scottish, and Irish symbols as part of the unionizaiton of the states of the United Kingdom. The Jacobites are mentioned amid the ensuing strife inevitably leading to the brutal supression of Scottish dissent some year hence. As far as the salute, the flag was carried with arms across the body as with the paddle. Flags were often carried in battle in this manner and used to signal to troops friend and foe. Perhaps one foe or another made an unflattering reference to the new flag and the name stuck.

If you Google "scull definition" you find many dictionaries that provide definitions. Open your mind (and your computer) to new experiences, don't get bogged down in those familiar dictionaries. In so doing I also found that sailors consider sculling to be propelling the boat by simultaneous movement of tiller and rudder. A scull, as a noun, denotes 1. A long oar used at the stern of a boat and moved from side to side to propel the boat forward. 2. One of a pair of short-handled oars used by a single rower. 3. A small light racing boat for one, two, or four rowers, each using a pair of sculls. I also recall our distinguished Mr. Language person noting that gandolieri use such a device to propel their craft. Who knows how many non-paddlers have unwittingly experienced a scull.