bob budd

See you on Saturday night.

Saturday likely. Friday is craft brew in Beverly.

Most any skirt will do better on a glass boat as the plastics are very slippery. In my opinion the only value in a nylon skirt is that it can be adjusted and thus makes for guest gear, a backup, or spare. (Off original topic...) A dry top differs from a paddling jacket in that there are gaskets at the wrists and neck so (with the tunnel) you stay dry; paddling jackets generally have velcro or similar closures that are not water tight. I discovered, quite by accident, that a somewhat oversized paddling jacket is handy to slip on/off my PFD to adjust to temporary warmth issues - sometimes on during/after a break and then off when I get warmed up on the water.

To be specific the put-in that is always wet is the beach that faces Cross Island at the end of Conomo Pt (Road). There is a ramp that allows you to drive onto the beach to pick up your boats. There are houses immediately across the road from the beach. If someone were to park on the road there they should be towed, or worse.

Is Tucks Pt available for 1-3 respectful people parking in the rear on a summer weekday? Last time we went we were not molested. It was off season but during the worst rumors we have been there and never been molested. Roger and I are in someone's wedding photos, by request. Am I correct that you can launch at Lane's cove at low tide without much a of carry from the boat ramp on the right? You can drive down the ramp and drop your boat at the beach/water's edge and park. Am I correct that you can launch at Conomo Pt at low tide (of course much of Essex Bay is a playing field then)? I never plan to launch from or return to Conomo Pt at or near low tide, it has never been possible. However we regularly land at the end and walk back to our cars. Note what has been said elsewhere about parking, ticketing, etc.

Recreational boaters in all states suck. Were moderately harassed in Me a few years ago until another boater essentially inserted themselves in the situation. Also had words with a recreational fisherman who thought he owned the waters off of Gerrish. Can't say I've had any bad experiences with working boats, one boat in Salem Sound thought Brad Gwynn and I were brave to be kayaking in the deep of winter. I daresay that fishermen appear to be a bit more polite and helpful to the fairer sex.

Spent Saturday rehabilitating and building homes for Habitat. Met a Steelers/Pirates fan who presently hails from Northeastern while he completes his PA training. This guy raised his daughter on his own under trying circumstances. She just finished her first year at UMass. Worthy of note, about kayaking or not. Sunday near noon I crossed the bridge to Cape Ann after seeing this guy off in the marsh by the candy store in a floppy straw hat/sombrero and a Speedo trying to fish. Hoped it wasn’t a bad omen. Arrived around noon to find Lane’s Cove largely unchanged, or perhaps restored, as it has been a while since it was repaired from the storm and still longer since my last trip. Liz and Karen had both beaten me there, though Karen was still parked on the ramp as I backed up next to her. I managed to remember paddle and PFD despite taking infrequent trips of late. Quite a day for the kayaking version of a stroll with modest-to-no seas and similar wind. Out we came and off to Halibut point. On the way we heard someone yodeling to us, soon Christopher Godfrey was upon us. When we parted he expressed his intent to test his mettle at keeping gelcoat on his boat amongst the rocks. There were many at Halibut Point; some fishing, some sunbathing, and a few atop the granite scrap heap. On we went to Straitsmouth and landed halfway between the cut and the lighthouse on the northerly side of the island. While the others partook of the Sunday New York Times I wandered down the rocks aways and took a leisurely swim back. Soon after we launched and circumnavigated the island before heading to Halibut Point. Though the t’storms at time threatened nothing serious developed from there or at any time of the day.

Wilbur Gwynn's brother Brad prefers this route to the Graves and has met a group I was part of at least once (at the Graves). The big difference is that there are no take outs as there are from Winthrop or City Point (to the Graves). You might want to wish for marginal weather to reduce the boat traffic. Best of luck.

Walden is a kettle pond, which among other things means that the water that's there in the spring is still there in the fall. Its less than clear mostly because of the organic matter than falls off the trees leaving tanins in the water. In high season the bacteria count can rise. Overall, however, the water is quite safe as fresh water goes.

Boats rinsed of sand, etc. at the take out and hang in the garage. Clothing like gloves and hats go on top of a cart (also in the garage) we built that holds several bins and has a plastic web across the top for drying. Otherwise arrange dry bags, PFDs, paddles in the garage along the walls or on the cart so they can dry. Dry and wet suits come inside for a rinsing in fresh water and remain inside until next worn. Have never had an overwhelming odor issue with any equipment this way, though from time to time we have washed the wet suits with some sort of cleaner especially for that purpose. With a front loading washer (no agitator) said gear is treated much better (and also use much less water and dryer for general laundry).

As you were two and "always three shall ye be" you could not try the following but it bears mentioning nevertheless. If you have three (or more) you put a line on the rescuer and use the line to keep the rescuer, swimmer, and second boat m safe from the rocks. This is how Roger and I rescued someone who was inadequately dressed one spring day on the back side of Baker's, then swooped back in to gather the various bits of custom outfitting that had floated away.

Feathering is intended to allow one to have the blade not in the water more or less horizontal so it has a minimal cross section to the wind. The wider the paddle blade and the lighter the paddle the more substantial the effect (of the wind on the blade not in the water). I paddle greenland style, with a paddle that is neither heavy nor carbon fiber light. The blade cross section is less than alot of "high performance" paddles, though substantially larger than your average wing paddle. I have never seen a feathered greenland paddle and I must admit that I never found a need to feather before I saw the light (and switched from spoon to stick). In general one should not consider feathering or any other option as optimal or otherwse an absolute but rather experiment and choose a method that best suits them. To that end one thing I get from a relatively robust paddle made at home from a 2x4 is an inexpensive tool that takes alot of abuse which best suits me.

Shopping a local merchant and then going on line to buy the exact item is just plain wrong. Its not just about whether local merchants are there when you want them but about rewarding them for their efforts. Besides sometimes grouchy local merchants have their unique charm and what would life be without them?

I was wondering if young Crouse would be attending in her new kayak. There's a family that needs another boat...

Dee and I have our boats set up with what amounts to a transom, a deckline behind the seat with a quick release. The transom allows not only for quick release but allows the tow line to switch sides of the boat There is long and contact tow attached to it, with the open end biner's behind to the right and left. Also behind the seat is a web of elastic deckline to hold the long tow bag and short tow onto the deck. So the long and short/contact tows are in reach providing quick access and the contact tow can be extended as needed, even allowing a quick release of the last loop in the chain. I don't like tow belts or anything on my person for towing. The long tow also has a "loop" with an elastic to provide a shock absorber, great for long (duration) tows.

Bigger rope and 'biners are definitely easier to find/handle, especially with gloves and/or when cold. Consider tying a longer line, about 3x length, and use what I was taught was a "sheep shank" (I still call it that, a series of loops within loops, but it appears it is a chain knot) to shorten it pulling the last loop around the 'biner (so it won't unravel). This is a stout line that won't tangle, is easy to handle, also makes a quick stirrup and/or enough line when undone to tie up an unrigged boat for towing.

Complete link - http://www2.electronicproducts.com/Robots_set_swimming_record-article-fajb_swimming_robots_march2012-html.aspx Complies with proposed "flag laws".

On something like a cell phone, the participants continuously train for optimal output power to maintain communications. This is usually called "battery management". For a VHF radio I don't believe there is a similar conversation going on, though there could be. Most likely the antenna length has been optimized for duration and quality of service and modifying the antenna would not save battery life, especially if there is no feedback as discussed above. However, a different antenna might extend your range, though it might also interact with the measures taken to optimize duration and quality of service. As an example, the optimal antenna length for AM reception (dating myself here) is a size that is impractical for mounting in an automobile. Instead, components such as rod antennae are installed to improve reception. In fact, a better antenna can overdrive the receiver and reduce performance. Because FM reception happens at ~100x the frequency of AM reception the optimal antenna is ~.01x (~1/100x) the size and thus practical for mounting in an automobile, one reason why FM reception is demonstrably better in most autommobiles.

Don't assume that your suit is breathable, in case you are. Goretex is not the only material, its probably the best known and I believe they warranty it and support it very well. As noted earlier, service of the suit may become an issue but many are able to get things done in the off season. Having reinforcement in key locations (subject to wear/abrasion) is an important aspect of the design/construction.

I know of at least two satisfied owners of Palm dry suits.

A couple of local spots include Little Harbor/Cohasset and Goose Cove/Gloucester, you might find a trip to Cohasset.

The woman founded the American Red Cross, I thought you might carry her name proudly. You had already mentioned "limping...battered". Sorry if I got your tighty whities in a knot.

"Clara Barton", started nursing during the Civil War (blue/grey - white stripe). Travelled the oceans to tend to those in need for many years after, lastly the Galveston hurricane of 1900.

As regards down or synthetic fill bags consider that in cold(er) weather you get condensation in the tent which can dampen/wet your bag. Mr. Crouse has camped in the snow so there must be a solution. This also notes that whatever tent you have make sure it has adequate insulation. We have a tent that is multi-season, i.e. it allows you to cover some of the vent, etc. to reduce air flow in cold(er) weather. Make sure you have a vestibule or similar feature where you can keep things like muddy boots outside the tent.

I can't recommend a(nother) compass but suggest you consider whether the placement of whatever compass you end up with suits your eyesight, especially as you age. Its pretty simple to install a compass on the deck where there is no accomodation for same. There used to be get-togethers in the club for this sort of thing, usually in the winter. You might find an idea at Brian's site on how to do this sort of thing if you want mount a different compass or the same compass closer to/further from the cockpit.