djlewis

Those image links do not work for me (on FireFox). --David.

OK, I'll look into the drop-in charger for the HX460S. I wonder if it's the same as for these... Meanwhile, looks like Vertex has come out with two new models in the same vein as the HX460S and HX470S (small submersibles) which may finally hit the sweet spot of the market. The HX270S and HX370S both have drop-in chargers and similar features to the HX460S. The HX370S has a built-in strobe (!) and presets. Otherwise they appear the same, at least from the feature blurbs. Now the really good part... pricing: the HX270S is available online for about $130 and the HX370S for under $160! After having spent over $200 ~each~ for ~two~ radios, one of which is likely to fail in regular kayak use, I must refrain from expressing my emotions. But a hearty "mazel tov" to anybody who hasn't bought their VHF yet. These seem worth looking at. (But don't forget to seal all external ports.) --David

Coincidentally, mine just came back from Vertex after about four weeks. To be exact, it's a new one -- nope, refurbished. Great... now I can seal the mic port with silicone caulk -- again -- and watch the charger port leak -- again. I guess I should have asked them for credit toward the newer model instead, the one with the drop-in charger. Well, I now have an ICOM IC-M88, which has a drop-in charger and no vulnerable ports, so the Standard Horizon will just be a backup. Still, anybody have any ideas how to protect the charger port on the Standard Horizon? One idea: a tigthly bound, heavy duty rubber band across the charger port. If placed carefully, it seems to sit right under the display and above the "up arrow" button, and does not interfere with operation of the transmit or lamp/lock buttons on the side. It might work, but gee is it ugly! A piece of bungee might work as well. --David. http://triadic.com/NSPN/VHS-RubberBand.gif

>Does anyone remember shen that group purchase of radio's >happened? My HX460 died a couple of weeks ago and needs >either a new battery of replacement. Any help appreciated. The purchase date was March 2003. It's still under warranty. Call Vertex, and they will probably take your word on the purchase date for repair or exchange. It does take a while. Others have done this (like Brian). I shipped mine to them a couple of weeks ago after it appeared to sustain damage from water entering the charging port. --David.

I don't disagree... what we call SnG's are great. But as Suzanne noted, is that you don't know until you hit the beach for launch who is going to show. That's a problem on both ends of the spectrum -- you don't know if everyone will have the skill and comfort level for the trip; you also don't know, as Liz notes, whether there will be enough people with skills and equipment to anchor the group in case of trouble (or better yet, keep it out of trouble). So, just let me point out, there are really ~four~ types of club trips, based on two variables... Official -- sign up in advance (usual official trips) Unofficial -- sign up in advance (what I'm moving toward) Official -- just show up (less common, but not unheard of Unofficial -- just show up (what we usually call SnG) Actually, all four exist (and I've organized instances of all four types). What I'm proposing, and I think both Liz and Suzanne presented some evidence for, is cutting down on all "just show up". That cuts the spontaneity somewhat -- you can't just decide on that morning of the trip that you are going -- but not that much. But it improves the safety and enjoyment for everybody who does go. --David.

The concerns about SnG's are right on the mark, IMHO. That's why I personally don't run them any more. I want to know who is showing up and what their skill level is, and have a chance to talk with them in advance about what to expect. So, when I propose an unofficial trip, I leave it at just that -- an unofficial trip, not a show-n-go. I ask everybody to contact me, and if I don't know them, I ask for a brief paddling "resume". As a bit of insurance, I don't post the exact launch place and time on the message board, but tell people by e-mail after the fact. It's a bit of extra trouble (though nowhere nearly as much as an official trip) but has worked quite well. A couple of times I have indeed dissuaded someone from coming on a trip that they might find beyond their skill level. And apart from one odd case (not my fault!) haven't had anybody on a trip that didn't feel pretty comfortable. Sometimes there are one or two people stretching a bit, but not a huge amount, and they know in advance what they are getting into. --David.

Does anyone have the Garmin Bluechart software, for use with a GPS and/or standalone on a desktop. I'd be interested in hearing a bit about your experience and opinion... here or by e-mail (djlewis at triadic dot com). Thanks. --David.

Jed: OK, Socrates ;-))) I'll try. I've always assumed -- and got some confirmation from the training -- that the "trick" is a strong final third of a sweep from leading end of the boat (the stern when going backwards) to trailing end (bow). That's essentially a draw at the trailing end (bow), since a skidding rear (bow) is generally what you -- anyway I -- see when reverse paddling veers. Also, corrections at the trailing end (bow) are more efficient than at the leading end because there is less pressure at the rear from motion through the water. So, stick the paddle out perpendicular on the inside of the turn that you want to counteract, the side the boat is veering to, and push forward with a sweep toward the bow, drawing the bow back into line. Make any sense? If so, is there more? How about edging on the inside of the veer at the same time? Also, how about ruddering? Of course, a rudder breaks the stroking rhythm and slows you down, so is it a ding for assessment of straight backwards paddling? But for the backward figure-eight the point seems to be effective steering and turns, so is ruddering OK there? If so, how about a positive (prying) rudder at the trailing edge (bow) on the outside, opposite the veer, which pushes the rear (bow) where you want it. That's the equivalent of a prying stern rudder in forward paddling. Also, a prying rudder on the inside at the leading end (stern) might work, or a drawing rudder at the stern on the outside. Of course, even if this is right, I gotta try it all out and see what works, and then practice until I can do it second nature. But even purely conceptual hints are welcome. --David. PS: Did I get the ends of the boat and the sides right? It's easier to demonstrate than to write.

> And it was Jed who finally showed me the secret of how to correct a > full speed backwards paddle when it starts to veer off course, which > allowed me to pass 3*. Can you or Jed share that with us. I had a little trouble with that, but more with steering while paddling backwards in the figure-eight. I had practiced only a tight figure eight, turning all the way, rather than one that required a combination of straight paddling, steering and turning around two somewhat widely-spaced markers. Thanks. --David.

I didn't pass... and I knew it. But I have a nice crisp list from Steve of what to work on, and will definitely be back! Steve -- satanic? Nope, just tough, but very fair... also kind and helpful, and has a terrific eye for what you really know and don't. John Carmody's class was indeed quite useful, but I wish I had had it and/or one by Steve a couple weeks earlier. The day before is really too late to fix a lot of things... for me, at least. --David.

Yike! Great that you saved the boat and paddles. Oh yeah, glad you're safe too. ;-))) I can't answer your question, but if you do find pocket heaven in a PFD, please do post it here. Seriously... really glad you are OK! --David.

I personally found a diver's face mask to help a lot when learning to roll (Jed suggested it to me). It keeps the water out of your nose (plugs and clips do not work very well for me), improves visibility, and generally cuts the feeling of chaos. No, it will not become a crutch, after you get the roll down. Your well-trained muscles wills still do their thing even though there is no mask on your face. Also, getting salt water in your nose is not anywhere near as irritating as fresh water. Hey, doctors call it saline solution, and it's healing, as Isak Dinesen via Joan so gracefully reminds us. --David.

> I tend to wear ... lighter on the top. BUT, I have seen that others > will put on a really heavy zip up fleece type jacket on top over the > long underwear top. The most I have ever worn is a thin capilene on > top and then a heavier expedition weight one. I wear a light or medium fleece ~vest~ over one or two polypro layers, at least one of which has long sleeves (so my arms don't directly contact the inside of the dry suit). I feel the vest gives me insulation in the "core" but does not interfere arm freedom the way a full fleece jacket might, especially under a dry suit. For even more insulation, I add a heavier polypro or medium poly/wool long underwear top. (I'm not convinced that an extra layer of pure polypro/capilene adds any insulation, the way a wool or fleece layer does.) --David.

The point about inflatable PFDs seems important -- anything CG approved for kayaking and otehr kinds of boating. Can whoever is lobbying on this be sure to bring that up. Say, why don't we see more kayakers around here in inflatable PFDs? Can you hang knives, watches, radios, water bladders, etc on them? If so, what happens to the accessories when the PFD deploys? --David.

Well, I started this, and it's been a great discussion. I doubt if I can end it as easily, but after listening to these well-argued points of view, here's my $0.02 (or maybe $0.05 or so). First, the whistle and compass requirements have been stripped from the bill, and that's probably wise. So, all that's left is extending the PFD requirement from Fall-Winter-Spring to the entire year. Seems hard to argue with that in the abstract -- it's exactly what we and all safety-conscious paddlers practice. Yes, such a law "discriminates" against kayakers. But don't we already acknowledge that our sport is a good deal riskier than motor boating or sailing? Yes, maybe more people do die in those activities, but also a whole lot more people practice them (as we can observe on the water). Anyway, rather than get into a numbers game, I'll just ask if it makes sense to insist on parity from other water activities before proceeding to improve the safety of our own. If we ran everything that way, of course progress everywhere would pretty much grind to a halt. Let's take responsibility for our own sport, and try to make it as safe as we can while not destroying the enjoyment. If other sports don't want to, that's their problem. Maybe we can even be a beacon to them. So if you follow the argument so far, the question remaining is mainly whether this law is a useful step in the direction of kayak safety. I think it is. Sure, no law is a guarantee of behavior. How often do automobile drivers come to a dead stop at a stop sign? Or, in Massachusetts especially, how many obey the speed limit? But those are not good arguments for doing away with traffic laws altogether. On the positive side of the argument, I think having a law on the books that says "PFD's all the time" ~will~ improve kayak safety, but mainly indirectly. It will give those of use who educate new (and old) kayakers in safe paddling a rather potent tool to make the point that a PFD, worn at all times on the water, is a darn good idea, safety-wise. The old law was so perversely weak in that regard, that it was best not mentioned at all when teaching new paddlers, most of whom wouldn't paddle beyond June-to-September anyway. In fact, it seemed more like permission or even encouragment ~not~ to use a PFD in summer. As for special cases, like Greenland paddlers in tuiliqs, that is indeed a bit of a problem. But we can probably just let that slip between the cracks. GPers can argue with the harbormaster or CG officer who tries to give them a ticket, if that actually ever happens. But you know, I don't think I've ever seen anyone in a tuiliq out on the ocean... just in pools and ponds, practicing rolls. (That's a joke, I think.) But I also can't stop thinking of the time I was horsing around with a skilled GP kayaker wearing a tuiliq and no PFD. He was bumping and destabilizing me, in good fun of course. Then I pulled his bow up on my cockpit, and he looked at me with a dare in his eye -- so flip me. I always accept such dares and flipped him forthwith. And, of course, he rolled up elegantly. But I couldn't help thinking how easy it would have been for me to hold him upside down as long as I liked... what would have happened to him if he did have to bail out? I didn't of course. But the point is, anybody can wind up swimming for reasons beyond their control. Can you lose your paddle surfing an offshore break? Do you have that combat handroll down pat? Etc. And if and when you do swim, having a PFD suddenly becomes a survival factor. Whew... that ~was~ long. Thanks for bearing with me (if you did). --David.

Yes... a GPS with a barometer! Great idea -- gets my GPS juices flowing again. Maybe it's finally time to buy one. On our Rowley Marsh trip, Daniel Fabricant was able with a GPS to demonstrate conclusively that we had taken a wrong turn up a cul de sac, which was not immediately obvious from the visual cues. Of course, that same GPS also told us for a while that we were travelling on the shoreline road off Jeffries Neck rather than in the water hugging the shore. That did not accord with our sensory observations, of course. But we suspected there's some kind of built-in assumption that, if you are near a road and going parallel to it, you are on it. Oh well. At the risk of starting a long thread, what do people recommend for GPS's? The Magellan Sporttrak Pro Marine looks made for us kayakers and isn't too pricey (low $200s). The Garmin 76S has a bigger screen but costs more too. Also, do the barometers on GPS's give you an automagical sampling and a graph, they way that fancy watch does?

Thanks Scott, Alex, Brian, Brad for the responses. Scott, you practically have a magazine article there -- it's terrific! In keeping with Brian's question about the over 40 crowd (not to mention subsequent decimal milestones) how readable is the barometer curve or tracking? And how easy is it to call up with the "user interface," especially with gloves on? In general, I wonder if it makes sense to concentrate on a watch/barometer, not worrying about those other functions, and get one that has good characteristics (interval, readability, other?). Might be cheaper that way too. Any recommendations? Alex: I understand that these multi-function watches are bulky, but I can see how this one woule be especially so. I plan for it to live on my PFD strap, where my time-only 100-meter submersible watch does now, so I'm not that concerned. Does that tmake sense? --David.

Great idea. I wonder if the Medford Boat Club could be used as the shelter, with Mystic Lake as the water. There's at least one member of MBC in NSPN. As for Offshore magazine, their archives are here... http://www.offshoremag.net/archives.html and go back to November 1999 online. A Google search (with "Bill Kirk") seems to indicate that the article you describe is not online. But the magazine may be able to sell you a paper back issue, or at least a copy of the article. --David.

No it doesn't paddle for you. ;-)) Are these kind of things worth considering? A bit pricey, of course. Seems like there are better ways to get most everything but the barometer part. For one, you presumably know the tides before you go. --David. http://www.campmor.com/images/watches/larger/83864_l.jpg http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...ductId=30944036

This has been in the works since last February. Anybody know where it stands? We've seen some pretty cockamamie proposals for laws affecting kayaking, but this one seems to make some sense. Have we discussed it here? Full article at http://www.vsv.cape.com/~harharb/ciha/kayakersmissing2.html including ways to express opinions on the bill to legislators. --David. ------------------------------------------------- "New Legislation would make Massachusetts the first state to mandate a compass, whistle, and life jacket to be worn by kayakers at all times. "Representative Shirley Gomes (Republican) has filed the bill to require that life jackets be worn by kayakers year round. The bill is House H-4456. ... "AN ACT RELATIVE TO KAYAKS "Chapter 90B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 5B the following section:- "Section 5C. Any person aboard a kayak shall wear at all times a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device of Type 1, 11, or 111. Kayaks shall also be equipped with a compass and a whistle.

>It was pretty "interesting" to see the footage of the shark >circling at the base of the bridge where we go to play in >the current. And to think that we've been worried about the >rocks... ;-) Kinda gives new meaning to the term "combat roll". --David

... off Naushon island, to be exact. Woods Hole / Cuttyhunk paddlers might want to take note ;-))) http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...lo_WCVB/2385420

WUndergound is great... glad you discovered it. They also have hookups to local private weather stations, so depending on where you live, you can see the local current temperature and accurate history. It's kinda funny to consult a service in Ann Arbor to find out the temperature outside my house in Arlington, but hey, it's the internet age... for a while, anyway. I pay $5/year to get rid of the ads and gain some services, though I'm not sure just which ones are "premium". Seems like a good outfit to support. --David.

I believe we use Dap Weldwood Contact Cement, at least, that's what I've been using, and I think it's what Brian recommended. See http://www.dap.com/international/intl_list...id=4&subcatid=8 I'm glad you brought this up. That stuff is a bit problematic, IMHO. You apply it and let it dry to tacky and then press the tacky parts together. But the tacky surfaces grab quickly and tight, and if you twitch or sneeze as you are positioning them, you can get it off from where you want, with unpleasant consequences. There's something called Gorilla Glue that can be used wet, and claims to finesse that problem. http://www.gorillaglue.com/gGlue.html. The drawback is that it expands and oozes out of the joint as it dries, and you have to trim and/or sand off the hardened ooze. Has anybody tried this for outfitting? I've done a little furniture repair (in hidden places) it it works well with that caveat. As for getting rid of already glued stuff... as Brian told me, just rip/claw/tear/cut it off and keep going down to the original surface, at which point you'll need lacquer thinner to remove the remaining foam and glue. --David.

In the excellent forward stroke class that he and Karen Knight gave recently, Bob Foote suggested a variation on "out of the water by the hips" which makes sense to me. It's basically "stop pulling by the hips." In other words, it's OK if the blade stays in the water a bit longer as long as you're not pulling any more. That gives you the freedom to get it out of the water more "naturally' rather than rushing to pick it up before it's comfortable. --David.