DeCourcy

option 3: Onne Vanderwal mentioned that he uses toothpaste....not certain why but he said it worked on his camera lenses...... Toothpaste is an abrasive... probably NOT the best thing to use on optical lenses! Jim.

I also have Malones. I always use a bow tie-down, as previously mentioned, to be able to keep an eye on the boat if it starts to "move". (Heide, don't be looking UP thru the sunroof if you're moving:)) No one's mentioned this, and I hardly ever see anyone doing it, but I use long straps and loop them twice around the boat. It creates a "cinching" effect, so that even if the straps do loosen a little, the boat can't move much, because if it starts to shift, the noose gets tighter. Not following close behind you, Jim.

> >NSPN is a volunteer club. How could you require a volunteer >to outlay money so they could volunteer their time for free? >Does this happen anywhere else? Is there not something wrong >with that picture? Yes.. this happens throughout the martial arts community. People pay to practice their art, and after gaining experience, volunteer to teach others. They "pass it along". I thought that is one of the guiding principles of this club. That was one of my first exposures to this club... watching a pool session and watching the experienced help the inexperienced. Coming from a martial arts background, I thought it was great to see the selflessness of the instructors giving of themselves to others. I was and am thrilled to be a member just because of that spirit. Jim.

I'd vote for the picture method... but Christopher has to volunteer to submerge himself so it would be a nice "water level" shot.

"Attending" and "Participating" have different meanings. Which one are you folks talking about? Jim.

Congratulations to you both!!!!

Methinks Kevin needeth refrain from watching Monty lest he becomes either a witch or a duck! Watcheth out for the waves! Jim.

"I find after several experiments I like a loom about 2inches wider than that measurement suggests. That is, when I raise my arms up from my sides I measure 18 inches and use a 20 inch loom..." Ralph, that's exactly what I've found when I make my paddles. I'd suggest that Dan looks at his boat's width. I'd guess that the rule of thumb is off a little because the skin boats are usually a bit narrower than our plastic or glass boats. So if our boats are say, 2 inches wider than theirs, it makes sense that a wider grip will help you keep from banging your thumbs on the side of the boat. Jim.

>their would be no need for dander if everyone just accepted >that BCU of course is superior WAIT... didn't we kick the British out of here a long time ago? Jim.

Yup, I'll try to be there a little before 8. Jim.

Have not been on the water yet this year. Am planning on launching from Lynch Park, Beverly. Early Saturday morning. Have to be back at launch site by 10:00 - 10:30. (family cookout at my house that afternoon). Anybody want to paddle towards Manchester, or up the Danvers river? Leave around 8:00 am. I know, it's early, but it's the only time I can squeeze in my first paddle this year. Jim.

Hi Kevin, I don't get there every Thursday, and won't be there until at least the 22nd, but I use Greenlands and will bring an extra whenever I go. So you can try (and buy if you want) mine. Jim.

"Just one more reason for me to move to a new location, somewhere besides Taxachusetts, Seems to be the popular trend nowadays..." Naw Brad, my grandfather moved from Lynn to NewHampshire in 1961; it's not a new fad. Besides, NH has hardly any coastline! Jim.

Is there any reason why the general membership can't have a copy to possibly put up at their places of work? Jim.

Typo -- you mean Gorton's, not Groton's...

Hi Suzanne, This may not be a very exciting idea, but I wonder how many brand new people we have in the club. I wonder how many have even been in a boat yet, or are trying to decide what kind of boat to get. They could read all they want, and visit stores, but I wonder if you'd get any response from newbies wanting to see a boat and paddler with all the necessary equipment. Something like having someone bring in a boat, all the stuff for a trip, and someone to explain what all this stuff is used for. How much is necessary vs. 'nice to have'. Explain why you need a whistle or flare. Why you'd need a pump.... Show some different kinds of paddles. I know it wouldn't serve the majority of club members, but it might boost membership??? Or, at least set a few folks on the right path. Thanks, Jim

"The object of the class is to educate the student and the curriculum is most effective if targeted to the student, not the teacher." Sorry Bob, I disagree. When you're a student, you're there to LEARN. In every class I ever took on any subject, I learned new WORDS and how they were used in the context of the subject I was studying. Let's see, how many of us started kayaking knowing what a bulkhead, hatch cover, or Cowboy re-entry was? We learned new words and their meaning. Targeting the audience is not quite the same as educating a student, in fact I think there's quite a difference. Jim.

Dan got his picture in today's Salem News... Page 2.

Rick, I can NOT answer your question with any authority or expertise, but I can relate a story from which you can surmise what you will and your stomach can verify or deny the accuracy. (misleading enough??) I visited my friend's grandfather's chicken (and eggs) farm in Maine about 25+ years ago. There was a huge non-airconditioned barn with row upon row of cages full of chickens laying eggs. Next to the barn door was a 3 foot tall stack of boxes of eggs. I asked about them and was told that 'the truck' was coming in a few days to pick them up. How long they were sitting there I don't know. Was that the proper way to handle eggs? Have practices changed since then? Don't know, but I didn't get sick eating eggs at the farm. Good Cluck, Jim.

Could we somehow put together a Fund to either buy these folks a similar replacement or at give them a little cash towards their own replacement kayak? Jim.

Nope, not black olives.... GREEN ones!

I'd be interested in: Advanced strokes and manuevering Greenland strokes and rolling Rough water training Jim.

Yup. My Malone racks have 4 bolts/nuts that need a wrench and some care so I don't scratch the roof.

Brian, yes, 6mil is the correct abbreviation. But, I copied it off my invoice from them! Geez, you'd think they'd know what they're selling. (I also should know what I'm buying.) They did have 2 other thicknesses, but I got the thinnest (cheapest) to try it out. To correct my pricing... I got 3 square feet of the stuff for $27+. Jim.

Walter, I got some of that clear automotive plastic film. I haven't put it on the boat yet. It comes in different thickness. I got mine based on a recommendation from a kayaker in Florida. The company doesn't have a website, but happily took phone orders. UltraShield, 12541-1 Metro Parkway, Fort Meyers, FL 33912 Phone: 239.768.0118 (ya, no 800 number) I paid $27+ (including shipping) for 3 12" by 6" 6mm thick Scotchguard Paint Protection film. They have different dimensions for sale, but this is all that I needed. Jim.