Dee Hall

need your new e-mail address. If you don't still have mine, you can respond through NSPN's private messaging. Thanks, -Dee

The back deck on the Currituck is way too high for advanced rolls like that. I moved the bulkhead on my Currituck, and the ability to use such a variety of positions for my feet would seem to result in some change in performance. Of course, my feet are very small. -Dee

It appears that is true. I've noticed that the postal workers are stopping their engines at each mailbox now.

Congratulations, Gene. A lot of people have really liked this boat for many years. I am sure you will be happy. -Dee

Sounds like the boat that Alex mention to me last night. It's a folding boat for travel so you can customize it on the water to the type of paddling you are doing. -dee

Although the Orion is rumoured to handle similarly, it most certainly doesn't. The Gulfstream is much easier to handle. -Dee

Not sure if you have seen Nigel and sat in a Shadow, but he good roll in the Shadow without capsizing it. -Dee

Rick, What exactly is your affiliation with the USCG again? -Dee

Hi Gene, My husband and I have a boat we are selling that you might be interested in. Please shoot me an e-mail and we can discuss the specifics. dee dot hall at verizon dot net. -Dee

Gaffers tape is quite different from this plastic tape. Gaffers tape is heavier and will absorb a little bit of water while you paddle. Like Carl, I put this tape on my paddle three years ago, and it looks like new. And you wouldn't believe how bright it is. In case you don't realize it, the paddles are the first thing you see of a kayaker in the distance, and it's the first thing you see for a while as the distance is shortened. Perhaps you can all share a roll. It is 25'. -Dee

Yup.

Because the don't know of the existence of a type V PFD.

For those that don't know Mark Jacobson, he has been actively following this legislation and working with his local lawmakers. I have been working with my representative, and it has been productive. He has also done the work of distilling the statistics we needed. Our lawmakers deal with a lot of bills that to them see like "no brainers" because they are uneducated in the areas being addressed. They are not kayakers, and they don't reallize that this bill is flawed and needs to be improved or eliminated. We need to educated them individually using the numberes that Mark has given us. The strategy is to include canoes and rowboats in the bill since kayaks are obviously at least as safe, more correctly define PFDs, and remove the wet exit training. For a list of your senator and representative: http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm Thanks, -Dee

>So in summary: lean the boat (don't edge) with a relatively >neutral (flat) hull, keep the paddle shaft and your hands >down by your hips (the strongest and safest position for >your shoulders) and don't worry where that puts the blade. >The wave will take care of it. > My employer encourages us to use as many different boats as we can and as a result I can tell you that this would probably work in most boats, but not all. In my own boat, it works for less time that you can say "windowshade". (I wish I had enough time to take every boat out in the surf to figure out exactly which hull feature causes this dramatic tripping up.) However, Rick's point about when a high brace doesn't feel right is great. Whenever I feel that a high brace is getting away from me I just let it go and resign myself to rolling back up. I'm a pretty big wimp about it, and don't go in for heroic big braces. -Dee

When buying any neoprene, Hyrdoskin included, it's ability to keep you warm depends on several factors: 1. Thickness of neoprene - neoprene comes in many thicknesses. Commonly we use 3mm farmer johns and thinner tops, but thinner shorties, or shorts, pants, etc. are useful in the warmer weather. 2. Seams - some pieces have seams that are waterproof, some don't. The hydroskin isn't. Having water flush slowly in through the seams will definitely make you colder 3. Fit - A snugger fit will slow the flushing of cold water and result in more warmth when immersed. Adding a light or mid-weight first layer underneath can also help and also adds insulation. -Dee