Lbeale

This paddle trip was low key on a spectacular day--launching early due to boat traffic has definite positives--plus the spectacular views on Misery Island while having lunch was a feast for the eyes not just for the body. Did I mention the seals? And the fun and funny paddlers on that trip--not to be missed--join us next time--Les aka swearing ferret

Yup, I'll be there--Les aka swearing ferret

Can do Sunday--Les

I plan on being there--given length and area--is there any special equipment to bring? les aka swearing ferret

yup--me, too!!!! les aka swearing ferret

If I can be there--will be there--also deb dempsey a maybe--just need to know exact put-in--ps. why is it called 10 pound island, Liz? A group of us did the route on Thursday and we speculated why 10 pound for a name--but of course, none of us knew what we were talking about---les aka swearing ferret

Great, Al--looking forward to paddling with you this season--looks like fun with good company day--anyone else? les aka swearing ferret

David--I'll be there--Thurs. looks like a great day to do this-SW 5 to 10 -- and before the challenge--will have my new Impex Force 3 to beat your butt-maybe- les aka swearing ferret

I think what you are looking for is the talic sea horse kayak racks--Pam Browning told me about these racks several years ago--and now I have 3 sets for my three boats--I use them all year --you can take them with you b/c they store in your back hatch-easy to move with boat on rack-expensive yes, but I have my first pair that I brought four years ago and honestly, look almost new--I've never seen these racks on the market used b/c people get and keep them--paddling net sellls them--if you have a coupon the price is 10% off--if you have any more questions you can email me at lbealeatspfldcoldotedu--hope this is helpful to you--les

Yes, I did--tsk! Les

I am also interested--Les

Hello Scott, When I am looking to practice on my surfski the Charles River is a nice paddle--but it does depend on the time of day--early morning or dusk is my choice --in the morning urban paddling with glimpses of Herons, turtles and other quirks of city wildlife--dusk means setting sun and city lights-- The place I put in is in Watertown near the rink--plenty of parking--I paddle from Watertown down to the locks and back-- There was a trip conceived by Richard N. a couple of years ago where we left our cars in Watertown --we went to Mystic Lower Lake--launched there--paddled to Watertown-- we rented a trailer from CRCK to transport boats from Watertown to Mystic Lakes -- but it can be done without renting a trailer-- Also, you can launch from Charles River--go through the locks and bang a right--paddle to the Barking Crab--have lunch--paddle back---- to quote Larry David, "pretty, pretty good". Les

I am in for this--only problem is if the winds and waves are mixin' my hatches on the Night Heron might leak--so can't give a definite until tomorrow morn--les

So does the rationale of stiffer boat result is faster boat negate wooden with fiberglass overlay kayaks for speed? My Night Heron @ 17' is light, fast yet I doubt it is as stiff as a C/KV boat--NIck S. may answer this question with more insight than me but I tend to support Brian's logic due to paddling the NH-- Les

Cute as a button--love the hat--warmest regards to you both and your new family member--Les

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses. I asked the people at Impex and their response was also helpful. It seems that for the Impex Force 3 at least, yup--it does make a difference--stiffer hull, more acceleration (i.e., slightly faster) and supposedly more extension or follow through with lower body paddling movement--not to mention 6lbs difference at the end of the day--so as someone stated in the thread, maybe it does just depend on the boat and the paddler--the question now, does carbon/kevlar require or is it strongly recommended keel strip (yet another cost factor)--Les

Yesterday while Karen G and I were paddling near Hog's Island, Essex, we had a "lively" debate. Is the extra $$$ for a kevlar/carbon boat worth it? Of course, we didn't know what we were talking about because neither of us has a kevlar boat. So, for those who have some legimate opinion or insight, is it worth putting out the extra $$$ for kevlar? Does kevlar boats go faster or handle better than their fiberglass counterpart? What were specific factors that helped you decide to go with kevlar instead of fiberglass? Knowing that it is more difficult and costly to repair kevlar, why would you? Was the final decision based just on weight, kevlar being lighter than fiberglass? Perplexed, les

Very sad news today.How difficult for Andrew's wife, family and friends. Sounds like he was admired and loved by many. Les

Kevin and T, If you want to try my surfski, I would be happy to set up a time with you at Mystic Lakes or the Charles River--However, I must say paddling the Charles in the surfski is more fun than Mystic--you get to see the City and watch the people while paddling and, ride some of the wake left by the power boaters--so its a great place to practice-- Last season, I spent most of my time in quiet waters just to get the feel of the boat. Andrew is right, it probably does take a season of flat water to get your tempo--at least for me it did--now I am hoping to start paddling with people on more challenging waters. Here's the pros for the surfski--you just get in it--little or no equipment 'cuz there is only one small hatch to hold keys and a sandwich, if that--so no loading the boat--just you and the boat--this is not a boat for gearheads who like to cart alot of gear around--you can't--so there is little or no time for prep--you've got your paddle, paddle leash, pfd, boat, lunch, radio--that's it Second, it's light--you really don't need help loading and unloading your boat from the car--I weight around 105lbs and 5'2--I can lift this boat and put it in the water pronto--the only problem I have with this boat is that I drive a Golf and the boat is soo long--I get a little nervous on highways with it--but this can be unfounded fear on my part-- Third, you have to ROTATE--or the boat goes in different directions--because you are rotating so much, muscle memory kicks in--then when I am paddling my other boats my body is more responsive to rotation. So if you or T want to try my boat--email me Les

I got my surfski early last spring--and its a blast--but make sure you have a good wing paddle--then its doubly fun-Suz is right, try taking it to the pool sessions and practice getting in and out--its different than the sea kayak re-entry-- there's also a great local surfski community and Andrew Binks has a message board on yahoo you might want to check out-- When I got my surfski I hired Alex L from New England Small Craft to give me some private lessons. She is a wonderful teacher and a talented paddler who offers reasonable rates for private lessons. I live in Somerville, and during warmer months such as April I paddle my surfski on the Charles River from Watertown down to the locks and back--so if you are interested get in touch with me and we can set up some practice times in the early Spring. I found that practicing my forward stroke on my surfski helped enormously my rotation and giving me better speed when paddling my other types of kayaks.

Have tried this boat at Walden Pond during the summer try-out session--its a blast--fast, liked how it turns--light--foot paddle takes some time to figure out--but other wise, mega fun--the only draw back for me, was it took me a while to figure out how to get back in the boat on water--so re-entry is just different for me--definitely worth a spin--and if it is a fit--its fun--les

I'm in--les

yup--could be tempted for sure--its one of those lots of fun paddles--have launched from the Maine side from the State Park--they have a special launch site for kayakers--McCausley Park? That does sound right? also there is a great lobsta shack on the water place by the creek to get lobsta for those who eat lobsta--les

I am interested--Les

Yesterday, Deb Dempsey and I circumnavigated Cape Ann. We put in at the High School, paddled the route then finally landed at the beach next to the canal (Western Harbor). We innocently thought we could go through the canal back to our launch site, but yoh!!! The canal was jumping with Sunday boat traffic. By 5:00 pm, that canal had its own manic washing machine current. Deb and I thought the better of it decided we would like to go home in one piece and, landed at the beach next to the canal. We had to walk back to our cars at the High School parking lot. Do kayakers usually go through that canal and we just happen to hit it on a busy day? Or do we just forget about EVER going through that canal? In other words, what is the local wisdom? Another question, as far as we can figure it out based on chart review, there is no way around that canal --if you want to circumnavigate Cape Ann--is that correct? We chose our paddling route based on winds and tide and did well with the choice--however, is it better to launch at the Western Harbor beach by the canal? But then we don't do the full circumnavigation if we stop before the canal. We would like to do this trip again soon, but need information on best launch sites and considerations for this route. Thx, Les