cathyfoley

Brian: Where can you buy the drop in charger for the HX-460? I looked on Standard Horizon's site and couldn't find that product. I've just been gluing my port shut with silicon each time and then peeling out the silicon when I recharge it. Haven't had any water problems but it's a pain in the butt to do it.

This is a very good discussion. When I first joined NSPN a few years ago, I was intimidated and also slightly angered by some of the SNG post on the board. They seemed "cliquish" and were point blank about not wanting people who did not have the requisite skills. I've since learned the value of such postings and the intent behind them. I now strongly support them. In my opinion, many NSPN members seriously over rate their own paddling capabilities. (paddling in 3 ft swell didn't look very hard in the video....LOL) This not only endangers them, but the group they are with. There is really no need for group safety to be jeopardized if each member would truly do an honest assessment of themselves. But that is only part of the problem as I see it. The second part of this problem is the types of opportunities for real paddling on the ocean. This year, the number of "official" club trips seems way down. (although I have not kept a tally) It seems we've moved to SNGs as the primary means of doing group paddles. For new and inexperienced paddlers who are anxious to get out there, it seems SNGs have been one of their best options this year. On many weekends, the choice has been SNG or paddle alone. I don't have a solution to the issue. However, I believe Liz is on the right track. Better communication, better planning, and sometimes, a bit of brutal honesty when necessary. I think David has adopted a system much like Boston Sea Kayak Club uses. Trip leaders or organizers of any group trip do phone interviews with each participant to determine some type of skill level before they ever get to the beach. It's a bit more work for the organizers, but probably well worth the effort. I think this approach also avoids hurting someone's feelings on the beach, if it was determined they should not go. The better paddlers in this club continue to offer opportunities for new or inexperienced paddlers (I still consider myself in that inexperienced group) to come out and learn, and push themselves to the next level. Summer skill sessions, pool sessions and ocean clinics are readly available as a starting point. And my final thought...it's good we have members like Liz, who will take the time to address issues like this. It's even better that we get a healthy dialogue going to educate ourselves. And even better, we have the members like Rick S, Rick C, Adam B and so many others who are willing to share their experience and skills on the water.

I will attend. Thanks, Cathy

Jed: The radios were bought from West Marine, 775 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth, NH (603)436-8300 on March 15, 2003. I can fax you a copy of the receipt if you need it. Cathy

Weather forecast does not look good for Sunday at Chatham. High winds predicited. I'm not going to do this trip this week.

MJ Monomoy Islands are located right off the cost of Chatham, MA on Cape Cod. Seals regularly haul out on the beach there. It's a great place to see them up close. The trip is definitely weather dependent, as conditions can change there very fast. Winds over 15 mph would be a show stopper for me. However, if its too windy at Monomoy, I plan to paddle somewhere on the inner part of the Cape of Rte 6A or maybe over to Wellfleet. I want to do an easier paddle than the one Adam has posted and focus on spending time at the seal rookery. Round trip maybe 10 miles.

Looking for other paddlers interested in paddling Sunday at Monomoy to see the seals. Post here if any interest and we can arrange from there.

David: I have the Garmin Blue Chart software and really like it. I have a Garmin Map76 GPS with only 8MB of memory and it still works fine. The program recommends 16MB. It's expensive software at $150 a copy, but you'd pay much more than that if you bought NOAA charts to cover all the area you can unlock with one code. When you first buy the software, you are given an unlock code. This allows you to "unlock" one region anywhere in the Americas. I was able to unlock Portsmouth, NH to Block Island, RI, including all of Cape Cod. To unlock other areas, you must pay for another "unlock" code to Garmin on their website. (another $69 I think) The CD has all of the the Americas and Carribean. The program also limits you to downloading the software to only two GPS units, both of which you must register as users of the program with Garmin. (In other words, this is not software you can pass around or sell to someone else once you've used it) The software allows you to plan trips/routes/waypoints (and saved them)very easily on the computer and upload the nav charts and trip information to your GPS in just a few minutes. The map detail is very good and includes all navigation aids, shaded depth contours; all that you would find on commercial navigation charts. It also includes tide predictions, marina information and phone numbers. It is also possible to print small areas of charts on a regular printer in color and create your own paper charts. The really nice feature for kayaking is you can create the scale you need (I believe a scale of 80ft is as close as you can bring it in.) Another nice feature is I can leave the saved trip file on my computer as a record of my planned trip( a float plan). I tell my roommate how to access it in the event I don't return or call in a reasonable amount of time. She can easily give that info to the USCG or other potential rescuers. I've created my own charts for two recent excursions (Gloucester Harbor and Marblehead)and found them to be very accurate.

Harry: I have a VHS copy of "The Kayak Roll" by Kent Ford that I will let you borrow. E-mail me at cathyfoley@aol.com and I'll make arrangements for you to get it. The DVD version is better, as you can freeze frames and super slow mo, better than most VCRs. Nigel Foster's DVD's also have a very good segment on learning to roll. Vol. 6 "Rolling and Bracing"

Al: Since you're going to be rolling, all neoprene is the best way to go. Neo deck/nylon tube is more comfortable in summer, but still allows a lot of water in when you roll.

I'm 5-8 in height. Any advice on what WW paddle length would be a correct fit for someone my height paddling a WW boat in the surf?

In the rescue where a paddled float self rescue was eventually abandoned and the swimmer very tired, we used a double rescue. One kayaker supporting the empty boat just like a t-rescue. The 2nd rescuer puts his/her bow alongside the stern of the empty kayak. The swimmer is then able to push down the bow of the 2nd rescue kayak below the surface and use it as a "stepstool" to easily propel themselves up onto the back deck of their kayak. We found with an exhausted swimmer, even this was a challenge, but we did effect the rescue using that method. Another mitigating circumstance was an ill-fitting PFD that rode up over the swimmers shoulders, making it difficult to climb onto the deck. It was a clear demonstration of the need for a proper fitting PFD. All in all, it was a very good learning experience for all involved.

David, I would recommend using H2 glue put out by Wildwasser, to glue the velcro the boat and pads. This is some really sticky stuff that doesn't come loose after being soaked with water. I'm sure some paddle shops carry it or you can get it mailorder at NRS. www.nrsweb.com

Harry: All three are decent boats. I've paddled two of the three (Capella and the Tempest). The Capella was a better fit for me, so it paddled and handled much easier. The Tempest was a bit too snug for me. My advice is go with the boat that you fit into most comfortably. Your body will help you make the decision. Necky makes very good boats also. I own a poly Looksha IV and still paddle it. It was an excellent first boat for me and one that I can still knock around in.

Bill I agree with your comments. I've had difficulty learning to roll, mostly because of my heading coming up. I taught myself to do a sweep roll (using The Kayak Roll DVD)and had it down pretty good. Then,like you,lost it for a while. I too, began practicing high braces, totally committing my body to the water and working to keep my head down. In addition, I re-outfitted my hip padding to give me a tighter fit, but not uncomfortable. It has help my rolling. I'm now using an extended paddle sweep roll as a means of getting back up without wet exiting, if my normal sweep fails me. What I have found is a new confidence under water. If I miss my first attempt, I just switch to an extended paddle and roll-up. I have not had to wet exit since using the extended paddle on 2nd attempts. Interesting enough, it was a non-roller at a skill session who suggested I try the extended paddle. Now I'm working on a C to C roll. LOL

Mystic is on for tonight.

I have practiced this in flat water and rough water and firmly believe this is one of the best self rescues there is. You can be back in the boat very quickly. I have never once not been able to rescue myself with a paddle float/re-enter and roll. It takes a small amount of confidence to go back under water and slide into the boat, but it takes much less energy than a normal paddle float self-rescue. And if you are a "well rounded" individual such as I, climbing up over the back of a deck isn't the the easiest of task in rough water. Re-enter and rollwith a paddle float is my self-rescue of choice.

I think it has a lot to do with what people are looking for out of kayaking. It's a very small percentage of sea kayakers who really aspire to be at the level of BCU 4 and 5. It's my belief that most people want to enjoy "fair weather" kayaking safely and are content with that. So they take a few basic courses and in NSPN, attend skills sessions. The combination of those two things probably fulfill the desires of the majority of recreational sea kayakers.

That's July 26, sorry

Kevin: You are welcome to borrow my Ellesmere if it fits you (and you return it that evening as I'm using it June 26) or my Necky Looksha IV Both are 17ft x 22in and fairly easy to roll. I just installed new hip pads in the Necky and have not carved them out to a custom fit. You are welcome to customize them for you, as I'm sure I'll need to take more out to fit my fat butt later..LOL.