Paul Sylvester

I have always wondered when I would find some cold and wet rec boaters around the next bend in Portsmouth and carry my kit mostly with them in mind. We have a duty to look out for others and if something does not seem right further checking seems the right thing to do. I know sunday was scenarios and we don't all play along well at it....but I should have had people on me while under way.Throw your hands on my deck and get in my face, Cag,tow and people on my flanks to watch. I was at the point where I could have kept paddling with a tow to speed up getting to shore. Once ashore the usual warm up.. It was a fun day and I always enjoy teaching and watching newer paddlers learning. Hope to make some other club trips this year as it has been quite some time. thanks, Paul Sylvester

Figure about 2-1/2 hours lag after high tide in Portsmouth for the max ebb. There are many small play spots on the ebb, more so with a big tide. At times I have seen alot of interesting water on the river: standing waves, boils and eddies everywhere and once saw swells coming in the channel and standing up against the current. I was in a 16' outboard and had my hands full getting out of it. Beware when you get boat wakes hitting the eddies (or play and smile wide) Play at the very small race at the mouth of Great Bay (ebb, last 15 mins) Or the bridge abutments West of the 95 bridge on the Maine side there is a rock outcropping that goes off rather neat on the ebb (across from power plant)

That is exactly like the one I got....I should have deleted it from the start...

Not sure how to pm you but I did get one of these. First response was vague and simple. I sent pics and then got the whole "send check/ shipping story. Sounded like it came out of a boilerroom in west Africa...

Never tried it as I prefer forward on dumping beaches. Might work and be neat...I'll try it someday. Problem is if you "backshoot" in and broach you are screwed. Directional control while backsurfing is fickle.

All the best to you Bob. If you make it out this way next summer give us notice so we can clear some time to paddle. thanks, Paul S.

A few of us paddled out there several years ago and I would like to go again sometime. Nothing there but rocks and birds. Growing up in the seacoast this was known as the place where small boaters got in trouble ie:(died)....Newcasts always seemed to reference Boon to the location where an accident happened..Plus the whole shipwreck thing made this a must do..... Leave from York, it is 8 miles I think which puts it further than the shoals. Be careful.

Water will not be a problem if you get near the towns and streams south of Machias. At the bottom of the bold coast, Cross Island has an old white house given to Outward Bound, in the Northeast Cove area. There is a well 200' behind it. We filtered it to be safe. Plan the Bold coast for 1 day with the tides.. Resuppy at Lubec or Eastport. There are many shops and businesses that you can ask. There is the Deer Island campgroud.... With 2-3 gals onboard you could easily make the ferry terminal at Blacks Harbor. There are bathrooms with tapwater. Nice enough to take a sink shower ( no I did not) Plan all moves with the tides in mind.....

For anyone that thinks you need to go to Maine for some rough water or currents you are in error. The Fishers and Stonington areas are the best play spot this side of Grand Manan. Add in that we will have high flows... it will promise to be another great time put on by Greg and Paula. Gotta love the rough stuff....combine it with top coaches.....smiles all around....can't wait..

There is interest, Just can't do this weekend. Been thinking about other islands but they are either easy to get to or too far to drive.... What night/ days work for you sir Pintail

Where were you? We should talk about a pm paddle to Jewell some fri. night....

Just pulled out my sheep fleece with Tonto embroidered on it.......That was a fun day. I will never forget finding humor out there thinking about our situation, or rather Suz's situation. I love big water... We have learned a lot over the years no doubt. Another good trip report would be Nov. 99 by Keith A. where I am victim one or something and I swam in 42 deg. water off Whaleback in a farmer john. They were worried about me but I felt ok....... Suz's I miss your cooking and could use some meal tips for camping.... Headed to Lubec and Grand Manan for a week with six others. Should be fun... Have to bring my sheep fleece... Trip report in a few weeks.. thanks for the memories, Paul

Believe you were involved in our Goffstown polo games.....it was a tough workout. Lots of fun. For my helmet I bought a metel hockey facemask and mounted it on my helmet. At an auto supply store get car door edge protectors for the edges of the paddles. Just enough to prevent a cut. Still have the stuff.....

Sounds like a nice day learning...... Was your paddle vertical grain cedar? Even if it was flat grain, I'll bet you rolled too fast and am sure they would tell you to sloooow down. Paul

I would prefer to lean forward ie: elbow on forward deck and sweep stroke to pull the bow around. For a novice you might want to keep the boat level at first in the wind. As you get comfortable with this you edge the same as in any sea kayak. On another note: First weekend in June is the Rough Water Symposium in RI. Top notch coaches teaching in and around serious tidal races. Great chance to learn and expand your knowledge and have a great time with like minded people. thanks,

My reasons: Easy adjustment for different users, I can put different users in my boats for lessons or fun on the water. I can vary the position when I feel like wearing different footwear( I have size 12, or different clothes ie: bathing suit verses drysuit with fleece. thereby changing my tightness and comfort in the boat. (rarely) On trips I can stuff a drybag between the pegs without moving the bulkhead to minimize foam thickness. More firm underfoot when pushing. I did foam out my outer island back in 01 and it was not for me. I never did put footbraces in it because it was too tight on my feet and I was afraid I would not get my foot at the right angle for comfort and power. sold it... When racing or covering miles I just like the psychological and physical feel of the transfer of power. I would never install plastic rails, only yakima. though my avocet may have plastic rails?? not sure... maybe use them if they seem solid.... I surf rather large waves when possible and have driven the bow in hard, done endos and generally beat some boats hard. I consider the footpegs to be the first line of defense for my foot going through the bulkhead. If the footpegs break then I still have the bulkhead to stop me. I always build strong front bulkheads with that in mind. One of the founders of nspn used to tell a story( 2nd hand) of someone whose feet got caught in a busted bulkhead.......yikes! I have no bone spurs or foot problems if I did I could understand trying it again...... Having built 17 different yaks and bought 6 or so production boats, this works for me... Paul......main boat....NDK Explorer and 6 other kayaks

Well, I like footpegs and I build kayaks...If anyone wants to sell a used pair or two of Yakima pegs you can send them in the mail fairly easy and I'll pay a reasonable amount. Search the archives and you may find my arguements for footpegs...... contact at: psylatmetrocastdotnet thanks, Paul

You said flat........I didn't check......I would have gone down in the am for that.... almost all day working..........*&^^&(&%^%%*(

I think MITA has got their hands full and I would not be looking to add to their work. Remember, many islands are in private ownership. I would guess that many landowners would be leary of too much use. I know I would.

The used to be a website around that had pics and details on 6-7 of the worlds best tidal bores. The one in NS was one of them.

Forget attached gloves on drysuits for kayaking, too many problems.. Pogies or mittens for me One option some may like.... NE Fishing gear in Portsmouth sells a neoprene glove that has a sleeve/ cuff that comes up your forearm. I have a worn out pair that I liked. You don't get that little bit of water hitting your wrist in waves. Mine are labeled as "Mad Dog gear by Stearns"

Maybe they can create a few new jobs by making another federal agency....a little more stimulation for our wretched economy...... Now matter how they try to sell this it sucks and should be repealed.....fisheries management does not need to involve the little guy. If they really want to get the numbers on what is being caught there are other ways that could be used....

"The “50-90 rule†estimates current speeds between slack water and maximum flow. Divide the time between slack water and maximum ebb or flood into thirds. In the first third, the current will increase to 50% of its maximum. In the second third it will reach 90%. And in the last third, it only increases the last 10%." It is better stated that "at the end of the first hour the current will reach 50% of its max" and "at the end of the second..........key word is ---end --of the hour or third.

Makes me want to stay in my boat.....