Paul Sylvester

For anyone that wants to be able to paddle their sea kayak 12-18 miles per day and not feel like the walking dead after--- study this video. Specifically leg push, torso rotation, upper hand not dropping when it goes across the stroke movement and most important, watch the elbows. They are semi rigid and bend and flex very little through the movements. This makes rotation much easier and natural. These things combined with a good vertical stroke and right length paddle will take you places...

  Speed = distance

Great video!

The obvious is that if he had been blown out into the Gulf Stream it would have been bye bye..

 3M 5200 sealant and plan on a week before it fully cures.  Have you tested to see where the problem is?  Really not hard to do yourself.  I do not have time myself but there are others here who do this work.

4 hours ago, Kevin B said:

Building on the information Jim has already provided, I'm willing to lead a trip on the same day,  leaving Rye Harbor at 7:30am, allowing us to arrive about the same time as the other group.  We would paddle out, explore and paddle back in the same time frame.  Current forecast is SE 5-10 kt with 2-3ft seas.  Would need a minimum of three people and folks should be able to paddle at a sustained 3- 4 knots.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  

I am 90% sure I can get caught up to go...Can confirm by Wednesday morning.. 

Just tried to message him but not working. I might be able to go....

It was some period of time after 10/04 before we did write it up. I will do more research and see what I can find. The 11/99 (I believe) incident was also added as a permanent "tab" or link under a safety tab on the old website.

   I love history and also love how our minds play with recollections. So thanks and bear with me.

Hi all,

  I am trying to find trip reports from 1999, 2004 and maybe 2006. The 1999 incident was written up as a safety report and was on the old site as a warning about cold water paddling. It was off Whaleback in Portsmouth Harbor. It involves me and others, a surprise boomer wave, rocks and a textbook rescue in interesting conditions in November. Late October 2004 Essex Bay involves myself and three other paddlers, 7-10' waves after a big storm, OBE's by three of us, yard sales, lost and broken equipment etc. and self rescues ( sort of). It was written up in the style of Reservoir  Dogs with Mr. Red, Mr. Blue etc. There is another that was a Helo rescue in Essex Bay. That should be found and available IMO. 

   I doubt I have a copy of October 04 in print but will start looking. I tried searching just now but didn't find it but have limited time today. Prefer to find the original texts so people can see it is not a fish story. 

  When the swell or winds come into Essex Bay it is rather fun or terrifying depending on your perspective and skills.  

19 hours ago, Joseph Berkovitz said:

@Paul Sylvester what unforgettable October 4 are you talking about?

I will start a separate thread. 

10 hours ago, spuglisi said:

My understanding is that Pavilion beach is "residents only" on weekends but during the week it's open to non-residents.

 

 

Going to seek further info as it is such a nice summer paddling spot and my weekdays are more free. thanks,

2 hours ago, Pintail said:

<...you can see the channel in the sand running directly north there>

All very well; but the entire mouth of Essex Bay changes all the time as sand drifts in the current and the high spots build and decay...from one year to the next it can look quite different!  I am guessing that I have encountered currents at the mouth at peak ebb of around 2 to 2,5kt?  I find Rob's reasoning not sound: Essex Bay is a large sheet of water that empties (and fills) across a shallow, sandy (ever-changing) outlet/inlet.  I think there is every reason to justify a decent current there at max flood or ebb...and I think it quite a nice play-spot when the waves are up.

Could have been a big flow day or the wind against the flow on Glad's particular day. Thanks for reminding me that I have to get down to Essex Bay and play. Is Pavilion Beach OK in the summer? What's another launch nearby? Not sure I have been there since Oct. 04 and the day that I will never forget...

This is a thread for people interested in paddling to the Isles of Shoals. We will plan to paddle out on the same day as the NSPN boat ride out there. Probably will be after Labor Day but unsure at this time. It is 6- 7 NM out from Rye Harbor. It is a level 4 trip due to the long crossing and exposure. There will be an alternate coastal paddle that day if the conditions are not favorable to make the crossing.  An offshore wind or rough wind waves will cancel the crossing. I expect the NSPN group to explore a lot around the islands. We will be limited as we have to save energy for the paddle back. 

Few points:

 Leave by 8 am to be there by 10 am.

Long break on Smutty and time to explore.

Paddle back by 2 pm and in Rye by 4 pm

Wish to have three minimum, more welcome.

From you:

Train up over the summer so that you can knock off 15 miles with breaks and without bonking. 

Have a VHF radio, fully rigged sea kayak and  neoprene CWP at minimum. Water should be warm. If it is rough enough to warrant a dry suit we probably won't go out there. I usually wear neo and bring my drysuit to wear on the return if needed. The wind can pick up in the afternoon.  Please have flares or aerials for signals if needed.

Please know the components of the forward stroke and apply them in your training this summer. Please have a tow rig.

Your boat should be at least 16' ... If you paddle a Pintail this might not be your trip.

I will vet as I see fit.

  I am fine with doing this trip on another day if there is interest. Weekdays are fine also.

  post interest here or PMI with questions.

Sold my ski years ago and would love to own an intermediate ski ... No more expert skis for me.... I have a mid wing and would be up for this if I don't have a conflict.

I knew one who got into it pretty bad and had to go get Benadryl and cut an island trip short. That was 20 years ago and I have never heard of anyone having a problem since except for one friend who was clearing brush in Harpswell. 

It would not stop me from a trip but knowing more might help.  What is disturbing the underbrush?  

I see.. bribing public officials..lol

22 hours ago, glad said:

Unfortunately, there are no comps because the property is so unique and unfinished.  I tried to nail down the owner about a price but he says, "make me an offer, it is water front so should go above the town's assessment".  If it were me, I would start with 50K above assessment and work my way up to 100K.    If that were the case, one could have a home in the low $400,000 but with the challenges of building.  I think he said the building permit is still active.  Some naturing loving person with a connection to the trades and construction would be a perfect candidate. 

Complete in the low 400's just sounds too good to be true. If me, I would want to know what structural code upgrades might be needed before finishing the interior. Probably minor.. In Mass. it might take an independent engineering firm. Also the roof at 21 years old may need to be replaced very soon. 

14 hours ago, leong said:

To each his (her) own, I guess. Like I enjoy pedaling my road bike, I enjoy forward stroke paddling as much as the destination. Depending on conditions and paddling partners, on my dozen or so paddles out to IOS, my one-way times varied between 1:12 and 1:30 (except on one return trip in heavy winds and rough water it was over 2 hours).

While I don't want to take from this trip..I might be able to paddle out that day. PM me if interested. I would want to have three minimum qualified paddlers..

 

What might scare some away..(a shell) is what I love. As a builder it all looks so easy to step into...Great Northshore area also. Seems Boston would be closer than .45 min.

  I would love to know what range it sells for? I hate to guess...

Very nice.. N appears to be standing in the video? You are pretty trusting for a sawbuck??

Quite happy to get there as I can. Tomorrow night is booked but after that I'll plan on it. 

Get some Spectra Dyneema. Rope not cable---I had some from Stellar Kayaks on a rudder set up and it does not stretch on skegs and rudders.. You can set tick marks to know depth. Defiantly new bungie and washers.. Nylon washers are at most good hardware stores and would probably match up.

There is a lot on You tube that I glean from for kayaking and other disciplines. I was a  bit wary of the link but when I saw Simon Osborne is a part of it I was pleased. He is one of the best with a skill set that is at the top of the game. Helping him in a Surf and Rocks course off of the Narrows in RI I saw him standing in the seat of his Explorer (yes, like a surfboard) and surfing between rocks on a rough day. Didn't see the cost but if you can adapt to this learning style you would learn a lot--fast.

All of what Rob said but I stress sealed bulkheads and a cockpit that will take a skirt when they are ready. Usually that means 12' minimum. 

Keep me posted as I plan to get out and keeping my options open. There is a sizable difference between the wind fore cast for shore line areas and the seacoast towns. GB might be a nice option to avoid too much wind.

Lots of nice ideas but a lot of work. Aiming  to the beginner/ rec boat level with introductory L2 day trips, gear demos, safety demos etc.is good. 

    With the aim being to get people out of unsafe rec boats and into more exiting kayaking. I would not want to instruct at an event that was seen as competing with our local instructors who do run yearly events. More of a partnership with local providers would be my preference. And they might see it as a feeder event to generate interest for more skills training.

But you skipped over the one key group that is reaching people these last years. Meet Up. I could post a level 2 trip for quiet waters in Mass. or NH and probably have 20 sign up. 

 My two cents..thanks

I'll be on the road and hope I can get enough signal or WIFI to join. Is there a limit on zoom numbers now?