Paul Sylvester

Can't this week,

I would like to get to the inner harbor and around by Rowes Warf and the Fed courthouse/Northern Ave. How long do you stay out? Not sure I can make it but maybe. ...

Canceled and change of venue. I will be watching the hydroplane races at Milton Three Ponds from the safety of my Kayak..Any interest you would have to PM me soon.

Planning 9am BIB at Odiorne in Rye NH for a 10-12 miles paddle. Direction will depend but could easily go around Gerrish. Off before 2-3 pm max. Please have drysuits or wetsuits and be ready for about 51 deg. water. PM or post here, thanks

Joe, Have you found info about where to store your dry suit and the way components in electric motors attack latex? Not sure of the details.. I always store my suit in a second floor closet. My gaskets last for years generally. I use 303 and almost never wash. I have used pieces saved from old gaskets to do repairs and buy time before it could be repaired. Just use contact cement or aqua seal.

Schedule is tight but by my own design so yes I have flexibility and overnights are an option. Busy for several weeks out though..

Mid weeks are best for me these days. Current play, rough water and L3+ would be more for me given the drive.

Lisa, Thanks, Interesting that it was underwater until 1981 and then raised. I don't know anything about boat propulsion but it says it was rated at 200 HP but that sounds low for a boat of such size. Never did the "Can Do memorial paddle" Maybe this year.. thxs

Looks like it will be at 11 am and might have a couple of people.

I plan to paddle out of Odiorne in Rye on Friday 3/29. BIB about 9:30, Unknown duration and route but wish to hit the water prior to the end of march. PM interest or post here. All cold water gear needed.

Often don't need anything in the months mentioned but always good to have in the event it feels cold. Pogies are the best for me as I don't like anything on my hands as none fit and all feel tight.

Hmmm..Trying to understand how the two subjects tie in? Interesting about declination changes over time. I then assume the testing and research showed all declination moving the same direction? What percent was thrown out? How accurate were the original surveys? I tried to see my own stone walls through the canopy but could not. Not sure why..

Jim, If we paddle soon I may still have a few different gloves/ mitts you could try. I have gone through many and given some away due to having larger hands. I will be out before 4/1 hopefully. I like my Koky pogie mitts that Marshall has above. My go to. Sometimes I use gloves/mittens but really don't like them as they all are too tight or hard to get on when wet. IMO if you go in the water your adrenaline (assume drysuit/hood and body temp is controlled) is going to kick in long enough to get back in and settled before your fingers give you too much trouble. At which point you have a potential serious situation developing even after reentry and must warm your fingers and prevent further cold setting in. But this is why we should paddle in groups.

Never been to the Allagash but only can get so much free time from the boss..) I have done the Moose River loop By Jackman, Maine and would love to do that again. Have a canoe but prefer kayak. There are some portages, 2-3 nights depending.

Have done this a fair bit. If you give up on camping ocean front it is easier IMO. There are many campgrounds close to good put ins.

Not much to see but this is my shed. 10' wide x 22' long. Dark and full inside w/ barely enough room to walk the kayaks in. Inside pics did not come out well but picture yaks to the left/ yaks to the right.. Have built in lighting if needed, just run a cord. On concrete tubes and built in 2007. Should have killed more of the close tress. Branches die in the natural transformation and drop on the roof. Overflow to the right of shed.

Not one to hang so I built a boat shed. Walk in and place a boat on left or right wall racks. Fits 6-7 kayaks. 22' long 10' wide 5 ' wide door for ease. Have two wall racks in garage I can use in season. Gear hangs in garage or basement in colder weather. I have dedicated shelves for kayak gear in the garage. Rinse some in warmer weather. Surprisingly I have never had a neo/ gear smell from not drying well. If you repeatedly drip salty boats on your car roof it is a good idea to hose it off after paddling..imo

I want go out of Odiorne Saturday if I can find time to replace my wrist seal.. With the high tide around Gerrish Island would be a nice trip.

Been too long since I have been there and keeping it in mind. Will be trying for this fall if only for a one day trip. Did you take onshore breaks on you trips? Looks like some and why the different colors on the gps track? thanks,

Great that it all went so well in such a wild and scenic country. Very happy for the group. Thanks

Well that's your opinion and there are certainly those that feel that way. Years ago when I worked through some of these awards I saw them as learning opportunities to allow me to safely get to more distant and natural places. To go play in some really rough water and to safely go out and paddle places like the Piscataqua (Portsmouth NH) at full ebb with boat wakes, eddies and whirlpools pulling your boat around. To go to N.S. or Fundy and be out for several days knowing that there are big tides and nav hazards to work around. I have taken many trips around Gerrish island with so called long time or experienced paddlers who have trouble turning their boat at speed in the tight curves, who wouldn't know a bow rudder from a hanging draw. Who struggle with basic nav. , reading the water, dealing with unexpected rough water. Well meaning, nice people who have never learned some basic boat maneuvering. What about long mileage days? Is the group doing 18 mile days with loaded boats? Do they know a proper forward stroke? It is ok if someone wants minimal out of something …. I wanted more....and have it. For me the problem is when you are trying to vet a group or individual as a leader or if I am a possible participant. Knowing that someone is 3 , 4 or 5 something tells me that they (on a certain day) passed a test or was taught something about kayaking. Paddling the coastal waters is tougher than the inland waters for many reasons. As one coach liked to say "you need tools in the toolbox" or something like that.. Semi-retired now, so nothing like going out and cranking off 18 miles in whatever comes my way. Anyone is welcome to join me but you will be vetted and/ or the trip will be adjusted.

Trip is off due to weather concerns. I'll be out early and do a few miles though.

watching and will decide Tuesday pm. Happy to go solo, earlier and fast. thxs