Gcosloy

I was there yesterday in glorious air temp 70 and the water felt 50-55. If you're going to roll dry-suit and neo head gear still appropriate.

Walden Pond in Concord has officially opened the boat ramp. Informal skill practice usually takes place Wed., Fri. eves starting about 4:00 PM and lasting until 7:00PM. Sunday late mornings is another time. While few NSPN show a lot of Walden Pond Scum folks do. (Greenland skin boats, sticks for paddles, tuliks) Of all the venues for practice Walden is one of the cleanest, clearest spring water in the area.

Before I had my drysuit or even wet suit I kept to flat water, ponds lakes and rivers. they generally warm up a lot faster than the ocean and even when they're still too cold. mild current, as you would experience in the Charles, Sudbury or Concord rivers might allow for better rescue by swimming to shore if one had to. However, I got dumped by a strainer in moderate current in the Assabet last March had to swim to shore (about 20 yards) and paddled back to my put-in 5 miles down stream with mild hypothermia. (no wet suit or dry suit) some shivering, slurring of speech and general slow cognitive responses to familiar tasks. I was lucky and would never do that again. Don't paddle in the Ocean without the right clothing.

I think it's "M'aidez" - technical point. In French both "aide" and "aidez" are pronounced the same. What is implicit in the Imperative command is the (you) help me. Since the helper in this case the CG is perhaps not personally known to us in an emergency the "aidez" would be more proper. The "panne" is also a better explanation. Merci

Does anyone know the origin of Pan-Pan? After more research, I think I may be able to answer my own question. The French word peine means difficulty and is pronounced pan. Why Pan-Pan however escapes me

Perhaps others already knew this but I recently discovered it's meaning at a local French club I sometimes frequent: May Day is the proper way to pronounce "help me!" in French which is actually m'aide. It seems ironic to me that while most of us are perhaps other lanquage phobic, the CG asks us to pronounce in perfect French "help me!" Securite is easier, it means safety in English. Does anyone know the origin of Pan-Pan? Here's hoping that none of us will need to practice our French on the water this season.

There are others who have more experience with these boats, however here goes: borrowed an Aquanaut for a week and found it slightly faster than an Explorer but a little less manuverable. Possibly less rocker. Should provide confidence like the Explorer to a new paddler. The Q boat is a whole nuffa kettle of fish. Very active primary and not a strong secondary. Very manuverable and would be very challenging for a newcomer.

Summary: Ellesmere a bit more demanding of the paddler and somewhat quicker/sportier in terms of handling. Explorer very confidence-inspiring in all conditions and a do-everything-pretty-well boat. Both are great boats with slightly difference characteristics. Really boils down to which one feels good to you. Or, just get one of each I agree with everything Carl has had to say on this subject, particularly his conclusion. It does come down to where your skills as a paddler are and how much of a learning curve you're interested in experiencing. For me, the Elle was a bit too challenging in rough water to be entirely comfortable, while the Explorer was the opposite. Both provided opportunity for further growth and skill building but the Explorer was an easier base from which to start. Couple of years in the Explorer and I feel confident now to want my Elle back as well. However if I could only have one boat it would be the Explorer!

John-the topic is indeed fascinating. I look forward to your developing this course. I was present at your lecture last year on clouds and waves and apply what I learned almost every day -at least the clouds part! Even my wife who wasn't there now proudly points out mares tails and mackerel skies.

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Feb 1 2008, 08:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi All, What does everyone have for a GPS unit that they use on the water? Do you like its features or is there anything about it which would lead you to not recommend it? I'm not interested in the philosophical debate in re traditional navigation techniques versus use of electronics. Kevin-before you decide you might want to check out the latest: Colorado™ 400c by Garmin The Colorado™ 400c is made with the saltwater mariner in mind. Packed with features, it includes a high-sensitivity receiver, barometric altimeter, electronic compass, SD card slot, color display, picture viewer and more. Even exchange tracks, waypoints, routes and geocaches wirelessly between similar units. Colorado comes with built-in BlueChart® g2 coastal charts and a worldwide basemap with imagery — perfect for all your outdoor pursuits. Map detail includes includes shorelines, depth contours, navaids, harbors, marinas, port plans coastal roads for the U.S. and Bahamas. Web Site: www.garmin.com/

I spoke to Brandon a couple of days ago on another issue (photography at pool side) and inquired about Kevin's request for pool time. He said that he was still working on the request and would have some answer soon. So there may be hope before Spring! As for the sauna there is indeed one in the men's section; I can't vouch for the women's. There is a whirlpool that is shared by both.

Check out Town of Beverly Park and Recreational services. Many of the public parks have ocean front property and may have a rack for residents to lock up their small boats for the season for fee. I live in Wayland and we have access to Lake Cochituate with that kind of arrangement.

Andrew McCauley died attempting the Australia to Tasmin crossing. He was 65 k from his destination when he fell asleep and disappeared. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/extrem...2338537939.html

The isssue with velcro may have more to do with the adhesive than the velcro itself. Necky uses this method to attach their new foam seats to hulls and it holds up just fine. If you purchase the velcro with adhesive, that will not last. You need the velcro strips that come without adhesive and then apply contact cement.

Now it's official: The New York Times, Science Times says so! Check it out: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/health/r...mp;oref=slogin# After today 1/22/08 use: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/health/r.../22nost.html?ex

Another option is to use 2 " wide velcro. (REI sells it.) Use contact cement on the strips for both the hull and bottom of seat. Then you can not only move the seat for ideal placement but complete removal for cleaning. Use 2 strips of about 5" in length for each side.

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Jan 9 2008, 12:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Gene, Thanks for checking. I managed to get Brandon on the phone and will talk with again next week, so I'll handle Waltham for now. Kevin, Any luck with Brandon? I was at Waltham last evening with the Walden Pond Scum. Very nice venue: 8 lanes, sauna, whirlpool, steam for before or apres pool sessions. By the way I don't like to brag (OK I do), but I performed my first off-side roll last night. As LD would say "It felt preeeetty good".

If we assume the kayaks are full size seakayaks, then what is visable is approximately 14' to 15'. Verisimilitude would suggest that the longest length of paddle visable should be approximately 5' to 6'. would this make the design more attractive? I don't know but it might be worth a try!

http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/Story/tabid/209/...87/Default.aspx

QUOTE(Kevin B @ Jan 4 2008, 08:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Phil, Ipswich YMCA and UMASS Lowell. Gene, I've been trying in vain to get in touch with Brandon at the Waltham YMCA, but that guy just doesn't return phone calls Kevin, Yes having same problem with Brandon. Framingham Y is out. They claim that pool is not deep enough. Keefe Tech in Framingham has a 8 lane, deep pool. I'm waiting for a call back! Also I'll try and check out Minute Man Tech in Lexington.

I'm waiting for calls back from Framingham Y and Waltham Y. I have a suspicion that Framingham may be uninterested but Waltham already has a 7 week Friday night schedule with Walden Pond Scum for pool sessions, so they may be open. More later

Congrats Shaila, you have now joined an exclusive club of mammals who accomplish wonders underwater without gills.

Sometimes what is learned is never explicitly taught, but absorbed though the example of others. Five years ago I was playing around with my kayak at Walden Pond when Leon G. introduced himself and invited me to go out and paddle on Cape Ann. Until that moment I hadn't even realized that kayaks were meant for salt water. Five years of following Leon around the North Shore as best as I could gave me the gift that keeps on giving!

I also cannot view the images. I'm using Firefox on a Mac.

Hi Ernie, There seems to be a question re: usage of this item. Seller claims it has been used only once but then in response to a question reveals that it had a previous owner. Perhaps you should ask him how many times his uncle used the suit! Good luck! Q: The large drysuit comes with a large neck gasket - has the gasket been trimmed or is it the original untrimmed gasket? Nov-18-07 A: If it has been trimmed, it was trimmed by my wife's uncle (the suit's original owner). The gasket opening measures approx. 5" in diameter and there are 8 ribs from the opening down.