Gcosloy

I don't no nothing bout currents and I don't like paddling in the same body of water with the Hingham Ferry but you can count me in!

What make and size best fit's the Explorer. My 4-5 year old snapdragon M just developed tears on the front edge of the combing. I can't determine if it was too old-normal wear & tear or too small for the Explorer. Oh yes, did I mention I now paddle an Explorer?

I'm in. what's the put-in?

Thanks Page for a wonderful memento of the trip. I liked the speed X distance chart that documented the fits and stops and the giddyup speed of some of the long crossings. Many of those appeared to be 4 and peaking at 5 mi/hr. No wonder I was tired afterwards. It was great meeting you and hope to paddle with you again.

I've always liked the Explorer but shied away from ownership. Initially because of the stories about variable build quality but more especially because I wanted a less weighty boat. While I could always order a lighter layup, not seeing the boat before I purchased was never enticing to me. Recently I found a used one for sale in the Elite layup, and if that doesn't work out, Tom Bergh has a couple in stock. Any experience with this optional layup or is there any reason to avoid this. NDK only recommends the glass version of this boat for expeditions.

Bill, I'm in!

Circuit trip cancelled.

Tom and Gene are launching from Lanes Cove 9:00AM for a moderate pace clockwise around Cape Ann. Finish by 4:00PM or earlier. Others welcome!

Tom, I'd love to do the circuit. My pace however is much below yours. If you want to settle for a leisurely pace however it looks like a perfect day for it. Consider leaving Lane's at 11:00AM heading round Halibut against 8k NW wind getting some help from the wind to Thatcher's rounding the dogbar still on the flood tide and help from a SW wind or if later at worst the slack tide and then clear sailing up the Annasquam back to Lane's. 21 miles at 3.0mi/hr average = 7 hours round trip. We can stop for lunch on Thatcher's or Rockport Harbor.

Well, you're smarter John. I always thought that getting your body into the cockpit either sideways or upside down were mutually exclusive. I know it sounds obvious but when you divide the operation into two separate tasks it's easy and it works. If I'm only stating what is obvious I'm still thrilled to have discovered the secret (if only to me).

Had to go to a reunion in NH this day so I'm unhappy about missing NDK demo day. Latest issue of Atlantic Coastal Kayaker has a good article on Revisiting the re-entry & roll. I've never been able to re-enter & roll because the buoyancy of my PFD prevents me from somersaulting under the capsized boat. If you've had this problem read Jay Babina's article. It inspired me to go to Walden yesterday and try it and it worked first time first try. I highly recommend his method. I would add one refinement to his method however: If your intent is to roll up on your right side, place your right foot into the cockpit first followed by the left crossed over the right. If you roll left just reverse this procedure. One more note: you may need to learn the extended paddle roll since the cockpit is so heavy with water that the roll must be done slowly which is naturally the speed of the extended roll. Have fun and learn to hold your breath a bit longer. If I can do it so can you. For those who don't have a reliable roll Jay advises using the paddle float on the end of your paddle and rolling up that way. It makes sense and is inherently more reliable then doing a paddle float re-entry in a roiling sea.

Definite in my interest Bill. Will confirm later for sure.

My comments were offered not as a rebuke but by someone interested in making the trip as well. I, however, knowing my own limitations would want to take advantage of the conditions to give myself as much of a break as possible. My longest trip to date was Lanes Cove to Thatchers and back under ideal conditions. While I'm sure you and others can paddle 22 miles into the wind and against the tides, I would not attempt that. If I'm wrong or offbase in my analysis, please correct me; if not then please reply sans sarcasm.

Tides approx. 5:00PM Low/11:00AM High/ Winds 10K NE. This means going counter clock wise from Greasy Pole you can expect the following conditions: Leave harbor 9:00AM last two hours the tide is running against you. Round the dogbar to face 10K wind all the way to Rockport. Round Halibut Point you're in the lee and should get a little help all the way to the mouth of the Annasquam Depending on what time you get there the Annasquam is ebbing into Ipswich Bay. If you do get to the high school much before 5:00PM that end of the Annasquam is ebbing into Gloucester harbor. I almost think clockwise would be the better choice.

I've recently sold my Chatham 17. Too similar in most ways to my 16. It is capable of going faster than the 16 but only if you have the engine to push it. In rough water conditions I'm actually faster with the 16 because it's more manueverable. Why the Capella? It may be even more fun than the 16. If I get one and it is as stable in rough water as the 16, I'll sell the 16 as well. Every boat has some tradeoff that not everyone will agree to. The Chatham 16 is the most reassuring boat I've ever been in when the going gets rough. I think it is those chines that run much further fore and aft into the bow and stern that provide for more stability. Maybe that's what makes it noisy. I think of them as training wheels. Ever been in a big beam sea and never even think of having to brace? That's the kind of confidence I've gained from the 16. Anyway even if the boat is perfect, I'd like another boat for variety.

Thinking of the new Capella 167 or 163. I'm 180 and 5'10 and don't load my boat with a lot of expedition or camping gear. Both boats fit fine, the 163 like a glove and the 167 a little more roomy with a slightly longer cockpit. Any thoughts on what I else I need to consider in choosing between them?

Try filling your cap with sea water and putting the cap back on. Even on the hottest days that usually does it for me.

Here is a cheap alternative to loading variable amount of ballast to either stern or bow. They fold up so you can fill them with just as much weight as you need. 2.5 gallons = 20 lbs. each max. http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDis...t_cat=undefined

Leon and I paddle at least once a week weekdays, usually North shore, Manchester or Lanes, sometimes Pavillion in Ipswich. He's practicing as well for the Blackburn so as soon as I find out what off days (no racing) he wants to go I'll post. I'm going up to Conomo Point this Saturday for the first L2 trip.

Reminds me of what the "boomers" did to unorganized cycling by demanding "safe bike paths". No serious cyclist would be caught on one. They only succeeded in making everyone fearful of riding on the road. The suburbanization of cycling has yet to be extended to kayaking. Just wait!

Mustard, the spicy deli variety, not that yellow stuff.

Some lucky enough to be retired or unemployed or unemployable or just prone to playing hooky meet and paddle during the weekdays. Leon G. and myself to be specific. Are there any more out there yearning to be free and who would like to join us? We're up for L2 to L3 trips on the North Shore or South Shore, Mondays thu Friday as long as the weather and winds are cooperative. Reply if interested and/or watch for private trips posted by leong or greatmeadows.

I'll be there Leon!

Ready to start off at 6-8 hour pace. If that's too challenging for you be happy to join you on recovery times.

Wow, I read his letter and had tears in my eyes as I read it. Would a VHF radio on one or both have made a difference? This is, next to a dry suit, possibly the most expensive item to purchase outside of the initial kayak and paddle. How many NSPN members go on occassional S&G's with one or more companions and no radio among them? It could happen to anyone I guess! My judgement is aided by my known limitations. I know beforehand that I don't want to paddle in wind more than 10k and waves more than 2-4'. These guys were younger and probably stronger and therefore didn't have that built in barometer to tell them not to go forward. They could have been me 30 years earlier. Many days, after what for me becomes a long and arduous paddle, I bitterly complain that I should have started this sport many years earlier when I was young and strong and maybe more adventurous. Not today, not after reading this poor guy's letter.