Gcosloy

Thanks Kevin-This is definitely the idea!

>Andrew Carnegie, i think , said , "A man who dies rich , >dies disgraced.", >to which I say, "A man who dies with an unscratched hull, >dies disgraced" > I understand Carnegie's prescription and your nautical analog and in theory I agree. To be the owner of a boat with actual battle scars, with which I could regale my listeners with tales of gallantry or woe would make me proud indeed. However I see no virtue in celebrating those mars achieved only through misuse or worse, abuse. Rather than dragging a composite hull across the rocks, I'd sooner sell my boat to one without impediment and replace it with plastic. Then any trip that did not encounter rocks would be a disappointment.

Thanks guys but the item I'm looking for is not a kayak cart or set of wheels that attach to the stern. This item looks like a loose collection of 1 to 2" diameter cylinders about 20" wide and 3' long that are somehow strung together and allow a kayak to be dragged over rough surfaces with impunity. I already have a collapsible cart which does stow in my hatches. The item I'm looking for could be used under the following circumstances: You land on a stone cobbled beach. The tide is ebbing. By the time your ready to leave the beach, your kayak is on rocks high and dry and the water's edge is maybe a couple of kayak lengths away. You can now drag the kayak several feet with these rollers underneath and stow them into your hatch. Why don't I just lift my boat and move it those few feet instead you may ask. Mother nature in the form of lower back problems prompts a search for another solution.

I remember seeing an advert in one of the Kayak magazines for a folding set of plastic rollers that you place your hull on in a rocky beach and can move the boat to the water's edge without harming the hull. Does any one remember seeing such a product and if so what was it called and who makes it?

Workshop on proper stretching and stengthening exercises for kayakers in the off season. Yes, unfortunately, not all of us are kayaking in January and February. It would also be very useful if we had any members with special knowledge of this area to lead. Physical Therapist, Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist, Sports Medicine Doctor, etc. If not we could all share what we've learned works and what doesn't.

After reading these posts I got inspired and installed two Harken Hoister 4 point systems in my garage. They are more expensive than rolling your own but have the advantage of all the parts in one place and the mechanical advantage of a block and tackle system. Mine is 3:1 And most important to me, a patented locking pulley/cleat piece that holds the rope in place as soon as you take pressure off of it. I got mine on sale from West Marine and found the Harken Company very responsive to questions via email or phone.

Hey Leon could you be a bit more brief?

<...torso rotation and by that I mean rotation starting at the base of the spine not simply moving upper body is the single most important skill for nearly everything related to paddling a kayak.> Two physical therapists have informed me that the human skeleton is not well designed to rotate much, particularly the lower spine or lumbar region. When your're young, the back muscles from the neck down to the sacrum are reasonably limber. Rotating that torso a full 90 degrees puts a minimal amount of stress on each vertebral joint since all are contributing their share of rotation. When you grow older however, the upper part of your body stiffens through the shoulders, pectorials and thoracic muscles. If you don't focus on stretching these first you can result in over rotating the lower spine with severe and painful results. Unfortunately, while the exercises to open up the upper back while constraining and protecting the lower back are not readily found in books and the Internet. If you suspect that this information may apply to you do not undertake torso stretching exercises whithout first getting someone knowlegable to review your condition first, like a good PT. While I wish this were simply heresay, regretably I write from personal experience.

While Heathen status is quite alright in my book you might want to hedge your bets and make your peace with Neptune before or on the important date. "Neptune is the Roman name for Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, horses and earthquakes. He is the son of Saturn and brother to Jupiter and Pluto. Though Neptune is a god, astrologers consider him to possess many feminine qualities. The sea, which changes shape and moves in a tidal rhythm, is an embodiment of feminine energy and is a symbol of mutability. Neptune's benevolent guise helps to calm the waters for passengers on vessels that travel over the waters. But he can call forth storms, release the fog that confuses sailors, and whip up the waves that threaten to capsize the boat."

I'm not sure if this site is the same, but it's up and works. http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov

You think you have something to regret, try starting when you're 63. Yikes!

If any of you gear heads need anymore encouragement here is one on my list. http://www.timex.com/gp/product/B000LGVLTC...timexBrand=core If nothing else it might warn us when not to be looking for water at Conomo.

>Forecasts still link hinky as of 5:30 Thursday, so let's >call this one off. > >Winds look northerly 20-25, gusts to thirty. > >Oh well, maybe next year. Thank you Adam. I was seriously thinking of joining you until I read the weather prediction and realized I could not. Have you ever experienced Shadenfreude? You know the bittersweet joy you take in the misfortune of others? Well I must confess, reading about this S&G and realizing there was no way I could participate, given the weather forecast and my decidedly less than expert skill set, a certain unmistaken feeling of envy crept in. Your latest post cancelling replaced that feeling with a jolt of Shadenfreude. Please send all future cancellations involving serious risk taking, poor weather, and trips of 20 miles or more directly to my email address. In the words of the great Dan Rather, "Courage!".

So sorry to read of your woes Ernie, especially while doing such good works. As you may recall, I'm in the process of recovering from a lower back problem myself. My neighbor lent me this tape http://ergoworkplace.com/video.htm and I've been doing these exercises for several weeks now. I've even had a couple of private PT sessions with her. First rest until the acute pain goes away and then do the stretches. Only do the ones that don't increase your pain. (You might want to skip the abs crunches until you feel better) Kathi helped a number of Kayakers including the famed kayak builder Bart Hauthaway recover from injury. I'd lend you my tape, except it's not mine to lend. Hope this injury is short lived. When I say "I feel your pain.", I'm not just being Clintonian.

>... It would be easier to believe if they weren't so >belligerant in response so often though...I'd love to hear >tips on successful ways people have said/done something in >these situations. For a number of years now I've observed some counter intuitive behavior of town residents who use the Wayland landfill: they assiduously sort their plastic from their glass, make sure no plastic goes into the cardboard/paper bin and in all other respects are first rate recyclers, except for one thing-----a number of them leave their car engines running. Mostly SUV's and Vans but occasional trucks and cars as well. I've worked hard to get the Board of Health which runs the landfill to put up signs that politely asks them to turn off their engines, and yet in spite of, or perhaps even because of, a number of residents continue this contradictory practice. I've approached them on any number of occasions and have had very little success, that is until recently: Sometimes I've tried humor, like " Excuse me, can you tell me where you buy your gas?" Response "Why do you want to know? Me "Well it must be cheap if you can waste it like your doing!" Response "Maybe you should mind your own business!" Well you get the picture, except recently I tried a totally new (for me) and different tack. I approach the idling resident with mock humility and ask very politely if I could ask them what might seem to be a personal question. They're usually sympathetic; takes a lot of guts to approach a stranger with that kind of question and they're usually disposed to help relieve my awkwardness by responding, "Sure, no problem." or "Sure fire away." Then I reveal my interest in conservation, the fact that I was instrumental in getting the signs posted, and politely ask if they could help me by letting me know the reasons for their non-compliance. Usually I get a noticeably quizzical response like, "Well I never really thought about it, it's probably just convenience." After a little bit more information being provided by me regarding the value of doing the opposite I frequently get a positive response and sometimes a promise (volunteered by the idler) to change their behavior in the future. By approaching people in a non-judgmental way, by putting the onus on you and not them (you need their help to understand) and finally to provide supporting material they may not be familiar with in a neutral fashion, you're results might be better. Bottom line: many of these folks aren't stupid, they're just lazy. Would this approach work with poorly prepared outdoors people? I don't know but it's worth a try.

>Hmmmmmmm... Darwin awards anyone? If it were that simple, I shouldn't worry much, the gene pool is improved without them. However, it's not that simple, many of these recreational "what me worry" types have a lot of support from the kayak manufacturers in trying to promote a fun, easy to do, and safe sport. Witness the overwhelming rise of sit on tops and large cockpit wide bottomed boats over the more traditional seakayak. The same group would never decide to tackle ice moutaineering, deep sea diving, or even parachuting without a review of the proper equipment, clothing and skill building. And yet when it comes to seakayaking, the popular and wrongheaded assumption is that anyone can do it, no danger here, no need for any special preparation or special skills or equipment. I mean let's face it, the average person not knowlegeable on first blush considers a spray skirt to be a "widow or widower maker". How many times have I heard this refrain "I'm afraid of getting trapped under there and not being able to get out". If we haven't heard it, you can bet the leading manufacturers have! Even the outfitters aren't blame free. A newbe gets to rent or purchase a seakayak and aside from his signing a release of indemnity waiver can go on his merry way without anyone inquiring as to his need for a PFD or sprayskirt let alone his skills or the lack of them. You don't get to watch a video on hypothermia before you finish tying the boat to your car. Kayaking has been merchandised for profit not for safety motives. Would it have made any difference to the vast majority of NSPN members? Probably not. Until the culture and the way kayaking is being sold to the public changes, more sensible and otherwise intelligent people will get into trouble and more will die. The best analogy I can think of to kayaking is driving a car: simple, fun, requires no special skill? Wrong, to be safe it requires among other things the skills that only experience can bring.

I'll have to demur to an other authority on whether the Gulfstream handles differently from the Orion. I have been in both but only on flat water. The Orion however is almost identical in gross dimensions and volume and both have very large cockpits.

I second other's thoughts about trying a bunch of boats before deciding. However if the Gulfstream is for you, you might want to also check out the P&H Orion which Derek Huchinson designed as well. With the exception of a slightly different deck, the Orion is almost identical to the Gulfstream and probably better built. Check this link for a used one in the area: http://boards.bskc.org/forum/forum.asp?sub...&fid=3&tid=1576 I'd buy it myself but I AHTMB's

It's hard to read this account without choking up. Many times i've seen the words humble joined with stories about people who are adventurous in the outdoors. I sometimes wonder if there is some interesting correlation to understand. Perhaps through risk and adventure with forces that are larger than the human scope, you learn and become humble? Very sad loss.

Here's a link to Lighning's web-site: http://www.paddles.com/catalog/lstdsea.html

Lanes Cove to Thatcher and back is about 15 statute miles. if the weather isn't too rough great views passing Halibut Point and then thru Straitsmore Gap on to Thatchers.

I'd like to come. Sorry I missed S. Georgia, I thought it was south like Dixie-who knew! If I realized it was Antartica -oh well!

Rick, I've got some extra Lightning paddles that are 215 and for sale. You're welcome to borrow one and see if it works for you. They are for right index and 45 degree feather, and work best for a high angled stroke.

I never assume. Since your friends from Cornwall are professional instructors, I just thought I'd ask. While, I think I'm sane, some of my friends who don't own a paddle, sometimes think otherwise. Sorry to question what for other souls must have been obvious.

Like to join you. Is this a freebe, or is there a charge? If members attend the General meeting will there be enough time to get up to Pavilion Beach by noonish?