Gcosloy

I was out today at Great Misery and surrounds. I estimate the wind gusts were over 20 knots. Poor judgement to launch in those conditions, especially in canoes.

I also have the Super Nova and also have the Kokatat 100 full body fleece which I wear when the temp. gets colder. I've been out in 32 degree air and perfectly comfortable. However, if you intend to cold water practice roll you probably need the latex neck. I could not tolerate the latex neck and so consider the Super Nova a great compromise. Also a nice lighter suit for Spring paddling when the air maybe warm but the water still dangerously cold.

I'd be happy to join the dunkathon too.

There exists two forums for self examination with regard to ones paddling skills. One of course is the practice sessions held at Mystic or Chebbaco and the other is the informal S&G's which sometimes posits a level, like L2 or L3. Over and above this are S&G's which increasingly suggest trips looking for surf. I'd like there to be a formal or informal mechanism to provide support for competent paddlers who for whatever reason have hitherto avoided contact with white water either offshore or dumping on shore. I'd like to learn to appreciate this part of our sport but am hesitant to simply join a S&G and wind up being everyone's rescue toy that day. Any suggestions or am I being too conservative.

Passover is not until next April-so I think she's fairly safe from God's wrath.

Framingham Metrowest Y

Waltham Y

Both clean, large 8 lane pools easy access for boats.

On August 13th a group of us left Conomo Point and paddled down the Essex River to the location where the Isabella Schooner was to have it's maiden launch. When the ship floated free of it's underpinnings and crashed sideways into the water only to right itself quickly, many hearts were caught momentarily in their owner's stomachs. Well imagine my surprise to greet the ship's owner with family and friends running full with the wind near Great Misery and West Beach yesterday. The wind was about 12 knots and Leong and I were heading in the opposite direction going against this wind heading toward the Danver's river. Under full sail, the Isabella was magnificent to behold. That same wind was at our backs driving us back to Manchester. The paddle out against the wind averaged no more than 2 knots, the return trip averaged 6 knots. To see the ship at the boatyard where it was built felt historic; to see it out on the sea under full sail felt like magic. As the Greek Philosopher Heraclitus exclaimed, "We both step and do not step in the same rivers. We are and are not." Heraclitus must have been a kayaker.

Not that I wish to discourage more commerce for the Brits but I have another point of view. As a new paddler, four seasons now, and four boats later, I have some advise: Aside from the joy of paddling out on the salty sea, trying out different boats and dreaming about the perfect boat for me is the other side of this wonderful sport. Problem is, as a novice paddler without much skill, we don't have the judgment yet to recognize and appreciate one boat from the other. Or if we do, our assesment is based upon the last technique that we still can't do properly. You know-my boat doesn't track very well, just a light breeze and it weathercocks, while that new Aquanaut drives straight like a train. Spend a solid season paddling the boat you brought to the dance, focus on building and improving your skills, then try and assess other boats. For me this exercise took three seasons but I think you're a much quicker study than I. After three seasons I can finally appreciate how wonderful my first boat really was. I still have it-Lincoln Chebeauge 14.5', almost no rocker, 2 hatches, no skeg or rudder and doesn't need one. My first year paddling this boat in moderate side winds on the Sudbury river had me blown into the shore several times, unable to control the boat and swearing that it needed a skeg. The Tempest 170 for 185lb guy is not too big, that's what the 180 is for. The Tempest is a great all round boat-does everything well, but not exceptionally. I have a rule in life which I'll share with you: As a woodworker I don't own or want a tool that's better than I am. A kayak is a tool also, most are better than our skills paddling them. Focus on being the best paddler you can in your 170. When you've outgrown it-get another boat.In the meantime have fun and try anyone's boat that's willing. You can certainly try my fleet of Chathams-but keep your grubby little hands off my Chebeauge.

Few questions from one unfamiliar with S&G protocols: What is Bat? If that were synonymous with launch time, then arrival at the put in would perhaps be 1/2 hour earlier?

Using Google Map I cannot find a mattress and box spring on the beach or a gate to Deer Island. If this is the best satellite picture we have no wonder we can't find Osama. Well I'll just have to trust Bob's directions.

Some may have expressed reservations about the difficulty of this trip. Perhaps I can join you guys, bail at the Brewster’s (if I need to) and the others so inclined can keep me company, swearing they only did so to avoid abandoning a tired paddler. Those who know me well will soon realize I have no pride and hence cannot be challenged and no shame and therefore cannot feel remorse.

If I’m feeling fit in the morning I will join this merry band.

So instead proposing going up the coast past Gerrish to see what's around.

This interests me less than circling an Island. Also possible L4 and I do not qualify! Anyone in the group interested in something less ambitious-say circling some of the Islands in Portsmouth Harbor? Or is that asking for trouble on a Saturday-boat traffic and all?

I carry a small folding carbiner type knife on my pfd. Why I'm not sure, although once I had the ocassion to cut those pesky plastic thingies that attach merchandise cards to your clothing. In this case it was a new poly shirt that I decided to wear this summer outside of Lanes Cove. Not being careful, I managed to knick my finger which bled profusely. My advise is forget the knife-a first aid kit is far more useful and perhaps more necessary than the knife.

It is possible I could join you. Can someone provide directions to the put in that is if it's known.

Please pencil me in!

After most trips to the salt water I usually hose down the boat still on the car and also the car as well. The little salt water that remains in the cockpit stays there until the next outing. Is salt water bad for the seams and material inside the boat, long term? Unless I get sand into the cockpit I usually don't bother to wash it out. Anyone done this over many seasons and had problems?

Handles fine! Occasionally you may need to apply a little stern rudder with your paddle, especially in high cross winds. Oh and leaning your body a bit on curves helps too.

Hey Joe-Just relax-rolling a kayak is not a destination-it's a journey! Once you've successfully rolled as you have, you know the territory. That's the most important thing! Each attempt to roll as you are learning is analagous to finding the right map for the territory. But remember what Wittgenstein said, "The map is not the territory". When I learned to roll on my own this summer it was totally natural-just doit! I then took instruction from one of the best teachers in the business- learned all the right moves and why-and couldn't roll for weeks afterwards. When I went back to my just do it roll I popped up every time! I'm sure we're all different and respond to instruction in different ways however one thing seems to be common to those who roll consistently well: it's locked into their muscle memory, not their cerebrum. Just another perspective.

Hi Joe,

If your rolling after one informal lesson my hat's off to you. On another subject:

Is this a southern colloquialism; I'm not familiar with this phrase. Please illuminate me

Cheers,

Will try to be there Walter.

The trip out into Casco Bay launched inauspiciously enough. Gentle breezes, a cover of clouds and hardly much action in the water at all. Eight nautical miles of this hardly justifies 4 to 5 hours of driving round trip- but what the heck-the company is good and a bad day on the water always beats a good day in the office. After crossing the channel from Portland we sauntered north hugging the shore of Little Diamond. I say sauntered because at low tide we could almost get out and walk. Soon we arrived at the tidal flat separating Little from Great Diamond. We kept going north and reached Cow headed west and soon found a small-protected cove to disembark and stretch. Bob decided to wade out and attempt a reverse endo with Gillian’s boat. What made it interesting was Gillian was still in the boat. Maybe they can go on the Dave Letterman show soon.

As soon as we left the cove and paddled SSW toward Diamond’s cove for a real lunch, we could feel the NW breeze pick up and the air got colder. While I was more than content to dine on my nectarines and trail mix nut collection, the menu sporting fresh fish and chips and Maine Lobster rolls was too tempting. Some of us who did pig out must have been prescient, for after we left the cove to travel back between the north side of the Diamonds and the south side of Peaks Island wind and waves shot up within this narrowed passage. It felt like 10 to 15 knots and 20-knot gusts. Beam seas made it difficult to keep the boat running straight. Finally rounding Little Diamond I was heading for the rocks. Sweeping for all I was worth I heard Jackie screaming, “stay away from the rocks” several times. Later Jackie observed that I was not getting my paddle in at the bow and after trying it noticed how much more the boat came around. Whew! Instead of going back across the shipping channel to Portland directly we stopped at Gorges Fort, a little rocky outcropping supporting nothing much more than this ancient structure. I think most of us were more grateful for the respite from the angry wind and chop than we were for a history lesson.

After a nice rest we all headed out again into the wind and white caps for the short jaunt back to our put in. Not however without more harrowing events. Lisa unknowingly had her skeg down and was drifting away from the group because she had trouble correcting a boat now stuck on track. After some more screaming from our trip leader Lisa got back into the fold only to have a large sailboat race down her stern and tack at the last minute to avoid her and me.

I’ve been out when I’ve become more exhausted, but never with this much action. All in all it started out like a Level 2 minus trip and ended up like a Level 3 plus. I’m grateful for the responsible trip leaders Bob and Jackie and the wonderful comradeship of all souls who survived. No one capsized, but I did need to low brace a couple of times. Can’t wait till next year.

>...it seems that you have "drank the Kool-Aid" when it comes

>to sponsons. Most of what Tim claims is out-and-out lies.

>The Coast Guard report has nothing to do with kayaks (it's

>about their inflatable rescue boats).

Jeeez Brian-" I think you have drank the Kool-Aid" and "with all due respect" are somewhat mutually exclusive. But that's Ok I hear and respect most of your good points. My only point was not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. If Tim is a nut and generally abusive in his rancor against the kayak industry, I don't think I'll invite him over for drinks any time soon. However, I've read the CG report that I referred to and they did review the efficacy of Kayak Sponsons and did give them an A-OK as a useful addition to ones bag of tricks. I think that many of your valid points made against sponsons could equally be made against the use of the paddle float, and yet most of us never leave shore without one. I think it was Matt Boze who gets the credit for first employing and recomending them. Matt must be a very nice guy, since hoards of negative criticism doesn't rain down on most of us who use (not rely) on paddle floats.

Since weather forecasting is not an exact science and even then the weather can change instantly on the open water, none of us can with any degree of confidence say we are prepared enough and skilled enough for anything. The carrying on deck of a paddle float or sling, or set of sponsons does not exclude my ability to brace and roll if need be. Why must you conclude that the existence of one always precludes the other?

Another thing which is perhaps as useful in the kayak as skill is good judgement. If we could always rely on perfect judgement, there would be no need for VHF radios.

When and if I ever get into deep trouble and after everything else fails me including my sponsons, it will be a terrible failure of judgement that's at fault, not technique nor skill, not even sponsons.

Kevin,

The NSPN home page does not have directions for the Conomo Point put in. Please advise. Is there parking? Or do we need to park in Walter Mears driveway? I'm interested in going.

>If you need sponsons to reenter the boat you'd be better not

>to be out on the water alone in the first place. This seems

>like going too far to accomodate the lone paddler's

>limitations and places them at risk, rather than making them

>safer. The appearance of safety against the actual risk is

>perhaps the source of some of the negative feelings. After

>all, we all still like Brian...

I did not say I need to rely on sponsons as a "lone paddler", nor would I encourage lone paddling regardless the skill level of the paddler. Recent events off Plum Island this Spring sort of reinforce that wisdom.

Your general point regarding confusing a source of safety with risk assessment is a good one. Similar to driving a large SUV which allows you to ignore risk because of the perceived increase in passive as opposed to active safety.

My sponsons are there like my VHF radio. I don't intend to call the CG until other skills have been tried and failed. Same with my sponsons. Their existence has not limited my interest and learning as many rescue techniques that I can learn. By the way your nose plugs have been lucky for me. Rolled about 50 times since you gave them me. They are now at the bottom of Walden Pond. Hope my luck doesn't run out!

>> Eschewing a safety option because it might

>>have you ignore proper technique is analagous to learning to

>>hand roll before learning rolling with the paddle since it

>>may encourage bad technique.

>

>I think learning to hand roll before learning to use the

>paddle is a way to encourage very good technique. There are

>many ways to be very sloppy with a paddle, hand rolling

>requires far more precision. For example, lift your head a

>bit with a paddle, no problem, do it on a hand roll, big

>problem.

>

I knew my example was capable of encouraging exactlly your response. My point was not to denigrate hand rolling of which I'm personally in awe of, but instead to encourage paddlers to adopt whatever technique works for them given a limited skill set as a novice. For three years I had no ability to roll due to limited torso flexibility. Through stretching exercise, I can now roll, however my flexibility is still not good enough to rest my head on the rear deck with ease, a requirement I suspect that might be a prerequiste for hand-rolling. If I'm wrong you can show me at Walden this evening.

I'll give you the URL for the site where my purchase was made.

http://www.sponsonguy.com/

Don't be put off by the author's rather aggressive style. Tim is reviled by many in the professional ranks of the kayak community, mostly for his rancor and style. The real question is, personality aside, is this a viable and legitimate rescue aid? The USCG in a report thinks so. I have never had to use them. In practice I've clipped them on while still in the boat and also outside the boat. If your out of the boat, the sponsons facilitate a relatively tip free cowboy style rescue.

My advise is that rescue aids are just that-RESCUE aids! If a ladder can get you back in the boat-bring one. I can slither on top of the back deck OK. Could I do it in angry seas after paddling all day and exhausted-who knows? Thats why I always carry a sling and a pair of clip on sea sponsons. The other point already made is that by looping the sling over the inboard paddle shaft going under the hull and wrapping a couple of times over the outboard shaft you create with the pressure on the sling loop with your foot an amazingly stable paddle float outrigger that you no longer need to worry about slipping around on your rear deck while you're trying to reenter the boat. There are some boats that have convex back decks behind the combing that make securing the paddle with one hand somewhat challenging. For this secondary reason alone the sling is useful to have in your bag of tricks. Eschewing a safety option because it might have you ignore proper technique is analagous to learning to hand roll before learning rolling with the paddle since it may encourage bad technique. The point after all is RESCUE, not elegant technique. When you're confident you can reenter the boat under challenging conditions using whatever aid works for you, then continue to explore other more elegant techniques. Having multiple methods at your disposal makes you that much safer.