Gcosloy

I wanted a bit more down skeg for big conditions and managed to let the cable slide back thru the slider tube. I pulled the cable out from the skeg box and since both ends were frayed could not thread it back thru again. I obtained a new cable 1/8" D which is what I had and thought briefly of getting a 3/32" to make installation easier but fearing kinking under compression I reserved that idea for "when all else fails". Tom Berg said that threading a new cable from the front slider was easier than going the stern route. My new cable was cut neatly on both ends thru some tape so the ends were compact and shouldn't prove much of a problem. I removed the tape on one side carefully and candle waxed the end to help against fraying. While I did succeed I ran into three snags: An inch from the front of the slider tube is a side hole where the set screw from the slider knob goes to secure the cable inside the tube. Moving the slider knob away the cable when meeting this sideways exit tried desperately to climb into the hole ceasing forward progress. The end of a needle nose pliers inserted into the side hole prodded the cable on its way for about a foot where it now hung up inside the slider mechanism inside the boat. Gentle twisting and backing and forward eventually moved forward again. After satisfying progress of seven feet of cable I encountered the last obstacle- rising upwards over the tight curve in the rear skeg box. It just wouldn't move and I felt defeated but continued onward coaxing with twists and gentle pushing and voila the naked cable emerged on the outside! Most tasks can be easily accomplished with the right tools and step wise patience. Replacing a skeg cable however is one of those more daunting tasks that requires in addition a leap of faith-keep trying and it will all come out in the end! I avoided a trip back to Peak's Island which I'm sure would have been more fun!

I agree with Pru about the weirdness of the sea in this area. Yesterday was not especially unusual. After paddling mostly on the Massachusetts seacoast from the Cape to Gloucester I never much needed to be aware of tides, currents, rocks, ledges, shoals or reefs. The seacoast from York harbor Maine south to Hampton, NH is rife with all of the above and one needs to be more aware-I think paddling here makes you a better paddler. Yesterday was a relaxed wonderful paddle with great companions. Lunch by the Lobster shacks at Rye Marina was a real treat. Here is a link to a few pics:

https://picasaweb.google.com/107836626784396161725/OdiorneJuly2014?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMbOhKLC7bPymQE&feat=directlink

Yikes, fifty thousand miles in three days!! Gene, you are quite literally superman! ;-)

pru

Eh-thats 50 nautical but for moi I'll accept the superman moniker!

My favorite also Pru. If I can make it I will-curently recovering from camping on the Marshall Island and 50k miles in three days.

Bill-

"How about July 8th (tomorrow) we launch from the Odiorne boat ramp? Warning, no porta-potties. " If you continue East on Pioneer Road past the boat ramp about 1/2 mile you will come to the Science Center which has facilities. I don't know what time they close however.

Thanks for all the sensible advise _ I plan to go out perhaps today and paddle with my cedar GP and try and get a sense if the current loom is just right or needs to be smaller or larger. I get it about stalling from a dead stop-will see what happens when up to speed.

I have a cedar GP that I've made following Bryan N's book. I've never liked it because it flutters on take off. 84" with a 19" loom. What I liked about the Superior paddle was the complete absence of flutter and a solid feel on each stroke. My choices would be 84" 17" loom. 85" 18" loom or 86" 19" loom. I'm thinking the 85" may be the best compromise for me.

I'm thinking of investing in a Superior GP. Unfortunately despite an expensive investment they seem to offer specific sizes in length which also defines loom size. For any paddlers who have one what size is recommended: I'm 5'10" and currently paddle a euro at 215mm. I borrowed one on Saturday and really liked it even though the length and loom were too large for me. If I order a 84" it comes with a 17.5" loom-I'd need to go to 86.5 if I want a 19" loom. Non of my boats are skin boats and are about 21 or 21.5" wide.

You will end up with all of the rest of the line in the water getting grabbed on rocks or just getting in the way. It's been tried and seems to cause issues most of the tme.

I can see your point! However if one closes the flap on the bag after the shorter portion has been deployed the rest of the line should remain in the bag. It is one more thing to remember to do however and in a dramatic situation could be overlooked.

I just purchased the NRS Pro Kayak tow line. http://www.nrs.com/product/18291/nrs-pro-kayak-tow-line

What I like about it is a line with built in stretch-no additional bungee required-a large bag for stuffing and the option of moving the bag about 90degrees on the belt so you can have the bag in front and the quick release nearby as well.

On another subject: why the need to daisy chain to shorten the tow line? How about tying a loop say 20' and connecting the loop to a carbiner and the end of the line attachement secured in the bag. 20' should be ideal for short tows away from coastal rocks and if a longer tow is needed, then release the loop from the biner and voila-50' feet is available. Can you see a problem with this method?

The picture of Cathy being contact towed out of the rocks is awesome.

La propriété, c'est le vol. Usually translated as "property is theft". Attributed to the French nihilist Proudhon. While I'm somewhat sympathetic to this view, particularly when it comes to beach frontage I do respect the property of others and stay within the legal boundaries as established by the Massachusetts Bay Colony circa 16?? Ah tradition!

Et tu Leon,

You have also become a literalist; perhaps too much time in Florida? Rick, you repeat yourself-your views on this subject are well known! I can only say that my post about a haul out on Bakers was "tongue in cheek" and I suspect Mike's post was also to invoke humor. Don't you guys get it?

Not to worry Mike-I just received my new tow system from NRS today-so we can all practice a haul out on Bakers. Besides what can they do -call the harbor patrol on us?

Pawtuckaway sounds nice, now that I can pronounce Piscataqua correctly I need another challenge.

REI sells these Nalgene containers that are waterproof. The smallest is currently 1 oz. In the past I was able to get one even smaller, but the 1oz size can fit in a pfd pocket.

http://www.rei.com/product/402057/nalgene-polyethylene-bottle-1-fl-oz

I'm in for L3 Bob.

I'm a Stohlquist fan of the B-pod. It has a thick soft neoprene neck that is so comfortable and doesn't allow water into the suit. The cuffs are latex significantly heavier than Kokatat. They use their own breathable fabric not Goretex and in 5 seasons of use has never delaminated. The suit is also about half the price of Kokatat. Sizing runs a bit small so I have a large and the booties also run small so I needed to get x-large booties on a large suit for my 11-1/2 to 12 feet. No extra charge. Joel at NESC has them and sometimes has a sale on them as well.

Robin,

I enjoyed the video you posted of difficult landings. While the individuals were impressive it was the group behavior that most impressed me. While I would never contemplate that kind of landing I'm sure we have a number of NSPNers who as a group could do something similar. And while I would not boast of such skills, if I was with such a group that I trusted, I would not reject such a landing. First let me acquire a plastic boat!

This was my third year of participating in the valuable Cam on the water event. I usually attend for the fun and comaraderie; what surprises me is that I often come away learning new things. Yesterday was no different. While our group was not dubbed "more adventurous" several of our party capsized in breaking water and one performed a splendid combat role. Way to go Sherrie! We spent most of our day outside of the Little Harbor breaker and had some fun with serious water breaking over rocks . Phil and Bob were excellent coaches and I think a day like this demonstrates the NSPN motto of pay it forward. Much thanks and appreciation for the organizers.

The Paul and Bob pod focused a lot on the CAM aspect of moving on the water. At several intervals paddlers volunteered as lead and sweep. After crossing the entrance to Marblehead Harbor we proceeded on to Childrens Island where we could see the other group resting on a steep cobblestone beach. Paul volunteered to check it out and help facilitate the landing. Two participants demurred and suggested choosing an easier landing which we did around the corner in a protected cove. After all 10 had landed safely a discussion ensued about the best way to land in surf: legs out and popping the spray skirt or legs in with spray skirt secured. To Paul's credit, although he preferred one way over the other he allowed for individual differences and that one should try both and decide. On the way back many of us had a chance to do long length tows of a simulated and rafted paddler who was incapacitated. Bob capsized too near the rocks outside of Children's and had to be contact towed out of danger. He also lost his boat and I decided to rescue the swimmer and not the boat. Surprising to me Paul pointed out the circumstances where the reverse is preferred. After reentering the harbor fun and games were had by all: rolls, T rescues, Eskimo rolls and re-enter and rolls. My one moment of serious excitement happened heading back to Riverhead Beach when I suddenly found myself hoisted upon a hidden rock. Bracing desperately on both sides until enough water rolled in to release me I escaped with only an attack to my pride and gel coat. Another 50 feet further there was a buoy marked ironically "Rock". I could tell from the many smiles that everyone in our group had a great time.

Leon-I think you've been spending too much time in the sun-time to return to NE.

Lisa-did you take the drug test? Only kidding-congratulations gal!

I'm in for June 7-8. Definitely newbie to camping!

I don't know what I was more impressed with, the pictures, the map of your course or Pru's knee shots. Hope to see some of you soon with two new hips. Now should be no excuse for poor torso rotation. If this keeps up in years to come we may need to rename NSPN to NSBPN (North Shore Bionic Paddlers Network.