alcoons

Hi Warren,

A few years ago my wife and I spent about 5 nights circumnavigating Orcas starting and ending near Friday Harbor. The group was another couple and a guide, so I cannot give you the specific information you need, but certainly remember how important local knowledge was. At one point on the east side of Orcas moving a couple of 100 yards futher away from shore turned a serious slog against the current into a neutral paddle. I wonder how we might have known this without a local guide. On the next to last morning, we woke up early to get a start on what was to be a relatively long day and found the current much more benign that even the guide expected. This allowed us to get into a following current much ealier than expected and the day ended up being relatively short!

So all of this is to say exactly what you know already. Local knowledge really seemed to make a difference, but even in large stretches of open water it was hard even for the guide to know for sure. This was something he had said the first day. Wish I had more specifics for you except except to say it was a wonderful, interesting area. Yes there was some boat traffic at times, but that part sure seemed a lot less bothersome than Boston Harbor.

Have a great trip.

Al

Oh. Actually, will be in Austria with wife and maybe somewhere else on my own - Dolomites or Switzerland. All too expensive, too crowded this time of year, but neither of us have been to Austria and it was on our bucket list while awaiting time to finish our bigger bucket items.

Actually, Austria is still the only part which is confirmed. Lots of other forces at work.

Thanks for asking,

Al

I also contacted P&H directly. Here is their response:

Hi, I will have to order it from the UK . It the deck cord and bungee runs
1.00 a foot. The boat takes 33 feet of deck line and 17 feet of bungee. Give
us a call at 828-254-1101.

Thanks,
Dinver

I am still not clear which product you guys are suggesting to order from the web site and I am looking for red.

Thanks,

Al

Don't have much choice about the dates. Need to dove-trail the kayaking around some hiking with my wife further north at the end of July. We teachers get a lot of vacation time but do not have much flexibility on the dates.

Thanks again,

Al

Thanks.

The red bungee and non-bungee deck lines are wearing out/fading badly (one has snapped) at a faster rate the rest of Cetus. Suggestions for the best source for replacements for the all the lines?

Thanks,

Al

"If you are not good, your bungees better look good."

Josko,

Thanks for the complete and very useful feedback.

• When you mention the area around Dubrovnik as "boring", I assume you mean the Elafiti Islands Archipelago: Lopud, Kolocep, Sunj, St. Andrija, Trsteno, Sudjuradj and the like? I was looking at trips to these location rather than the (perhaps) more demanding ones to Mljet due to my physical limitations. These trips certainly have some pretty pictures posted, yet some the islands seem pretty dry and harbors busy. One of the company owners (she lives in Boston) said however they are fairly isolated and not busy. Not sure of the reality.
• Would love to paddle Mljet, Kornati, or Vis. Looking for the right trip.
• Would you know how to contact John or Pete? You can connect privately to me by clicking on my name to the left and sending a message.

Thanks againfor the great feedback.

Al

I am looking for recommendations for kayak companies for a multi-day trip out of/near Debrovnik, Croatia. I have done my homework on the web looking at references, but they are more sketchy than for other locations. Many of them are for day trips. Does anyone have personal knowledge of any of the companies?

Of course, any other information is welcome. I am looking at the so-called 7-8 day trips. While I can still paddle long on any given day, my age and shoulders problems limit going too far day-after-day. So, I may look more like a tourist kayaker than a guy that deserves to carry a knife and radio on his PFD Then again, who knows if we need to call in an emergency supply of PB&J and need a utensil to spread them.

Thanks,

Al

Chris,

Thanks so much for organizing the great shake-out. Enjoyed the paddle, chat, wildlife, and historic lunch spot.

Al

Sorry Karen,

I left the house just before your email. Hopefully see you on the next paddle.

Al

Chris and I just emailed. Neither of us are trying to push any records. Just have fun and get our sea (river) legs back. While the Concord is not as wide as the Atlantic, I bet we could fit a few more kayakers on this trip.

Al

10:30 is great for me Chris. Why not email me your cell at kayakclass@verizon.net I will do the same in return just in case we need to communicate.

Al

Was about to post a shake-down (was thinking shake-out actually) paddle for this weekend when I noticed your post. Sounds good to me. I did bike there last weekend and noticed some minor flooding in the wetlands just beyond the banks but we should be OK. Actually, I never put-in there. I assume you are talking about launching from the east side of the river?

Thanks,

Al

Here are some suggestions for: Magazine Beach

Located off Memorial Drive, just east west of the B.U. Bridge – from the east, drive west on Memorial Drive past the B.U. Bridge, then change direction by turning around in a parking lot and turning left onto Memorial drive. Driving east on Memorial drive, stay right (don’t go on the overpass), turn right into the parking lot just before the bridge. Drive to Park towards the end of the lot. Follow the path out the end of the lot 25 yards to the narrow put-in. The small beach is adjacent to the ball field. NOTE: This Charles River put-in is NOT at a boat house or picnic area and is NOT at the MDC swimming pool building. It is next to the baseball field which is only accessible from Memorial Drive eastbound. The parking lot is posted for 3 hour max and no after dark parking. The state police in the past have said just put a note on your dashboard if you’re staying longer than the posted limits or there after dark...that has always worked.

I just downsized to a MSR Hubba last year:

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/experience-series/hubba/product

It's small enough that it fits into a lot more spots. At times it can be hard to find a level spot for a bigger tent and even more so if you have a few people in your group.

With the Hubba it's big enough to sit up in read, or to be able to change etc. It's a tent that one can ride a storm out in. You can keep your spare gear in dry bags in the vestibule.

I also love how little room it takes in my boat.

We own a larger Hubba but the entire line of Hubbas are great. At least one if not two won tent of the year a few years ago.

Al

Reel Paddling Film Festival - Cambirdge, March 28

http://reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com

Love it and Happy Holiday Les!

Al

As we often do on weekends, my wife and I walked around Pleasure Bay at Castle Island the last two afternoons. It was high tide and the tides were as high as we have ever seen them. The moon is fairly new. The tide charts show they are the highest tides of the month, but these seem extreme. We could not even walk to the end of the beach and go up the stairs to the beginning of causeway. The beach and the first two steps were under water.

Any idea what is going on or maybe this is normal eventhough we have not seen this in over a decade.

Thanks,

Al

Sounds perfecto

If you have not noticed it, there is an exceptional trip report called "Around the New World in Seven Days - Newfoundland 2012" in the "Trips Report" area.

Al

Great job of keeping everyone informed about the changing weather, conditions, and float plan. Great pictures and looks like a great trip.

Al

Hi.

Since Earn and I did most of this last week from Lanes, I will take a rain check. If you don't know Essex Bay, it is a spectacular place and well worth it.

Al

Hi Nancy,

As I wrote offline, I am in. Looking forward to the paddle.

Al

Wind never was a factor except it provided nice cooling. I would guess it was under 10 mph in the open - probably more like 5. Actually, I did not see the higher wind predictions that some mentioned before the trip. I think I saw 12 mph maximum although it was much higher for the offshore marine reports.

Al

I wish I was as confident that the weather would work out as it appears. On the drive out I was thinking we might might do 6 loops to the Dog Bar if the skies opened up and the waves were large outside the harbor.

I forgot to mention that Kevin's smart phone sure helped when we got to the put in and when we stopped down the coast. He confirmed the front was still moving NE and not towards us. Now, if they would just make a waterproof, combo VHF Radio/Smart Phone for $25 with a monthly fee of $6 and guaranteed reception everywhere...