alcoons

Hi Ann

Joe, What an incredible resource in so many ways! While there will be additions and suggestions this feels like a mature “project”, not a first demo. - I learned so many new interesting and valuable details about an area I have paddled a lot. - What a great resource to help plan a paddle. - One of the most valuable strengths could be to help those that might join a proposed paddle get a better sense of what they are committing to. How many times have I wondered just what am I signing up for when I was new or moving to a new level, or now as age and injury limits me? Having a visual sense of an area adds so much more comfort. — This visual aspect will also help me try new puts-in. I am sure others will complete this list. Great resource. Thanks.

Hi Mike, That is great. I would definitely like to try it on. I live close by in Winchester. Can you send an email to kayakclass@verizon.net with phone or text contact (or I can respond with mine) and we can work out when to get together. Thanks, Al

Chat, What timing. Downloaded it last night and dove in. Certainly not that far into it to make a complete comment but I am very much enjoying the start. Well and tightly written allowing my mind to wonder in the scenes and history. I usually am not that hot on reading the extended life histories of the characters in a book of this type. However Jordan's choice of the development of Wolfe is just as interesting as climbing K2 will be. Again, I am not very far in so sprinkle some magnesium chloride on what I said. Thanks so much for the reference.

As usual, NSPN comes through. Thanks everyone for the great comments. So the Astral Blue Jacket and Kokatat MsFit are on my list to try out. I remember trying on a MsFit in Newbury K&C but I don't think they had the large size at the time. I just noticed the Kokatat Outfit: https://www.outdoorplay.com/kokatat-outfit-tour-pfd-kayak-lifejacket-on-sale?color=34 which looks like perhaps a male version of the MsFit? Of course the length might be too long for my squatty-body. Anyone know about it? Al

Happy Holidays, I have been trying to buy a new PFD for a couple of years without much success. Given the incredible discounts right now I hope to snag one. I am 5'7 with a very short upper body, large chest and 34" waist, 170 lbs. I appreciate at least a pocket or two and place for the radio, knife, whistle, ect. I hang a water bladder off the back - have an old Kokatat. I am most likely not looking for rescue rope storage but it might be a plus. Again, with my short upper body it may be a problem. At 70 I am still trying to play in rock gardens but certainly not pushing the envelope - max assuming I am heathy might be NSPN level 3. Want quality but don't need to pay for gold leaf. Thanks for any help, Al

I am out. May try to river paddle to see what the body can handle. Have a great time.

I am iffy due to minor medical recovery. Hope to be there.

After all this unfortunately I will not make it tomorrow. Have a great time.

Works for me.

Jeff, I apologize. Just noticed the small print in your original post mentioning the possibility of T-storms. Sure hope it works out.

Hi Jeff, Sounds great except Weather Underground is predicting scattered thunderstorms starting at 1 PM Wednesday. Boston is isolated thunderstorms starting at 2 PM. Radio just said the thunderstorms would start much later in the day Wednesday!! So guess we need to stay tuned! By the way, the tall ships (not sure how many) are in Portsmouth this weekend. There are paddles with other groups later in the week but I think we are just before the rush. Al

Sorry Joe. I have an all day seminar.

Hi Jim, Strained some arms muscles. Will have to skip this week. Have a great trip. Al

Sorry to say I will not make it. Too much use on my torn bicep the last few days. Enjoy.

Thanks Dave. Depending on conditions, I am good for somewhat further but just wanted a sense of what is happening. I expect to be at Lane's. As Prudence wrote, "We’ll do float plan info at launch."

Yesterday's paddle was particularly beautiful. I am very interested. Would be helpful to know max distance. Is it Lane's Cover to Rockport and return or significantly more?

Hi Prudence, Well it does take "some" strength and care but it works for me. Not perfect. A bit harder on the Forester (SUV) than my Legacy (average sedan) but to my surprise it worked. Hope to see you Wednesday. Al PS. I better publish my route to Lane's Cove so others can avoid it.

Update on the Yitamotor cross bars for my wife's 2016 Forester. All is good! - Arrived quickly, nicely packaged. - Instructions looked good until you tried to follow them (like not really mentioning that you had to tighten the 4 bolts under each crossbar after adjusting the length to our particular car). Cannot find a complete video, but that should not stop anyone. They are easy enough to put on. - Was worried that it would be hard to put my boat on top of 2016 Forester. That year is pretty high. The Seattle Sports Sherpak Boat Roller again work as advertised even on the vertical back window. - Was also worried my Thule cradels would not fit on the cross bars (they are much thinner) but they (just) fit. So unless I loose my boat on 128 headed for Lane's on Wednesday, this worked out well enough for the price.

I'll be there.

Paul: The short of it is a local trash pick-up pickup truck stopped in front of my driveway. I stopped behind him. He then put the truck into reverse and tried to back into my neighbor's driveway, crushing part of my front end. Luckily his insurance covers all including my deductible. You don't say what model your's is. My is a Legacy. 2015 was the first year of the new model designed to compete with the Accord and Camry which it does very well even though it retains much of the Subaru feel and has 4 wheel drive. Paul, email me privately if you want more information on a 2015 Legacy. Al PS. All members of my family (Boston & Denver) drive Subarus.

Thanks Marshall. Found I can get two Yitamotor cross bars designed for the Forester for $64 used and $90 new. They handle 150 lbs each and have very good amazon ratings. Think I will go with them assuming my Thule boat cradles fit. Al

Thanks Jonathan. My experience with c-clamps is that easily can be dislodged with impact (such as the normal bouncing of a car over road irregularities). Am I wrong? Not sure what the "nylon nuts" are for? I assume you are suggesting clamping my existing bars with a steel bar on top and another one below the side rails? Sorry, Al

Taking my kayak car (2015 Subaru Legacy) to the shop for three weeks on Monday. Will get a rental car so need to use my wife's 2016 Subaru Forester to transport my kayak. It came with slide rails on the roof, but nothing else. So I need to move my Thule Rack (old Aero Cross bars, etc) to the Forester. Rack Attack can sell me four foot packs to do the job but about $240 with tax. Other solutions (set up a GoFundMe site, duct taping the aero bars to the side rails,...?). Thanks, Al

Looking forward to it.