alcoons

When: Sunday, August 8th. Where: Hull - Boston Harbor Outer Islands, maybe Graves. Maximum 14 miles but route depends on conditions and the group's desire . We could just visit Boston Light and the Outer Islands and skip Graves. See http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1216501 for one possible route which includes Graves. Timing: Launch at 10 AM sharp. High tide at 11:45 AM. Put-in: Windmill Point. See http://www.nspn.org/put_ins.htm. I do not know the put-in although I know the point. I assume we will lauch on the ocean side since the gut will be running fast. Look for a red Honda Accord with a bunch of scary looking paddlers (sorry Leslie). Level: Solid Level 3/3+. You should feel comfortable with the distance, moderate waves, have an ocean kayak, and basic wet-exit and self-rescue skills. Graves is in open ocean. There most likely will be a great deal of boat traffic and chop. Confirmation: Confirming with an note here would be appreciated. We already have 3 or 4 paddlers. Please check here Sunday morning in case of last minute changes. The other stuff: Bring lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen, etc. This is a private trip so show-and-go rules apply. Al Al Coons Cetus - Red/White

Hi. Just back from vacation and expected to see at least one S&G/club trip for this upcoming weekend? Don't have time to plan right now, but anyone have ideas or something planned that has not been posted? Level 3 or 3/4? If not, how about launching from Hull on Sunday (or Saturday) at 10 AM and exploring the Harbor Islands/Boston Light? Please post interest so we can put something together. Al

We are getting a nice turnout for the 2nd Annual "New to Sea Kayaking Workshop" but have space for plenty more. Could you print out the attached flyer and post or give it to a possible participant? How about at work, a local sports store, YMCA,...? It looks fine in black and white, better in color if your printer can handle it. Thanks to Heidi for the great design work. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

If your are new to sea kayaking or a beginner wanting to gain more basic information, join us on April 21 for the Second Annual New To Sea Kayaking Workshop. There will be lots of equipment on hand and presentations from various members of the club. There will be time to get to know each other and ask questions. Questions or RSPV to kayakclass@verizon.net. More details below, in the attachment, and on the calendar. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White ---------------------------------- New to Sea Kayaking Workshop Date : April 21, 2007 Time : 9 AM Who: Those new to sea kayaking and beginners with questions. Location: Gould Barn, Topsfield, MA. Directions below. Time: 9am - 12 noon (optional local lunch follows at local restaurant). Fee for workshop: None Overview: How to choose equipment: kayaks, paddles, clothing and additional equipment. Locating and experiencing initial on-water training. Open discussion and questions welcome. RSVP please: Email kayakclass@verizon.net to RSVP. Directions: From the south, take Rt. 1 north exit off of Route I-95. Follow that to Rt. 97 west into Topsfield. At the stop sign, the library will be on your left and a small side street immediately before the stop sign is on your right - that is East Common Street . Take a right onto this street and park in the lot on the right that is for the Emerson Center/Congregational Church. From the north, take I-95 south to the Topsfield Rt. 97 exit. Proceed to Congregational Church on the right and Town Common on the left. Make a left turn onto Route 97 East, for 1/2 a second and then take a SHARP left onto East Common St and park in the lot on the right that is for the Emerson Center/Congregational Church. We have permission to park there from the church.

Hi Brian. As I asked in my post, "Should I get a deck mounted tow system." I am happy with what I have, tow rarely, so it is vrey likely I will stay with what I have. Thanks for everyones input. Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

Need advice. I have a Northwater QuickTow that has worked adequately the few times I have had to do a limited tow -- usually just off the rocks or a limited distance. My present boat has a nice tow attachment point built-in behind the cockpit. Looking at the Deck-Mounted Tow System and associated Instructions at http://www.northwater.com/html/tow_systems.html makes we wonder if it is worth the complication (at least for this system). I am leary of reaching behind for a quick-release...seems when you are in real trouble it is likely to be hard to do. Opinions? Should I get a deck-mounted system? What kind? Can I rerig my present belt? What should I watch out for if I do go to a deck-mount? Thanks in advance, Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

Word has it they are redoing the molds on the Cetus. However, a pirated picture of the next version is available at; http://www.pbase.com/portofsantos/image/75059205 Al

Looking forward to joining you. Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

Looks like 2 or 3 more of us will join you. Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

We had a wonderful circumnavigation of Orcas Island 3 years ago. Spent 5 nights as I remember. There are some paddle-in camp grounds, some that handle bigger boats, and some crowded places but we had a great time everywhere. Trip planning is crucial since there are very large (enormous) and very confusing tidal currents. It certainly is not an isolated area: but it is beautiful. We went with Crystal Seas (877-732-7877 - www.crystalseas.com). Ours was a guided trip but I would contact them for information. Mention my name to Johan (the owner) and he might hang up. Not true. They were first rate, environmentally concerned, and helpful to all. I have referred other paddlers to them with success. Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

>Al, as one of a small minority of Cetus owners you might >want to check out these videos from the UK. >http://simon-willis.blogspot.com/2007/06/p-cetus-video.html Saw them a few days ago. Like the hull comparisons. But they (make sure you see them both) need to be taken with a grain of salt. He did not do his homework before making comments. The skeg works smoothly when you do it correctly. Not sure about doing it in winter gloves, but it will work fine in my garage after November. The small storage compartment in front of the cockpit is great. Did not think it would be of much use, but after the first time I pulled out an energy bar, put sun glasses away, and switched hats without taking off my spray skirt I was hooked. By the way, for those of you trying out a Cetus, make sure you test it while moving. It seems many who borrow mine paddle at 1/2 mile/hour edge and turn it. Same thing I did initially, but make sure you ALSO try under normal forward conditions. Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

Warning noted. She was always nice to me. Something changed? Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

I'll be there. Glad you are faster Les. Will you tow me? Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

Great fun with a good group. Thanks everyone. Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

Wish I could...sounds great...Mother-in-Law's 85th birthday seems to take priority. Unfortunately, she was not interested in the course. Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

>Not that I'm a skin flint or one attempting to avoid paying >my dues but a nicer lunch spot is Little Misery and usually >there is no one there to collect the fee. The cove at Big >Misery is a good spot to practice rescues. No reason why we cannot stop there, but they often send someone over on the weekends to collect. I think we should support them but each to there own. Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

Unless you are a member of The Trustees of Reservations who own Misery, you will need $5 to help contribute to the upkeep of the Island. They do a wonderful job and Misery is a special place for many of us. Al PS. While one pays for Misery, no one should have to pay for misery. Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

Have 4-5 paddlers committed to the trip. The paddle is on. Please join us. Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White

Many new members do not realize that Private Trips are open to everyone with the appropriate skills. Since they are not officially sponsored by NSPN nor formally led, they are called Private for legal reasons. So if you are trying to get on the water, check this conference and the Calendar for NSPN sponsored trips and the Private Trip conference for non-sponsored trips. Al Al Coons Cetus - Red/White

When: Saturday, July 4th. Where: Riverhead Beach, Misery, Bakers, and the small islands on return. Maximum 11 miles. See http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1124844 for maximum route. Timing: High Tide is at noon on Saturday, so might as well leave at 10 AM so as not to fight it too much in the harbor. Arrive at the put-in at 9:15 AM. Lunch at Misery. Hope to return 3-4 PM. Put-in: Riverhead - http://www.nspn.org/play-put-ins.html Level: Level 3-- You should feel comfortable with the distance, have an ocean kayak, and basic wet-exit and self-rescue skills. The other stuff: Trip depends on having others committed to the paddle. Please confirm your interest here or at kayakclass @ verizon dot net Please check this string for updates. Bring lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen, etc. This is a private trip so show-and-go rules apply. Al Al Coons Cetus - Red/White

>How did you get one so fast since the waiting list is now months?? >Now that there are a few in the area hopefully one or more >of you will bring the suddenly popular boat out for some of >us to try. There was one left at Charles River. I was lucky (and quick). It has already had two test paddlers (Al and Gene) and will be glad to let others paddle it. First strokes go to all those who let me try their boats when I trying to figure out what I wanted. Just joking but I do appreciate everyone's generousity. Al

Al Moore, Alda, Gene, Vin, and I left Hingham Harbor beach at 10 AM, two hours before low tide. Clouds and a solid wind (10-12?) kept the temperature reasonable. Amazing how few boats there were for a Holiday weekend. Both Al and I felt it was the least we have ever seen in July. Nonetheless, as we headed for Bumbkin there was plenty of chop, cross winds, and waves and wakes up to 1.5-2 feet IN PLACES. A quick stop at Bumpkin was followed by a nice lunch on Peddocks. The buildings there are now so dangerous that you cannot walk the paths near them. A real loss. It was always fun to see the history of the island. But we took a stroll along the shore to loosen the legs anyway. Returned via Grape from 1 PM - 3 PM with less confusing seas and a quartering wind followed by a tail wind. Distance about 10 miles. There were lot's of firsts: Given the distance, the wind and wave difficulties, the experienced hands on the trip felt this was an low-end level three trip. So Vin has his first level-3 trip under his belt with ease. You will have to ask him how he felt when he broached suddenly surfing one VERY large boat wake. Alda (my wife) completed her very first single kayak trip off flat water. She has spent a good deal of time in large tripper doubles in big waves but has only had one flatwater trip in a single. She felt very stable in the old Nighthawk and handled it all well. No problems. Proud of her. This was my first paddle in my new Cetus. I was very unsure when I launched if I had bought the right boat, but now I am in love. The larger the chop and waves, the better it handles. As many have said, you just have to get use to it. Right now my generalized approach is little movements do not get it turning well in many situations. Give it a definite edge (which is so easy to do) and then it turns. Release that edge immediately or it may turn more than you want. It does weathercock but the skeg is effective and very efficient (no noticeable drag). The more I paddled it the less skeg I needed. Al Coons P&H Cetus - Red/White Eddyline Nighthawk - Red/White

Hi Ern. Sorry I have not been at Mystic on Tuesdays. This spring has been very different for me. Suz Hutchinson was kind enough to let some of us experiment with the 163, 167, and Cetus off Pavillion beach right after the storm last night. I tied the 167 again and I think it turned fine. Must have been something I ate that day. I added some weight (filled water bottles) to the bow of the Cetus. However it was the first time I had had it in waves - the wind was pretty low. The bow did seemed to stay down. It still turns and spins incrediably quickly. Suz ( and the others) were very helpful and patient as I trying to learn how to paddle the Cetus. Not sure if I need the weight or not. In fact, I learned that as soon as it begins to turn I need to stop edging or it will turn too far. It is definitely different than what I am use to. Those that paddled it like it. It is different. I think I will stop making generalizations because the others that paddled it are far more expert than I am. However, I just picked up new red cetus at Charles River so the search is over and the real learning begins. Thanks to Osprey, Charles River, and Suz and the others paddlers last night (Peter, Werner, and Bill). Cannot imagine a more helpful and supportive group. Al Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

At this point (Friday evening) there are 4 of us and adquate boats so the trip is on. Of course, check in case of changes. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White

>I don't no nothing bout currents and I don't like paddling >in the same body of water with the Hingham Ferry but you can >count me in! Great. Plan is to miss the Ferries. Al Al Coons Eddyline Nighthawk Red/White