alcoons

>Is there any reason why the general membership can't have a

>copy to possibly put up at their places of work?

> Jim.

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Great idea. Sending you a copy right now. Anyone else? Ask here or email me at

kayakclass@verizon.net

THanks,

Al

>If soneone will e-mail it to me. I will post it in REI

>Framingham and EMS Fraimgham and possibly some other stores.

> -Jason

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Thanks Jason. It is "in the mail".

Al

Cathy Foley, who is doing the boat and paddle sections, says she already is planning to included Greenland paddles in her presentation. She plans to bring a greenland paddle.

Thanks for the suggestions. All welcome.

Al

>I might be a bit biased.... :-)

>

>But yes, going along with Bob's comment, the only real issue

>is finding someone to get you started. Plus maybe a bit of

>peer pressure.

>

>The good thing is that the stroke most folks use when they

>first start paddling without training works pretty well and

>that the stroke is very natural, so it only takes a brief

>orientation to get started. They are good sources on

>technique available - www.qajaqusa.org has lots of good

>training info including short video clips.

>

>If it would help I could probably make it down and chat with

>folks for whatever time you thought was appropriate (might

>be there anyway). Not necessary, just if its a help.

>

>

>Keith

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Hi Judy.

Anne Harper has already created a great flyer and delivered it to NESC, REI in Reading and EMS in Peabody. She also called Discovery Adventures Sea Kayaking in Gloucester, ERBA and North Shore Kayak Outdoor Center in Rockport. None of these places were open, but she will try them again.

This weekend I am going to REI Boston, EMS Boston, Wilderness House, CRCK plus EMS Burlington.

If anyone is going to other places, I can email you a copy of the flyer. Try me at

kayakclass@verizon.net

Thanks,

Al

>Hi Al -

>

>Forgive me if this is something you'd already thought about,

>but I remember discovering NSPN through a club flyer

>available at REI. Is it worth doing an 8.5x11 flyer and

>having it available at such places (REI, EMS, outfitters,

>etc.), maybe even mentioning it to whoever the boating sales

>staff is, in case the people they're selling boats to are

>interested? Maybe that population of folks (many purely

>recreational) aren't entirely who you're looking for, but

>they'd all benefit ... Anyway, just a thought.

>

>Meanwhile, I have only 1 or 2 people I know who might

>possibly be interested, and I'll mention it to them.

>

>Cheers,

>

>Judy

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Will pass your suggestion on to the person covering paddles. Since we are doing an overview and this is pointed towards those new to paddling, it certainly can be mentioned as an option.

Keith. Do you feel someone new to paddling should/might start with a Greenland?

Al

>Al;

>

>Saw the segment on paddle choices - does that include

>talking about Greenland paddles? Didn't see it called out.

>

>Keith

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Hi Suz.

- It is RSVP -- See announcements on how to do it.

- Open to all -- we are already advertising outside the club.

- We will have membership forms there.

Al

>Al,

>Is this event RSVP or can anyone attend and just stop in?

>Is it open to non members?

>

>If at all possible, it would be best to have it an open

>event for non members and members alike. This would make it

>easier for new people who are a bit unsure about joining a

>club to just stop in and see what it's about.

>

>Could always have membership forms there for people to

>complete if they are interested.

>

>Suz

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

One of the items in last falls discussion of how we could increase the NSPN tradition of reaching out to the kayaking community was providing more workshops.

Please consider connecting with friends who might benefit from the "New to Kayaking/Beginners Workshop" on April 22. See full description in other thread and in the calendar.

Thanks,

Al

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Subject: New to Kayaking/Beginners Workshop

Date: Saturday, April 22

Time: 9-12 AM

Location: The Barn, Topsfield Center

Lunch: Possible informal lunch together at nearby location if there is interest.

RSVP required: Limited to 50. RSVP to kayakclass@verizon.net

Description:

Al Coons, Cathy Foley, Anne Harper, & Anne Reynolds will help those new or feeling new to kayaking become more comfortable about equipment choices, getting on the water, and NSPN.

GOALS

To help beginners:

A. make good choices in purchasing and/or renting equipment, and

B. understand the progression of sensible on-water training and trips.

EQUIPMENT

A. Boat Choices (Buy/rent, new/used, appropriate boats...)

B. Paddle Choices (inexpensive/expensive, feathering/not, adjustable/not, weight, costs....

C. Additional Equipment (spray skirt, , PFD, compass?, paddle leash, water bottle, gloves, first aid kit, maps, ...

D. Clothing (Basic clothing for safety and comfort at times when beginners would be paddling, water temps, emergency clothing,...

ON THE WATER

A. Training (Normal progression of training and experiences on the ocean).

B. Expectations (What expectations and responsibilities are there for a new paddler?)

OPEN DISCUSSION

Lead Organizer: Al Coons ( kayakclass@verizon.net )

---------------------

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.

Can you remind us what time the course starts tomorrow morning?

Thanks,

Al

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Jim.

Great idea. In fact, NSPN will have a beginner's workshop in April along the same lines: boat, paddle, equipment & clothing selection along with what to expect for training and open ocean experiences. It is scheduled in April since we felt most beginners are more likely to starting gearing up/purchasing after the ice begins to thaw.

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

>Hi Suzanne,

>

>This may not be a very exciting idea, but I wonder how many

>brand new people we have in the club. I wonder how many

>have even been in a boat yet, or are trying to decide what

>kind of boat to get.

>

>They could read all they want, and visit stores, but I

>wonder if you'd get any response from newbies wanting to see

>a boat and paddler with all the necessary equipment.

>Something like having someone bring in a boat, all the stuff

>for a trip, and someone to explain what all this stuff is

>used for. How much is necessary vs. 'nice to have'.

>Explain why you need a whistle or flare. Why you'd need a

>pump.... Show some different kinds of paddles.

>

>I know it wouldn't serve the majority of club members, but

>it might boost membership??? Or, at least set a few folks

>on the right path.

>

> Thanks,

> Jim

John.

Could you post the directions for those of us in the interior? Much appreciated.

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Great find. What a great New Years gift!

For those of us who use Macs (OS X), could anyone recommend compatible software? "Chart Navigator" seems to be Windows only.

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

FYI -

There is a product called Stabil (and probably other equivalent brands) that stabilizes gasoline so you do not need to drain gas powered engines before storage.

see http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/products.htm

I have had a little can for years and place a few drops in my lawn mower and some more in my gas container I use to refill the mower before I store them each winter. Stabil is one of those products that 1/2 the people have been using for decades and the other half wonder why no one told them about it (and the third half don't give a damn about it since they are smart enough not to have a lawn or snow blower).

I assume it should work for white gas (which I believe, when bought as a camping product, is just highly refined nolead gasoline).

Al

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

I just got off the phone with a representative of the Coleman Company, manufactures of camping equipment that use white gas and sellers of white gas.

1) White gas in un-opened original containers have a 5 year self-life.

2) Opened white gas in the original container has a 2-3 year self-life. However, the less fuel (more air) in the container, the faster it degrades.

3) White gas kept in a camping equipment's gas tank degrades quickly. They suggest not even keeping it in the tank over the winter.

4) White gas degrades by becoming "lacquer-like", i.e. thicker and lumpier, although you may not be able to see this. It is NOT normally water that is the cause of "bad white gas."

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Anyone have information/experience on sea kayaking/kayak camping in Croatia? Suggestions about travel along the coast (perhaps 10 days in late July/August)?

Thanks in advance,

Al

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

>> As always, the NSPN suggestions where right on target

>

>Well, not ~always~. The Standard Horizon VHF HX460S was not

>only an NSPN recommendation, it was a group buy!

>

>--David.

I must have joined the club at the right time. Guess I will stay out the archives.

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

I am so much of a NON-GEAR HEAD that I am lucky to remember the make of my boat, but after asking the same questions your are about radios and spray skirts on this site I bought an M88 and a Snapdragon. They seemed to be the no brainers...what everyone seemed to think are the obvious choices in a sensible price range if you wanted equipment that would do the job and last.

As always, the NSPN suggestions where right on target, at least for me. I am very pleased with both.

By the way, when I called Snapdragon for some information they were wonderful - trying hard to suggest the right product for my needs rather than the most expensive.

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

About how long do General Meetings run?

Thanks,

Al

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Sounds like a lot of interest in Level 3...sounds good to me.

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Interested depending on conditions...did I miss an announcement about the demo??

Thanks,

Al

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

Just stopped by Magazine Beach to see what condition the put in is in. There is construction in progress so what is below is the present state - not sure what will happen in the future.

Parking lot is pretty much the same. Posted for 3 hours max, no parking at night. As mentioned in previous posts, the club has gotten permission to park longer in the past.

At the end of the lot, there is a new 15 foot flat wooden bridge perpendicular to the Charles that spans a tiny pound. Once over the bridge there is a nice dirt path the runs along the river to the right.

At this point, all the waist high weeds and shrubs along the river have been cut down. There are remnants of hey bales along the river edge (environmental protection during the work I assume, but do they work?). With the river up, these bales are almost at water level.

So, if you wanted to launch this afternoon, access to the normal put in is easier since basically the weeds and shrubs are gone. Things are pretty much as always with hopes that the little bridge might lead to a formal put in???

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

>hi -- I'm a little fried, on a couple of deadlines and just

>having just put my 17-yr old best friend cat to sleep. The

>rangers are prepared and looking for help Sunday, but I'd

>like to take the day and put my head back on straight. Would

>anyone like to coordinate a paddle out to meet them on

>Misery Sunday, or should I reschedule for next year?

>

>Thanks for your understanding,

>

>--b

>

>

Sorry about your cat.

A couple of questions:

What are the hours we committed to on Sunday?

Given the previous discussions here about our inability to park in Manchester given their new rules, is there reserved parking available?

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White

>Got it. Sounds like you post for the maximum level that

>might be

>encountered, whether planned or unplanned.

Yes....mostly though because I want a level 3+ trip if possible if I am organizing it. I don't feel comfortable organizing a level 4-/4 trip...while these are S&Gs, I think the poster has some responsibility to be able to not just complete the trip, but be in control of his own situation and able to be one of the paddlers making good decisions when necessary. When things get bigger on a level 4 trip, I may be just a follower.

>I have paddled Hingham Harbor and have thought about doing a

>S&G but I would have called it a level 2, perhaps in error.

>What would make this particular paddle, in benign

>conditions, a level 3?

It certainly is a level 2 in "benign" conditions. However, there have been times when the wind has created some level 3 conditions (waves+wind) even to the close in Harbor Islands. However, I post it as a level 3 since when the conditions are reasonable, this type of group often agrees to go further out. For example we went to Boston Light and other "outer" islands from Dorchester about a month ago. So the distance this group usually goes is further than a level 2. In fact, we have had level 2 paddlers moving up to level 3 who have gone on relatively short level 3 trips and found the distance quit a challenge.

So, there is no question that a Hingham Harbor paddle can make a wonderful level 2 paddle. It is also a perfect place to take a group of level 2 paddlers and introduce them to level 3. In my case, I am just posting a trip that often goes further and for those that can handle serious level 3 waves and current (Hull Gut at times).

Does this make sense?

Al

****CANCELLED***

Show and Go on Sunday, September 11 from Hingham Harbor Park. Launch at 9 AM SHARP. Low tide is at 11:10 AM. Level 3 skills required. No pressure paddle with plans of visiting Higham Bay, some Harbor Islands, Windmill Point. 9-13 miles? Bring lunch and appropriate extra clothing. Return between 2:30-3? High tide is at 5:30 PM.

This a show and go. It is not sponsored by the NSPN and may not have anyone certified as a leader. You are responsible for yourself, but of course we will stick together and take care of each other.

This trip will only take place if there is at least one other confirmed paddler. Post your intentions here or email me at alcoonsmail @ verizon.net. I will confirm the trip as soon as there is another confirmed paddler.

Al Coons

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/White