alcoons

Thanks Brian.

Ah. My fault. I asked about this situation here about a month ago, but I guess you did not see my post. I looked at your great site and probably did not browse far enough ahead to see the specific solution.

Now I have a use for my knife. I can use it to cut off the useless rig I just sewed into my PFD

Thanks,

Al

>The mounting clips for the M88 and the HX460 are nearly

>identical, so much so that the radios will interchange in

>each others clips.

>

>Here are the clips, M88 on the left and HX460 on the right:

>

>http://community.webshots.com/s/image11/8/...02pwyNDZ_ph.jpg

>

>Note that they attach in exactly the same manner. All that

>is required is a wire tie and a small shim, taped in place

>to keep the clip from sliding through the wire tie. It

>literally takes five minutes to do this.

>

>

>Here are the radios mounted in each other's clips:

>

>http://community.webshots.com/s/image12/8/...36JYzPiE_ph.jpg

>

>

>More photos of this setup are viewable at:

>

>http://community.webshots.com/album/63141273BimkGp

Note that the ICOM-M88 is not easy to mount on the shoulder strap of a PFD unless someone has had more luck than I have. The belt attachment that comes with it is actually a horizontal clip. There are no other attachment options available from ICOM.

I did find a solution by sewing both a vertical and horizontal elastic bands into my shoulder strap and sewing them together where they cross. The radio slips in from the corner. Have not used it in the field yet. We will see.

Al Coons

I know a few of us bought ICOM IC-M88 VHF radios last year. Anyone found an easy way to mount it on their PFD? I have looked at Brian's great page on mouting a Standard but the cradle for that is different. The bungee idea makes sense for the bottom. However, the vertical belt clip (large alligator clip) with no slot to run webbing through makes this mount harder.

Thanks for all the help so far! As always NSPN comes through!

Al

Many part all over the place.

How long should the lanyard be which attaches a knife to your PFD? Too long and imagine it is a danger of wrapping around inappropriate body parts if you let go. To short and it may not be useful. Should you have one at all? If you do, do you use a clip at the PFD end so it can be unattached or tie it in?

Thanks,

Al

Anyone have suggestions for a sleeping bag to replace my wife's wonderful but very large (even with compression stuff sack) sleeping bag? Needs to stow nicely in kayaks, but she usually is in a double - so it does not have to be ultra-small.

She is 5'5, thin and all muscle ( needs a 15 degree bag) for 3 seasons.

Thanks,

Al

>I used to guide for a competitor of Crystal Seas on San Juan

>a few years back. At that time, they were a pretty small 1

>or 2 person operation, and I know they have grown quite a

>bit since then (1997). Seemed to be fairly safety oriented,

>good gear, good client:guide ratio. I don't know what sort

>of experience or training their guides have. I believe the

>owner's name is Johan, and he was a fairly experienced

>paddler when he started the company.

>Hope this helps a little anyway!

>Alex at NESC

Thanks Alex. Yes it does help. Actually I have spoken to Johan a couple of times and he seems like a great guy and gives the correct answers.

Can anyone recommend other good guiding companies/trips in the San Juans? Looking for a 4-6 night kayak camping trip in the San Juan's area....done the north east corner of Vancouver Island and further north. Also considering Tofino area.

Al

Is anyone able to comment on/have experience with the Cysteal Seas Kayaking Company that is located in Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands (Wash)?

Thanks in advance,

Al

United Divers Inc

59 Washington St

Somerville, MA 02143-4407

(617) 623-3483

When I bought my wetsuit from United Divers (above) I discussed alterations. They have a women who specializes in alternation of neoprene and it was relatively inexpensive.

Hope this helps,

Al

>Quite a while ago some of us emailed our representives about

> "H.2126: An Act Relative to Making Mnadatory Installation

>of Safety Flags on Kayaks."

I mentioned in a previous email that one rep had responded. Now Senator Shannon has also responded with interest.

He mentioned that he "is aware of only one bill affecting kayak users, and that is House Bill 4456." He asked me to clarify the origin and status of the flag proposal I mentioned in my email [House Bill No. 2126] and copied and quoted that information from our club's message board back to him.

He sent me a copy of House Bill No. 4456. It asks that in addition to existing laws (which are not listed):

a) Any person aboard a kayak shall wear at all times a Coast Guiard approved personal flotation device of Type I, II or II.

Kayaks shall also be equpped with a compass and a whistle.

I wrote back:In terms of Bill 4456. This clearly is a reaction to the unfortunate events last summer in Cape Cod. Those paddlers made very bad choices in terms of conditions, experience, equipment and gear.

1) I assume no one in our club would ever consider going out without an approved flotation device when the paddle requires one - which is most of the time. Any time we go as a group it is requirement. However, the way this bill reads, if I wish to paddle in a narrow part of the Charles River (100 feet wide), when it is 100 degrees out, I am required to WEAR the flotation. Do we require all swimmers to have wear flotation devices? Do we require all other boaters to wear them at all times? Sailers in small boats are often in more danger in high winds and seas than kayakers.

2) A whistle is a good and expected safety device. But what is wrong with other and perhaps more effective types of signaling devices? What if you had a small air horn rather than a whistle?

3) A compass without maps, training, and sense of direction and location is of no use. While of course the goal of carrying a compass is sensible, requiring a compass is like requiring an AM radio. It will give you information but not useful information. I carry one at all times, but I know how to use it, also carry a map, and know where I am.

Thanks again for finding the time to deal with this issue. The club I am a member of does promote safety and trains its members endless by example and expectations to make good decisions. Amendments to the present laws may be in order, but I hope that individuals, national organizations, and clubs that have true expertise can be included in helping frame changes that will, in fact, improve safety.

Al

PS. Please note that I speaking for myself here and not the club I am a member of.

Some questioins for those of us beginning our second season with the club:

(1) When do club paddles switch over from the required dry suit season to the required wet suit season?

(2) Since the water is still going to be quite cold, what clothing advice might you give paddlers who are going out at the beginning of wet suit season? By that I mean, yes I paddled in an inexpensive wet suit at the end of last October but I believe the water will be much colder this spring. Should we have neoprene gloves, head covering, full/thick wet suits, ...?????

(3) Should I buy a new kayak with heated seat and remote starter?

Thanks in advance,

Al

Quite a while ago some of us emailed our representives about "H.2126: An Act Relative to Making Mnadatory Installation of Safety Flags on Kayaks." I just received a very personalized letter from Paul Casey, the State Rep from my district. He or his people had obviously read the copy of the good information I forwarded that had been posted here and saw the logic in it. He wrote that he planned to share it with the appropriate commitee (Public Safety). So, who knows how our reps will vote when it comes down the actual ballot, but at least Mr. Casey has impressed me with taking the time to read and respond in detail to something like this.

Al

Below is an announcement for a Wildnerness First Responder course that I received on the NOLS list server in case anyone has the time and interest.

Al

-----------

<<-Do you enjoy spending time in the outdoors?

-Do you want to learn skills that can build your confidence responding to

medical situations in the backcountry?

-Are you interested in leading trips or working in the backcountry but are

worried you are not yet qualified?

A yes to any of these questions should lead you to consider becoming a

certified Wilderness First Responder at Harvard this spring! It's

a great opportunity to meet cool people (like you) who want to learn

medical skills to use on their next trip or adventure. Read on....

Wilderness First Responder course

Taught by SOLO instructors

Offered March 27 -- April 4

At Harvard University

$500 (what a deal!)

Room and board not included

For more info, go to www.harvardfop.com

or email fop@fas.harvard.edu>>

Dave.

Great idea and count me in. By the way, I think that Sunday is May 2 not May 1.

Al Coons

>For what it's worth, it's best to have a packet of each: the

>rockets to send up a long-floating distress signal, the

>handhelds (like the type state cops used to mark traffic

>accidents) as a beacon for rescue personnel once they have a

>general bead on you.

For us non-leader serious types...is there a general consensus that this would be a sensible set of flares for us? Or, should we carry fewer flares and more beers for the leaders?

Al

Brian.

It only took me 2 minutes to send a copy of your great comment along with a comment of my own to my MA representatives. I hope many others will. I have found in the past that this type of issue will die quickly if those against it contract their representatives with sensible, serious, respectful arguments.

Thanks for dong the hard work.

Al

Update.

All blades are now exposed after continuing to apply hot water and a little bit of leverage. Action is stiff. Moving to WD-40 if the WD-40 has not frozen!

Stay warm.

Al

> I assumed from Al's description that he was talking about a

>lump of rust rather than something with surface rust. This

>method does indeed work and work well given the limitation

>relative to surface rust.

>

Thanks for everyone suggestions. Sorry I wasn't clearer...really didn't expect there was a solution. I have soaked it for a while in hot water and much of the external salt crust has come off. Even got the screwdriver out. That is the tool that is least embedded. However, I can still see more salt crust and the other blades are still stuck - not surprising since they are embedded with little room for water to penetrate when they are closed. There is no rust showing at all.

So, I will continue to soak in hot water. Will report back about this crucial life-saving matter as progress is made.

Note: If I can get 10 responses to a problem with a swiss army knife, I wonder how many I would get when I post a serious problem? If I ever think of seeking professional counseling, maybe I could save big bucks here! Thanks again.

Al

Eddyline Nighthawk

Not a drop inside during the first season - even after a serious 1/2 roll onto the beach.

Al

Last season, while I awaiting the arrival of an appropriate knife to hang on my PFD, I took along a Swiss Army knife for repairs. It did get wet from time to time but I cleaned it as soon as I got home. I just retrieved it from my gear and either I forgot to clean it last time or we had a very salty snow storm recently.

It is now the ultimate safety swiss army knife since nothing open. I assume it is a gonner??? Any cures?

Al

Eddyline Nighthawk

Red/Over White when upright

My wife and I are having a debate. Now that Christmas is over I think I am almost fully equipped for the spring. Thanks to good suggests and help from all of you, my PFD will be loaded with a whistle, knife, radio, sunscreen, lipbalm and I will have a tow belt around my waists (both of them now that the Holiday Season is drawing to a close). We know that I am missing both 1) cup holders and 2) gorp/popcorn containers.

The debate is which is most appropriate as her next present to me.

I feel that dual cup holders lined with appropriate foam so that appropriate liquids are quickly available with either a left hand grab or right hand grap are first priority. I know that we should not skimp and get the cheap holders. Like everything in kayaking, you want the good stuff as soon as you see the faults with the inexpensive gear. I know I need the special $300 attachment system which is compatible for my PFD since it is the only one that keeps the lids from flying off the cups when surfing.

She feels strongly that I can always steal camelbacks from other kayakers in the group (after the appropriate bonking with my $8000 ginsu paddle) so I really need to get the gorp/popcorn containers first. Again, we know that we want the expensive models that both select the right color MMs out of the gorp while using solar power to pop and butter the popcorn. The kayak division of the Mars Company makes one unit that is compatible with my PFD for only $250.

We can only afford one of these right now. As always, your help on deciding which to buy first is appreciated.

Al

Eddyline Knighthawk

This might be something the Outdoors Club at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School would enjoy sponsoring. I teach there and use to run the club. BB&N is on the Charles River in Cambridge opposite the Mt Auburn Hospital (where you cross over from Storrow Drive to get to Fresh Pond Parkway). Would this be a good location? We have a nice room with appropriate AV that holds close to 100. We are on a college schedule so it would have to be during the first two weeks of March. We have free parking.

Al Coons

al_coons at bbns.org

I was thinking back about the past year as I get ready to go to my parents house in PA for the Holidays.

One of the very first things that came to mind was how receptive, helpful, and fun all of you made this new member's initial dunkings into New England kayaking. Thank you all for making everyone feel welcome and safe. Thank you all for sharing your time and energy. Thank you all for being so open in discussing mistakes and confusions, successes and small victories. Thank you all for creating something that is rare in this day and age -- a truly diverse group of people with different talents, interests, backgrounds that can work and play together and have fun.

Al

red/white (the majority of the time)

white/red (after errors)

>Hi Al,

>

>I get hot easily also. I'm assuming that your paddling

>jacket was made of something breathable.

>Liz N.

Liz - thanks for the response. Actually, my paddle jacket is from 1972 and it is not breathable. Obviously (now that I read your response) modern ones are and that would make all the difference!

Anyone interested in a 1972 paddle jacket: wide red, white, and blue vertical strips...finally back in style? Will give it away for the patriotic price of $3000.

Al

I did the fall multiclub paddle with Conyak and had a great time. As we neared the lunch stop I started to get a bit cold. I had been munching on some snacks but was slowly going downhill, even while paddling hard. With land ahead I knew things were fine. However, if we had to paddle another 20 minutes I would have been colder than I think would have been good.

Some caveats before my question:

1) I am an experienced winter climber/camper so I understand all about modern clothing, food, layering, temperature control when it is -10 F and I am out for multiple days.

2) While buying a dry suit is something I will do, my question involves situations where I might not be wearing one.

Conditions and Clothing:

I was wearing a farmer john (that went to just above my knees), paddle boots, polypro long sleeve undershirt, and paddle jacket. Even had a poly hat near the end. I am a big guy and sweat easily. There were strong high winds, some spray.

Question:

Given these conditions, would most people have another fleece layer on their upper body? This is what I would do if I was hiking. Without one, the moisture in the poly underwear layer really does not have air space to wick to. Or am I missing another solution.

Thanks,

Al

beard/chin

Eddyline Nighthawk

red/white

Hi.

When I first joined the club I posted a question about tow belts, but I was too new to really digest the great answers. After a while I bought a Kokatat system which has the rope wrapped around a card. While it made sense at REI, it did not work so well in the water. Deployed without warning and takes too much focus to make sure you undo the loop correctly before you deploy it.

Can anyone point me towards the standard bag type tow belt? Manufacturer? Also, is there one or two online mail order houses that carry really complete selections of kayak gear?

Thanks,

Al

boat/my head <- not a good position

Eddyline Nighthawk

red/white