alcoons

Jim, While the WeatherUnderground report for the NH coast looks pretty nice by the time we are to start, their weather map says it is 40 BELOW ZERO in Lawrence, MA right now! All other towns as expected. Guess I may have to crank up the heater for a bit on the way up from Boston! Enjoy the hay. Al

Hi, Could you supply some more information about this opportunity. If there was a description posted earlier I am not finding it. Thanks, Al

Looking forward to it. Someplace new!

I'll be there either with L3 or helping with L1/2 depending on route choices and where help is needed.

Just did Google Maps on Puritan Road, Swampscott. Is it obvious where the launch is as you drive down the road? If not, could we get a bit more specifics. Thanks, Al

Looking forward to it.

Thanks for all the great suggestions and info. Ordered a Strutter since I prefer that design over the Garth. Just have to hope that it fits (free return). Al

Need education about and obtain a helmet ASAP. While there are very specialized whitewater helmets, searching the web does not show what I might categorize as a sea kayaking helmet. That makes sense since use of the helmet is most often in rock play, slips on the shore, and getting hit by a fellow paddler's paddle who has had enough of me. Not much different in white water. So I assume there is no such thing as a specialize sea kayak helmet. I wear glasses and that makes finding any kind of helmet (ski, bike) harder since some pinch in near the ears. This is particular true of some with the click the sizing systems. What about drain holes? Makes sense but on my last paddle I saw many solid helmets. What about coverage area, particular the temples and the ears. There are "side cut" and "full cut" at the NRS (https://www.nrs.com/category/3101/whitewater-kayaking/helmets). I assume safety ratings matter but that is not clear. Most of all, who has any selection? Last night REI Reading had one helmet in stock in a unisex size: NRS Havoc. Did not fit well, fell down over my eyes unless I tightened it too tight, pinched the glasses. Most wearing NRS branded helmets at the last paddle felt they were uncomfortable. REI has other brands online (https://www.rei.com/search?q=kayak+helmet) and of course a great return policy. Wondering about Newberry Canoe and Kayak, Charles River, EMS, LL Bean, Kittery TP. Never heard of Outdoorplay.com but they have a lot of helmets online I will be in Portsmouth paddling this Saturday but do live in Boston. Thanks in advance, Al

Looking forward to it. Al

Here are the photos. Let me know if there are questions. I do have a pad under the stern. A. Stern in line with rack, bow one side of car. B. Lift bow and put on trunk rack. C. Place flat part of hull on rack. Don't let go.

Sorry. Easy to do, hard to describe. Ain't that always the case! Still cannot find the video but I can take a couple of still photos which will make it very clear. Will post them here. Al

Too Big Too Heavy a Boat? Poor paddlers Hullavator. Report on the Sherpak Boat Roller and tricks to save your boat and back. Overall this has been a wonderful solution to my problem. In fact, even though I am now well enough to load my boat without it, I wish I had purchased one years ago. It makes loading and unloading so much easier once you learn the easy tricks to use it safely. Published complaint: The suction cups do not work dependably and require perfectly clean surface: For the first couple of uses these complaints seem true and frustrating. However, they quickly went away with use. Now I don't even clean the trunk top and it works well. It is worth adding a bit of pressure on the cups with one hand as you throw the lever. The only failures I have had is once or twice I find one cup has lost pressure AFTER I am done loading or unloading. However, loading or unloading went well. Perhaps I should clean the dead sea animals off the trunk after all. Published complaint: How to easily drop your boat: As mentioned, don't place the front of your boat (near the bow) on the rollers. That area is not flat enough to keep the boat from rotating on its side and then slipping quickly off the rack. I though I could be careful enough to control the boat as I worked my way back to the stern to push the boat on the rack but don't even try it. Luckily, like a cat, my boat landed squarely on the driveway without damage. Easy Fix: Luckily I came across a video which provided an easy fix and reduced the effort needed overall. Unfortunately I just cannot relocate the video so here are my instructions for loading boat on a rack on driver's side of the roof: Place your boat on the ground with: the stern directly in-line with the roller and rack, but the boat at an angle so the bow is on the ground on the driver's side perhaps in line with the back of the rear door. Then pick up the bow, placing the keel between the narrow bow and broader area under the cockpit on the rollers. Then you can go to the stern with much less danger of the boat falling off the roller. Don't let go of your boat until you have these steps down and practiced. Remove the boat in reverse order. Hope this helps.

Great idea. I think on-water-is-great: However, probably should start with a basic meeting first. I say this because for those that know almost nothing about their radio or who just bought one (even because this workshop might encourage it) trying to pick up basic details in a large group on the water might be hard and therefor frustrating of those just starting and the rest of the group. Topics might include: How/where to mount your radio How to set up your radio for very basic communications and perhaps scans Basic communications (such as the above cheat sheet) Care for the radio Even different suggested radios. I imagine we might even get paddlers that do not have a radio but want to scope this all out off and on the water. One issue that I always worry about is whether my old, but functioning radio can really connect. I have used the Automated Radio Check Service provided by Sea Tow: https://www.seatow.com/tools-and-education/automated-radio-check. I would think we not only need to discuss inter-group use of radios while on a trip but also, build confidence and have a reality check about just how well individual radios work. Three situations pop to mind: If I am paddling alone or have the only radio in a group. If I end up in trouble way off the group (should not happen but everything does). if split groups want to communicate Of course whatever we do we have to be careful with the logistics of many calls on (the wrong?) channel.

Thanks for the suggestion and the kind offer. Ironically, a couple of hours after posting my question, I searched the web using a different combination of key words and the Sherpak showed up. I also found some (old) complaints about its ability to stay attached on anything but a perfectly flat window and its relatively flimsiness for a heavy boat. I ordered one today from REI (more expensive but the return policy makes it worth it in this case). Will let you know about the outcome. David. I have tried the Hullavator before and it is wonderful. My concern would be whether it is safe on the short roof of my car. Thule specs say no, but my rack sure seems bomb proof. I will cross that bridge if the other options do not work out. Al

Before I go full out for a Hullavator, would love some suggestions for assist in loading my Original Cetus over the trunk of a Subaru Legacy to a horizontal Thule roof rack. I have been doing it for years by lifting the 65+ pounds and resting it on the rear window covered with a bath mat and the lip of the trunk . Then I lift the stern, slide the bow through the equivalent of the Thule Dockglide on the rear rack. The rear rack allows the kayak to slide through when you push from the rear. Then I lower the bow on the front rack which does not allow the kayak to slip. This has worked well but recent medical problems (pesky doctors) and aging suggest I should not lift as much. Rather then lifting the entire weight onto the window and trunk are there temporary rollers I can put on the trunk so I can slip the kayak up the back of the car into the position I mentioned? Other suggestions beside a Hullavator (not sure I can use one with my Subaru Legacy bars locations? Specs require the bars to be further apart then fits The Ru's roof. Thanks in advance. Al PS. Anyone have a used Hullavator? I will just add lots of duct tape if it does not fit specs.

Hi Nick, Yes, it does have the logo. Al

Sounds great, I am in depending on conditions. Al

Looks like it will work for me.

Prudence and all, Thanks for great logistics, a wonderful day on the water and on shore. The PPPO at Lobsta Land was classic. FYI, one order of onion rings will serve the entire group! Al

I am still in. Prudence, you should already have my float play from an earlier message. Al

I give up. Last rehab session did more damage than good. I am out. Will stop signing up for events until the last moment. Have a great trip. Al

I'm in. Thanks for organizing. Al

Hi Janet. Thanks for your interest. I am thinking more about time - 3 to 4 hours - not distance or speed, so back by 1 pm at the latest or whatever works. I was also thinking about an alternative to the main channel crossings on a likely busy boating day with a small group. If we arrive at 8:15 at Farragut Rd and William J Day Boulevard, Boston in South Boston: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Farragut+Rd+%26+William+J+Day+Blvd,+Boston,+MA+02127/@42.3022587,-71.0191483,13.69z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e37abdef578e8f:0x282e6cbabd6eab38!8m2!3d42.3329716!4d-71.0249484 we should be able to park, carry over the sand (I have a kayak trolly if needed), launch by 9 or a earlier. We could ride the remaining outgoing tide past Spectacle and Long Islands and continue on. Tide is slack and then heading back in at 10:15 so we should get some help on the way back also. What do you think? Al PS. I have a red Subaru Legacy with a Red over White Cetus on Top. PSS. I sent you my cell number by private message.

Wednesday AM looks great in the Harbor Islands but I am flexible. Would like to get about 3+ hours, 9-11 miles of friendly, CAM oriented, safe, stay together and support each other paddling. Here is one float plan, but really I just want to paddle somewhere Wednesday. When: Wednesday, July 4th. Launch at 9 AM sharp (since we would like to take advantage of the tides). Location: Launch from the beach to the left of the public boat ramp at the Winthrop Boat Ramp, Shirley Street, Winthrop, MA https://www.google.com/maps/place/Winthrop+Boat+Ramp/@42.366489,-70.9732672,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e36fb0ea8b99b1:0x1fd35956f732876c!8m2!3d42.366489!4d-70.9710732. This adds 15 minutes to the trip from the last parking lot before the Deer Island Gate, but there is free parking, minimal easy carry, bathrooms, showers, etc. Parking closer to Deer Island may be a zoo that day. Who: While we are not pushing it, please be a comfortable ocean-kayaker due to possible confusing boat wakes, some waves and wind (although the forecast is benign), and important and long channel crossings with significant traffic. Tides: Low 10:15 AM, High 4:32