alcoons

Joe, Thanks for the great trip. Just as advertised. Some good skill training, everyone pitched in, and sensible route and safety for a busy location. Much appreciated, Al

Thanks Jason. As I changed the bungees I realized the non-bungies are still OK. However, I did notice significant wear on the bow and stern toggle cords - for lift boat (very old boat - serial # 30 on the original Cetus). Guess I would suggest to inspect those cords if you have an old boat. The parts that were visible looked old but OK. However when I slid the cord and exposed the parts hidden in the hole through the hull it became clear that it was time to replace them.

Found West Marine in Woburn had a good selection of bungee deck lines including the 5mm white with red markings that matches the original supplied line. 89 cents/foot.

Thanks for the great information. The past tread that was mentioned was helpful also (https://www.nspn.org/forum/topic/11928-reflective-perimeter-deck-line/?tab=comments#comment-71869)

Anyone have a good source for replacement deck lines for an original Cetus? Right now I am looking for the bungee like lines that cross the boat. If you also have a source for the perimeter deck lines (non-stretch) would love that also. I bought replacements from P&H a few years ago. Great service, but a bit pricey and it took a while to come from across the pond. I assume there is a very high tariff on them now Thanks for any help, Al

Wife responds - got to shave your legs also!

My wife just forwarded this to me. The shoot is in three days so they are probably all set, but perhaps worth giving a try. Double click the image if it is not fully displayed. Email at bottom.

Unfortunately, I am out for tomorrow. Have a great time. Al

Also a maybe depending on weather and not wanting to hold a group back. Perhaps put in at Manchester and explore either direction depending on conditions and group. Right now, Wednesday evening, has a good marine forecast for Saturday: Variable winds less than 5 kt becoming SSE around 6 kt in the afternoon. A slight chance of showers. Seas around 1 ft. Weather report has high around 70 and mostly cloudy. Al

Thanks Peter. Very helpful. Al

Thanks Peter. I am glad it is much as it has been (except when it was abused by non-NSPNers quite a few years ago). However, I did not realize that it was a municipal park. We always parked in the back of the lot. Then we use to carry down and launch near the gazebo of the club. Is that what you are referring to? Al

Thanks. Good info. Got yelled at 5 years ago for something trival, but generally people have been nice there. But then perhaps the world has changed in the last two years.

Could someone update me on considerate use of Tucks Point. Since it may be a sensitive topic, perhaps messaging me may be appropriate. Thanks, Al Cetus Red/White

Hi, Wondering if parking at Pavilion Beach Ipswich, MA is still first come and free? Thanks, Al Cetus Red/White Pavilion Beach Ipswich, MA

Sounds like fun Prudence. I am in! I am better at lobsters rolls than kayak rolls. Al Cetus Original Red/White

Ooooopppppps. At my age, what can I say, Thanks for "catching" this?

Route: Conomo to Fox Creek bridge and back around Choate Island Overview: Imagine perfect everything. It rarely gets better. Blue sky, tide with me both ways, wind helping on the way out. Few but very friendly kids and adults fishing successfully for strippers. Lots of birds. No one moving fast in Fox Creek. In fact, every one was respecting the wonderful setting. Warning: Essex Bay has stranded many as the tide lowers and Fox Creek is difficult to find for many.

If you Google "Broken Group Islands", the first few entries include: kayaker's paradise There are more than 100 islands simply stunning a kayaker's dream destination. Enjoy sea kayak touring, the beauty and the mystery of the 'wild coast' within the protection of a scattered collection of rugged islands. Sunshine Coast - Before the Broken Group Two weeks ago, on our way to the Broken Group, my spouse and I just spent 9 days camping, day-hiking, eating salmon, and doing a bit of paddling up the Sunshine Coast. This is the mainland coast just north of and a short ferry away from Vancouver. This area is spectacular no matter how you do it. There are endless beautiful paddling opportunities along the way. However, the Northern end, around Desolation Sound is A+++++. Rental kayaks and guiding services abound. Ucluelet, Tofino, Broken Group We then crossed over to Vancouver Island (V.I.) at Powell River/Comax and did the wonderful 3 hour drive to Ucluelet, the small fishing town at the southern end of the Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast of V.I. The towns of Tofino and Ucluelet are not the hidden gems they were when we visited 25 years ago. In fact, another paddler drove to Tofino the day before we put-in, gave up trying to find a parking place, and returned to Ucluelet without stopping (ugh)! We joined a group of 9 paddlers and 2 guides for 4 days of paddling in singles and doubles in this native controlled area which is listed on some top 10 world lists for kayaking. You were expected to be comfortable in a kayak, but most paddlers, while having done a great deal of paddling, where not use to the occasional NSPN 2+/3- conditions. Mornings were dead calm. The wind increased each afternoon, but we were protected by the islands most of the time. We paddled slowly, close to 6 hours a day, exploring the marine plants, rocky shores, and watching whales, seals, and so many eagles that they became boring. Wonderful campsites are available on 7 islands. The sand beaches are great as is the respectful approach everyone we met took to this special place. The trip we took with Majestic Ocean Kayaking https://www.oceankayaking.com/our-trips/multi-day-trips (they deserve their impressive rating) was exceptionally well organize and lead, but very mellow. Their equipment is top rate as were their knowledgable guides. One reason I share this posting is my wife, while a national class athlete, does not paddle much. So this is a wonderful kayak camping trip which is accessible to all. In fact, Majestic even rents an island not too far from one put-in (and just outside the formal park) so families with younger children and/or no experience can do a two night paddle. It also could be a much more serious trip depending on where you launch and your goals. This area has been on my list for 25 years and our trip will be remembered for just as many!

Interesting idea, but given that the most serious weakness of this boat, at least for me, is its propensity to weathercock. I either would have to go out in calmer conditions or create a keel out of the remaining fiberglass.

One Blue and Gray One Red. Thanks so much, Al

Live in Winchester, so Cambridge is no problem at all. Actually, would love two hats if they are available. Thanks so much, Al

Sorry if I am missing it, but Is there way to replace my ratty NSPN hat online or ??? Thanks, Al

Wow, took all of 30 seconds and a small tweezers to fish the existing knot out from behind the adjuster. Not even one trip to the hardware store! Never dawned on me that you could shorten it at the adjuster end since I could not see the knot at the end of the line in the shadows of the adjuster. Actually, I guess I never looked carefully. Thanks again, Al

Thanks so much.

Hi, I was one of the lucky ones to get an original Cetus in which the skeg box was sized well enough to work. So after I added the recommended two tiny zip ties to keep the bungees on the plastic wheel all has worked well for years. I was unable to paddle last year so the boat was garaged for a full season. Have padded a few times recently and noticed that the skeg does not fully retract as far as I remember. I remember that it was not sticking out of the hull when fully retracted. Note now it is about out about 1/4 inch. I could be looking for an excuse, but I have always sensed that there is a surprising amount of drag created by just a bit of skeg on this boat. What I have done: Removed the skeg and replaced a broken zip tie mentioned above. Made sure the barrel lock on the end of the bungee was all the way down in the skeg box so the skeg had room to retract fully. Moved the knot on the end of the bungee so the bungee is less tight (since the bungee pulls the skeg down into position for use. What I observe: That if I slide the skeg adjustor all the way forward the skeg does lower below the hull. Of course, the adjustor does not stay in that position since you would not be able to release it. It slides back a bit and the skeg drops as shown. What to do? Logically the only next step I can think of is to shorten the cord from the adjustor to the skeg (this is what retracts the skeg). It is not suppose to stretch but I guess it could. Does not look so easy to shorten. Thanks for any help, Al