alcoons
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Posts posted by alcoons
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You might want to read about or follow Sonya Baumstein's attempt to be the first women to row the Pacific. She set off yesterday from Japan. There have only been 3 successful crossings so far.
Overview: http://news.yahoo.com/us-woman-sets-6-000-mile-pacific-crossing-085542823.html
Her website and tracking: http://expeditionpacific.com
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If you have I am hoping to come.
Al
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Thanks Suz.
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Swapped my 10 year old Accord for a 2015 Subaru Legacy but kept the Thule rack. Unfortunately, after speaking with Thule I found out they will not have a fit kit for the 2015 Legacy for a while (4-6 weeks?). Looking for temporary solutions. Ideas? Here is one:
Thanks for any help,
Al
PS. Watch out for http://www.autoanything.com. They promise delivery of a 2015 Thule Rack by April 1, yet Thule does not even have it yet! Their reviews are full of stories of poor service. Anybody know about this company?
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Maybe this will work?
Sorry. Link will not work.
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Does anyone know if the status of landing on Baker's Island (particularly at the light) has changed since the Essex National Heritage Commission now has ownership of the Light Station site? The Boston Globe article below suggests nothing has changed in terms of kayakers stopping by uninvited, even at the light.
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Considering a 2015 Subaru Legacy. Can anyone provide feedback on racking a 2015 or 2014 legacy? I prefer to place my boat flat. Thule is in the process of making a 2015 rack but has no specs.
Thanks,
Al
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Great. I'm in.
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Hi Pru. Definitely interested but need to get back for evening event in Boston. When do you expect to get back to Odiorne?
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Saturday 7/11-Lanes Cove - Annisquam - Wingaersheek
High Tide 11:45, winds 10-15 midday from the south. Feeling lazy but want to paddle.
Anyone for launching at 10 AM from Lanes Cove (I usually use the boat ramp all the way around to the right against the sea wall). Heading west along the coast, explore some of the Annisquam , go over to Wingaersheek and return or go a bit further. Maybe 10-12 miles but not more? Moderate pace. CAM. We all work together.
Guess it might be 3- depending on the wind and how much of the Annisquam we explore.
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Just heard another high gust report, and hearing no other plans I am NOT paddling and heading out on my bike. Sorry.
Al
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Writing this at 6:20 AM Sunday:
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Marine Weather from 3:42 AM - Not updated yet
BOSTON HARBOR-342 AM EDT SUN JUL 6 2014
TODAY W WINDS 10 TO 15 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 KT. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS.---------
So this looks marginally good. However, TV Channel 5 just a moment ago reported winds around Boston already at 16 MPH with expected guests up to 35 MPH.
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So my conservative conclusion is that I do not expect to paddle the proposed route. I will keep checking this discussion until 8 AM.
Frustrating,
Al
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Hi everyone. Just back from a loosing Red Sox game. Ugh.
7:30 PM Saturday Marine Forecast:
SUN -- SW WINDS 10 TO 15 KT. GUSTS UP TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS.
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So here is where I stand and I really wanted to paddle:
1. We cannot chance 25 kt winds, particularly from the SW which is generally in the direction we would take to return to the put-in while crossing open water for 2 miles (the channel and the trip along Deer Island. There will not be a lee shore to hide behind most likely. Who knows when or if the gusts will develop: noon, later, not at all.
2. Even if we left at 9 AM, we would have to assume a minimum of 4 hours and probably more to paddle 12 miles plus breaks. That would put us returning in the "afternoon".
3. Alternative paddles from the same put-in would have to either: Be shorter and would hardly get us into the Islands or head towards Boston but that is against the tide. Note that 9 AM is mid-tide with the water if flowing out to sea.
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Conclusion:
If nothing changes with the weather forecast and no one can provide a better logic and/or route, I think I have to suggest this paddle is beyond level 3 and should not be undertaken.
I will be online at 6:30 AM and open to suggestions and hopefully a better forecast, but right now I do not expect to paddle the proposed route.
Sorry,
Al
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Bryan and anyone one else who is considering paddling,
I am going out tonight (Saturday) around 5 PM and will not be back or see email until 11 PM or midnight. I will be at the put-in tomorrow as advertised, but make sure you check here in the morning in case conditions change.
Al
781-879-9377 cell (no email)
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Oops: Guess I am a month behind. Meant to post this trip for tomorrow, JULY 6th not June.
Updated Marine Forecast: BOSTON HARBOR-504 AM SAT JUL 5 2014
SUN: W WINDS AROUND 10 KT. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS.
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BOSTON HARBOR MARINE FORECAST: 4:31 PM FRI JUL 4 2014
SUN SW WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS.
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Given the above Boston Harbor Marine Forecast, it appears conditions are great for a trip Sunday. Need a minimum of three paddlers. I post it now to gage interest assuming conditions remain as posted above.
Date: Sunday, June 6th
Time: 10 AM Sharp: Beach Briefing and Launch.
Location: Harbor Islands from Winthrop/Deer Island.
Parking: Note that parking can be tight but usually works out. However, this is a holiday weekend. Please plan accordingly.
Put in: Last parking lot (on left) before Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. See map below.
Tides: High: 6:14 AM, Low: 12:23 PM, High 6:39 PM
Level: 3 CAM. We all work together.
Distance: 12-14, let's we shoot for 12 and see how the group feels.
Possible route: Boston Light is always a fun goal, but landing, while usually permitted, can be denied due to previously scheduled large groups arriving on large boats.http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6358657 . Actually route depends on conditions and group.
"Last Facilities": Very nice restroom at the Public Landing on Shirley Street, 1-2 miles before put-in.
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Major changes in Boston Harbor Marine Forecast. I will post the Sunday Boston Harbor Trip discussed above in a new tread.
BOSTON HARBOR-
431 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2014
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT SATURDAY AFTERNOON
SAT
NW WINDS 10 TO 15 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 KT. WAVES 2 TO
3 FT.
SUN
SW WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS.
SUN NIGHT
SW WINDS AROUND 10 KT. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS. -
Ed,
You make a great point. I think we often deal with two foot swells on some of our paddles (for example, from Gloucester to Manchester and back - usually on the way back) and don't think much of it. Of course the problem is having enough knowledge and experience to know what it will be like out there this weekend.
Al
PS. I don't think you hijacked this thread at all. I think you asked an important question about this proposed trip.
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Marine report looked good for Sunday for Boston Harbor when I looked at it yesterday (Wednesday). However, predicted wave height has increased as of 6:30 AM today (Thursday):
SAT NW WINDS AROUND 10 KT. WAVES AROUND 2 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE MORNING.
SUN W WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES AROUND 2 FT.
Since 2 feet is the limit of level 3 Boston Harbor does not seem to be an appropriate paddle. Of course the report may change depending on the track of Arthur. Will continue to watch the forecast. Other ideas?
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Early Notice - Expect to post a level 3 trip launching from Winthrop near Deer Island to the Harbor Islands for either Saturday or Sunday July 5th or 6th. Level 3. CAM. Distance 12 miles. Tides are right (low at 12:30 or 1:15 PM). Boston Light is always a fun goal, but landing, while usually permitted, can be denied due to previously scheduled large groups arriving on large boats.
Day and route will be determined after the weather report stabilizes later in the week.
Al
Cetus
Red over White/Mostly over.
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Could not have been much better. Mike, Katherine, Janice, Pablo, Judy, Sheri, and Al launched from Pavilion Beach (Ipswich) at 10:15, 2 hours and 45 minutes before high tide.
Following Debs great suggestions and statistics we headed more towards the end of Plum Island than the north end of Cranes due to the significant current (1.7 knots). While we had no trouble, it certainly was an effort to get over the rip line running from the middle of the Parker River to the north end of Cranes. This paddle most likely should not be attempted under similar conditions with weaker paddlers. We probably should have continued on that heading much longer. As we headed a bit more towards Cranes we were pushed back down towards the rip. We ended up fairly close to Cranes beach rather than further offshore.
The current sweeping below the bluff that leads down from the Crane Estate was still very strong and we made very little headway until there was a called for stronger strokes. Everyone responded smartly and within a few minutes we were in pleasant water.
We rounded the south end of Cranes Beach as predicted at noon (5 miles/1 ¾ hours). The group decided to pass by the always crowded, noisy lunch spot and pull over near the dock on Long Island after another mile. Nice choice. ERBA beached a bit later with a large group (15+?). We overheard them talk about poison ivy as they headed for a walk on the island. An earlier request for chocolate went unanswered but grapes and nuts were offered as a replacement. Note to myself: Always bring chocolate. What was I thinking?
Water was still very high as we headed for Fox Creek. Pablo’s GPS made finding the entrance easy although those who have done it before would have found it without the aid. There are now wooden channel markers with appropriate red and green marking all the way up to the bridge. Don’t know if we can depend on them in the future, but they were a nice addition. The Ipswich Police were stationed in their marine patrol boat at the corner where many paddlers head towards the Crane Mansion by mistake. Great to see them watching for speeders and helping with directions.
We were back at our cars at 2:20 (10.3 miles). Thanks everyone for working together and making for such a wonderful day.
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Float Plan:
A couple of members have forwarded their float plan information to me. I am not sure whether NSPN CAMS now require this to be done (I cannot find the CAM description here online?), but it certainly cannot hurt. So, if you want to forward info electronically, send the following to me. If not and we feel we should do this, it can be done before launch by hand:
Name:
Your Phone Number:
Your boat and color:
Emergency contact name and number:
Thanks,
Al
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Wow. Trip is obviously on. See you all at the put-in. Excited to paddle with old and new friends.
Al
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Hi Judy,
Hard to tell, but I would guess between 2 and 3:30. Hope you can join us. Miss you
Al
First full-moon of the season...
in Past Trips
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Sounds great to me. Thanks for thinking of this.