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alcoons

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    Saturday - June 28 - Level 3- Circumnavigate Cranes? Harbor Islands?

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    • Katherine cannot launch before 10 AM. The rest of should be ready to launch at 9:45 so we really can leave at 10.
    • Deb wrote: "Max Flood (1.7K): 11 AM for the entrance to Plum Island Sound and includes the flow into the Parker and Ipswich Rivers. The current can be pushy but if you launch at 10 and aim away from the north end of Cranes and into deeper water you should be more than okay." So we will be dealing with significant current right after launch.
    • Please confirm that you will attend since we should have at least 3 paddlers for this trip to go:

    Level: 3-

    Launch: 10 Sharp

    Route: Route 1: 10.3 miles. See http://www.gmap-pedo....com/?r=6351123 .

    Type: CAM - we all work together

    Contact: My cell: 781-879-9377 (does not have email)

    Saturday - June 28 - Level 3- Circumnavigate Cranes? Harbor Islands?

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Sorry about the confusion I caused. Let's CAM the decision.

    1. Pavillion Beach is in Ipswich. Conomo Point is in Essex. Believe it or not, I have free parking for one car there (a friend).

    2. High Tide is at 1 PM.

    3. Route 1: 10.3 miles. See http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6351123 . Starting at Pavillion Beach, at 10 AM going clockwise. If we covered 9 miles in 3 hours including lunch that would put us right in the middle of Fox creek at slack high tide. That seems ambitious but we would have the incoming tide in Essex Bay. We could be later than 1 PM without problems since it is around slack tide. Would be better to launch at 9 or 9:30 AM but that eliminates Katherine perhaps.

    4. Route 2: 10.8 miles. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6351138 Starting at Clammers' Beach on Conomo Pt at 10 AM going counter-clockwise Parking really is a problem at times. We fight the incoming tide across Essex Bay and through the exit to Ipswich Bay which can be significant at times. 7 miles to the middle of Fox Creek. Could eat lunch near the six mile mark on the old PT Boat Harbor site. Again, would an earlier launch be better?

    Seems like Route 1 makes more sense to me assuming we get the timing right.

    What is wrong with what I wrote above? Suggestions? I have done this route a couple of times, but I am sure someone has it perfectly figured out? Deb? Dave? All comments welcome.

    Al

    New to Sea Kayak Camping Trip to Muscongus Bay

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Hi Jason,

    I am going with Canyon Explorations (www.canyonexplorations.com) since they are, I believe the only company offering the hybrid approach that I mentioned before: small empty rafts, inflatable kayaks, and the option to ride if my shoulders give out. I did get a good recommendation about them from a paddler I met last fall. He had just returned from a trip with them.

    I am in a place with exceptionally slow internet for the next few days, so I cannot look at their web site but I remember they do allow clients to bring kayaks but I think they are only on certain trips.

    I am sure you know that each company has its own tone, history, style, and style of trip so take a look at them all. Of course they sell out way in advance but there is often room for single paddlers given cancellations.

    L2+/3- Explore Ipswich and Essex Bay Coast & End of Crane Beach, Sun. 8/11

    in Trip Reports

    Posted

    Sheri, John, Jim and I launched at 10 AM from Lane's Cove on a perfect day. Full sun, quiet seas, light wind. Jim had joined NSPN the night before and this was his first paddle with us. He brought a beautiful wooden boat that he had made without a kit. Incredible inlays and wood work, efficient design, and even a skeg.

    We paddle direct to the opening of Essex Bay (call this Essex Gut) and, since it was only a few hours after low tide, on to Conomo Point by the left hand marked channel. While I have spent a lot of time in Essex Bay and around Conomo, I have never gone up that side. It is very attractive at lower tide levels with interesting sand bars.

    Headed for the end of Cranes but the wind had picked up significantly and we were nearing max inbound flood. It made more sense in the long run (we thought) to head for the beach at the bitter end of Wingaersheek Rd that forms the east side of Essex Gut. Sheri told me the name of the beach four times, but it is now 24 hours later. Why would I remember it?

    The tip of Cranes was covered with boats, but surprisingly this beach had NONE. Not normal in my experience. The one family on the beach was pleasant, but told us that it had always been private but it is now posted. Since we needed lunch and the exit through Essex Gut was not looking friendly, I asked if they would mind we if had a quick lunch and depart. They were very nice.

    Essex Gut is often funky, but it was a bit surprising how messy the unpredicted strong the winds and max tide made it. This certainly was bigger than the 2+/3- as advertised. One of our members made a great decision to make the short walk along the beach around the funk rather than overdoing it. Another paddler went with him. Two members of the group paddled through and met them.

    Observation: While the conditions were funky and well within my past experience, I have only paddled on the ocean twice this year and did not have a lot of reserve due to muscle problems. After getting through, I realized I could have done two things better. First, I stayed too close to the shore most likely because there were two paddlers on the shore. The other paddler stayed further out after pushing through the worst of the mess. This was a logical and much better decision. Second, I lost focus for a few seconds a couple of times as I made it through something funky and was not as ready as I should have been for the next funk. Lessons relearned. Stay further out and keep thinking all the way through.

    In retrospect, we did note that the wind was increasing significantly and perhaps we should have considered going through the center of the gut, which might have been a bit less difficult. However, given one less experienced paddler, our solution might have been the best.

    We went direct for Lane's with a dying wind and only a bit of chop. Guess the weather gods saved the strong wind for out exit of Essex Bay. So, it was a beautiful day and a good paddle. Smart decisions were made and a new member showed us his great wooden boat and solid skills and strength.

    Thanks to all,

    Al

    L2+/3- Explore Ipswich and Essex Bay Coast & End of Crane Beach, Sun. 8/11

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    L2+/3- Explore Ipswich and Essex Bay Coast & End of Crane Beach, Sun. 8/11

    Date: Sunday, August 11

    Level: 2+/3-, 9-11 miles leisurely, supportive paddle. Not going for distance or speed, rather enjoyment. However, appropriate for ocean kayaks with skegs or rudders, not rec boats.

    Put-in: Lanes Cove, hopefully right side at boat ramp beach besides seawall

    Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6035911 perhaps with further exploration of Essex Bay.

    Tides: Low: 8:32 AM, High: 2:55 PM

    CAM: Everyone needs to have practiced wet exits and be comfortable doing them if the need arises. This is a CAM (Common Adventure Model) trip. I am an initiator/organizer but not the trip leader. We are all potential leaders and all equally responsible for each other. Paddling decisions will be made by the group as a whole. For more information about the Common Adventure Model, go to the NSPN main menu /Our History.

    Changes/Cancellation: Be sure to check this posting for any changes or updates. This trip is weather dependent. If strong winds and/or thunderstorms are forecast, it will be cancelled.

    RSVP: RSVP here to let me know if you are interested.

    Al Coons

    Cetus: red over white, mostly over

    kayak/canoe combo trips ?

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    We went kayak/canoe camping with another couple in the Everglades. We each had singles and they had a traditional canoe. Little wind and pretty flat water.

    We were worried about the same thing you were worried about but what made the difference was the loading. Since the canoe took much of the heavier gear, things were pretty equal in our group. Of course, a great deal has to do with the strength of the paddlers and size of the boats.

    Al

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