subaruguru

Hi Leon and Liz, I'll join you on the ramp c. 11AM. Cheers. Ern PS Hope to see Lisa too!

"... Apparently, there are also Nylon/Neoprene combination skirts. Anyone using one, and what your impressions. They are supposed to be the best of both worlds, but that usually just means that they are the worst of both...." I like the combo of a lightweight low torquing-resistance, breathable nylon adjustable tunnel with a snug, reinforced neo skirt, and particularly the Snapdragon Glacier. Big velcro closure, good coaming fit and a crossstrap that conveniently holds a waterbottle in less than really big seas, seems to eliminate any puddling, and can be used to pull off the skirt in a hurry if one's forgotten to keep the loop-handle outside! I like the ease of use and construction more than the Seals or other equivalents, but all other attributes equal, I'd go with what fits your body AND coaming best. I remember reading somewhere that nylon "corded" skirts seal well on plastic coamings, but neo rands are much better sealing over composites.

Found this today: http://community.nrsweb.com/duct-tape/2012/07/21/boaters-and-dehydration/?roi=echo4-19811170910-17005280-94a48ad7ebdbd26835a8f496801ede90&fc_c=4291066x17005280x118013795&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=rtn0712d&utm_term=nl_community_safety_boaters_dehydration Any thoughts on the enclosed "hydration calculator"?

Late interest produced an octet jockeying for parking at Deer Island yesterday in what promised to be the best weather in quite a while. We comfortably launched at 11 off the west (rocky) side, sliding down to the buoys. Surprisingly little traffic allowed an easy channel traversal to Lovell's east coast. Very mild chop and light winds allowed an easy group decision to head east to the Brewsters, where we were treated to the royal tour of Boston Light by a quartet of USCG Auxiliary staff; we scrunched onto their picnic table for a fine lunch under a perfect sun. We circled the Brewsters en masse, then splitting to pods of 3+5 to allow a leisurely return for the trio from Calf as the quintet grabbed the chance to paddle through the invisible Roaring Bulls to The Graves...or what's left of it at high tide. We were able to circle up against the light completely, playing hide and seek in the myriad paths created by the remaining "islets" of rocks. A few seals were sighted, and a perfectly-camouflaged large basking "rock" slid into the drink just a dozen yards ahead. His massive head reappeared a mere 6ft off my bow, where his studied expression of nonchalance during our staring contest led me to believe this was HIS digs, so I backed away as others arrived and he submerged, only to be seen again sliding back up his sunny perch deeper into the rocks.... We returned leisurely along Calf, only to be surprised by a loud beach party on its west side that effectively postponed a needed minibreak. We decided against a landing on Great Brewster, admiring its cliffs rippling magnificently in the low sun. We spread out a bit and slogged back to the tranquility of Lovell, took a needed break, then paddled spiritedly to Deer, managing a careful ferry around only a couple of big-uns in President Roads. A simple chart 'n string track indicates our quintet paddled between 14.5 and 15 mi. It was a fine day for snapping pics, but alas we'll all keep our own images of such a perfect paddle resplendent with impeccable weather, a multitude of scenery, some historical lore, and indeed very fine company. Thanks, mates, and to Al for not canceling! Ern

Great. So we're six. Bob, Bill, your cell numbers? Ern

Diane, Take Winthrop Shore Drive (145) south, squiggling west to Shirley, south to Taft, south to parking lot on left at the very end at entrance to Deer Island. We'll at least unload there if parking is skimpy. We'll put in either on the west or east side depending upon rocks, wind, etc. Carolyn, Your cell? See ya c. 10AM. Ern

Just confirmed with Al: Arrive10AM as there may be parking concerns given it's a Saturday; BIB expected by 11 AM. Tides suggest a clockwise trip for ease. Carolyn, Diane...please confirm. Cheers. Ern

The Hahbah sounds great. I had proposed such a tour months ago for the following Saturday, but forgot to post it. In deference to Carolyn et al maybe 10:30-11AM is better? We can easily add or delete islands as chop, comfort, and fatigue dictate, keeping this around an L2.5, given requisite care during the channel crossings. Does that make four of us?

Hi Al, I'm a probable. Where do you wanna go? If I bring chicken it'll be curried, not clucking.... Ern

The problem with all these directional types is that you have to aim them carefully to get true speed; otherwise the readout will always be lower, and thus frustratingly useless as a continuous real-time tool. I used a hand-held Swiss one with a HORIZONTAL blade that I simply velcroed to the hull to train myself to correlate wind with perception. Seemed to integrate gusts every second or so, so was pretty useful. Unfortunately it wan't terribly waterproof. I'll repost if I can find it. Had several scales, as well real-time wind-chill temps in big LEDs...about $70. ********* Later: Was called the Skywatch METEOS, now at $120. Skywatch ATMOS is the newer version, adding relative humidity and at $179! Although highly functional, I no longer recommended these as they're relatively fragile, not waterproof, and now overpriced. There are other horizontal impeller (directionless) models around claiming to be submersible, but I haven't checked them out. ********* Still later: Newer versions of the Skywatch now have a "V"-shaped case CLAIMED to be waterproof to 6ft. So the new-and-improved Meteos model, at $125, should be most useful to simultaneously and continuously see wind speed, temp, AND calculated wind-chill. I often used its predecessor for winter paddling on the Mystic Lakes. Wonder if the newbie can stand up to salt water?

Although practice answers the ambiguity, newcomers might not understand which way the 75-90 deg is measured: paddle-shaft/forearm (where 75 is "wider"), or elbow/forearm (where 75 is "narrower").

Is this the real deal? http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-kodak-playsport-video-camera-zx5?addxe=ZXJuZXN0X21ldW5pZXJAbXNuLmNvbQ==&utm_medium=email&utm_source=channel_goods-deals&sid=11193413&user=02cb002d704d4e900ba3a703fb8d9256038aabaaf57a090c459226c5114ba6d9&utm_campaign=11193413&s=body&d=gg-kodak-playsport-video-camera-zx5&p=2&c=deal_button&dl=d47388

Great trip! Hope to join you after I turn 60 (Monday!). Ern

Hey Leon, I hesitate to simply question your semantic, or maybe spelling error re: "gild the lily", but now wonder if maybe you were right, as this was before my time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE-kn9pIK88 See ya soon. Ern

Nos 1 and 14 have a surprising mutual-exclusivity link. Ever since we bought the new ultra-efficient glass-lidded Samsung TOP-loader I too, like other previously laundry-avoiding spouses, have been so mesmerized by its programmed dance moves to auto- and re-settle loads, as well its Chubby Checker-esque agitation, that I INSIST on doing these otherwise-dastardly deeds. Some gals online listed it as a real "guy-magnet". But darned if they weren't right! Mimicking its motions is a great core workout too. Just watch out for the amazingly fast spin cycle...non-cotton clothes practically emerge fully dry. Leon: does Claire read this?

Although I didn't enter into a detailed discussion with the folks at CRCK, I found it interesting that they're now buying fixed UN-feathered paddles for their rental use. They offered that it simply eliminates the need to explain or ask novices to develop a "control" hand. Interesting. I'm so locked into a 60 deg feather that I find it difficult to dial back below about 40. Unfeathered feels completely unnatural. Using a bent shaft to protect my small wrists perhaps compounds this intransigence....

Huh. I would've guessed that the "pause"'s contribution was to help conserve linear momentum by getting a bit of a freebie before expending more energy into the system. Leon, I just can't see the pause in Szolt's video. Maybe if watched at reduced speed?

Al, I'll have literature from CRCK and REI (inc possibly a limited quantity of discount coupons) available at the workshop. Ern

Hmmm....

CRCK is offering their full-season rental pass for only $119 through March. Great deal for newbies.

Hey Folks, Well Leon beat me to it...again! I would only add that the seat of the pants conclusion reached by Doug, erroneously attributed to boat mass, in the case of the Cetus, is probably due to what I describe as its "floppy bow" in CK composite. It's VERY percussive when making way in significant chop due to a very light bow. Adding 5-10 lbs up front significantly improves tracking (understeer) and ride quality (less vertical "noise", if you will) in conditions, and even windage. The original (HV-ish) Cetus was admittedly designed to be loaded. Its light-on-its-feet feel, such an asset dynamically, is simply a little too much in conditions unless tamed a bit. My reference comparison is with either my Force 5 or even my Vaag...neither of which require rebalancing or weighting their bows to tame them in conditions. That said, I like the simple $100/-lb price lever comparing layups. Anything less seems to be a bargain; more, too expensive for my wallet. I also don't like solo-loading more than 55 lbs, so FG is out! Best, Ern

White on white? Albina!

Indeed. I commandeered a salvage telephone pole from my street as a kid and asked my Dad to help me re-erect it in the back yard to get my ham antenna up another 20 ft. Still liking the telecoping marine 19-incher idea, but a 75" boon collapsible boom would be MUCH better! Let's build it, Leon!

Hi Ed, (et al?) Yeah, 1/2 WL is out of the question, and as I remember just doable for 2m portable ham, but I was too young to drive back then! Couldn't remember the efficiency diff between 1/4 and 1/2WL monopoles, but a google popped up the following, suggesting best performance of a coil-based monopole of a way too longish 5/8WL: http://www.smeter.net/antennas/bottom-loading.php Another site referred to bent monopoles, like a "meander antenna" that I suppose are more compact, but I'm still intrigued by the possibility of adding a 1/4 WL to our marine VHF to see if transmitting "reach" is dramatically improved. Are our SH and iComm units 1w max or really pushing 5w? That would be damned-quick battery drain.... G'night, and thanks for the trip down memory lane.