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subaruguru

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    Impex Skeg Repair...HELP!

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Ernie-

    Check and see if perchance the slider bar at the skeg control box has "broken" loose from its mount. It's just held in place with heat gun glue and I had the one on my older currituck get loose enough such that the skeg slider would get trapped in the down position. If that's not the issue, release the skeg slider (hex nut) from the cable and see how pulling the skeg out does. The enclosed sheath is pretty flexible, so it's possible to kink it several inches back from the skeg itself (at least thats what happened to me once).

    Good luck

    Phil

    Hi Guys,

    Impex closed at 4 today, so I got impatient and decided to rip it out...in the rain...while on the roof rack. Oy.

    Once I got the hexed collet off (long reach!) and found no hints I loosened the controller end and pulled the skeg out, seeing a major compound bend right behind said heat-glued mount. Probably happened when I slammed onto a rock with skeg deployed a while back. Decided to grab two pliers and dekink, lube, and finally thread it back together, but of course it wouldn't work until I figured out that the hex cllet acts to pinch the cable sheath into position. Loosening, positioning the sheath, and retightening the collet seems to result in decent function.

    It was suggested that I might as well install a new cable and skeg (they're sold together) is a good idea, but as it rained harder I decided to just persevere and save what I had.

    We'll see....

    Thanks for the tips.

    Ern

    Impex Skeg Repair...HELP!

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Seeking the skeg guru:

    Thought my Force 5's skeg had just picked up a rock, result being its stuck closed position. But nothing in there, and a very hard tug with pliers was required to pull it down. Then it wouldn't push back up past about 1/2-way, despite jiggling the UN-kinked control end.

    So I left stuck 1/2 way down for yesterday's paddle, but even that's too much resistance for easy lean-turning the Forces.

    After a quick Google-check I hear of a variety of geometries and fasteners used back there, making repair not obvious.

    So I got in there with a flashlight and see a fully sealed system with the in/outside cable "hole" secured by a plastic hex nut. But as I jiggle the system externally...both from the controller end or push/pulling the skeg itself, I can't feel ANY movement at either end of the cable.

    Since it's a sealed sheath system (at least until it leaves the hex groomet into the skeg "box", I can't see where there would be a kink possibility (again, the controller end is unkinked, but unable to be budged.

    I suppose there could be a more "open" space near the skeg attachment that can allow a rock "punched" skeg to kink its cable at the skeg end. Is THAT the likely culprit?

    Or is it possible that the relatively sturdy and stiff cable somehow just seizes unkinked somewhere in its run?

    It'd be helpful have a hint so I'll know whether to buy a new cable before I tear it apart, or even drag it to CRCK if it's a three-handed job.

    Thanks a bunch.

    Ern

    Tuck's Point Eastward

    in Trip Reports

    Posted

    Five of us shared a most leisurely paddle up into Gloucester amidst light wind, punctuated by some Blackburn-star sprinting.

    Light rain dappled us upon the return of a fine 12 miler in light chop. Nice to be back on the water after a bit of a hiatus...and to shed some of Ellen's excellent blueberry tart.

    Pics Lisa?

    roof rack

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Aaarrrrgh! What a bummer.

    I suppose you replaced said system with one with locks. Just be sure to lube them before each winter so salty air doesn't freeze 'em up.

    Otherwise if your buggy uses factory longitudinal rails then maybe a bike cable securing the new system to a rail will add deterence.

    I use one once in awhile to "belt" an unused second kayak to the roof...even though I suppose one could eventually slide the yak through with time.

    Happier paddling....

    Solstice Paddle Level 3 - June 25th, 10am

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    As for the day Sat we will have to keep the weather in mind:

    Saturday: Variable winds less than 5 kt becoming ESE 5 to 8 kt in the afternoon. A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Patchy fog before 11am. Seas around 2 ft.

    Darn! Thunderclaps and heavy rain accompanied my buzzing alarm clock at 8AM, so I decided to snore more. Now to convince Ellen that it really IS a beach day so she'll cook up something for the PPPO, but chances seem slim...have fun.

    Ern

    Full Moon Paddle?

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    am waiting just a little for water to warm -- slightly.

    I had already been thinking about these...see you soon!

    Hi Christopher,

    Think it'll happen tomorrow (FM)? I'll be away in July's FM.

    August 13 seems ideal?

    Ern

    Paddle Saturday 5/28/2011

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Launch 11AM leave Little Harbor on the ebb paddle south along Rye beaches and return in the afternoon after high tide. Moderate waves and wind from the south. Based on who RSVPS can do straight ahead paddle or stop for rock play or grab some surf.

    Hey Gene,

    Spent my birthday at the zoo with my 2 yr old grand daughter.

    Hope you had a fine paddle...windy down here!

    Ern

    kayaking tragedy - anglesey 2010

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    The topic of mental shortcuts (heuristics) and how over relying on them can lead to trouble in quick changing environments is very useful indeed. What is also useful is understanding a little about the cultural milieu we humans find ourselves in. You might even call these "manners and mores", a bit old fashioned but still apt. While staying safe depends on disclosure and honesty, recognizing limitations and making corrections, being direct and speaking up even if its a minority opinion or risks perturbing the feelings of others; much of this in group settings takes a back seat and physical risks can thereby elevate. The simple act of being nice and not wishing to disappoint a fellow paddler or friend can often mask better judgment and assessment. Beach briefings can ameliorate these cultural biases but only if we work at it. Post beach briefings are an even better method but can be easily thwarted by the "niceness" syndrome. Perhaps the trip report, warts and all, is one solution but too many see this as an exercise in finger pointing and negativity. We need to be aware of how our need for civility, comity and the respect for others can be a double edged sword.

    Well said, my friend.

    Ern

    Trip Levels interpreted

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Isn't the trip level thread a spring ritual too?

    Yup! And since it's an integral part of the CAM workshop agenda, timely springtime repetition to foster understanding is a good idea, especially for novices (e.g., we picked up another dozen memberships in April).

    Scott C said it best at the workshop when he indicated that rather than analytically parsing the Levels 3 and 4 into subgroups the point is to offer AS MUCH INFORMATION as practicable to inform a trip.

    The result is that more trips will be described as Level 4, with attached raison d'etre: distance, or open exposure, chop above 2', winds above 15kn, etc.

    The point is that more info is better, so that paddlers can safely choose when to advance their skills safely, NOT to prevent paddlers from attending "upscaled" trips.

    So reading the conditions "between the levels" (for lack of better nomenclature, Scott!) for each trip becomes more important when deciding whether to attend the many Level 4 trips we will paddle.

    Paddle this Sunday 5/8/2011

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Default is Tuck's Point 11AM. South enough?

    Hey Gene,

    I'm only 50/50, as since Perrine left for Chicago a couple of weeks ago there's no one left but me to console Ellen on "her" day. I'll feel this one out....

    Ern

    Salem Sound Rescue

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Opinions as spring paddling begins?

    Bob

    I tend to not initiate conversations re clothing, but have less reserve when I see those without PFDs.

    I've been known to say: "It may not be possible for me to rescue you in this cold water before you die from hypothermia if you're not wearing a PFD." That tends to steer the conversation abruptly, for better or worse.

    I have even more fun when meeting tandem couples where only one is PFD'd: where she is adorned but not him..."How are you going to save HIM?" Innocuous enough.

    But where HE is adorned: "Where's your friend's PFD?" is either followed by "in the boat", or more often "she doesn't have one, I can save her", I've retorted: "That's homicide! Isn't it nicer to just take her out to dinner and break up with her over a nice bottle of wine?"

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