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subaruguru

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    Tucks Point Sunday 5/3

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Sun...NE winds 10 to 15 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt in the morning. Seas 2 to 4 ft.

    Mostly sunny; cool 54°F|40°F

    ....Having just returned from our CAM training refresher, we should be reminded that winds above 15 kt and/or waves above 2 ft each push this into Level 4 tolerances, or Level 3+

    in the prevailing idiom. So tow ropes and spare paddles, as well drysuits de riguer.

    The outer layer

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Clearly a dry suit is a better choice if you can afford it, but from the point of view of comfort and convenience.

    Joe, although I'm not a huge fan of the thin neoprene neck of the Kokatat SuperNova drysuit, the fact that Suz has a sample for sale at 1/2 price ($225) would make a recommendation that you TRY it for a year and then see if your needs for a more bulletproof neck seal materialize. If so, you can always resell the SuperNova for $200+ on eBay and get a $500-1000 completely "dry"-suit.

    This is EXACTLY what I did a couple of years ago, finding that beard stubble abraded the neoprene neck easily, and that since I DO enjoy spring/late-fall paddling the purchase of a bullet-proof suit was warranted.

    The fact that the Supernova includes a relief zipper and decent fabric booties makes this a no-brainer compared to a comparably priced drytop. I'm surprised nobody bought this sample yet.

    Tuck's Point to Norman's Woe

    in Trip Reports

    Posted

    Beautiful day in the upper 40s, light winds offered little resistance to our crossing to Kettle, so Tom and I continued to lunch at Norman's Woe.

    A quick stop at Magnolia upon return proved a bit problematic when I just couldn't cleanly relaunch in surf without picking up 3" of water.

    The chop picked up as the wind shifted to SE, bringing in 2' rollers, so it became prudent to pump 'er out.

    The high tide allowed a quick corner into Manchester Harbor, ending a nice 12 mile run. Hope to get out there again soon!

    Oh...and next time I'll have to check the INSIDE of my drysuit for my tethered glasses instead of wasting 1/2 hour AFTER the paddle scouring the parking lot and beach looking for them. Ha!

    THURSDAY 4/7 Paddle

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Tom H and I are heading to Tuck's Point at 11 for a moderate spring paddle, and welcome others.

    Drysuits required. If seas stay calm we'll probably head to the Miseries and maybe Children's Islands.

    RSVP by 9AM with queries or just show up by 11:15 briefing for an 11:30 launch.

    Please park in the lot rear near the trees. This is an L3 trip, but we'll dial it back as required for novices.

    Waterproof camera deal

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Folks- If you're looking for a cheap waterproof camera, I don't think this can be beat. Coupon is good till March 31.

    Phil

    Hey Phil,

    I know a couple of nspn'ers love the Panasonic; they've now the newest FT3 model, orig $300, but mysteriously being sold for $100-120 (http://www.jr.com/panasonic/pe/PAN_DMCFP3S/).

    I haven't used any of the waterproof models, but am attracted to the panny's 28mm wider angle for group shots.

    Paddle this week?

    Ern

    Newbie concern

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Welcome Joe,

    I too am one who easily became nauseated on larger vessels, but never in a kayak. Nonetheless I found the first experience with swell quite unnerving, as my balance wasn't ever tested vertically in flat water. So I used a pair of those accupressure wrist cuffs the first week, but don't really believe they were useful.

    Large swell can still require short acclimation, but one learns quickly to "go with it"; it's probably made even more innocuous by the interactive activity with one's environment that paddling so richly provides.

    Certainly best that you NOT paddle alone (many of us never do), especially until you're sure of your reactions.

    Surf Session / Easy Tune-Up Paddle - Sun Mar 27

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    Cathy,

    I'm a maybe. I'd be up for an easy paddle but am also concerned about dumping in pretty cold water. Surf has to be fairly mild for me this time of year.

    Hi Cathy,

    Distance and early launch on a Sunday probably leaves me out.

    Have fun!

    Gene,

    Tuesday (29th) looks even a bit warmer and winds only at 8 knots. A reprise at Tuck's? Will post later if weather holds.

    Ern

    kayak dolly

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Thus far, PaddleBoy makes the only carts that are quick and easy to mount and stay put. They also offer a variant with air inflated, removable tires.

    Ty

    I can vouch for the Paddleboy; the newer wider version (large?) is wide enough to slide nearly up to the cockpit of 22" yaks, thus reducing the "tongue" weight on your hand/arm to a minimal amount.

    I have a two-year old one with metal axles and cotter pins; the latest version apparently has even easier to use plastic spin-off hubs. I prefer this design to under-mounted carts that require cinching straps.

    The tires work well in sand and over rocks. Spare inner tube is cheap at Home Depot et al.

    Pun for Kayakers

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

    Warren

    Tyson's response might indicate that with this old joke you've pushed us onto the slippery slope wherein loss of control can occur.

    Dammit!

    "Most Buddhists refuse novocaine in dentistry in order to transcend dental medication."

    NSPN POOL SESSION Update

    in Commercial Classifieds and Events Sponsored Externally to NSPN

    Posted

    HAVERHILL HIGH SCHOOL POOL SESSIONS:

    FEBRUARY 5th ... FULL 1 waiting

    FEBRUARY 26th ... 2 spots left

    APRIL 2nd ... 8 Spots left

    Six paddlers showed despite the sleet in Haverhill yesterday, so we had lots of room. Building was surprisingly warm, the water a bit cooler, the locker room nicely, dare I say, air conditioned! Brrrr.

    The pool was unmonitored, so we able to put in early, and all pooped enough to leave early too.

    Ern

    advice

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    "In addition, if you take an intro level class with Charles River, they allow you to come and practice in between sessions using their boats for free. So I think the first class we took was 3 weekly sessions, and we had access to their boats for that time period."

    Welcome, Bob. I'm guessing that most of us have progressed through 2-4 kayaks in the first few years experience. Buying used or blems can be result in relatively painfree evolution.

    I too second CRCK's 3 session 3 week $150 program, allowing you unlimited daily rental of all in their fleet for practice. As well, Bryce, Dave, Mark, Kevin and Dan are all really good at recommending specific kayaks well-tailored to individuals' needs and tastes. As their income is predominantly from group rental programs they're not generally pushing specific makers nor needing to "sell" you.

    Last year I saw a couple of new Force 4 and 5 blems that were great deals, for example, and they have lots of rental boats selling heavily discounted in September, but you'll probably not be able to wait that long, as we're inherently an impatient lot!

    Reel Chaos

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Tell your friend I'm so relieved that he escaped such an experience without what could have been a much worse outcome. It's much safer kayaking here in New England in the winter: the sun is usually hazy if seen at all and most powerboats are snug in drydock wrapped in their plastic blankets for the season. Maybe your friend should take a break and come up here and paddle in safer waters while he recovers from the shock of too much Florida sunshine.

    Or at the very least try to stay fit indoors like my friend did. Noticing his exercise ball was sagging a bit from the holiday pies, he perhaps overinflated it a bit, and when attempting a precarious back stretch, rolled across the room head first into a wall, crashing off onto his elbow and cracking a rib. If only he'd thought to put on his PFD! And maybe a helmet. At least (unlike the aforementioned Seda) he's hoping for a no-cost self-repair!

    To tether or not to tether

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Hey Leon,

    Trust you're having fun in those warmer waters. Pics yet?

    The ONE time I forgot to tether my paddle (NEVER to my wrist!) I capsized and YOU had to go fetch it, remember? And I remember you took your sweet time about it as Bob rescued me as we pushed towards the rocks. I've always wondered if you were letting us have the training exercise or whether my brightly-colored Ikelos really did swim that far away...?

    Happy Holidays to you and Claire.

    Ern

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