chpaton

Hi Adam: It's interesting to view the work of nature, but I'd be remiss to point out that the "new Monomoy" bears some features very similar to the old Monomy I remember summering on the Cape in the 50's and 60's. A quick review of archived nautical charts on the 'net documents my recollection that Monomoy was one island up thru 1977 - by the 1981 edition of the chart Monomy was split in 2. I think the split occurred during the blizzard of '78 (but I could be wrong). If you look back even further you will discover that Monomoy was not even an island as recently as 1933. I couldn't find any charts between the '33 and the mid 60's to pin point the creation of the island, but I'm quessing it was one half dozen or so major storms experienced between the no name hurricane of '38 and the peak hurricane decade from '53 to '63. It's interesting to see the land return to what it once was - I wonder if Monomy will someday reconnect with the mainland?

Thanks Brian - I'll probably try West Marine for the cable & fittings (I think they have a pretty basic crimper for about $25) and Home Depot for the tubing.

I'm retrofitting one of my 'yaks with a rudder and I'm in need of a source (online or local to Boston) for rudder cables, the cable tubing, and cable crimps/swedges. (I obtained an appropriate rudder and uphaul/downhaul assembly rather inexpensively via e-bay.) I recently purchased a new, but older model, Hurricane Aqua Sports Tracer. The newer models come with a skeg installed as the Tracer needs tracking assistance in following/quatering winds and wavers. My options were buy a skeg kit and install it, or install a rudder. As I need to do this myself (my do-it-yourself skills, tools, and workspace are very limited) and can't afford to spend a lot of money, I've opted to install a rudder (mainly because I don't want to cut an 11" long slot in the hull, and the boat came with a Stainless Steel rudder gudgeon installed).

If you are asking this question because you or someone you know is considering a NEW poly 'yak, I advise doing some current research. The chemistry of the polyethylene used by a significant few kayak makers is evolving rapidly. Think lighter, harder, stronger. As far as manufacturers with "good" formulas previously in use, I'd add Current Designs (I'm only personally familiar with the Storm) to the list of those mentioned by other posters.

I used Forward Air about a year ago to have an 18' kevlar 'yak shipped from Denver to Boston. The freight charge was about $100. Forward Air prices are based on the weight assumed for the size of the package being shipped. Created kayaks are generally lighter than the assumed wieght of the package. If I remember correctly I was charged for bout 225# when the package (yak + crate) actually weighed about 80#. There are IMO a couple of keys to using Forward Air successfully: 1. Assume they will beat the crap out of the package 2. Pack accordingly! Composite & thermoformed 'yaks should be WRAPPED & CRATED! a. Remove breakable deck protuberancez (compass, rudder, etc). b. Wrap the 'yak with gauze to protect gelcoat from scratches. c. Wrap with plastic wrap. d. Reinforce bow, stern, immediately above the cockpit, and hull below the cockpit with cardboard. e. Wrap with heavy duty bubble wrap. f. Reinforce bow & stern with more bubble wrap g. Wrap in plastic wrap h. Place in crate ('yak needs to be secured inside the crate so it doesn't shift in transit - at a minimum the crate must be made out of double thick cardboard - more rugged wooden crates are better) i. Put feet on the bottom of the crate so fork lifts can easily slide the forks under the crate j. Plaster the crate with signs "Fragile", "This side up", Top load only" 3. Assume they will ignore the signs and beat the crap out of the package anyway. 4. The reciever MUST uncrate, unwrap, and inspect the boat before accepting delivery - Any damaged must be noted on the frieght bill! For a poly 'yak you could probably get by subsituting another layer of bubble and plastic wrap for the crate. You still need feet on the bottom to prevent possible fork lift impalement. Insure the shipment to cover replacement cost of the 'yak and shipping materials. The boat I had shipped from Denver came thru relatively unscathed (just a couple of hairline gel coat cracks and as it was a used boat they may have existed before shipping), but my heart was in my mouth when I saw the crate - it absorbed a beating along the way, but fortunately did its job successfully. Good Luck!

My first kayak was a tandem. One paddler has to set the pace, the other has to match it. Since the bow paddler can't see the stern paddler, the bow paddler is the "stroke" s/he sets the pace. The stern paddle needs to match it and be content with the pace set by the bow. It doesn't work very well otherwise.

I received the following information via e-mail from Representative Shirley Gomes of the 4th Barnstable District: "Earlier, you contacted my office regarding House 1934, my bill regarding kayak safety. I have been notified that this bill will have its public hearing on Wednesday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m. in Room B-1 in the State House. If a person wished to testify, but cannot attend the Public Hearing, a letter of testimony can be sent, referencing the bill number, to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, State House, Room 146, Boston, MA 02133. The letters should be addressed to the two Chairs: Sen. Jarrett Barrios and Rep. Cheryl A. Rivera." The text of the bill: "Chapter 90B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 5B the following section:— Section 5C. Any person aboard a Kayak shall wear at all times a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device of Type 1, 11, or 111. Kayaks shall also be equipped with a compass and a whistle." I strongly encourage anyone who has an opinon regarding the effectiveness of this bill as currently drafted to submit a letter of testimony to the joint chairs of the Public Saftety and Homeland Security Committee as set out in Representative Gomes' communication. Any with strong opinions are ecouraged to testify in person!

I wouldn't put much faith in the Coast Guard Aux's ability to determin what bills do and don't make it all the way thru the legislative process in Mass. The brief summarized process is: filing, referral to committe, approval by committe, approval by the legislature, engrossment, approval by the governor. Since Mass has a bicameral legislature the process of filing thru committee to approval has to happen in both the house and senate - differences in similar bills have to be worked out by "joint committee" before final approval and referral to the Governor. Gomes' bill didn't make it last year - it got derailed somewhere along the way (hence the suspected re-file this year) You can search the on-line text of Chapt. 90B of the MGL and will not find the Gomes amendment. Likewise an online search of the "Acts of 2004" also comes up empty. She is trying this ill written piece again!

Text for bills being filed for the 2005 session is not available yet on Mass.gov - the Straus bill you reference was from the 2004 session. The House docket for the 2005 session (which is available on Mass.gov) indicates Rep. Straus' intent to file a bill specifically related to "Kayak safety". I have contacted Rep Straus' office and requested a copy of the bill - I will post the text here if and when I get it.

It's probable that Rep. Gomes' bill MAY be a refiling of the one she filed last session at the request of the parents of the two girls who drowned in Chatham. The complete text of last sessions bill is as follows: "AN ACT RELATIVE TO KAYAKS. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: Chapter 90B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 5B the following section:— Section 5C. Any person aboard a Kayak shall wear at all times a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device of Type 1, 11, or 111. Kayaks shall also be equipped with a compass and a whistle." Note well the lack of distinction regarding the different types of kayaks used for different purposes! The bill above DID NOT PASS last year. If this bill or one like it passes everyone will be required to wear a PFD at all time, and carry a compass and whistle regardless of circumstances. You should also know that Chapt 90B applies to all of the waters and waterways within the state, as well as coastal waters. In addition the existing chapt. does not define what the law considers a kayak, a compass, or a whistle. Bottom line - writing a good legislation takes more than good intentions - it requires a critical & logical viewpoint, attention to detail, and a desire to craft cost effective and enforceable law.

It's nice to know that in the time it took me to register on this site you were able to see my message on P-Net at post a link to it here. My job requires me to track certain pieces of legislation, so I will be watching these as well and will post the specifics here and other places if there are items to be concerned about. A point of interest the about the two primary sponsors: Gomes represents a district around Orleans and Straus represent a district around Fairhaven, another sponsor Turkington represents Falmouth. I'm a bit concerned that Gomes's bill in particular may be a reaction to the tragic accident in Chatham last year.