leong

Just bought an Icom M72. Very nice VHF, but: All threshold settings of the squelch (1 - 10) suppress audio in the absence of a sufficiently strong signal (a setting of 0 turns off the squelch). Accordingly, I have no way to know whether a weak signal will come through even at the lowest setting. That is, I have no way to optimally choose the squelch level. For a normally designed squelch the usual operation is to adjust the control (i.e. set a squelch threshold) until the receiver noise just shuts off - then any signal above the set threshold will be heard through the speaker. Also, if a weak signal is annoying, the operator can adjust the squelch to open only when stronger signals are received. Can anyone make sense of the Icom M72 squelch system? Perhaps I've overlooked something. My guess is that other Icom models are similar with respect to the squelch adjustment.

Ok, you twisted my arm.

About 10 years ago (in mid-summer) I was paddling back to Lanes Cove from Plum Island when a TS began (I was about midpoint). In order to get low in the water I did exactly what you described (but no gloves ... what are they used for anyway?). My biggest fear besides the lightening was the chance of being run down by a power boat. I spent a lot of time peeking out in all directions to see if any boat was approaching. All worked out but I have no idea whether I reduced or increased my chances of surviving.

Although not mentioned by anyone, what's wrong with a coaming tow line? I bought one last month and used it once (towed a tandem for over a mile). Worked fine for me and I appreciated having the line pull on my boat instead of my waist. I guess there are two possible disadvantages with the coaming system: 1. Time to deploy is probably a little longer than a waist mounted system. 2. The line is low on the deck so there's more chance of interference (although when I towed, the system didn't even interfere with a deployed rudder).

I'm sure a hand roll is much more difficult than rolling with a wing or any kind of paddle. There were two reasons why I mentioned learning the hand roll: 1. I almost dropped the wing when I capsized. 2. I assume that mastering the hand roll would improve my ability to roll with any paddle. BTW, rolling with the wing paddle is fairly easy ... I've done it numerous times since the original post.

Well I’m back from completing the Blackburn Challenge Race this weekend. I bought a new boat (Seda Impulse) for the race, mainly because I wanted a rudder for the race (last year I couldn’t hold course with my rudderless Falcon 18 in heavy chop and cross winds) As planned I started out near the back and began to slowly catch up with the leaders. The first mile was uneventful. Then there was a sudden cracking noise, heard by paddlers on all sides of me. The Smart Track foot peg assembly cracked open. (more on this later). Now I was without rudder control and, more important, I didn’t have a foot peg on the right side to push on. I considered dropping out but decided to continue anyway … it’s a scenic trip. To compensate, I dug my right knee against the combing and pressed my right toes against the little bit of residual plastic left from the broken-off foot peg. A little after leaving the Annisquam River the first group of surf ski’s passed by me. I noticed that Ken Cooper’s form was almost flawless (His stroke reminded me of Greg Barton, who was not in the race this year). I tried to copy Ken’s form, but it was impossible with out the foot peg and my injured arm (Oh, did I forget to mention that after training with Les a few weeks ago I woke up the next day with Golf Elbow Tendentious; more on this later). Somewhere around Folly Point I caught up to some women paddler. She yelled out “Hi Leonâ€, but I didn’t remember ever seeing her before. Then a strange thing happened. She called out “let’s go ashore and have a picnic, this race is much too much workâ€. I slowed down to let her catch up. Naturally I couldn’t believe what I heard. We exchanged some small talk and I told her I would have to pass on the picnic since I didn’t want to place last in the race. So I paddled on as fast as I could with the injured arm and no right foot peg. But she sure was good looking, then again, so are all the other women racers. Somewhere on Sandy Bay I noticed a bunch of surf skis about 200 yards away, off at 10 O’clock. Then another strange event occurred. The lead ski capsized, but the competitors behind him continued on as if nothing happened. I prayed that someone would turn back and rescue him. But it didn’t happened so I had to do it. The guy was in fantastic shape and I think that he could have easily jumped back on and continued. But he continued flailing around so I held onto his surf ski and after a few minutes he got back on and thanked me. I was thinking that it was almost as if he wanted to slow me down, but that’s ridiculous so I purged it from my thoughts. As an aside, you are supposed to yell out your boat number to an anchored check-in boat between Straitsmouth Island and the mainland. This didn’t work out this year: the boat was too far to the left (in fact, I’m not even sure if it was the check-in boat). At around Thatcher Island another strange thing happened. I caught up to Mark Jacobson who was paddling an Epic surf ski. Under normal conditions this would be impossible; Mark is one of the fastest paddlers (won the Blackburn many times) and there is no way I could keep up with him (especially a touring kayak against a racing surf ski). His stroke looked good, however, and he said every thing was fine and that I was just going too fast. I thought it strange but I did slow down for about 10 minutes and paddled at his speed. Later, as I approached dogbar, I caught up to a guy in a Gulfstream. He took off like a bat out of hell and went between the breaking swells and the jetty. I thought it fool hardy but followed him anyway. He was a great paddler (especially considering he was using a much slower boat), but it seemed like he was trying to kill me, but that’s ridiculous so I purged it from my thoughts. The final sprint through Gloucester harbor to the finish line (not the greasy pole this year) was uneventful except I couldn’t keep up with any of the sprinters (I think it was due to the missing foot peg and a lot of pain in my left elbow). All and all I didn’t do that poorly considering the bad arm, the missing footpeg, the unusable rudder, the invitation to picnic, the capsized surf skier and Mark Jacobson’s ploy. My time was almost precisely 3:50, not that far off of my goal of 3:20. Monday morning I went out for a ride on my road racing bike (I just wanted to forget the kayak race). I wear mountain bike shoes with the Frog clipless clips. My right toes started to hurt and I realized this was the after effect of paddling in a race without a right foot peg. Then the whole race and training procedure went through my mind while peddling along the bike trail. Suddenly it all became clear to me. While in the beer line I noticed Dr. Les Beale talking and laughing with none other than: 1. The picnic gal, 2. The surf skier, 3. Mark Jacobson, 4. The fast Gulfstream paddler and 5. Some Blackburn race officials. Obviously, Dr. Les, to get back at me (see previous trip report titled “Counterclockwise Blackburn Circuit, 6/13/08â€) made prior arrangements with individuals 1. – 4. above to set me up. Then you might ask what about 5. The Blackburn officials. It’s a complicated story. This year the Blackburn Challenge officials posted that this year’s race would follow the Sound Rower’s (SR) boat classification system. For kayaks the system relies on the ratio of the water line length to the water line width, call it the Sound River Number (SRN). Thus if the SRN is less than 9.25 the boat is in the Sea Kayak class (SK) If SRN is between 9.25 to 10.99 the boat is in the Fast Sea Kayak class (FSK) Finally if the SRN is greater than 10.99 the boat is in the High Performance Kayak class (HPK) … these are the racing kayaks and surf skis. After I heard about the new SR rules I used them to choose a new boat. I wanted an 18 foot boat that had an SRN close to or at the top of the FSK class. The Seda Impulse was such a boat. The newest Epic 18X has an SRN way over 11, so it fits in the HPK class and therefore I wouldn’t consider buying it for the Blackburn Challenge. Here’s how I think Dr. Les tried to keep me out of the winner circle: Knowing that I wouldn’t buy the Epic 18X (because it’s not in the FSK class), somehow she was able to convince the Blackburn officials to make an exception to the SR rules and place the 18X into the FSK class. The most likely winner of the FSK race would be paddling the Epic 18X. And this actually happened (the 2008 winner was paddling the 18X). There is one other factor. If you read “Counterclockwise Blackburn Circuit, 6/13/08†you will see that I carried Les’ boat to her car after doing it with my boat. I’m not sure, but I think, she swamped the hatches of her Impex while I was dealing with my boat. Her Impex is supposed to weigh less than 50 pounds. I had an awful tough time lifting her boat (it felt like if weigthed over 100 pounds). And that’s probably the cause of my tendenitis. There’s one other matter to discuss. After I came back from the registration and check-in for the Blackburn race I noticed Les peering into my cockpit and holding a hammer. She said that she had picked up the hammer on the ground and was just admiring my foot peg system. I can’t believe it, but is it possible that she made some minor adjustments to my foot pegs? Clearly, Les is a genius … but I forgive her; after all she loaned me a sponge for the race.

Yes, Bill, I agree ... I also practice the standard paddle-float re-entry. But my favorite way to do a R&R is without the paddle. I grab the fully inflated paddle-float and pull my self up. Of course, this method requires that you have at least a hip snap. So here's my sequence when I capsize (it may be different for others): 1. Roll up, but if this fails and you have a roll-aid device then 2, else 3 2. Grab the handle of the roll-aid device and use it to roll up 3. wet exit and either 4, 5 or 6 (in that order for me) 4. Inflate paddle-float, re-enter and use paddle-float to pull yourself up 5. Inflate paddle-float and place on paddle, re-enter and use paddle to roll up 6. Do a standard paddle-float re-entry. In rough conditons no. 6 doesn't work well for me, especially in a tippy boat. I think wet exiting (especially in cold water and rough conditions) should be avoided if possible. So make sure your roll works, but if it doesn't (for whatever reason) then this brings us back full circle. The roll-aid device allows you to do the float aided roll-up without first wet exiting to inflate a float.

After a wet exit I put a partially inflated paddle-float on the paddle and then do a re-entry and roll. Climbing aboard using the paddle/paddle-float as an outrigger is much more difficult than re-entry and rolling.

Oh, I forgot to mention one factor in the original "failed roll" post. There were probably two reasons I failed my combat roll. The first I mentioned already (not enough experience rolling with the wing). The second is that I had my fishing pole mounted in the front of my PFD. Although I've rolled with the fishing pole before (large bluefish occasionally capsize me), it is much more difficult to roll with this obstruction in the way.

There were many good point made in the "failed roll" thread and in this one. However, with all due respect to all: pontification, pontification, pontification... enough already. My Five Cents: 1. I understand risk/reward probably better than most (if not all) of you. I made a living at it (radar signal processing and optimization for missile defense design) and still do while retired (risk/reward analysis for financial derivatives). 2. Please let me make my own risk/reward calculations. I don't think I need help. 3. I've either solo sailed, windsurfed, canoed, rowed, kayaked, bicycle road raced (NEBC Fugi Racing Team), swam (trained for an English Channel swim) since before most of you were born. I've practiced kayaking skills for over 15 years. Give safety lectures to novices that need it, not to me. I've read and talked to the same experts as you have. 4. Perceived risks govern human behavior more than actual risks. The most dangerous thing I do is to ride my racing bike on the roads of MA. The second most dangerous thing I do is drive to the putin for a solo paddle (or drive anywhere). 5. Obviously and generally, it's safer to paddle with a group. Curiously, however, only once did I feel I was in real danger. Paddling with a group off of Singer Island, FL a VHF weather alert warned of thunder storms within 45 minutes. Alone I could have made it back to my car in less than 1/2 hour (way before the lightening started). With the group it took over 1 hour to make it back, with lightening for the last twenty minutes of the trip.

Dear Folks, Let's end this thread now, unless you have additional first hand information regarding the roll-aid device. It's getting way offf base. Thank you Cathy; you provided probably all the information that I need. Also thank you John for the idea about using a GP as a backup. Thank everyone else for your concerns about safety. If you don't want me paddling alone join me Thursday ... it's my last round trip around Cape Ann before Saturday's Blackburn Challenge race. I'm planning to do it in less than 3.5 hours (the complete loop) or 3.25 hours for the Blackburn starting line to the greasy pole.

The answer is in the original post for this thread!

The question is not whether you would not travel solo without the device .... The question is when you are travelling solo would you be safer with the device. I travel solo most of the time. It's rational and logical to take a device aboard that might save your life if your roll fails (say a VHF radio that might fail or the roll-aid under discussion, or a GPS that might fail, etc.). When paddling alone in the cold months I keep a half inflated paddlefloat on the deck to use in case I capsize and fail to roll up with the paddle (rolling using the half inflated paddlefloat is very doable and I do practice with it). The roll-aid device (assuming I can depend on the CO2 inflation) would alleviate the need for the inflated paddlefloat on my deck. I think the only questions for the roll-aid device are how dependable is the CO2 inflation and can you roll up once it is inflated? You can practice to your hearts content with it manually inflated.

Thanks Cathy Does it also alleviate the need to carry a regular paddlefloat? That is, after inflation (manually or with the cartridge) can you use it for a paddlefloat self-rescue (e.g. put it on the paddle blade to either help climb back onto the kayak and/or to help with a re-entry and roll)?

I think you meant Leon

Good Point John, I'll try a stick roll next time I get a chance. You could put these guys out of business ... perhaps most of their business comes from paddlers that can't roll at all.

The maker recommends that you manually inflate the device and practice that way. I'd do one "live" dress rehearsal using the CO2 inflator. "count on in a real pinch?" It's a case of probabilities; you drive carefully, but if you do have an accident you hope the car air bags work as advertised. It takes several seconds for the bag to fully deploy so I don't think it will hurt your shoulder. Also, the maker recommends that you have a reliable roll and other ways to save yourself (e.g. wet exit). The device can be used as a paddle float.

Yesterday while paddling towards Marblehead from Manchester in fairly strong winds (about 20 knots sustained with stronger gusts) I decided to deploy my rudder and turn back. With one hand on my paddle I reached back with the other hand to grab the rudder control line. I suddenly realized I was going over and couldn't move fast enough to perform any brace. After failing three attempts to roll ... I wet exited and did a paddle-float assisted reentry and roll. (I think I failed the roll because I haven't practiced enough with the wing paddle.) Next two items on my to-do list: 1) Master rolling with the wing paddle and 2) Learn the hand roll (Walden Pond, here I come). Also, the following safety device on my deck may be a good idea: Roll-Aid BackUp --It will immediately inflate and hold your hand at the surface with 80 lbs of buoyant force so you can do a 'solo Eskimo rescue'. http://www.roll-aid.com/index.html#top_main Anyone have any knowledge or experience with this product?

Kevin, can't make it either. Higher priority (wife) want's to go to Singing Beach.

No, I really meant little black fleas. They attacked Sid Cohen and me last week when we landed just inside Essex bay. Not as bad as the green heads but still pretty bad.

Count me in, I think. P.S. Watch for the biting black fleas this time of year.

Count me in.

I'm in for Monday Bob. Perhaps Tuesday.

Saturday: Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High near 80F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Leaving from Lanes Cove at 11AM. Any interest?

Putin 11 AM atTuck's Point Manchester. Depending on weather head to Marblehead (or Gloucester) or if it looks like rain, stay around the Misery Islands area. RSVP here and to leon.g at verizon dot net