Bob C

Just to add to Kate's post: I use VideoLan (VLC) to view AVCHD videos on a PC. Bonus: If you have a PS3, it will properly decode and display either AVCHD videos on your TV. It also has a photo mode for displaying jpegs -- it makes for a nice way to review a day's shooting in high definition. Just pop in a thumb drive or thumb-based card reader with the photos. I also use a fast memory card to minimize any latency due to memory transfer speed; the upgrade from an SD card to a SanDisk "Extreme SDHC Class 10" card with 30 MB/s burst speed makes a big difference in how fast the camera can store an image and be ready for the next picture One other useful bit of free software: If you use Picasa 3's export mode, you can watermark your photos so folks won't be able to download and forward them without proper attribution. For example, someone forwarded two pictures of Joe Galloway from this album http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/BCU_Week_...a_2005/IMG_0281 http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/BCU_Week_...a_2005/IMG_0299 to Joe and somehow Joe got the impression that someone named "David" took the pictures. Now I watermark everything I post! Regards, Bob

I'm with Rick, Jon, and Neil -- paddle! I have a 215 Cyprus for general paddling and a Werner big-bladed WW paddle for (duh) WW and surf where you need short bursts of big acceleration or sometimes some leverage in a hurry. There is neither a "magic" boat nor "magic" paddle that will somehow improve one's skills. Some gear may work better for you in some conditions than in others but in the end it's the USER and NOT the gear. Competent instruction instruction doesn't hurt, either.

Who was that masked man?

A little late but in answer to your question: The full-sized Cetus is a long, fast, straight-tracking boat. Its hull is widest just behind the cockpit. When you put it on edge the waterline shortens considerably and it turns on a dime. However, I'm 20-30 lbs on the light side for this boat so the boat rides high and I will get more responsiveness in turning, especially in flat water, than would a larger paddler. I expect to have problems managing the boat in wind and surf because I'm small relative to the large size of the boat. The Cetus LV is a bit shorter, still 17'+ but lower in volume than the original Cetus and a much better fit for my size (5'9", 155 lbs in street clothes). It's narrower than the original Cetus and with no post-cockpit "bulge" doesn't turn as fast as the original Cetus, Avocet, or Pintail, but, then again, it's not designed to, either. (Both the Avocet and Pintail are designed to be highly maneuverable so it's not a fair comparison.) The Cetus LV is also very fast with a straight-tracking hull design due to minimal rocker. The Cetus LV does fulfill its intended mission quite well: It's a fast, expedition boat for smaller paddlers. I paddled it for a day in rocks, a little surf, and maybe 3-ft max swell with a bit of wind. It handles quite well under all conditions. I could easily handle rock gardens though the 17' length made a few turns tighter than they would have been in my 16' Avocet I had no problems in keeping up with bigger paddlers in assorted 17' boats and had to be mindful of not outrunning the group a couple of times. I enjoyed the quick acceleration. It does need a bit of edge for turns as expected but not ridiculously so. I did not get blown around at all. It surfed well and rolled easily, though I'm a firm believer that rolling in a sea kayak or WW boat is 99% paddler and 1% boat. The P&H hatches sealed well and are much easier to open than Valley hatches. This is the first P&H boat that actually fits me. Overall: I would seriously consider buying one. Regards, Bob

I've paddled both the Cetus (on flat water) and the Cetus LV (in conditions, including surf and rocks). They're very different hull designs and a review of the Cetus does not apply to the Cetus LV. Bottom line: Both are delightful boats but it's best that you try the Cetus LV for yourself!

Hi Florrie, As a point of comparison on how much outfitting is enough, here are some examples from the kayak pod that lives in our cellar: The outfitting in both my Avocet and my Tempest (for sale!) is stock. My Inazone has only added hip pads as the photo shows (the seat is "one size fits all" wide. I'm not wide.). My Pintail (bought used) has a stock seat and a little padding above the knees put there by the previous owner, who must have been about my size. I ripped out some additional padding that was on the hull to the outside of the knees. It didn't allow me to relax my legs while paddling. No backrest at present -- the old one rotted and I need to carve a replacement. My wife (Deb M) has a glued-in NDK aftermarket foam seat and a hand-carved backrest in her Romany LV -- basically full-custom outfitting. To mod or not to mod? Start incrementally, try small changes in outfitting, paddle and roll a few times, and see what makes you happy. See how you feel after a few hours in the boat before making a decision. You might end up with just enough padding to keep you from falling out of the boat or a full custom seat and backrest. Regards, Bob

Hi Florrie, Here's a picture of my WW boat showing the outfitting. There's just enough glued-in padding on the hips to keep me from sliding around. You can see how the thigh hooks curve so I can hold myself in the boat while rolling. You don't need this much of a hook in a sea kayak but it shows the concept well. Regards, Bob

Hi Florrie, There seems to be a mistaken belief that really tight in the cockpit and hips in helps a roll. I've taken a Greenland rolling courses where this was necessary for a skin-on-frame kayak but I don't do it in my sea kayaks or whitewater boat. In a sea kayak, you want enough space around your hips to be able to shift your butt and thus your weight left or right as needed for edging while wearing a drysuit or whatever your maximum amount of clothing is. The critical bit of padding is that which allows you to grip the cockpit with your knees and thighs when needed. Some boats have this built in (the Wilderness Systems Tempest with its "white water outfitting", for instance) and others (most British boats, for example) require that you add your own padding. I prefer a loose fit and have enough padding in my boats that I can hold myself in while rolling. I also keep my foot pegs loose enough to relax my legs as needed to keep the circulation going. When padding the cockpit to keep yourself from falling out during a roll, you want to build up enough of a hook on the inside (an extra layer, thickness to suit) so you can grip the cockpit comfortably without being pinned in. (Sorry, I know I should have added a sketch.) The padding will look something like half of the letter "C" facing down, with the downward curve towards the center of the kayak. Good Luck! Bob

Here's the Spirit of Massachusetts under power. She was later joined by the state of Maine training ship (on the left).

Secure your bow and stern lines -- which are required to minimize wind loading on the racks as Suz stated -- to the tow points on the front and rear of the car. The tow points may be screw-in bolts or permanent fixtures -- varies from car to car. Bob

Last time I was there on a weekday for business, the parking lot was full due to a medical practice and a fully-occupied building. I had to check in with the security guard and park in the visitors spaces. A weekend might be better but I don't know if access is open to the public. Bob

It's even more fun to roll a double! You and Emilie should try. Deb and I have rolled a borrowed double. At one of the NH pool sessions last year Billy and I rolled a Necky double on both sides. The stern paddler has to watch the bow paddler to initiate the roll. Other than that it's straightforward. Cheers! Bob

Two of the schooners in port today heading back to dock under full sail. Bob

The link to L3+ pictures worked when I posted it... I think. Here it is again: http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/album99 Bob

"Somewhere at Sea" L3+ paddle pictures are here. Bob

Does the stability come from water speed on the hull or does it come from being able to brace a bit on each stroke? Sit upright to keep your hips loose for balance... keep paddling -- the force on the blades in the water while paddling adds stability. Winged paddles -- great for racing, not-so-great for bracing because of their aerodynamics. If you roll with wings, just make sure that you keep the blade at a climbing angle or it will dive. Cheers, Bob

Hi Jon, Stackers, wide bars, and a step ladder. The stackers and wide bars let you put both craft on edge and hull-to-hull up against the stackers. That's what I do for my car. The step ladder is for loading. The drawback is that the craft may not be stable on edge; I use foam blocks from NESC on the bars to create a stable and padded platform. Cheers, Bob

There seems to be some confusion about where we were surfing so here's a photo and a chart. -- assorted landmarks as seen from our location. -- chart showing our approximate location.

Hi Tom, I got the idea from Jason -- we both print them out 11 x 17 (Tabloid sized on an HP9800 printer) and laminate them (Jason picked up a laminator on eBay) or have them laminated (me) at Staples. The drawback is that you are at the mercy of the chart's scale and may have to print multiple pages to cover a day's paddle. Jason also punches a hole in the charts -- a 1-inch-diameter hole punched first in the chart itself before laminating and a 1-hole ring binder punch after laminating. This creates a seal where the small hole is punched to prevent water ingress. Regards, Bob

I can be talked into teaching rolling (beer is a great persuader) but would like any would-be rollers to learn support and maneuvering strokes plus sculling for support first so you'll trust in your paddle. I've seen most of the videos listed and they're very good. Be wary of the many rolling videos on YouTube; some show good technique, some don't.

Good thread! It was at least 75F when we left home in Gloucester, reluctantly wearing drysuits to be dressed for the 41F water rather than the 75F air. The temperature dropped another 5F at the put in and as we paddled out we crossed a thermocline with another temperature drop, to about 60-65 in the sea breeze, where we remained comfortable. I wore my "lightest" long underwear under the dry suit to have a layer between it and my skin. Remember, you can always cool down but you can't always warm up -- dress for the water!

Hi Rob, I love Salem (OK, the pubs, the restaurants, and especially the Peabody-Essex Museum in Salem) but Beverly to Gloucester is a MUCH easier commute than Salem to Gloucester, especially if you find a place in North Beverly or near Rt 128 or both. Salem is nice but the non-128 part of the commute could end up being a grind -- Rt 1A in the morning isn't fun (I've done the reverse commute to the dentist in Marblehead and the vet in Salem). If you're looking for T access to Boston then West Gloucester is a place to consider -- like Beverly and Salem, it has a commuter rail station (on Rt133) and good parking. You can also get to the same station pretty quickly from Essex, which more-or-less straddles Rt 133, and also has some nice rentals. If you're interested, contact me or Deb and we'll get you plugged into the Essex rental grapevine. And stop by some time -- your commute brings you within a couple of hundred yards of our house. The surf at Nahant was great yesterday... where were you??? Bob (& Deb) PS: The Bahiya awaits you...

Hi Rob, Deb and I live in Gloucester - ask away - you have our email address. Bob & Deb Rory, Fergus, and Tory -- the Airedale wrecking crew

I've paddled another one a bit closer... let's talk this weekend. Maybe an expedition is in the offing when the water gets warmer.

Pictures posted at http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/album93 The first group are of playing in the current at the broken dam; the second set is from Fort Popham where we met up with John's group.