jonsprag1

Link doesn't work---would like to read article however.

training is good, keeping your head and not panicking is also good but in the end the ocean is stronger than all of us combined. The best training we can have is that which developes the sense of judgement as to whether you go or not---but that also takes strength of character, particularly in a group situation where many want to go. And I'll be the first to admit, its a very fine line between being timid and being smart. If we never challenge ourselves, our sport becomes very dull and we might as well be playing golf. If we continually push ourselves beyond safe limits into life threatening situations we will wish we had taken up golf.

Now I know the reason Maine separated from Massachusettes

hi Ed---went paddling both sat and sun---sat at MDI and then sunday at a local lake with a friend who wanted to practice his rolls in his new dry suit with his new warner paddle---one of the 450 dollar jobs with a crooked shaft---was sunny and still at 9 am---looked like the weather was at least headed to the 60 mark---got to the lake, clouded over, wind picked up to 24 mph---and temp didn't get above 49--still went out, friend rolled once, did fine but decided not to roll a second time---I didn't have a neoprene hat and didn't feel like getting the icecream head/ache---could have borrowed my buddies but was still too cold for me---so I know what you mean about rolling practice in Oct in Maine---still a good thing to practice though so when I got back I placed an order for the hat. Maybe next time. and BTW it's spelled "Ayuh" not "Ayah"--lol

well did your fellow paddlers give you a 10 for your dive on style points? I know some other people who made ocean crossings but never any one who actually dived out of the boat(as opposed to flipping it) Great job--and btw I would always chracterize it as a dive, sounds better than fall

The most elequent part of the interview was at the end when he said next time he would be the chicken who refused to go----I've had the experience that most of us have had when paddling in a group when our own individual sense of judgement was overwhelmed by the groups sense of invunerabilty---it happens frequently in our sport and other outdoor activities. Through a combination of luck, skill and strength we have managed to live through it. When I'm faced with this kind of choice again, I hope I remember this interview.

this is an interview of a man who was with a group of paddlers in BC on a day trip where two of the eight people on the trip died after going into the water in conditions.http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/bv/ondemand/video/FAULKNERkayak.wmv His account is riviting and instructive

trip took about 13 hours or so? like I said in the message board I'm very very impressed. Were you able to strech at all---ie rafting up for stability---I'm assuming that would have been necessary but then maybe that's just my age. In any event I stand in awe PS what happened to make one of you fall out of the boat---was it out at sea or while you were embarking?

well all I can say is "Wow!!!" but don't think I'm about to order one.

Impressive, very very impressive! Just one question though---how did your butts feel when you got out of the boats?

This whole thread is a joke, right? I mean is there really such a thing as an electrically heated wetsuit?? And has anybody out there bought one?

and its about time

yes I get sinus problems in fresh water---but I don't in salt---also get swimmers ear on my right side but not my left---ear and nose plugs help me with both these problems

I friend of mine owns one and let me paddle/peddle it last year. My buddy is not a serious kayaker and just bought a couple for him and his girlfriend for casual use at one of the local lakes---My friend's boat also came with a sailing rig which I didn't try. It was kind of fun to zip back and fourth across the local anchorage without using a paddle but these boats were not designed for rough water or high winds---also absolutly no storage on them, not suitable for expeditions or for day use in conditions---the same folks who would paddle recreational kayaks would be interested in these boats.

If you have time, in addition to the Cranberries and the Porquepines--go the the western side of MDI and put in at Pretty Marsh for a nice paddle around Bartletts----unlike most places in Massachusettes and some on MDI most of the beaches on Bartletts are open to the public-== the only ones that aren't are the ones in front of the housing compound on the eastern side and near the house approaching the southwesten side of the island. The paddle is around 10 miles and given moderate conditions can be done by relatively inexperienced paddlers in an easy half day----a good lunch stop is at the cove on the south end of the island---great beach and you can watch the eagles play. If you are feeling more energetic, you can put in at Seal Cove(not Seal Harbor of Martha Stewart fame) about 2 miles south of Pretty Marsh and do the same paddle, but slightly longer----there was an attempt a few years ago to limit parking at Pretty Marsh to locals only but this is no longer in effect although some of the local guide books haven't been updated of the change back to open parking. Finally if you are feeling really engergetic and want some open ocean paddling put in at Seal Cove and paddle around either Tinker or Pond( or both if you really want a work out. Have fun

I think every town on the coast has a "Driftwood Inn" Where in Maine were you?

Both east and west coves in Greenville on the south end of the lake are usually calm and protected--- there is a maine forest service campground(free) on the south east side of moose island at the entrance to west cove about 3 miles from the public landing in greenville ---also as mentioned elsewhere Lily bay state park or if you don't want to pay, put in at lily bay and stay at one of the campsites (free with outhouses, picnic tables, firerings) on the east side of sugar island--in most wind directions this offers a sheltered lee---also you can do day paddles up to spencer bay and over to kineo from there if you are really looking to stretch your legs--if you want to put in at rockwood directly across from kineo you can stay at farm island campsites or the campground at the north end of kineo(both free)--- Also you can put in at rockwood and paddle south along the west shore around sandbar point and stay at mastermans island camp site(free) finally if you got the the north bay of the lake, try any of the campgrounds at big duck cove or if you are really up for a hump paddle up to seboomook point and stay there(wouldn't bring the kids on this one unless they are better paddlers than you---all of the campsites accept lily bay state park are free but there are no reservations, first come first served--if either visited (duck cove and moose island) the campsites or stayed at them(all the rest) for the night---they are all good---good luck and have fun

Guess you would have to go with steel shot instead of lead---if you like to duck hunt from your boat would be of some value on the water

well regarding trolling if the lead or whatever you were using for balence was securely fastened to the bottom of the cockpit(or whatever) then it would probably be easier to roll---did you try rolling your freind's boat? If so how was it?

My Tempest 170 is more steady--ie better primary and secondary stablity when it is loaded with camping gear---my problem with lee cocking(mentioned in a thread a few months ago) goes away and I generally feel much more stable in a breeze and chop--that said there is a downside--obviously a fully loaded boat is heavier and requires more energy to paddle---I've been working on turning and handling techniques for day trips when the boat is empty. The 170 is lively but with the right technique is controllable going 10--30 degrees off a heavy chop and wind. As far as putting water or lead ballast into an otherwise empty boat, I would think there would be significant problems with weight shifting in the hatches, particularly when rolling, which could prove disasterous---this doesn't happend when the boat is packed tightly with camping gear---no room to shift.

Sorry Roger but youre mistaken as to the ownership of both Little Chebeague and Bangs---for as long as I've been around not only are these islands on the Maine Island Trail and open to its members for use, including overnight camping but they are owned by the State of Maine and administered by the Bureau of Public Lands---what this means is that not only can MITA members go there and camp---ANY member of the public can also whether they belong to MITA or not. Both are more easily reached from Portland or Falmouth landing sites. However you are correct about launching from Portland's East End Beach---the marine traffic there is usually quite heavy and if you are not used to it, could be intimidating. Falmouth has less and Winslow Park in South Freeport less still---it probably is a bit longer from there, but not too much.

Also East End Beach in Portland off Eastern Promanade has a large parking lot. You might also consider Little Chebeague as a camping spot

Ditto

Good idea to have vhf radios--but their reliabilty is not all that good---I have one that works(I test it frequently) but I don't know how many times I've used it and not been able to make contact with the party I'm calling---either the other person doesn't have it on, or is not listening or has it on but turned the volume down---best not to rely on it to keep you out of trouble but have it for a backup.