jonsprag1

Well as far as the roll goes, I've got to say that the only time I've practiced a roll up here in Maine between January 1 and late March it was really easy to roll up---that solid sheet of ice provided plenty of support and even my head didn't get wet----although I wasn't able to paddle as far as I can in the summer.

I used to say something to people like that but have long sinced stopped doing it----usually not appreciated and I never changed anybody's mind about going paddling and/or getting the right equipment/training. A friend of mine was paddling in the MDI area a couple of years ago and was caught in some 20+knot breezes coming back from Tinker Island---a somewhat open area just west of Mount Desert. Luckily he and his companion had the skill and the equipment to get back to Seal Cove safely---as they were taking out, a couple, male and female, were just putting in with recreational kayaks, no skirts, etc. When my friend warned them about the conditions, the guy said "I'm a Navy Seal and can handle anything!!" His girlfriend just seemed nervous. He doesn't know what happened to them but figures they survived--didn't read about them in the papers.

at that price you won't be seeing me in one

Often times newspapers use the term "experienced" to refer to any one who actually owns a paddle and a kayak---a lady died this fall off Deer Isle Maine while paddling an Old Town Otter---a small rec kayak without floatation or bulkheads---the sales sticker was still on the boat yet the newspaper story covering her death labeled her as "experienced" ----

Sounds like you can't resist a man dressed head to toe in rubber, wearing a skirt and wielding a paddle

Since you like to surf in your kayak---as opposed to expedition type paddling, bird watching, day trips etc.---you better get used to the occasional swim---even the best paddlers out there occasionally swim in heavy surf---as far as the roll goes, keep practicing, but not just the roll---My first white water instructor said something after I did my first roll after a couple of sessions with him---"a roll is fine, but one really good brace is worth 100 rolls"---your experience reminds me of an incident I had this summer off Stonington--I was on the first day of a two day camping trip I had planned with my paddling buddy, Jim. We had already scratched one day of the trip due to bad weather and were starting a day late---I had had a particularly rough week at work and at home and was emotionally down---in fact Jim thought there was something physically wrong with me because of my lacksadasical paddling. The original plan was to camp on Burnt, Wheat or Dolliver Islands near Isle au Haut and do a circumnavigation of Isle au Haut the following day. Due to the dire weather predicted on Sunday, we elected to camp on Russ Island and do a day paddle out to Wheat---this involves a crossing of Merchants Row, between McClatherey's and Wheat---a distance of about 2nm----the water here is basically open ocean to the south/southwest with only a couple of smaller islands between us and Nova Scotia. We had lunch on MeClathery's and started our way across to Wheat---by this time the wind was blowing 23 knots steady and gusting much higher-- waves between 3' and 5'--after an hour of paddling and having gone only about one mile into the wind, I readily agreed with Jim when he suggested that maybe we just return to McClatherey's and then to Russ. After stopping for a much needed rest on McC's, we headed back to Russ by way of Devil's, Hells Half Acre and Camp---the waves and wind weren't so strong inside the above mentioned islands and I wasn't having much of a problem until we rounded Hell's Half Acre and headed towards Russ via Camp Island. As we were passing Hells, a squall type of front blew through(minus the rain) and winds, which had diminished somewhat, increased to between 25 and 30 knots and shifted to the west---directly in the direction we were headed. As I rounded the point of Camp, I had to turn my bow from a northerly direction to a westerly one to return to our campsite on Russ, and for the life of me I couldn't do it. I would forward sweep on the downwind side, start the turn, but when I reversesweeped on the upwind side, my kayak would stall and I couldn't complete the turn---I tried 3 times with the skeg 1/2 way down at first then with the skeg raised--still couldn't do it(later learned that in real heavy winds, the reverse sweep to turn into the wind is not effective, causes the stern to sink and bow to raise and catch the wind--thus stalling the turn--the more effective method is a downwind forward sweep followed by an upwind bow rudder and forward stroke--repeat sequence as neccessary) Finally Jim suggested that he tow my bow around---but my ego got fully in the way and I rejected this idea(apparently my testosterone wasn't completely depleted that afternoon)--eventually I figured out if I went abeam the wind I would eventually get into the lee of Russ and be able to turn the bow into the wind and get back to the campsite--which is what happened. The point is that I felt awful by the time I got back to Russ---not only had I failed to get to my destination that day but had a significant problem getting back to my starting point. I have been sea kayaking for 6 years and guiding as a registered Maine Guide for the last two---these kinds of things weren't supposed to happen to me---but there I was. I suspect if I had been more emotionally up I would have handled it better but maybe not. Any way I did learn something out of it--how to turn into heavy winds and seas(I've been out in lots of rough weather since and have not had any problems). I also learned that the sea can be a very harsh teacher but, if you survive the lesson, an effective one. Just because a paddler reaches a cetain level, doesn't mean that he or she can't have a very bad day---My swagger and confidence level went down for a while after that but eventually I recovered and enjoyed paddling (and guiding) the rest of the summer and fall--and I'm better paddler for the experience.---I suspect that you are too after your time last weekend.

looks a lot like a bow rudder turn to me---I suppose you would call it a type of high brace turn

Now leave Gillian alone---it's obvious that she just has an attraction to crossdressers hmmm must be why she has chosen kayaking as a sport---where else can you wear tight rubber skirts and paddle things?

Ditto on the rabbit and the hole---this whole thread could be "How many techies does it take to learn how to tie a bowline?"

Also if you launch out of the Southwest/Northeast Harbor area you might consider a paddle up Sommes Sound---the entire trip is quite long, about 8 miles one way---howver you can paddle up to Valley Cove on the west side only about 3 miles one way from Northeast Harbor, have a bite to eat and stretch your legs then return---you should try to time this trip so you are not paddling against the strongest part of the tide either way.

Adam Balonsky who often posts here wrote a review of the 16 foot version in the Dec/Nov issue of Wavelength Magazine

ditto with Ed on the Stockton Springs/Cousins Islands error---I'm sure it stems from the fact that there is a Sandy Beach Point in Stockton Springs and another Sandy Beach Point on Cousins Island--the fact is that the two places are about 100 miles apart---some poor lost soul from Massachusettes is someday going to go 100 miles out of their way. BTW there is good paddling in both places.

Although it used to be reserved exclusivly for residents of MDI, I believe the launch site at Pretty Marsh---just across from Bartletts--is now open to the general public---I launched there this summer when I noticed that the signs restricting use had been taken down. I also suspect that this time of year the parking lot would not be heavily used.

I've been paddling for years now---first a canoe, then a whitewater kayak and now a sea kayak---what someone said above is true---when you venture into white water, either on a river or the ocean, just for the fun of getting tossed around and riding the waves, you can expect ultimatly to be dumped and even with a really good roll to take the occasional swim. It happens to everybody so you shouldn't be embarassed about it.---this differs from the tour around the bay or even a multi-day or multi-week camping expedition where the risks are minimized by keeping an eye on the weather and avoiding those areas where there are breaking waves on the ocean and portaging around the rapids on rivers. My advice is to find some more advanced buddies to practice surfing with or perhaps sign up for a commercial course(check the net--they do exist) to break into this part of the sport.----also buy a helmet and have fun

Yes it was me---you looked like you were having a great time---come back next year and I'll go out with you if you give me some advance notice--youre right the water in merchant's row and on the outside of Merchants, Kimballs and Isle au Haut can get quite rough---what islands did you camp on? or did you spend the evenings ashore in a B&B

My experience with the 170 is similar to yours---although I'm a pretty experienced paddler, there has been at least one occasion where I had some difficulty with windage----I was paddling in the Stonington area in July. It was a fairly windy day---15-25 knots with 3-4 foot seas on the open ocean and 2-3 foot seas in amongst the islands but aside from taking a long time when paddling directly into the wind, things were manageable---until we were headed back to our campsite on Russ from Hells Half Acre after being out on Merchants Row for most of the afternoon---trying to paddle from McClathery's to Wheat---turned around about 2/3 of the way there got tired going directly into the 23 knot breeze and making very slow headway. As we were coming around the lee of Camp Island, we were stuck by a front moving through---breezes increased from 20---to between 25 and 30 knots----the route we were taking required us to turn directly into the wind as soon as we left the lee of Camp to head directly to Russ---a distance of less about 1/4 mile. My friend Jim had no problem but for the life of me I couldn't get my 170 to head directly into the wind---the breeze kept catching the bow and stalling any turn to windward----sort of like a sailboat in irons--didn't have any trouble going downwind or even crosswind but couldn't head up---kept doing a forward sweep on my downwind side followed by a reverse sweep and or stern rudder stroke on my upwind side and the turn stalled every time---tried it with the skeg partway down(my normal positon), all the way down and all the way up. I eventually paddled crosswind to the lee of Russ and then was able to turn into the breeze and return to our campsite. Later I determined that the correct paddling technique for turning into a heavy breeze is to put the skeg up then do a forward sweep on the downwind side followed by a bow draw on the upwind side and a forward stroke---repeat the process as often as required---I've since been out in heavy winds and have tried that method---works like a charm. I also suspect that because the T-170 has higher sides (re-more freeboard) than some other models of kayaks, it is more likly to catch the wind in this type of situation. I also learned from reading an article in Sea Kayaker(August edition) that one should avoid using a stern rudder or a reverse sweep in this kind of situation because this increases lateral resistance aft and causes the bow to head down wind---also a reverse sweep held long enough to turn the boat significantly slows it down---more so than the bow rudder followed by a forward stroke on the same side---My problem on the day in question was a combination of boat design and paddler lack of knowledge---now I know enough to overcome the boat's tendencies---at least until the next time.

naw---not heat exhauston I can always pour water over their heads---simply a judgement call----it's kind of like paddlers going out with 25 knot winds and 6 foot seas----see and read about it often, (have done it myself on occasion but wouldn't guide clients in those conditions,) not only on the trip reports on this website but elsewhere----last winter I read a report in an online paddling magazine about a new years day trip off the Coast of Massachusettes---wind 15 knots gusting to 25---I would not be paddling or guiding in those conditions at that time of year, but if someone has the skills and the equipment, I'm not going to comment on their judgement but accept it. When I first started paddling and saw someone out in 50-60 degree weather without a pfd or immersion clothing I would say something to them and at best would get a mind your own business kind of stare---I don't bother with that any more---like someone said in the posts above lots of Outfitters on the coast of Maine take clients out in Sept without wetsuits---- Unlike some if I think the conditions require wetsuits we wear them----I didn't think the conditions required them last weekend

I've owned and paddled a T-170 for the past three seasons---I'm 5'11.5" and 175 lbs---and feel very secure in the boat due to the adjustable thigh braces, back rest and hip pads---fits me like a glove but some people my size feel it is too large for them---you might try the T--165 if you find the 170 too large for you or you might consider adding the plastic shims to the hip pads to make the seat smaller ---would beat the cost of a new boat. ps I do find my RM 170 slower than FG, Kev and particularly my friend Jims kitbuilt fiberglass and mahogany boat(17 feet long and 39 lbs) While it can be aggravating to be holding up the rear all the time there are solutions---like just paddling with other RM boats---also RM does have one advantage---you worry less about scratching it so it is much easier to land and launch the the more expensive kayaks---besides if you want to go fast get a motorboat.

The air temp last Saturday and Sunday was 80 degrees with no winds(at least in the Stonington area) For the three weeks previous, I have been having my clients wear farmer johns(we supply them to our guided customers at no cost.)as have I. Given the warm weather and still winds this weekend, I made the choice optional(also we don't do any long crossings---never more than a five minute paddle from land and it takes me no more than 2 minutes to put two people back into a tandem kayak if they capsize. If the weather had been cooler or windier we would have been in neoprene. Would it have been safer to be in wetsuits despite the 80 dgree air temp and the 55 dgree water temp? Sure but as I'm sure everybody knows, wetsuits aren't the most comfortable attire, particularly in hot weather. In short it was a judgement call---ps we will be wearing wetsuits this weekend (temps in 60s) and we always wear pfds, unless the client can convince me that he can walk on water.

Sounds like you had a good trip despite the weather---Love the scenery around Roque Island and Roque Bluffs----the only downside of paddling in that area is that the owners of Roque Island routinely kick kayakers off the beach there(that's ok I suppose it is their island)---but if you happen to own a large expensive sailboat or a motor yacht they are fine with you taking your dinghy ashore for a picnic---Sounds like class discrimination to me. BTY, the weather this weekend was perfect---sunny temps in high 70s, low 80s winds 0--10 knots out of the south---took my guided clients on longer than usual trips in the Stonington area--they loved it.

Sprague's Rule number one---Never paddle in weather cold enough to freeze your spray skirt to your boat----go skiing or stay inside. Even the Inuit use dogsleds(or snowmobiles now) in the winter.

two other reasons to carry a knife---fighting off all the sharks that will be attacking you and spreading peanut butter on your bagel in the morning.

It is speculation---according to the local paper, the Bangor Daily News, the body was taken to the state medical examiners office in Augusta to determine cause of death. However that said, the waters off Maine are getting colder(around 55 degrees) and at the very least people should be wearing wetsuits now.

NDK are, like VCP boats, high end, high performance sea kayaks---I noticed in your trip reports that you fish from your Tsunami---is that the main reason you paddle? If so you may want to stay with what you have---the shorter wider Tsusnami is easier to actually cast and land fish from then the longer, sleeker, but with less primary(as opposed to secondary) stbility NKD, VCP etc. If on the other hand you want to go further, faster and in rougher seas than the high performance boats are what you want---you can fish out of them too but it is more tricky than fishing from a shorter wider boat. You might take a look at Wilderness Systems Tempest 170. It comes in RM(plastic), FG and Kevelar. The RM MRSP is 1575---the Kevelar is about 3600 the FG is someplace between the two. It is a sea touring type of boat 17' long, 22" wide with a skeg, not a rudder,---more like the british boats mentioned above with perhaps a little more primary stbility but a little less speed----you could pick up the used RMs that guide services use this time of year for substantially less then a new boat---also many shops have season end sales with good deals on the FG and Kev models. The tempest also comes in a 16.5' version, the 165 and a an 18' version, the 180. The NKD and VCP and well as other kayaks might also be picked up at end of season sales with substantial price reductions. Good luck

Never thought of the sex wax----it would probably help--let me know if you try it