skiyak

Location: Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton, MA
Dates: Sunday, August 4, 2013

Kayaks on the Beach Join us for an in-water demo at Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton, MA.

The demo will take place at the beach in the park from 11am to 4pm. The event is FREE and all ages are welcome. We'll have wide selection of kayaks a few small craft available to try out. In addition, noted kayak designer and strip-building expert Nick Schade of Guillemot Kayaks, designer of the new Petrel SG and Petrel Play, will be on hand to answer your questions and autograph his books.

All three were HIGH severity attacks. Three different URL's .

I'm not able to copy the names from the Norton history log.

As it turns out, nothing happened today when signing on.

I don't know is anyone else has experienced this, but the last three time I have logged on to the message board, my anti-virus software has

had to block some kind of web attack.

I have never had this type of situation happen by just going to a know web address.

Gene,

I have a rollerloader that I'm going to post for sale. I used to use it on the back of my minivan for rolling boats

onto the roof. It's in mint condition and can be yours for $30 cash on the nose.

Mike

I've also used the Maptech software for printing my own charts when needed.

I used waterproof inkjet papaer from National Geographic Adventure Paper.

I just slip this under the bungies on the deck of my boat. It works fine.

If any wear out or get damaged, I just print another. Fairly inexpensive solution.

Tom,

I feel your pain, especially the "grip" thing. Since my retirement has been involuntarily accelerated, buying a high dollar, low weight boat is

not practical. I have owned a Surge in the past, 38lbs, but the cockpit and foot space just did not work. Last summer I had to replace my wife's

boat due to her special fit needs. I ended up building a CLC Chesapeake 16. Fully outfitted, this topped out at 44lbs. With better building skills,

it could be a few pounds lighter. I have to say I'm impressed with this boat. I'm planning to get rid of my NDK explorer and built one of the other

CLC models later this year for myself, aiming for a weight of close to 40lbs. It might be worth taking a look at their line of boats.

Mike

I am surprised that you are getting burned while wearing sunscreen. I have had a couple of carcinomas removed from

my face and now I am quite religious about applying sunscreen. I use SPF 45 or greater everywhere that is exposed.

I am very fair but have not had a burn since. Sunscreens do expire, so make sure it is not past the date of expiration.

The water will definitely reflect UV, so apply under your nose and in your ears.

Mike

Chuck,

My insurance company is AMICA. We were able to get coverage based on a $3,200 value for $126 per year.

Mike

Would you mind also posting this at

www.wtpaddlers.org

I'm sure many of this group would like to show their support.

Thanks,

Mike

I hear you on that O.S. moment at Peach Point. That was the first time Helen and I had been in water that lively. Our small group of three was not with the main NSPN group. I don't know if our flat water rescue practice would have helped us if we needed it, not to mention being pushed onto the rocks. Wake up call.

Otherwise we felt confident and enjoyed the experience.

Mike & Helen

Surge Orange/White

Avocet RM yellow

My wife and I bought two last summer, in spite of a few quirks that some people have been whinning about. We both LOVE THEM! The mechanisms do become friendlier with use. The ease of getting the kayaks on and off our Chrysler Minivan gives us no excuse not to kayak. Highly recommended.

Thanks for the clarification and your patience with my ignorance.

Looks like a BCU handbook is on the list.

Thank you Scott.

I completely agree with your comprehensive description of the reasons for this system to exist, training, evaluation, and more training.

There are not many other sports where your skills could save your life and the lives of others.

Thank you Suzanne.

Since I am relatively new to the sport, my goal has been to become a competent and safe paddler, so as not to jeopardize myself or other paddlers. I plan to use the BCU system as a means to have a professional, such as Peter, assess my skill set so that I may paddle within my limits.

It is clear that questions concerning hypothermia and other safety and equipment related issues are important enough to be a rigid requirement. As for the more obscure, since there isn't that many, and as long as I know how to prepare, then I will.

I'm not sure what you mean by club based. It appears that this type of training is offered by more than a few outfitters and is open to anyone.? No one has ever asked me about any club affiliation, nor have I found anyone who requires it.

Thank You.

Having recently taken a BCU 2/3* training with Peter Casson, I have also looked at the BCU test booklet for the various test levels. My

question is this. How much of the assessment is based on the theory questions in the booklet, such as..

Who are famous users of kayaks for hunting?

Why are weirs dangerous?

What is Leptospirosis and what precautions should you take against it?

What is the main difference between a 'dry cag' and a wetsuit?

These are examples of the "I don't have a clue" section, nor have I found a place where the answers can be found.

Can those of you who have been through this clue me in?

Thanks

Got it. Sounds like you post for the maximum level that might be

encountered, whether planned or unplanned.

I have paddled Hingham Harbor and have thought about doing a S&G but I would have called it a level 2, perhaps in error. What would make this particular paddle, in benign conditions, a level 3?

Does anyone know where I can find a properly fitting skirt for a Surge? The cockpit is 18 x 29.5

Preferably a neoprene deck with nylon tunnel.

The boat is not listed on any mfg web sites and I don't know

what stock sizes will fit correctly, i.e. come off easily when necessary. Seals has one but again, I don't know how the fit will be.

Shops I have visited haven't had much of a selection.

I would be interest in BCU training and assessments

preferably on a weekend since I can't make the skills

sessions due to time and location.

Could you give me your impressions of the boat from personal

experience.

Pros vs. Cons

Is it worth the price?

Anything that would be of value in considering this boat.

Thanx

The only other boat with this John Winters design that I've tried

is the QCC line. Two other possbilities so far are the Necky Chatham 17 and the Impex Currituck, both with comparable waterline lengths.

The difference is the latter two have narrower beams.

The Bering Sea demo that I'm considering is $1,500, thus my temptation.

It's among the possibilities for my 2nd boat now that my 1st is gone.

I know that there was a stretch during 03-04 where there was some seam problems. But a far as perfomance??