dsigall

Sounds good John. I'll double check the weather tomorrow. There's a chance of rain late in the day but I think we'll be off the water by then.

If you're not paddling with Alex in RI on Sunday a Cape Ann possibility might be Lanes Cove into Essex Bay with a lap around Choate (formerly Hog) Island. Launch at 9:30 to ride the tide in at the mouth. Roughly 10', high at noon. Lunch and a walk-about on Choate or the back of Crane Neck. Looks to be a 2' swell meeting the ebb current on the way out which could be entertaining. Winds are forecast to be under 10 kts, westerly in the morning and swinging SSE thru the day. Air temp reaching the mid 40's but the water is as cold as it ever gets so dress accordingly (dry suit a must). About 12 miles RT. Interested? Suggestions/variations?

Dana

Covid precautions please

Me too. Looking forward to updates

Dana

11 hours ago, Pintail said:

Oddly enough, DS, I have had the Scott Polar Research Institute book-marked for a long time on my computer; but mainly for the book section in the "shop".  (Back in days when I lived far away, I even sent a dear friend there to look at the paintings of Edward Wilson)  I had never gone into this section of fascinating photos: thanks a ton!

Its really an extraordinary collection isn't it? I especially like the photo of the Inuit fellow napping in his kayak. I suppose it was not uncommon to use your boat as a shelter. What do you suppose the white cloth screens seen on the decks in other photos are for? I thought they might be camouflage to blend with surrounding ice.

I had come across this archive a few years ago and rediscovered it over coffee this morning. The crew appears to have passed their time in Greenland documenting the life of the indigenous population and trying their hand at some of those essential skills. There are great images of kayak construction, hunting, dwellings and the intrepid explorers developing their paddling skills. I've posted a couple of examples (we all know what's about to happen in the 2nd photo). Enjoy.

https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/picturelibrary/catalogue/baare/gallery/

btw- you can order prints too!

I'll be there with new warm stuff (assuming UPS makes its appointed rounds).

Yeah, really thought I would be the only swimmer that morning. I was very impressed with their lunatic enthusiasm. Some fellow wanted a photo and the man wouldn't oblige- said he doesn't do it for attention. Tori, his friend volunteered to swim for the photo but only if the article would mention the health benefits of cold immersion. I wouldn't be able to tell if I were freezing or on fire in that water with just a speedo.

Yesterday morning I tested my new drysuit & layers by spending 10-15 minutes swimming at Pavillion beach. It only took a half a minute to determine my gloves are totally useless in current air & water temps. Thanks for starting this thread Prudence! After reading all the replies I'll order a pair of Glacier Gloves. What version do you folks like? Perfect Curve appears to be the obvious choice but...?

This is really well done...

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/07/arts/design/hokusai-fuji.html

There is an interesting recreation project of Hokusai's original by wood block carver David Bull in Tokyo. Lots of close inspection of existing prints and a deep dive into the carving and printing technique– if you like to nerd out on that sort of thing.

Would love to join but I'm waiting (not so patiently) for Kokatat to deliver my new dry suit. Hope you have a great day, today too.

Thurs looks good for me

Dana

2 hours ago, Peter Kinch said:

Dana - That was me and My friend Paul that you ran into in Lane's.  Great to meet you and Doug.  Paul njoyed trying out the Paddle too.  Was a very nice day.  Keep me in mind if you are headed out again. 

 

"Keep me in mind if you are headed out again."

Thanks Peter. I'll do that. What are the current restrictions for launching in Manchester harbor? Is it open to discreet non-residents?

46 minutes ago, prudenceb said:

Glad you had a nice day.  Keep me in mind next time!

will do

After watching the forecast early in the week it was looking like Thurs afternoon would be a good bet. Winds were SW 10-15 kts in the morning but predicted to ease in the afternoon. Doug Cooke & I paddled out of Lane's Cove about 11:30, just before high tide, with the idea of finding some surfable swell. We turned into the wind towards the Annisquam & Coffins beach. Apart from wind chop there didn't seem like much going on but as crossed the channel we could see breaking waves at the east end of Coffins. The wind began to ease right on queue and we found regular sets of 2' rollers with the occasional set of 3'. We spent a couple of hrs in late summer sun surfing, swimming & practicing bracing. In a tender moment Doug confessed love for his new carbon fiber Greenland paddle. Our return was relaxed with the nearly non-existent wind at our backs and a slight push from the ebb. We converged at the cove with another NSPNer and his friend whose names I promptly forgot. (Note to self: build memory palace, eat more fish oil pills, try to stay young). My GPS track looks like a ball of twine after the cat got to it. Nice day. Sorry you couldn't make it Prudence.

Dana

Doug & Prudence, I was thinking about getting out on Thurs...

Dana

On 9/7/2020 at 8:42 PM, Doug Cooke said:

Hey Dana,

I have had a fantastic history with Kokatat for 22 years. As stated by others I got a warrantee replacement after my suite failed in its 19th year! Brand new suit, had a wrist gasket blow out last February (in the middle of COVID) I got a replacement gasket overnight, Newbury Kayak repaired it overnight and I was out paddling on Saturday! You just can't beat the quality and service. Footnote, I sent the suit in for pressure testing and they called me to tell me it was a warrantee replacement and to pick a suite out! 

Doug! Nice to find you here. Welcome to NSPN. Lots of great people here of every level of ability and experience. See you on the water- if not before.

Dana

On 9/7/2020 at 3:12 PM, Pintail said:

What about this, Dana?  https://www.nspn.org/forum/topic/12597-kokatat-men’s-goretex-semi-drysuit-red-590/

(Looking forwards to seeing you out on the briny again, one of these days...not that I seem to get out with club members at all nowadays!)

Hi Christopher, nice to hear from you. Hope we do cross paths out on the water. If you think of it let me know when your planning to paddle. I'm halfway back to work and have some flexibility.

Well, there's no debate here. Kokatat it is. Thanks for all of your first hand advice.

(first I'll have to put the old Palm on and get in the water with gaskets in the air– hope it leaks so I don't have to make the decision) (hmm, maybe I can drown my old phone at the same time...)

18 hours ago, prudenceb said:

Kokotat Meridien.  

Direct, succinct & unequivocal. Thanks Prudence

This topic probably gets hashed out regularly but I haven't found a thread on the boards so...

Just pulled out my old Palm Sidewinder Torrent to 303 the gaskets and found 2 of them split, zipper looks a bit worse for wear too. The fabric appears to be in good shape though my shape has expanded a bit since I bought it.

I'm debating whether to send to Palm for repairs or maybe spring for a new one. I'm getting back into paddling after 2-3 years away and I'd like keep at it through the winter. At the time Kokatat was the preferred make but I didn't have the $. I've looked on the web at NRS, Stoquist, Kokatat and Level Six. If you were buying a dry suit (again) what/how would you choose? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Dana

Listing this boat on behalf of a friend who is selling for health reasons. Please PM me if interested and I'll pass along his contact info.

 Echo Islander Ocean Rowing Shell, 3 yrs old, in perfect (mint) condition, with red on white hull. It has been used only on a NH lake and carefully stored each winter under a cottage.  It comes with Omni Kevlar oars, custom deck lacing, compass, rear-view mirror and rolling caddy. These boats are ready to row in a jiffy with no tools required to open the rigging.  They are intended for ocean use with large, sealed compartments, fore and aft, very well built and are incredibly stable and fast!

$4,500 or best reasonable offer

https://www.echorowing.com/echo-islander-product-info-page

Just booked parking.

Wasn’t sure I’d have a car to put under my kayak tomorrow but that’s sorted out. I’d like to jump in if the roster isn’t too full already. Please let me know.