wilsoj2

I've been paddling Muscongus Bay some part of every summer for over a decade. Unless there is a strong river flow enhancing it, the tidal current around Bremen is not fast. Your estimates are high if anything. Nearby at Havener Ledge one can find current strong enough to play in. When river current is running against tide there can be fun bumpy seas at the mouth of the Medomak. There is a sizable Harbor Seal colony at lower tide states on the ledges between Cow and Jim's. Muscongus is my favorite paddling spot. Enjoy! -Jim

A number of us have been the recipients of new dry suits when Kokatat determined the Gore-Tex was delaminating. My current suit was such a replacement a number of years ago and my wife just received a new suit because Kokatat determined her suit she had sent in for gaskets was delaminating. It is Gore's lifetime guarantee. I also feel Kokatat is very alert in spotting delamination - neither my wife nor I spotted any issue besides needing gaskets when Kokatat determined we deserved new suits.

I ordered and received one to replace one of the ovals on my Aqunaut which was cracking. It fits fine but seems harder to remove - which is not really an issue as I don't open my ovals at sea ;-) Got mine from the place Brian found: http://shop.sailboatowners.com/google/custom.htm?vp=182931

Ed is so right! There is a very special feel to the Downeast Symposium. Though the location is killingly beautiful, Mel and Mark have established such a snese of community. I've gone each of 5 years, and any year we've convinced someone new to attend the response is always "this is great! Why didn't I come sooner!" I've posted some photos on webshots: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/578579156JVhGeY

There are 5 of us that I know of heading up from the Albany, NY area. This will be the 5th year for Pete, Celia and me AND the Symposium. Last year Mel promised some special celebrations of the 5 year anniversary

Early in my sea kayaking it seemed the aft deck was preferred for stowing paddles. I even recall examining an Explorer at GOMSKS in 2003 and noting the set up for stowing paddles aft (I was told it was Steve Maynard's boat). I emulated that set up. Then a short time later in my BCU training it was advised to stow paddles on the fore deck to leave the aft deck clear for rescues and avoid the chance of a tow line snagging. It initially worked fine for me until I shortened my paddles - stowing my 215 splits on the fore deck in a secure manner which I could retrieve easily, restow if necessary, and not be ripped off the deck by surf or swimmers became more complicated. Paddle Britches... I have a set on my Aquanaut and they work very well. The run between the RDFs forward of the cockpit and behind the fore hatch to the RDFs forward of the hatch is very long. I've tried many methods of securing paddles but have found Paddle Britches to be the best solution. I was skeptical, but John Camody's positive experience and seeing them on some of his boats, convinced me. I've been very pleased with them. I may install a pair each on my Romany and Nordlow.

After rereading the essay, I realized that more stunning than the lack of awareness of skills and preparation needed for safe paddling on the Maine coast in November were Ed's last 2 points 3. The disrespect displayed by the author toward those who likely saved her life indicates, to me, a clueless person on so many levels as to preclude rational discourse about the matter. 4. No better example could be given of why those "from away" are looked upon as they are. Ed Lawson The hubris of not honoring the request made by the rescuer is astounding! The tone of disrespect and/or condescension is sickening.

I think whatever would get to readers of the NY Times the array of lessons that could/should be learned. The author does not seem to have a clue how irresponsible and dangerous their lack of preparation and skills were/are when paddling coastal waters - especially Maine in November. After a decade of paddling without proper skills and prep they are lucky to be alive.

Nordkapp LV is nowhere near as reassuring as a Cetus or Force boat, but can be more fun than either

Mount Desert Island http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Desert_Island http://images.google.com/images?q=Mount%20...l=en&tab=wi

Downeast Symposium is designed as an intimate gig. The coach to paddler ratio is very good and everyone is acessible. It is a beautiful location. Mel and Mark are great people. There is always a contingent from the Albany NY area as well as a lot of NSPN folk. It is also the best time on MDI. Most of the tourists are gone, room rates are lower than in season, and the weather is the best of the year.

"I might want to get into doing some sea paddling." If you can get away the weekend after Labor Day, the Downeast Sea Kayak Symposium in Bar Harbor is a good introduction to some of the best paddling, paddlers, and coaches anywhere.

"I should learn to do a roll, eh? Just not sure why (haven't read that section yet I guess...capsize recovery without panicking/exiting the boat?)" Yes you should learn to roll. The sooner in your paddling you learn this basic skill the easier it will be for you. There are many reasons to learn to roll. The first is safety. A paddler is nearly always safer in a boat than out of a boat. The quickest and safest capsize recovery is a roll. Another is that as you learn other skills such as bracing and sculling, you will master them more easily if capsizing is not an ordeal. Another is that it is the quickest way to cool off when overheated paddling. Another is that it is fun! BTW, there is a very real reason why tandem kayaks are called divorce boats

Atlantic Kayak Tours has a Norrie location which is not that far from you. One of the coaches there (Alan) has built kayaks. It is a great location for instruction, for trying boats, and to find out about paddlers and building boats. There is quite a pod of paddlers in the Albany area. Some of us do both sea and ww kayaking. The Albany ADK chapter paddles can be a good way to meet paddlers. There is some good ww paddling near you and for when we can't get to the coast there is Lake George or Champlain.

You might check with Mel and Mark at Carpe Diem in Bar Harbor for suggestions: (207) 669-2338, info@carpediemkayaking.com There is a lot of great paddling around MDI.

Seconding Ed's note of the Downeast Symposium ( September 11-14, MDI) as a great opportunity for the highest level training and intersection with some of the best paddlers (both as human beings and skilled with boats). Individually, it would be hard to find better than John Carmody (Sea Cliff Kayakers, Boothbay) or Tom Bergh (MIKCo, Peaks Island). Maine waters are now at their warmest of the season - a very good time to learn to roll

I've paddled with John a good bit, but never in severe enough conditions to hear him sing. I do sing to myself when the going gets rough enough for me to start loosing my equanimity.

Quite a bit - as it did when we ordered my Aquanaut and Celia's Explorer LV from him in 2003. For the Romany, I actually started talking with Tom about buying one before he loaned me one. He didn't feel I had spent enough time in a Romany to justify my decision to buy one. Even after paddling the one he loaned me, it took another round of conversations and email. There is no one better from whom to buy a boat. When Tom says "We're not about selling boats" he is being absolutely honest. In my experience and every case I know, Tom wants to be certain that the boat is the right boat for the individual.

"I think everyone should have a Romany at some point in their paddling life. " Like Deb, I resisted the NDK cult for a while...but, after spending over a week on Muscongus Bay in a Romany Tom Bergh loaned me and my convincing Tom that I really wanted to buy a Romany from him I got my own in 2005... I paddle it more than my 3 other sea kayaks combined. And though I have no desire to own an Explorer, I do recommend Explorers to most paddlers who want expedition length boats and are not small people. Especially novices, as it is such a reassuring boat that both takes care of you and supports skills development.

While Rick tends to think 'Explorer' is the answer to all boat questions, I think everyone should have a Romany at some point in their paddling life Seriously, with the boats already in the task force (Nordkapp and Ikumma 17), a Romany of some sort seems the best choice to add variety and serve as a good guest boat. BTW, being livelier is not inherently synonymous with being unpredictable. IMHO, both a TideRace Excite and a Valley Aquanaut are livelier hulls than an Explorer, but are just as predictable in conditions. They are, like the Explorer, boats you don't have to think about when the seas are...

The Aquanaut was/is Valley's answer to the Explorer. Back in 2003 my final two were the Explorer or the Aquanaut. I chose the Aquanaut for its livelier hull and greater glide. Though I recommend an Explorer to more paddlers than any other boat (except a Romany). If you like your Nordkapp you might find the Explorer rather loglike. I greatly enjoy my Romany, Nordkapp LV and my Aquanaut. I tend to feel like yawning when I'm paddling an Explorer

"...when they wanted something more than the AA they, Goodman /Valley took an AA and floated bondo or something from chine to chine to get a rounded shape." And Aled noted that when designing the Romany they (he and Nigel) wanted to harden up the chines of the Pintail they used battens to modify the mold.

According to Aled Williams (who was the designer along with Nigel of the Romany) they started from a Pintail mold and modified from that starting point. That was around 1993. Aled can fill in details <tideraceseakayaks@yahoo.co.uk> Peter Orton has spoken of doing a history of Valley boats and is quite knowledgeable <peter@valleyseakayaks.com>

"Yeah, it sucks... tell your friends ;-)" We just got back from 4 weeks staying in Floods Cove (nee Ames Cove) on Muscongus Bay. Muscongus Bay is what started us paddling. It is fabulous paddling. Besides lobster boats the most common craft are sail boats. There are many launch options and many worthwhile islands. BTW, in addition to the array of wildlife which Suz mentioned are Harbor Porpoises and many Eiders.

Though I've found the Valley toggle keeper system effective in both keeping the toggle easy to grab when necessary and preventing finger entrapment, I'm moving to monkey fists to replace the toggles on my boats. (I hadn't thought of the pedagogical value of the Valley system in teaching folk to not carry boats by the toggle.) Monkey fists are easy to grab, cannot entrap a finger, and are not noisey when banging against the hull. This is not my innovation as Steve Maynard had monkey fists as toggles on his boats some time ago. I planned to learn how to make them and never did. Now, however, I have a friend who makes very nice ones