EEL

Others with better understanding of the CG could explain better, but my understanding is that if they decide to declare your voyage "manifestly unsafe" the consequence can be rather dire. I am reminded of the kayaker heading to Isles of Shoals a few years ago from Portsmouth is ugly weather. CG went out and talked to him about what he was doing, but ultimately let him proceed so it seems they do not play that card lightly. In that case he never returned. There is a NH Supreme Court opinion arising from F&G bringing a lawsuit to recover SAR costs so they do go after folks. NH F&G v. Bacon. In classic NH manner, F&G is self funded from fees and the problem it has centers around most of the SAR operations are caused by folks who are not paying fees as in hikers. The safe hiker card was meant to help, but not sure it ever took off and funding is a real problem. My impression is they only go after people they believe were reckless although the standard is the slippery slope of negligence. Ed Lawson

To get super technical about the exit pupil number, the important issue is how does the calculated exit pupil diameter compare to the viewer's pupil diameter. Since the human pupil will change in diameter under different lighting conditions, it is not true that a small exit pupil will always be dimmer than a large exit pupil. In bright light, the exit pupil only needs to be around 2 to 3MM which matches the user's pupil. In bright light 8X25, 8X42, and 7x50 binoculars will be the same in terms of brightness if of same quality. In dimmer light the user's pupil may expand up to 7 mm and then the larger exit pupil will be important. Which is why 7X50 binoculars are popular when there is a need for night and day use. Of course this is subject to the basic principle that in theory practice and theory are the same, but in practice they are not. Ed Lawson

To put it another way, "The sea often gives a test before it provides a lesson." Ed Lawson

Janet, most likely you have it right. The buoy reports dominant wave period and not average wave period. While the swell has far more energy, perhaps the buoy reacts more to the wind waves so they become the dominant waves. Sometimes NOAA radio will give conditions by providing info on waves (wind driven) and seas (swell). As to wave heights, buoy reports average of highest 1/3 of waves so 4 feet at that buoy if coming on shore suggest things being "sporty" if not some some serious stuff. As I recall something along the lines of about one in a hundred swell waves will be at least 2 to three times higher that average reported by buoy. Ed Lawson

Have not done it, but understand you can park in the lot by the Port Authority. Its not like this time of year parking would be hard in Eastport. Can park overnight at the dock parking lot in Lubec as well. Don't forget to stock up on Raye's Ed Lawson

Well, the Captain really did not follow protocol for making a may-day call to be pedantic about it, but then he was not talking from an armchair in the warm, dry room so some slack is deserved. Know things often don't go according protocol, but still good to know and try to follow. Protocol is: Clearly say, "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY. This is vessel [insert your boat's name]." Repeat this 3 times. Provide a description of your boat, your exact position and/or location (use your GPS coordinates, if available), the nature of the emergency, and the number of people on board. Say "over" to indicate the end of your message. Notice the CG asked to back fill some of that info. Things also go easier and faster when parties use "over" to let the other person know they have stopped talking and will be listening. It is easy to "double" otherwise which means both are transmitting and neither can hear the other. Fast, efficient communication is important because you may have limited time to get important info communicated for any number of reasons. Fast does not mean hurried and definitely not excited. Ed Lawson

Why would he need to hunt down the EPIRB registration number? Ed Lawson

Leon: FWIW, the page linked below is an interesting look at the impact of aging on performance. https://cyclinglevel.com/cycling-times/40k-times I suppose the good news from your chart and this link is that if one trains and maintains fitness you can outperform those many years younger who do not. Ed Lawson

David makes a very important point. It is a trite statement, but if you always know where you are, then you are never lost. Situational awareness should be a priority for many reasons not the least of which is being able to get home. Ed Lawson

Interested Ed Lawson

Jim: A few opinions about GPs based on using them for more than a few years. First, it takes time to learn how to paddle with them and the most common user mistake I see when handing a GP to a EP user is they will try to use it as an odd shaped EP; particularly with how to hold it. A example of this is the recent picture from the past of someone rolling with a GP. Suggest spending at least a couple of hours with a knowledgeable/dedicated GP user to learn and be comfortable with a GP. Then you will have a better basis for selecting a GP that works best for you as they come in an almost bewildering array of shapes. Personally I find a light touch on the paddle and a canted style stroke, which some say has similarities with using a wing paddle, best and that may explain my preferences. Second, shoulder/shoulderless is a personal preference. Personally I like "soft" shouldered ones which allow fairly easy longitudinal movement, but also allows me to keep paddle centered while holding it gently with just the thumb and forefinger. Third, loom cross sections vary. I prefer loom which is an oval or a rectangle with rounded edges. Why? If your hand is in its normal position and then you move your forefinger to the tip of your thumb notice the shape enclosed by your thumb and finger. A loom of that general shape can be held with a relaxed/gentle grip by thumb and forefinger for hours without undue fatigue in my experience. My palms and remainder of fingers essentially rest on the blade as opposed to grasping the paddle. Fourth, I have both wood and carbon fiber GPs and tend to use the wooden ones more as they paddle "soft" which my old shoulders appreciate over the course of a day spent paddling. Especially when I am doing so every day for awhile. When I want to go faster, want more power, or worry about damaging my wooden paddles, then I use a Superior carbon paddle with 3.5" blades. Speaking of different paddles for different purposes, I tend to carry two different style/shaped GPs and use the one that is right for what I am doing or feeling at the time. Horses for courses. Replaceable tips seems a good idea, but have never really trashed a carbon paddle and some sanding took care of the wooden ones. I agree with Kate that a wooden paddle, properly finished, has a much nicer feel in the hand than a carbon paddle. Fifth, if you decide to use a GP with regularity, then I believe having one made or making one is a very good idea. As Kate indicated, when someone like Beale makes a paddle they will inquire what type of paddling it will be used for, and they will take care to be sure the length overall of paddle, the length of the loom and the cross section dimensions and shape of the loom will fit/be suitable for you. In short it will be customized for you and it will feel like an extension of you when using it. Much like a SOF kayak is specifically based on a person's anthropomorphic information. Not saying off the shelf paddles are bad, and I enjoy my Superior paddles; but a paddle built for your specifically is a joy to use. Ed Lawson

Wayne, how do we get in touch with you since Guests cannot be sent a message via the NSPN site? Thanks. Ed

Adam: I believe it is always appropriate to look at the owner's manuals,which are available online from manufacturers' websites when evaluating various radios as they will explain the radio's functionality such as dual watch. Not sure what you mean by removing rechargeable batteries from slide out tray and replacing them with alkaline batteries. The supplied battery pack which attaches to all marine VHF radios I am aware of do not include individual batteries which can be replaced. It is a sealed unit containing Li-Ion cells and needed circuitry. Some radios have as an option a separate tray which can be populated with AA alkaline batteries and then used in place of the standard battery pack. It is important to determine how using the optional tray affects the waterproof rating of the ratio and the level of performance provided by the alkaline battery tray both of which may be in the specs. A spec that is not often seen is the waterproof rating of the radio when the battery pack is not attached, but if it remains unaffected that is a sign of a radio designed for tough use and great reliability. Ed Lawson

That island is well worth the effort it takes to get permission to camp there. Lots on nice options once there and for trip out and back. Two questions: have they rebuilt the General Store and any obvious signs of what happened to the young whale? As always nice trip report. Ed Lawson

Apparently the name Klingon is not a misnomer. My views are dated, but I believe IR's background is serious WW paddlers and that is their frame of reference. In other words, poly boats, large cockpits, powerful, dynamic situations where ease of getting a sprayskirt on/off is not a priority and something that would stay on no matter what is. The "right" size sprayskirt is a subjective judgement and relying on charts is tricky. I would call them to discuss as using the IR size chart may well result in a skirt that would be difficult to put on and release even when well used. FWIW, I found IR to be responsive and helpful when selecting their gear, but that was back in the day when you could easily talk to someone who was a paddler, knew/used the gear, and had a sense of why it was made the way it was. Ed Lawson