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This may only be of interest to soloists and couples, but recently there have been articles in Maine which indicates kayak-camping trips and day paddles are possible as I originally thought. Basically, the 14 day self quarantine requirement means you cannot go to stores, etc. until you have self-quarantined for14 days, but you can engage in outdoor activities so long as you maintain necessary distances, etc. In other words self-quarantine is not as restrictive as self-isolation which means you stay in one place and do not go outside. Also, you do not need to stay for 14 days, but you must follow the quarantine rules while in Maine. As part of the self-quarantine requirements, you must be completely self sufficient during the quarantine period. I interpret this to mean if you can launch without being closely involved with a resident as in going into a commercial business or private residence to pay a launch/parking fee, you stay away from others during the trip, you are totally self sufficient during the trip, and you travel directly to start and from end points of trip to your normal out of Maine residence; then you are complying with the Maine quarantine requirements as I have seen them explained. You may well be questioned about what you are doing because my interpretation of the Maine quarantine requirements is most likely not be as they are generally understood to be, but I believe it to be consistent with the guidance given by the state officials. Ed Lawson

I guess it is now time for that coastal trip starting on the NH/Maine border. Except the first leg would be pretty long. Ed Lawson

The owner of OQ sent out a letter today. Bottom line, which confirms Phil's post, is that OQ is closed and gone. Bill said he tried to save it for access at least by approaching organizations active in preserving coastal areas and access, but nobody had the resources to buy the land. Sad. Ed Lawson

I may have spoken too soon. I was assuming the 14 day quarantine would not apply to day trips or off shore camping trips after June 1, but it appear that may well not be the case. I know the 14 day quarantine now applies through August with respect to lodging in Maine. Ed Lawson

MITA has iinfo on status. Driving up, launching, camping on most islands and then returning directly should not be a problem. Staying ashore at campgrounds or other lodging will be problematic unless restrictions are eased. Day trips should be OK. Ed Lawson

Terese: Unfortunately Bill Bremer of Lumpy Paddles seems to have retired or something. He made wonderful paddles at a reasonable price. I have a paddle he made that is over 10 years old and beat up, but I keep sanding it down every year, coating it with Tung Oil, and using it every chance I get. A new person is making the Superior carbon paddles, but they are powerful and a tad big to my liking except for making speed and distance in a "fast" boat, but they are nice as well. Turner Wilson in Maine of kayakways.net has had classes where you make a paddle in an afternoon or so for a very reasonable price. I believe he will make them to order too. He knows what he is doing when if comes to Greenland gear. Shaw and Tenney in Maine sell a nice GP, but I assume it still needs to be finished and best for someone who knows what they want and willing to spend some time doing final shaping and finishing. Supposedly the basic shape was based on input for accomplished GP paddlers and it shows. Looks too narrow to be of much use, but not so. https://www.shawandtenney.com/engravableproduct/greenland-kayak-paddle Harley at the kayak shop in Portland Maine sells GPs made by Joe O’Blenis so you might want to check the shop out when in area. Joe set a record for going around Vancouver I. using his paddles which shows they are up to the challenge of a fast tour. https://nanuqkayaks.com/ As for making one, many do and are happy. Brian of this club literally wrote the book of making a GP. All that said, I would take Cristopher's offer and try one for awhile before doing anything. The technique is rather different from using a EP and you need someone to explain/demo that to you. Just picking one up and using it the same as a EP will be counterproductive. On paddles generally, I believe it fair to say they are at least as important as the boat and, like boats, it takes at least several months of using in all sorts of conditions to develop a feel for how they work, what is good and bad about them, and what is right for you. At that point you will have some rather opinionated views based on experience of what works for you. More importantly, it enables you to have gear that you know and trust to do right by you. Hard to over emphasize how important that can be when the sea gives a test before it gives the lesson. Ed Lawson

As an alternative view, for touring a Greenland paddle is a great choice. Wooden ones are relatively gentle on the joints and there are some good makers around who will spend time to be sure the paddle is customized to your physical and paddling characteristics. It will not work as well in very shallow water, will not have the sudden power or the bracing support of a EP. On the other hand it is very adaptable in that you can use it as a high angle wing paddle when you want to move along or as a low angle paddle when headed into the wind, you are tired, or you just want to move about and see stuff. No need to worry about high angle, low angle, feather angle; just use for your purpose. Some say it is easier to roll with a GP, but I believe it is easier to roll with an EP if your form is correct. However, a GP is more forgiving when rolling in my opinion so it is very reliable when the chips are down and you are not at your best. It does scull incredibly well and that can be very handy. Ed Lawson

Gary: It seems you are expected to self-quarantine upon entering Maine for 14 days before you are free to do what residents can do. Not sure what that means about trips in remote locations, but you could not use lodgings or campgrounds prior to the 14 days expiring. Pru: This indicates the 14 day self-quarantine extends or at least may extend through August. However, there are some internal inconsistencies on the subject. https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-presents-safe-gradual-plan-restart-maines-economy-2020-04-28 Ed Lawson

Janice: If getting a smaller tent package is still of interest, you might want to check out a sale going on at REI for the their Passage 1 tent. For $105 you get tent and footprint as I recall. It is a basic, but reasonably well made and suitable for NE coastal trips and backpacking. Certainly smaller than a 2+ person tent. It should easily fit on either side of skeg box of the Avocet LV since it does in my AA with room to spare. I got one last year to replace a SD 1 person tent that had served well till the coating came off after years of service and satisfied with choice. Ed Lawson

I thought it pretty good while Gail thought it was horrible. Apparently liked by reviewers overall. Ed Lawson

To second Pru on sleeping bags, I have an old Holubar down bag rated to 15 degrees and for 45 years (seriously) it has been the most versatile bag I have owned. Too warm for me while kayak camping unless used as a blanket, but for Gail is was just right on those chilly nights. So a 15 degree bag may sound too warm, but may well be just right for some. Sir. Godfrey is mostly correct. Often used a bivy sack in winter or up high, but often cowboy style so I could watch the night sky and smell the fresh air. Ed Lawson

Janice: If you check the REI reviews of that bag, you will see some have found it "colder" than expected and it is actually comfort rated to 46 degrees. Here is an REI link which explains temperature ratings which you might find useful. Taking ratings with a grain or two of salt is wise since they are not based on experience in the field, but lab measurements at best and make assumptions of ideal use conditions. https://www.rei.com/blog/camp/understanding-sleeping-bag-temperature-ratings Ed Lawson

Saw Bill's post that Capt. Bill has retired and OC up for sale. Fear not, unless COVID19 requires it to be closed, current plans are that it will be operating this summer for camping and, of course, launching boats. Ed Lawson

All good suggestions. I emphasize the importance of a sleeping pad that insulates well, using the hood on the sleeping bag which is important, and using various bits of clothing to fine tune for temp. Often if you seem slightly too warm the first hour, you will be about right in the morning. Have some snacks it a good suggestion. Since everyone has different comfort ranges and women tend to need warmer bags, difficult to give specific advice. For me, a legitimate 40 degree bag is more than adequate May through Sept. camping on coast, but I cinch hood down and use various clothes layers as needed. I doubt tents provide much in the way of helping to keep warm although if you close all the doors, etc. I assume there is a benefit. Caveat is I prefer no using a tent at all so biased. Ed Lawson

If you have an interest in Greenland paddling and/or Greenland in general, it is well worth a visit to the Peary museum at Bowdoin in Brunswick. https://www.bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum/ The Bowdoin schooner is a very lovely sight on the water and if lucky you might see her sailing on the Maine coast. As for Peary, the story of the Inuit he brought back to NYC is very tragic and perhaps best exemplified by the story of Minik Wallace. Not a pretty picture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minik_Wallace The story of the children fathered by both Hensen and Peary and their descendants is also interesting. Hensen was a quite remarkable person. Ed Lawson

Sometimes even if you have "safety" gear, you use it, and CG comes looking, things will not work out. Perhaps a reason to get a DSC radio. https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/06/us/maine-capsized-boat-missing-man-and-kids/index.html Sad. Ed Lawson

Advance apology for hijacking thread. In the ham radio world two major manufacturers of equipment, both HF and VHF/UHF, are Icom and Yaesu (Standard-Horizon). There are staunch supporters of each and the arguments from each about the faults of the less favored and the praise of the favored are along the lines of analogous arguments amongst pickup owners as in " I would rather walk than drive a Ford". One thing to keep in mind about batteries on VHF HT radios is they have a limited lifespan. Unless the radio is either transmitting or receiving a signal, the current drain is very small and they will run a long, long time even when the working capacity of the battery is reduced. Tthe battery will charge to its rated voltage as if all is well, but the actual working capacity of the battery can be low. This means once you impose demands on the battery by transmitting, it will discharge quickly. Not a good scenario when trouble arises.. I harp on this (and not in response to anything in this thread) because in the past people have said their radio is X number of years old and battery still great as it charges just fine and the radio runs for hours. While that may well be true, the fact it will charge and run on standby for a long time is not a good indication of the working capacity of the battery. For example I don't use my ham VHF radios that much (but still far more than my marine VHF radio) and i usually replace the batteries every three years. People who use theirs often replace them around two years or even less. Personally, I would never trust a battery beyond three years regardless of how little use I have made of the radio. Replacement batteries are relatively cheap and radios are critical bits of kit when it all goes wrong and outside assistance is needed for survival. Old batteries, like old flares, may mostly work, but is that good enough? Ed Lawson

"I supposed that it might be my last safari, " Say it ain't so Joe. That said, I know the feeling and often take a second look after I remind myself that I may never be be back. I believe the attitude of Peter Habeler is worth following. He said when could no longer do hard climbs, he would do easy ones; when he no longer could do easy climbs, he would do scrambles; when he could no longer do scrambles he would hike; when he could no longer hike, he would walk in the pastures; but he would never stop enjoying the mountains. Of course he did the North Face of the Eiger when he was 74 which shows, Gary, there are miles to go. Ed Lawson

FWIW, I locate my 401 on the deck bungees so I can check speed and trip info as I paddle which I suppose means it gets less immersion/drenching than if on wrist. I also seal the USB port with tape. Perhaps due to good fortune I have not had problems with battery compartment water ingress. I too find it "jut right" for what I need in a GPS unit. Ed Lawson

I have no personal experience, but last year I talked to Chris, one of the owner's of Cohill's Inn in Lubec, about his Latitude. He said it was the best hull NDK has made and had told Nigel Dennis they really got it right with the boat. Given his experience, i would definitely trust his judgement and you might want to check with him. I'm sure he has put it to good use, That said, size and preferences can make comparisons hard. I got the impression from Chris it was livelier and faster than the Explorer, but kept many of its virtues. Ed Lawson

Jim: The USB cable for the HX-870 is not to charge the battery, it is for data transmission only. It uses a 7.4 v battery and needs a 12V charge cradle. FWIW, radios which can be charged with a USB cable use 3.7V batteries. Ed Lawson

Leaving aside the technical and related historic reasons why many current VHF handhelds use batteries that cannot be charged via a USB cable as well the question of whether or not trying to maintain radio links with multiple "pods" on a multi day outing is important; you might want to check out the Icom M25 and Standard HX-300 radios. Personally I would not select them or any radio with a USB charging jack, but everyone has an opinion on such things. One alternative would be to select a radio which has as an option an AA battery pack. Some radios are still rated IPX 6 or so when such packs are being used and some are not so you need to check the specs. I believe the premise of the question bears closer examination, but that is due to my having no desire to be connected all the time. However, I understand many now assume it is a necessity or at least important for safety. Like Gary I have done numerous trips and never needed to recharge the radio during the trip. Of course those were solo trips or trips with a few friends, and the radio was seldom on. Ed Lawson

So where did you find the confused water on the way back? Along Long I. and in Fort Gorges area? I recall a stretch along Long that kicks up in a most unexpected place. If the tide was ebbing strong and wind from the south, then Hussey would have had some potential for sure as well. Some days there is just no easy way from A to B. Ed Lawson

"Do they swap the can/nun buoy shapes as well? " No, just the color. Nuns on right entering harbor is universal. Red or Green, they are always on right. Ed Lawson

RE: Basin tidal action Indeed. On Ram you hear this strange sound of a large waterfall. Then you look over to the mouth of the Basin see a substantial overfall on the ebb. It is a very neat place, you just need to mind the tide or have lots of time. Ed Lawson