risingsn

I too have had the alum. biner on my NDK belt fail & I was meticulas in cleaning and washing it. I replaced it w/ a SS biner that does not have a notch @ the gate. Bought it at west marine for about $20 & have had it for a few years wo/ problem. My Palm tow belt has a composite/plastic biner (Seadog pn 157110). I was concerned as to how it might hold up but so far have had great success in some nasty stuff. Well theres my 2 cents, Chuck

Just an FYI. Some early Night Hawks were made with carbon/kev (I almost bought one). They also made some boats w/ carbo/kev & than put the Corbonlite over it instead of gel coat.

"a sense of responsibility", good luck finding that! We have been teaching our kids for the last 50 years that it's not their/our fault (what ever it is) we are not responsibile. We had a bad childhood, took drugs (the drugs made me do it, yeah thats it), to much drinking and the list goes on. So there for it is simply not our fault that we... fill in the blank. So the solution is to give people back their responsibility, you fail a grade in school, you get 'left back' (remember self esteem comes from accomplishment), commit a crime 'pay the price', kill someone in a car or boat accident...you get the idea. Well their you have it all in the spirit of a good rant.

Hi Joao, Well you are now required to achieve a 2* award before moving on to 3*. I agree that the canoe does not make sense. I've choosen to be a kayaker because I have found that all canoes have the same defect, they just go in circles (atleast w/ I paddle them). As to where to get good BCU training; Sea Cliff Kayakers (www.seacliffkayakers.com), Carpe Diam kayak Company (www.carpediemkayaking.com), Barrier Island kayaks (www.barrierislandkayaks.com), Sea Kayak Georgia (seakayakgeorgia.com), Sweetwater Kayaks (www.sweetwaterkayaks.com). I have taken instruction from all of the coaches associated with these shops, they are all excellent! I am currently an L2 BCU coach & am considering getting some ACA coaching awards. I understand that the ACA is getting it's act together. The person to talk to about that would be Ben Lawery (Sea Cliff Kayakers). Another option is to just take classes to improve your personal paddling skills. I choose this option last year and attended "Kayak Camp" by sea Cliff Kayakers, extremely worth while. I know other BCU paddlers who have decided to take this route. Hope that doesn't confuse the issue. By the By Barrier Islands Kayaks is having their annual symposium in June. Thanks, Chuck

Hi Jason, I had a leaky coaming in a Falcon 18. The coaming was glassed to the deck, but not under the seat hangers. I solved the problem with fingers full of silicone . I would like to hear why silicone is bad for the boat. J-B Weld, I get it @ Home Depot in the paint section. Thanks, Chuck

OK, so it now getting to the end of the season for dry tops etc... I have had a Reed dry top for about 4 years. It is relatively dry but not perfect, I will get a very small amount of water @ the neck. The material seems very rugged, I have used it in all types of conditions including rescues with no problems. One of the benifits is that you don't have to replace the gaskets. I would buy it again for the value, after 4 years it looks like new with out any special care.

This Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a flare session sponsored by the USPS on Lido Key in Sarasota Fl. They had arranged this with the local USCG, FAA, local fire & police, etc for the participants to live fire flares. I brought three Sky Blasters, that were due to expire in August '08, and attempted to fire all three. The result were that two were duds (nothing happened), the third launched but the flare did not light. Orion had donated about $1,000 worth of flares for us to try. They had two types of flare guns, 12 ga. and a very impressive 25mm, both to big for a PFD pocket. They also had hand held flares that did not launch but would burn for 5-7 minutes and some some smoke & dye. I had always been told to expect a 30% failure rate for flares. Any wisdom on this subject? Thanks, Chuck

I can't squirt my sunglasses w/ water since my drinking tube has a copper wire in it so I can possition it for drinking wo/ stopping. I have found that a quick lick on each side actually works pretty good.

My home owners will not write a rider for my kayaks & kit. Does anyone have a source for insurance. Thanks, Chuck

As to a keel strip...yes is the answer. Material...I have a glass strip on my carb/kev Avocet & est. the weight gain to be about 2#. My understanding is that when a Kevlar (arimid) strip wears down (I know a coach who can wear a srip down to the glass in about 2 yrs.) it can be difficult to repair. I know nothing about truck bedliners but I would go with the tried & true glass

Ok, I guess it is time. I don't think that my old Raytheon is transmitting any more. I have called for a radio check several times & have not had anyone come back. I was just looking @ the Icom M72 & it seems to have some great features. So, what say you? Other suggestions? Thanks, Chuck

Les, I do have a keel strip on my Ulta Carbon Avocet. I did it more for protection than because on the material the boat is made of. I estimate that it adds between 2 & 3#. I think you will be very happy with an Impex Force boat, I have paddled the 3 & 4...very nice. Also Impex is a great company to deal with. Enjoy!

Just a heads up. Barrier Island Kayaks (.com) is running their annual sypo in Mid June, Nigel will be there. Lamar (5*, L4) puts on a great sympo, I wouldn't miss it.

I have found the Snap Dragon white water back band to be the best. It attaches to the side & bulkhead (coaming on an RM boat). Very comfortable & properly installed will not be a problem on re-entry). It is important to remember that you realy shouldn't be putting much pressure on you back band during normal paddling.

I think a lot of the consideration depends on who is the manufacturer. I had a Falcon 18 in Kevlar for about 6 years, basicly a bullet proof boat. Currently I have an Avocet Ultra Carbon boat (Carbon/Kev hull & deck). I have used it for my Canoe Saftey recert, 4* assesment, L3 training & surf work. No cracks , no holes, no errors (or something like that). During L3 training I had an Impex Assatuage (60+/- lbs) & a 200 lb paddle sitting on my bow deck, no problem other than the fact that I almost became a submarine. It also depends on how you treat your boat. I don't baby my boat but I do take care of it. On the other hand I have a freind who can turn a new boat into a 7 year old boat in about 6 months. I have also seen some glass boats that are just to thin to be up to the task. Depending on the boat flex should not be an issue. The hull of my Avocet is very stiff, but the deck has some flex yet I have had no problems sitting on it or standing on it in the water (OK, trying). Yes, if you are to light for your boat (I was for my Falcon) than their will be control issues but I would rather add weight as needed that to lug it all of the time. Personally I would always go with a lighter boat assuming it was up to the task.

BBB, Great people! Leon did my 3* assesment & Shauna my L2 coach. You will have a great time & they are both great coaches, you will learn as much as you can absorb. Enjoy! Chuck

Long story short. I have a freind who's wife to be would like a pink decked boat for their wedding, they plan to paddle to the event with the wedding party. If you know of one that may be available,in the New England area, please contact me; risingsn@quixnet.net or 941-807-0812. Thanks, Chuck

I use the ear plus at Home Depot. I don't remember the maker but they would be in the safty section. They are yellow, a very soft rubber with 3 sealing rings and are connected by a blue rubber string. They are the same thing I've seen in Kayak shops. About $8.

Hi Mark, I have had a Mountain Surf spray deck for a couple of years. Since I coach quite a bit it goes through a lot of rescues & is on and off alot. It is very tight (you wount kick out of this deck)so it is pretty dry. It have a breathable Syplex tunnel which I prefer. Enjoy, Chuck

Looks like it is time to get a GPS unit. I would appreciate advice on which one seems to be the best for Kayaking. Thanks, Chuck