gyork

Yes-me too. Shoreline is nicely detailed by Delorme. Makes for a nice overview "chart" for the paddling area. Though not so accurate, I will transfer approx locations of cans/nuns/etc. from a NOAA nautical chart.

Though I don’t consider myself a trip-planning expert, I have taken several multi-day kayak-camping trips, many of them solo. The following planning items are by no means recommended as guidelines, but merely a log of my activity so far, in no particular order, leading up to a six-day trek to the Maine Coast. Much of that safari is taking place between my ears, in the months leading up to the voyage. Starting in JANUARY: -Spend too many hours poring over my E-library of nautical charts, my favorite sources being: NOAA booklet charts [http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/BookletChart/AtlanticCoastBookletCharts.htm] MITA (from which I can collect GPS waypoints that this program conveniently provides, and as a (almost) seamless compilation of multiple NOAA charts, from which I can save and print customized booklet charts on my IMac [command/shift/4]. -Print color charts, annotate and magneticNorthetize with spaces between lines of either 1 or 2M, depending on scale, then laminate eight 8X10” chartlets (4 laminates) at KinkoFedEx for 1.99 each. -Assemble list of geocaches in area to paddle. -Determine a reasonable launch site(s) where extended overnight parking might be accommodated and contact those parties (MITA, marinas, seaside lodges, harbor masters, local police dept or Town office) directly, opting for beach or ramp (vs. mudflats, wharf) launch if possible. Negotiate a mutually agreeable fee (our host has offered parking and launching privileges in exchange for help with chores-what a deal). IF OTHER THAN A SOLO TRIP: -Start inviting potential adventurers for the blocked-out (vacation days) multi-day trip, with a consideration of the optimal and maximum number and skill level of participants. -Seek volunteers for roles of Meteorologist, Navigator, Safety Officer, Activities Director, etc., as this is a CAM trip. -Suggest to participants to prepare as if this were a solo trip, and at launch site, whittle down (but not too much) redundant gear that might be considered communal: cookware, repair, first aid, flare gun, tents/tarps, saw, etc. -Share preliminary agenda and links to local knowledge with participants. -Obtain contact info (cell, E, emergency contact) from participants, compile spreadsheet with same, and leave as part of float plan with sig. others, launch host, marine patrol, local police, other. -Encourage participants to “reply all” to E threads, as indicated, to facilitate good group communication. -Continue reviewing charts and plan possible routes for each day, considering tides, geocaches, breaks with short hikes, MITA islands, town/state land with trails (and facilities [www.town.org]), potable water supplies, groceries, restaurants (this is NOT a wilderness trip), alternative camping (sanctioned and stealth), and bail-out locations. -Contact Maine Forest Service for _____ permits on eligible islands, a few days before launch. Record permit # on kayak deck with permanent marker. -Obtain tidal data for days/location of trip; record daylight tides on kayak deck with permanent marker. -Because distance from home to launch site is not short, secure overnite lodging in the vicinity, for an early launch on the anticipated long Day 1. -Consider possibility of ferry service, or other boating/shipping activity in area of paddling, and if YES, obtain a copy of schedule(s). -Contact Harbor Master, if applicable, for “local knowledge” about currents, areas of questionable passage from charts (?mudflats under bridge?), and general “rules of the road” for area visited. Another good source for this data is “A cruising Guide to the Maine Coast (Tafts and Rindlaub)” or “The Maine Coast Guide for small boats-Casco Bay (Rindlaub)”; may be possible to obtain via inter-library loan at local library. -Build http://www.soazpaddlers.org/phpBB-3.0.5/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42 or buy http://www.lowes.com/pd_367048-1703-KH550_0__?productId=3474867 a LNT torpedo tube. Chose the latter-thanks Les. -Pre-program and label important waypoints (islands, aids to navigation, launch/landing sites, etc) into your GPS (fresh and extra batteries) and on charts, as applicable. Focus points on middle of islands; helpful coming or going, and you’ll be sure to “hit” your target. -What else? gary

When cleaning out one of many of the bluebird houses last week, I inadvertently startled a threesome cozied up in the chilly weather-startled me!

Small island with a little cottage on it, if heavy weather is expected. Nice cove for a small ____ below the high tide line. Otherwise its neighbor to the E could work fine? PM sent.

HOMEMADE OATMEAL: Mixed this up last week and tested on my little stove and passed the test. (Big batch to enjoy at home; adjust as necessary) 3 c. oat bran 9 c. rolled oats 1/2 c. quinoa flakes 1.5 c. dried fruit, your choice (mine=apples, peaches prunes, apricots), dice in food processor 1 c. raisins 1. c. seeds, your choice (mine=pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, chia) 1 c. nuts, chopped, your choice (mine=almonds, walnuts) Add 1/3 to 1/2 c. mixture to cookpot and add enough water to cover, and then some, stir, cover, and let set overnite. This allows fruit to rehydrate and starts some kind of germination process on the seeds that releases ?valuable nutrients/enzymes or some such thing (so I am told). In A.M. heat over stove to boil, while stirring and adjusting water content to desired consistency. Add homemade maple syrup to taste, find a sunny ledge, and blissitate (your choice).

In chronological (hopefully) order 1. Fox Islands safari 2. Annual Jewell 3. Great Wass safari 4. Muscle Ridge annual

Gene, what about running a taut mason's line down the center, a few inches off the hull, eyeball the strip under the line from one end of the boat, and (?masking) tape down the strip every 18 inches or so. Remove the tape as you work the heat gun (hair dryer) down the strip?

Though I have never had to rely on one in my years of paddling, my GPS did come in handy one nite paddling in the foggy darkness, only at the end of my 2-mile solo nav back to my campsite, confirming my successful trek. Agree with Leon's assessment of its utility as an aid to get back to a featureless launch site (IOS) after a long, open crossing. Also serves as a good tool to establish one's "baseline" speed for varying conditions-good info to incorporate when dead reckoning. With the advent of these electronic gizmos, I suspect that many new paddlers may skip the basic "chart and compass" course, akin to lost hikers with no map, but a cell to call 911. An incredible amount of information can be gleaned from detailed nautical charts, such that, as in orientering, one strives to "stay found", rather than the alternative. NOAA #13302 seems to be my "book" of choice this time of year. Happy Solstice!

I've an entry-level Garmin gps, stowed in my day hatch, summoned after decidedly lost in the fog, or in preparation of the next geocache search. Who of you are using electronic nav-aids (gps, smartphone app, etc)? under what circumstances? gary

More details on the "hard knocks" award please, if Scott agrees to share? :-)

Like many areas of coastal Maine, heed the tide tables. My last trip through here was timed such that it (?obviously) favored a southern course on the ebb and a northern course on the flood (paddling "downhilll"-Ed Lawson). I believe the 5 knot claim.

CAMPING recipe? Suz, it has not been a pleasure to be WITHOUT your company on my many kayaking safaris!

Looking for a lower-half paddling garmet for the shoulder season. Hydroskin pants vs. non-neoprene paddling pants. Pros/cons and your recommendations please.

Me too, though highly unlikely for me to paddle at nite in "conditions"; will give it a dry (wet?) test run during daylight, in "conditions".

I hope I'm not hijacking your thread by suggesting a simple and cheap ($3.10) alternative set-up that worked perfectly during a 2-mile, pitch black/foggy nite nav. I purchased a $3 battery-operated white-light glow stick (off/on/flash modes, sylvania I think) at some job lot store. Perhaps radio shack or equivalent has a similar product, or use a standard sized, snap-to-activate, party glo-stick (have not tested colors for either type of glow stick). The included tether is wrapped around the deck line for security. Adhere a strip of duct tape or tin-foil ($0.10) parallel to the long axis of the light that will obliterate 3/4 of the light cylinder, leaving a light window facing the compass. Tape the ends of the cylinder to the deck. The assemble time is ~3 min. Another thought that came to my engineering brain was an aluminum individual cigar case that could be slotted, then drop in the glowstick. Or this? http://www.elighters.com/vcase2070.html Pictures here: https://picasaweb.go...830541647780498 https://picasaweb.go...830459907832930

Link to previous discussion threads re: dressing for cold weather: http://www.nspn.org/...=+cold +weather http://www.nspn.org/...=+cold +weather

From last year: http://www.nspn.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=8276&hl=%2Bcold+%2Bweather http://www.nspn.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=8251&hl=%2Bcold+%2Bweather

Realistically, very difficult to dry gear and (perhaps) keep warm around a (MITA island) campfire when temps dip into the 20s, the limitation being the source of firewood, though there are some exceptions. If you can add an activity like night paddling to your short day, perhaps it would be worthwhile, though now you've added another risk to the adventure! Behooves one to pack a pair of those elasticized/rubberized slip-on ice grippers that go by a number of names.

Traveled a good stretch of this by sea kayak-beautiful country. Thanks for your support. http://www.biddingfo...8989&view=IMAGE

Thanks for all your offers of help here. I will PM you if I can't get it to work.

Cro-Magnon friend of mine dares not ask how to add hi-res photo (JPEG, 7.5 MB) of himself, as max allowable size is restrictive. Thank you. Ug's friend

If I am out there and not likely to do the trip again, yes would circumnav both, each trip being 22 to 26 statute miles (no gunkholing), depending on where your base camp is. Ambitious but certainly doable, dependant on an early am start, with plans/allowances for tidal behavior.

My thoughts exactly.

Barb, please send me an E to chat (apparently, can't PM unpaid member?) gyork at crhc dot org

Les, send me a PM please. Might you consider renting on Vinal/Northhaven, or too expensive (simple cottage ~$1000/week, split x ways; car round-trip $50 [including kayaks?], $17.50/passenger)? Agree distance is not daunting, though the open crossing might be in "conditions". My preferred safari route would be to island-hop from Cape Rosier, rather than slog from Rockland/Owl's Head.