gyork

Yes, I'm out, at least for today. (I did get some work done today.) Gary (Snowbound, landlocked, kayaking gypsy)

Ed, the notation on the chart is 11M (11 nautical miles). Is this what you are referring to as "luminous range"? Am I correct in believing that the candlepower is of such strength that, under ideal conditions, I would see the illumination up to a distance of 11M, in a straight "line of sight"? It appears my planned leisurely expedition will now have stong scientific undertones! Full report to follow at a later date (June). Gary

From Ed's reference (thanks): Putting it all Together: To the Horizon and Beyond In case you missed it, we just combined our first two distance rules to calculate the total distance from the paddler to an object emerging over the horizon. Let's call this Distance Rule 3: Total distance =Sqr root (object height) + Sqr root (height at eye level) The total distance from the paddler to an object just emerging over the horizon (in miles) is equal to the square root of the object's height (in feet) plus the square root of the paddler's height at eye level (in feet). Because we know that the paddler's height at eye level is typically about two feet high and this value remains constant, we don't actually need to recalculate this part of the equation each time we apply the rule. So, the simplified version of Distance Rule 3 could read: The total distance from the paddler to an object just emerging over the horizon (in miles) is equal to the square root of the object's height (in feet) plus 1.5 miles. Sqr root (51) + Sqr root (2)=7.14 + 1.4 = 8.55 miles For me: Sqr root (51) + Sqr root (3)= 7.14 + 1.73 = 8.87 miles Assuming the formula is referring to statute miles (why?) then converted distances would be 7.4 NM for many and 7.7 NM for Carl, Jason, me, et al. Looks like I won't see it sitting in my kayak! How about standing in my kayak? D =7.14 + Sqr root (6) 2.45= 9.6 miles, 8.34 NM NOT QUITE, and I refuse to stand on my tippie-toes while standing in my kayak. I will head to shore and start climbing, expecting to see the light at (10.35 miles=7.14 + Sqr root (X)) TEN FEET.

Oops! Chart shows light tower is 51 ft (NOT 41 ft).

Responding indirectly to a private E from Ed. Given clear skies and equidistant from Robinson Light and Trial Point (http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/13302.shtml) will I, in fact, be able to see the sectored candle from the 41 ft tall tower, 9 NM away, whilst sitting in my kayak, eyes 3 feet above sea level? Who wants do to the math, while I go back to work? Pintail, I apologize for not answering your inquiry of Isle Au Haut more directly. Gary

That's the tentative plan, but open to your other option, among others (?full-moon circumnav of IAH (Isle au Haut)) NOT in the plans, though I suspect such a passage, or similar ones, might be a reasonable voyage, given safe weather conditions, if one has spent the day island-bound due to high winds/weather challenges. Gary

Ditto here (Concord, NH) Ed, where my Susie is perversely hoping for a few more storms (10") to break the historic record of ~10 feet. RE: light sectors-hoping to verify the chart projection from Fox Island Thoroughfare, whilst enjoying a full-moon paddle this summer at IAH. Gary

Good for you Ernie! My son's friend was born on Leapday 20 yrs ago. ?Guess he has a party every 4, with ?4X as many presents???

Prizes for best: rescue kit, first-aid kit, storm kit, gizmo, boat modification, etc. ?A way to share ideas.

geo-kayak-o. Offshoot of canoe-o (on-water orienteering), combined with geocaching. Set up "controls" (waypoints) at shore (stonewall, monument, street sign) or sea (fixed vessel, pier, nun, can, etc). Participants program waypoints into their GPS, set off on different start times, following a desired loop course (CW or CCW). At each waypoint (control) participants collect information to verify their visit to the control (What # on this aid to navigation? What color shutters on this house? What tall feature at the end of this pier?). Obviously no charts allowed, course should be small (6 or fewer controls), verification of waypoint entry, ?teams of 2, one CW, the other CCW, timed event, prizes. Just an idea-probably too complicated to set up. Simpler option is just kayak-o, using copies of nautical charts. Though I'm not local enough to set this up, I'd be happy to give advice to anyone who might think this is a fun idea/event. Stupid (KISS)

Details to be worked out going forward. Early post for those who need to arrange Holiday time. Prefer limiting to 12 paddlers. Post interests here or gyork@crhc.org. Gary

Suz, are you referring to the Orion Blaster Horn and relatives? G

Does anyone know how the two cited horns compare, loudness-wise? I like the 90 degree offset of the mouth tube on the Stowmaster-enables one to broadcast signals aft by turning sideways. Gary

Any ideas where to purchase lung-powered fog horn of convenient size. Mine is oversized, borrowed from the sailboat locker. Gary

Just wondering, Peter, if you found them to be accurate, as best as you can deduce from the chart. Gary

Has anyone observed and/or utilized the "sector" light projections from beacons/lighthouses, whilst nighttime navigating? Refer to the white sector emanating from Goose Rocks Light, at Fox Island Thoroughfare, Vinalhaven. http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/13305.shtml Gary

For what purposes Brian? Speed? Altitude? Supposedly the latter parameter is more difficult to pinpoint, given the technical challenges? How does the readout on the GPS compare to the instrument panel (I'm assuming you are piloting), and which one do you trust more? Gary

Ditto. I've got an entry level Garmin____ (yellow, ~$95). I usually pack this in a dry case for expeditions or short camping trips. Helps to have pre-programmed certain waypoints into the GPS in the area you'll be exploring on such trips, or at least a pre-printed list of landmarks/islands in your chart case or flip side of laminated chart (willing to share such a list for the Stonington archipelago; send private message). As John said, GPS is comforting reassurance for your traditional navigation techniques. The GPS was on standby last year on the Jewell trip, as we crossed fog-bound Luckse Sound from Long to Cliff. Probably a good back-up on any nocturnal journies as well. I have no interest in paying the extra $ for downloadable charts, route diagrams, etc. I just want it to give me waypoints, which are available for free at topozone.com, and occasionally, kayak speed, for dead rekoning. Also use the GPS for bushwacking or geocaching. Gary

From the website: "Once they try it, most people find Neti to be a soothing and pleasant experience." Note the picture of the woman trying to force a smile. Reminds me of the Cheech and Chong skit "up his nose"! Gary

Do I dare ask?

Although I'd store the "torpedo" below decks, on top I'd have the ends pointing port and starboard, while we paddled SINGLE-FILE in the hot summer sun! Gary

Should I add a Tablespoon of bleach to the cylinder, before leaving home? I imagine there is some gas buildup over time, unless you kill the bacteria somehow. OTOH, septic systems (and maybe pump-out stations?) prefer NOT to have bacteriacidals added. Do people vent these downwind, overnight? Gary

Anyone had luck with this device, or variations thereof? http://www.fastq.com/~jrschroeder/poop.htm Have tried zip-lock/newspaper in the past. Gary

Wondering what people use. I've used ?3qt clear plastic, cylindrical Poland Spring containers in the past, but I like the looks (not the price ~$38) of the 10L MSR dromedary bag. What say y'all? Gary

Especially how she enunciates "cloudy".