Pintail

Poor reporting? "...covered in slime from the ocean..."? The ? I hardly think so. Actually, why should this be disturbing news? People do die and they die in odd places -- like on supermarket floors or in their cars or in concert halls or in any place at all. We've all got to go, sooner or later.

I have purchased from Seattle Fabrics (Suzanne told me about them -- thank you, Suzie) and they nice folk with whom to do business. You may need some advice from them, in fact, when deciding which fabric is best for your requirements, the range is so great.

Yes, but what is "inadequate clothing"? What for one paddler is adequate might be overkill for another? It is now June and water temperature is well-up into the 50s. I'm not being elitist; but I have been wearing only a wetsuit (plus drytop or paddling top) for some weeks, now, and have been very comfortable upside-down. I shall expect very soon to be wearing only a wetsuit or perhaps shorty-equivalent. Out with dogma; in with common sense, I say.

Is it possible that you might have counteracted this lee-cocking by use of edging? (Edged into the wind, that is?) In addition to that, you might find it useful to move your grip on the paddleshaft slightly upwind, thus giving you more leverage on the downwind side of your boat. This change of position of your hands is and subtle; but it does mean that the downwind stroke is automatically a longer, more powerful one than the other. Any value here?

Liz, I have only just now seen your post I there at High School last evening...water is still chilly, but perfectly bearable (if you're interested in getting upside-down). At the marina they have put in some new pilings -- perfect for practising edged turns in a straight line.

English is the international radiotelephony language! I'd guess that if you go to Canada, not to use your VHF, then you wouldn't need a radio operator's licence, would you? However, in the case of an emergency, as someone else has pointed out, they'd not be throwing the book at you.

Bob is absolutely right -- and ultimately it is about good judgement than having every conceivable back-up in place. Yes, VHF radios are nice; but I admit I often paddle without. I also paddle alone much of the time; but I do not generally go out to sea alone (Chris Duff I am not). If one never pushes one's self, one will never learn about those limits or learn to cope with real "conditions". Gene and others (with all due respect): don't get overly sentimental about it: I agree that this was tragic; but so is the situation in Dafur (do you cry over every death there?) You see what I'm getting at? They have been "kayakers" for a dozen years, (who knows --even twenty years? That on its own does not (necessarily) mean they have taken classes or have pushed themselves...and that they have (or had) therefore learned good judgement) SEAMANSHIP is what it is all about, not the number of years one has been kayaking. No one has mentioned whether or not these guys were members of SMSKC or another organisation -- that might have had some bearing on matters, for instance (nurturing environment for learning). Maybe they thought they knew it all -- or enough? Turning around when wind and waves started to affect them would certainly have been more sensible than sticking it out, wouldn't it? I am certain there will be responses to this like "there goes Christopher again -- cold and unsympathetic, as usual". I am NOT like that; but I have tried to extend myself to my limits sometimes in this wonderful pastime (thanks, B, for the pushing, all those years ago -- does Sr. stand for "senior citizen"?) Whatever we undertake should be done with conscientiousness and some degree of wisdom (especially when there is potential danger involved) -- even driving a car, dammit! If one wants to achieve some finesse in one arena, why not in all? If you see what I mean? (Suz: two hands on the wheel, please dear!) We need collectively to learn from this sad incident.

Gene, There has not been a king or queen of for three hundred years! There has been union between Scotland and England since 1707 and the sovereign nowadays reigns over The United Kingdom (of Great Britain and Northern Ireland). I know it's hard...

What utter nonsense, Beckers! Bunkum, in fact! As everyone knows, you never have ANYthing to do -- save a little bit of teaching (once in a while) and MUCH paddling! Calling your bluff...

Roger P sent me some photos of Greensburg, KS: see the surprise I found embedded among the sad pictures: http://www.kansas.com/static/slides/050507tornadoaerials/ Go to photo #17.

www.kayakcovers.com and they are not far away in Maine. Gloria Krellman is the proprietor's name (she was one of the sponsors of the Down-East Kayak Symposium) and whilst I don't know if one of her covers will fit over the boat while it is strapped on the rack (I suspect not), it will do what you want it to do.

Congratulations, Glenn and Bethany: what an adorable little bundle! I presume that she came out with some sort of paddle in her tiny hands? I hope you are getting some sleep, Bethany? Warmest wishes!

Not "C" as in...CONDON?!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, Nick: I'll re-investigate this evening when I get home -- the small job I did in the cockpit seem to be curing slowly and the first patch in aft hatch cured, it seems. I am still hoping the patch underneath where I installed the tow-cleat above the day-hatch will cure in time and with warmth... I deliberately went light on the hardener because the resin seemed already to have thickened with age -- therein lies my problem, I presume.

Apologies, Lilibet: this evening is the that I cannot make! (Knowing that, I even removed the boat that was on top of the car) Tomorrow evening? Around 1815-1830 at the HS. (I stayed out until almost dark yesterday, playing around under the drawbridge -- forgetting there was that interesting documentary on the Mormons on the tellie -- caught some of it)

I usually try to get out on the Annisquam and into the harbour most evenings after work, now that the weather is becoming increasingly pleasant(1815-1830 now; but that will become 1700 soon enough). If anyone wants to join me for practising strokes, rescues (whatever) then I shall be glad of the company. I'm not usually going anywhere -- at most, just tooling around the rocks in the harbour; but it's what I love! All welcome; but must have a kayak! I put in at the High School.

Thanks, Peter: I'll try your recommendation about heat -- heck: with this weather, I might even be able to put the boat out in the sunshine! The fibreglass cloth is fine and has hardened nicely, so no worries there. I found last night when I got home that the first batch hardened, after all (under the deck where I installed a fairlead), but that patch underneath the tow-cleat was the one that was tacky. Mr. Nystrom must have thought I was addressing someone else when he read "Nystorm" (my typo, but quite a good one, I think?) -- Nystorm and his storm paddles? Regards!

Yesterday I was using rather old resin and so my first batch thickened very quickly. In my second batch, I used slightly less hardener than recommended to counteract this tendency. This morning the two patches I was working on are still moist and slightly sticky: will they harden (but at a slower rate) or shall I have to put another layer on top, with more generous hardener in it? Thank you in advance for any useful input!

In an aircraft that "compass chart" to which Ed refers is simply a small correction card displayed adjacent to the magnetic compass and which is renewed annually: it is known as a "compass card" and hence my recent irritation at this confusing phrase "card compass", which I had never heard before. I would have been red-faced had I needed to go through the cardinals and semi-cardinals more than once, however, when "swinging a compass". Once around was usually adequate (regardless of direction) and once more to remove the error, as measured, by means of the pendulous, internal magnets which are adjustable. Cadbury's Dairy Milk Very Tasty seems to me more correct these days than all this talk about virgins...the latter in questionable taste, surely? Another thing about deviation -- aeronautical maps state the annual deviation and of this you need to take great note, for any self-respecting pilot must be able to hold a course (track) of within a degree or two. In some parts of the world, deviation might vary by a degree or more per annum, so that you might toss out your maps every few years and restock. Interesting thread, this -- and, yes, we are over-complicating things!

I have often wondered why coastal defences are not undertaken along the sandy coast of Cape Cod and the islands (breakwaters and such)? Who would want a house by the ocean, knowing it would likely wash away, one day? Perhaps the Corps of Engineers just aren't bothered? The Dutch could certainly teach them a thing or two.

I believe that Casey Carey may be selling one of hers...(she has two). I'll point her towards this thread.

Suzanne, How would this person take a look at themself ? In a mirror? And, if so, how? This is quite intriguing, really. ; ^)

Yes, Bob, envy at the heart of it all!

John, I have never heard the term "roller cloud" before: are you referring to lenticular clouds? If so, their formation has nothing much to do with an advancing air mass, but rather they form orographically when saturated air is forced up over a mountain (and down again) or another obstacle (example of the latter: around the front end of an active, moving thunderstorm). It seems to me that they do tend to form very locally and in very stable conditions. (Perhaps you are referring to some other type of cloud, though?) They are beautiful to see and come in all shapes and sizes, but they always have a regular, smooth shape wherein you can see the local air movement.

Quote: "...no detail has been untouched..." So where's the day-hatch, I wonder?