Pintail

So...a half-size up should do the trrrrick! Thanks, Keith.

Where on earth did they come up with the name "Brewer", I wonder? Obviously no link with ale that <I> can see... However, I need advice from users of these shoes, please. I bought a pair size 8 (because that <is> my regular size) and they are far too small in the length, with my big toe sticking right up hard against the front. Anyone else have this problem? Should I go a half-size up -- or even a full size? I am fairly sure that there <are> some Astral users here? Thanks in advance for any advice. Anyone wanting to buy (cheap) a pair of men's size 8 in black?

<I must be getting old...> You are, mate, you are!

Gosh, it really is nice to have kattenbo around again! Yes, Keith, there are still one or two who remember the sessions at Leyden Aquatic Centre — the double pools. (Did I get the name Leyden right?)

...but you failed to tell us anything about the water temperature over there!

May I offer some advice, Prudence? I paddled out of the cove yesterday and the day before that and yesterday experienced something I have never had before (as far as I recollect): playing along the shore, eastwards, I had no problems...until I got to Halibut Point, when I was <attacked> by small, grey, biting flies. Hundreds of them! It was impossible to evade them and they seemed to be every bit as tough as the greenheads; but these chaps are a third of the size. They only seemed to relent once I got back to the vicinity of Liz’s place! Neither did rolling help me: as soon as I was upright again — back into attack mode! Be prepared with some sort of anti-insect spray. Once I got home I saw big bumps all over my shoulders where I had been bitten (which went down quickly enough, later) Enjoy yourselves (but I would not expect to see any visiting schooners over on that side of the Cape: they will likely hang around Gloucester harbour)

...or whatever: was it the <spitting> ferret? It has been so long since she has posted (I think)... Please do get in touch, Leslie: nine seven 8. 23nine. 33seven6.

With all due respect to Elizabeth (and her friend), re this quote: <Once a friend narrowly missed losing her sea kayak because she had a bow line on it> ... I never bother with a line to the bows of my boat because I consider that proper lashing of the boat to car is the crux of the matter. Provided that your saddles or points of contact provide enough friction; provided that your crossbars are securely anchored to the vehicle and provided that you know ropes, knots and lashings, those much-discussed bow lines are superfluous (and cost you in drag). I am quite aware that this is perhaps a contentious subject, but that is how I do things. I also agree with the person who wrote that Hullavators are heavy and indulgent and of course they increase drag enormously. I mount my boats on pool “noodles”; but then I like to keep it simple! Terese, the Prius is a tiny motorcar and few other cars can be as low. I think that your main problem is what roof rack/bars to mount? Flack-proof helmet on...

I wish, Paul-san, I wish; but I work on Thursdays...alas! I shall stay in touch (soon, right?)

Be warned that parking is not nearly as easy as usual in the cove: they have fenced off much of the area for reconstruction of the damaged seawall (at long last!) I do not think I shall be able to join you, because of my work schedule. Have fun!

I have carried my kayaks upside-down for years in order to keep the hatch-covers and decking out of the sun, since my boats more-or-less live on top of the car during the season. Neither do I load them so that the actual hatches coincide with the cross-bars: the foam pads compress perfectly to the form of each inverted deck. I have gone through many, many pairs of Thule carrier bracket-thingies (whatever the manufacturer calls them) and they have <always> broken, in the end (the rubber gives way where the metal bolts run through them)! Now my annual expenditure for foam pads is a fresh pair of swimming-pool "noodles", which cut to size in roughly ten seconds, each! By the way, maintenance to cross-bars may be minimized by spraying some corrosion suppressant inside the bars when new and regularly thereafter. They will rust, otherwise.

Hey, B, I read the “on hiatus” after Rogue Wave Adventures, so surely there is no commercial or insidious threat. I am so looking forwards to paddling with you again, soon!

Yes, Chris (his wife, actually) had a baby and I think that that spelled "end" for him. B, I shall attend to say a long-overdue hello; but my presence is likely to be in spectator mode only, since I work on Sundays from 1530. Looking forwards to seeing you, you old curmudgeon, you! For those of you who do not know Bob Burnett, you should know that his greatest attribute (in my opinion) was that he always knew how to make NSPNers challenge and push themselves that little bit further, whilst keeping a watchful, attentive eye on that paddler. He was a most influential force on <my> paddling!

Not wishing to belabour the point; but I would like to make sure that everyone is aware that there is to be a yard sale of boats and equipment tomorrow, Saturday 28th April, at the home of Suzanne. See Trips/Events forum. (In fact, the entire town of Merrimac (Mass.) is having same sort of happening!) I am posting this because I do not think that the response (on that page) has been very encouraging, thus far.

I shall be there with two boats, most likely: (i) Valley Skerray in yellow RM (skeg-less: I removed the skeg, long ago; but have the parts if really needed). The bulkheads probably need re-sealing; ubt this is such a fun boat for rock-play and it turns on a dime (perhaps better than almost any other boat I can think of -- <loads> of rocker). (ii) Valley Pintail, old (but not <that> old!), well-worn gelcoat which needs some restoration. Compass, built-in bilge pump on the fore-deck and decent deck-rigging with reflective lines. (iii) Size 9 Chota boots with proper soles and laces. I have another pair that are of smaller profile, which suit me better. This pair not worn very much (no stink!) (iv) MSR one-person tent, if I can find it in time! Perfect for those who like the minimalistic approach to camping: it is small and very light! (v) Hopefully a few more odds-and-sods...

I think the more relevant question might be: is there any beach <left> after these two storms?

Josko wrote: <...but a lifting foil captures the leading vortex and releases the tail vortex...> Do you mean a lifting "aerofoil", Josko? The word foil means nothing to me in this context (although, of course, I understand you by implication) Please (just to please me?) use correct terminology? (There <is> one other that crops up here, from time to time: the use of the word "yak", presumably for kayak -- kayak is not hard to write and a yak is a hairy, four-legged animal from the steppes of Asia, is it not?)

And how long do you think a collapsible/telescoping aerial like <that> is going to last in seawater? I daresay you could coat it liberally with vaseline; but, as Ed suggests, it isn't right for your application.

You meant <purling>, Leong? ;^)

My thoughts, too, Paul! I think there was some "finger-trouble" involved there... Don't boats like that have some buoyancy? Or would it have gone straight to the bottom? And would the local police (or environmental ditto) have had grounds for issuing a citation for littering? ;^)

Sorry to say that I had not laid eyes on Gene for a season or two, let alone paddled with him, recently, and am very sad to hear that he finally lost his battle with cancer. Someone mentioned his sense of humour: so right! He could have fun in teasing me and goading me regarding English usage, since everyone knows I am particular (pedantic?) <His> usage was just fine! Death comes for us all; yea, even for kings... You'll be missed, old chap! RIP, Gene. (Nice words from the Biff, above)

I echo <everything> that Rick posted above. I am totally gutted and quite stunned by this news! This is the most shocking thing.

<... what can a motivated and passionate person actually DO to help build the sport and the community> (You forgot the question mark) Josko, after two pages of this, I still do not understand why you are so worried or concerned. I kayak; you kayak; he, she or it kayaks; we kayak; you kayak; who cares whether or not <they> kayak? This question has been asked for almost as long as I can remember (because of club membership numbers -- decline thereof -- primarily) and, apart from the general trend of things, I guess it is natural that activities such as ours rise and fall in popularity...as Paul or someone pointed out, the high-point was likely way back in the nineties and early years of the new millennium. I did my time on the BoD long ago and we were discussing this same (perceived) problem back then: are we any the wiser now? I doubt it!

I assume that Josko meant wearing out the <hull> and not the deck? He surely ought to know the difference by now...?

A true Freudian slip, perhaps? ;^)