bazzert

You have to love that first comment on that story ... someone has a serious chip on his shoulder. I thought the advice "He did not recommend anyone with limited kayaking experience making the same trip" was pretty sensible. Barry.

Me too! But cant make it next week. Barry.

Hi Carolyn, Welcome to the NSPN. From the north there is no way to get to the harbor islands without crossing the channel. From South Boston beaches it's about a mile to Spectacle and another to Thomson and Long islands. On summer weekend days there is a lot of boat traffic so be careful. Barry.

What an adventure! Christoper and I left Lanes shortly after 8pm and touched keels again just before 2am. Chris made the fortunate decision to go counter-clockwise, which meant that we had a little push from the rising tide in the Annisquam and beyond the dogbar we had the moderate wind and rolly seas astearn. His local knowledge was also key in navigating the sandbars of the Annisquam in the dark at near low tide (thats not to say we didnt touch bottom a couple of times!). For illumination we both had pfd lights and head lamps. Found that we rarely used the headlamps as they really mess with your night vision; they were however useful in the river to make our positions absolutely clear to the handful of possibly inebriated power boaters. The Annisquam is a bit of a party spot at night. My Princeton Tech H2O head lamp is really bright; I had to remember not to look directly at Chris (sorry Chris!). For traffic the only concerns were an unlighted dinghy that zipped out from beyond the Annisquam 128 bridge at us and the party boat on Gloucester harbor whose intentions was not always clear. The flow at the canal was steady, but uneventful; we crossed Gloucester harbor from Ten Pound island directly to the dogbar. Beyond which conditions were typically confused and I found challenging. From eastern point all the way to Milk we had significant swells from astearn; this was not the mirror like seas we experienced during the circumnavigation we did in early May. In the dark we could only identify Milk when it was almost abeam; from there conditions were decidedly calmer and I found I could now actually enjoy the moonlit paddle. The passage between Rockport and Straitsmouth is not lit but is identifiable from the green flashing light on the eastern end of Straitsmouth. We crossed directly to Andrews point; the wind now abeam and kicking up a surprisingly large chop given the short fetch from Rockport. With a second wind as the end is in sight we ghosted past Halibut point whose rock formations are particularly eerie in the moon light. Many thanks to Christopher for setting this up and giving me an opportunity to push my limits. ~21 miles, 3.4 knots avg. Barry.

I'm in. Just sent you a pm with my cell phone. Barry.

I already promised the family a trip to the beach today (Sat); but up for anything on Sunday. Barry.

Hi Gene: I'd love to get out sunday. What have you got in mind ? Barry.

Sounds interesting; I couldnt make the night paddle tonight but should be free saturday, Barry.

Liz, Unfortunately I wont be able to make it tonight. Barry.

I'm interested. Will confirm late today or early tomorrow. Barry.

Interested!

Did you get to talk to them ? Former colleagues of mine (John & Aisling) bought a RH Outback here, before moving back to Dublin. Even with the ~ $1000 shipping cost it was considerably cheaper than sourcing there. They live in south county Dublin. Barry.

Sorry you cant make it Al, would be good to catch up with you. For anyone else interested, we still have 4 confirmed. Barry.

Hi Phil: I just pm'd you my cell. Barry.

There are 4 confirmed for this trip. The plan is to launch from Riverhead beach, Marblehead at 4:30pm, head out around the neck to Tinkers to play in the rocks. After that is up to the group. We will be on Channel 72 for stragglers. Barry.

Hi Deb, Didnt mean to imply a criticism of TTOR; I have been a supporter and member for over 10 years. They do have a facility opposite Choate Island; what would be nice would be parking for about 10 cars and access to the ramp. I'd be quite comfortable with a restriction to members and hand powered boats Barry.

Anyone up for an evening paddle on wed ? Launching at about 4:30pm gives us time to get a 10-12 mile paddle in before sunset, or some rescue practice. It's going to be hot, so what better way to end the day. I'm open to any northshore launch ie. Lanes, Pavillion, Conomo etc. Suggestions welcome. Barry.

Thanks Deb. I for one will be eternally grateful to them for having the wisdom and foresight for donating such an amazing parcel of land. It's too bad TTOR does not have or allow a boat launch somewhere on the backside of Cranes. Barry.

Count me in.

Here's one article.

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