bazzert

The Volvo Ocean Race competitors are nearly in Boston, their only North American stop in this race.

The first in port race starts Sat 5/9 at 1pm. I am going to try and find out more about the course but was thinking it might make an interesting kayak trip (launching from Deer Island) to watch either from shore, island or boat. Let me know if you're interested. The Boston schedule will be updated here (the video alone is worth checking out).

Barry.

Kevin and I launched from Forest River park in salem shortly after 2pm. Air temp was in the low seventies, water still brass monkeys, winds light. We crossed the inlet to the west side of Marblehead and rounded the point for a brief pit stop on Crowninshield island (thats Brown island for you Marblehead'ers). From here we decided to head back to Forest river by way of several islands in Salem Sound. Boat traffic was very light; although you could see signs of the recreational boat business beginning to stir, anticipating a warm weekend. We spotted a couple of kayakers and some sailboats.

We made the one mile crossing to Childrens island, then Eagle and finally Coney where we landed to make a quick phone call. The bird life was impressive, from the egrets roosting in the trees on Eagle to the loons, oyster catchers, cormorants etc. Leaving Coney, the breeze picked up noticeably and we changed our original plan to cross to the willows and follow the Salem coast back to the put in, to getting into the lee of Marblehead. From there it was a slog back to forest river with the wind on our beam. Despite his claims of not yet having found his sea legs Kevin set a brisk pace and we were back about 5pm.

By the numbers, just shy of 10 statute miles; 56% at 4-5 mph, 30% at 5-6mph.

Barry.

Hi Kevin,

I'll be there.

Thanks,

Barry.

Hi Kevin,

Looks like I may be free Friday afternoon, mind if I tag along ?

Barry.

Thanks everyone for the great info. I'll try the sawhorse and hose test to confirm the source. I'll let you know what I find out.

Barry.

After the last couple of trips I have noticed a small amount of water in the forward and aft hatches of my NDK Explorer. The covers are good so I suspect that water is migrating from the main compartment or day hatch (the cover of which is cracked). Looking at the bulkhead there is a small gap at the bottom which is filled with something (glass/resin?) that seems to have deteriorated. Is there anything I can reseal this with ? And if so how should I prep the surface.

thanks,

Barry.

Hi Barry,

Thanks for the call, and indeed I wanted to accompany you on this trip. I apparently tore the TFCC in my right wrist, with no healing in the past month, so I'm going to have to start paddling gingerly on the Lake this week and see how it goes.

See you soon.

Ern

Sorry to hear that Ernie, let me know if you want to get out on the lakes some evening this week.

Barry.

Lorrie, Phil, Bob and I launched on the harbor side from Deer Island. The forecast called for 5 to 10 knots of wind, seas less than 1 foot and temps in low 60's. It was overcast, creating a grey mirror like surface on the entirely flat sea. There was virtually no boat traffic so it was a serene paddle out to Calf Island, crossing the channel at Red "10" to the mid channel marker and then Green "13". After lunch, we poked north, threading through the rocks at Little Calf Island before contemplating the open crossing to the Graves. By now the breeze had freshened and there was a light chop; but nothing too daunting and we plowed on, making the 1.8 mile crossing in less than 30 minutes.

At the Graves we went around the outside (except Phil who rode some surf through a cut) and spotted numerous seals, some hauled out on the rocks, others eying us suspiciously from the water. Bob and Phil made future plans to camp on the platform, as wild and inhospitable a place you could find this close to Boston. Tearing Lorrie away from the seals, we headed SSW towards Boston light for a little over a mile, taking the somewhat confused seas on the beam before heading almost due west, putting the seas and the light wind directly astearn affording a nice downhill run with some small surf for the 5 miles back to Deer Island. By now the sun had made an appearance, creating some magic light on the water and giving me a mild sun burn (who thinks of sunscreen in april?).

By the numbers, 13.5 statute miles, over half the time at 4-5 mph and 27% at 5-6 mph. All in all a great paddle with great company and a great start to the season.

Barry

I'm in!

Hey Bob,

No. I have a wetsuit and drytop, gloves etc. Works pretty well, tested it out last weekend but I respect your concerns.

Barry.

Anybody interested in paddling tomorrow ? Forecast looks good. I am flexible on time and location. Some ideas include ...

- Castle island circumnavigation from Pavillion beach, Ipswich

- Salem Sound from Riverhead beach, Marblehead

- Boston Harbor Islands from Winthrop

Barry.

I signed up for the dynamic water workshop hosted by Osprey today. Unfortunately conditions were a little too dynamic on the ocean so we launched on the sakonnet river. There were about 15 of us total, including the 3 instructors. Brian Smith (of Eastern Horizons fame) helped get things kicked off by persuading a bunch of New Englanders to join in a kind of Maori warm up exercise, better demonstrated than described.

We started with practicing ferrying into current, after a bunch of us (oh ... okay me!) failed to find the right angle Todd recalled us to the beach and we spent some time perfecting the stern draw. This was really useful and we got to go back out and practice, this time with better results. After lunch we took a longer paddle up river and into driving rain and headwinds ... to warm up. And then practiced some rescues in significant conditions before surfing back to the put in.

It was a cold day, the thermometer in my truck said 39 for air temperature and I cant imagine the water was much warmer. Most were in dry suits; I was wearing a wetsuit drytop combination which worked well (was only cold during the beach briefing) but I would not want to have been immersed for long. My NRS neoprene gloves worked pretty well; but would have been best paired with pogies and I definitely need a neoprene cap or balaclava; I wore my helmet which helped.

It was great to get back out on the water after a long winter. Many thanks to Todd, Brian and Carl and the folks at Osprey for hosting this event. Looking forward to the open water class in May.

Barry.

If you havent already seen it there are a nice collection of online marine charts that can be accessed here.

For example, here's our beloved Salem Sound

Unfortunately there are no tools for checking bearings, distances etc. but still an easy way to view and plan trips online.

Barry.

Actually I wasnt, but maybe that is what I should be looking at. Forgive my ignorance, but will a drytop help if immersed, or is it primarily for protection while in the boat ?

If I go the dry top route, any recommendations on particular ones ?

thanks again,

Barry.

I was thinking of getting an NRS Wetsuit jacket to go over my farmer john for spring paddling. Any thoughts on this combination ? The goal is maximize upper body warmth while maintaining flexibility.

thanks,

Barry

A wetsuit is inappropriate for winter paddling in N.E

I wouldnt be surprised if the media or bystanders could not distinguish between a wetsuit and a drysuit. He may very well have been wearing a drysuit.

I am ashamed to say that while I have been a MITA member for 3 years I have only once ever paddled to a MITA Island (Damariscove); but I dont regret the investment in the organization. Hoping to visit more of the islands this next season.

Barry.

I see that the woman in black is setting off to try and circumnavigate Australia -- I wonder if she truly realises what she has bitten off? That is one huge piece of real estate...10 000 miles in one year is what she is attempting.

Anyone want to take a small wager?

I just finished reading 'Keep Australia on your left' which is a fascinating account of a pair (A New Yorker and an Australian) who attempted to circumnaviage Australia. The made it about half way before abandoning the effort, primarily because of personality differences. They used a tandem Klepper folding kayak, which weighed 400 lbs when full loaded; but had a sailing rig which helped them to make 40+ miles in many days. The most harrowing part of the journey was the crossing of the Gulf of Carpentaria which required a 4 day crossing during which they barely slept because of the high seas.

You can find a summary of the inquest here ...

http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/magazine/70/inquest.htm

Thanks Peter. Great tips. Did you know you can download the Coast Pilot from here

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/nsd/coastpilot1.htm

Obviously there are benefits to having the printed version, but could be useful for trip planning.

I have been a member of MITA for several years, even though I have only ever paddled to one of their islands (Damariscove). It is a great guide, particularly like the new spiral bound versions.

Barry.

This one is even better!

Oh man! ~40k views and posted by his son. I'd cut the ungrateful bugger out of my will.

What he said about the role and all, but Barry, I hope you will be wearing a dry suit.

I wouldnt dream of going out in this weather without one. The plan is to work on skills this summer and then consider the investment in the right gear for next year.

Barry.

Maybe when (if!) I have a reliable roll I might venture out in the winter months; in the meantime I am content to catch up on some reading counting down the weeks until the water temps are a little more than lethal. Here's a list of related books that I have read and would recommend. I would be really interested in what other books you have read or recommend.

thanks,

Barry.

1. Sea Kayaking Coastal Massachusetts: From Newburyport to Buzzard's Bay

2. On Celtic Tides: One Man's Journey Around Ireland by Sea Kayak by Chris Duff

3. Sea Kayaking: Rough Waters by Alex Matthews

4. Sea Kayaking: A Manual for Long-Distance Touring by John Dowd

5. Sea Kayaker's Deep Trouble: True Stories and Their Lessons from Sea Kayaker Magazine by Matt Broze

6. Sea Kayaking along the New England Coast, 2nd by Tamsin Venn

7. Quiet Water Maine, 2nd: Canoe and Kayak Guide (AMC Quiet Water Series) by Alex Wilson

8. Keep Australia On Your Left: A True Story of an Attempt to Circumnavigate Australia by Kayak by Eric Stiller

9. Kayaking the Vermilion Sea: Eight Hundred Miles Down the Baja by Jonathan Waterman

(The coordinates for the current station are: lat 42 48.79'N lng 70 52.09'

Does anyone know how to pinpoint those lat/long using google?)

Hi Suz:

If you punch "42 48.79N 70 52.09W" into Google Earth it should work. Here's a screenshot. Looks like downtown Newburyport.

Barry.

Kayakers warned on ocean temperatures

With warm temperatures forecast for the weekend, the Coast Guard is warning kayakers of the dangers of cold ocean waters. Coast Guard officials expressed concern that novice kayakers may hit the ocean waters this weekend with temperatures expected to rise into the 50s on the Maine coast. Al Johnson, a Coast Guard recreational boating specialist, said paddlers who do venture out should wear a dry suit or a full wet suit. (AP)