Phil Allen

I'm interested, especially since my boat travels with Lorrie's most of the time. Phil

Just checked the surf(ers) forecast for tomorrow and I'm going to cancel this trip. It's waist to head hi (3-6')in the afternoon depending on beach orientation and I'm not quite ready to drag you all down there for a potential thrashing. I'll try to do this again soon when it's a little mellower for the crowd. Phil

Anybody wanna join Lorrie and I for a road trip down to sakkonet (sp?) point in RI on Saturday. We're likely to find warmer water, some swell to make rock play or small scale surfing interesting. This would likely be a L3 trip with the intent of finding conditions. Helmets and rescue skills would be appropriate. Phil

It's possible that we may be late given traffic and Lorrie's work demands. My cell is six one zeven, 9 three 9, three three too nine. Barry or Al, if you can give me your cell #, we'll call if we dont think we can make the beach by 4:15pm. Let's hope the t-storms stay away. Phil

Lorrie has a conf. call 2-3, so traffic willing we could make a 4:30 BiB. We might want to pick Salem, Marblehead or Gloucester, as it's green fly season in the marshes. Anybody else? Phil

Barry- I'm interested and will talk with Lorrie. Only prob. is getting out of the city without getting stuck in traffic. Phil

S- check your info. The ones that were in boston (Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge) should be half the way to Ireland by now. Phil

Just FYI, Spot just announced a new version of their device. Upgraded gps chip, another (programable) message function and security covers over the help and 911 buttons. Phil

Florrie- Just to be clear, the righting move in the roll is still in the hips (i.e. the hip snap), but it's conveyed to the boat through your hip, your knee and foot. Phil

Hi Florrie- I added 1/4 inch minicell padding to the drops of my fiberglass seat (Impex Currituck), which allows me a little slop side to side, but easy connection should I need it. It doesn't fit snugly enough to prevent hip rotation. Not falling out of your boat when you're upside down is more about connections at the knees in my experience. Being able to drive the knee into the hull/brace without it slipping or otherwise disconnecting is important for rolling and other things. Depending on your size, paddling style and comfort level, you might want to add foam to the thigh/knee braces and or make an actually foam pad "hook" to give better lateral connection. Phil

Binks- Clearly skis love the big water long period swells with sustained surfing possible. How much can they use the energy of the more typical short period chop we get around here? Just curious. Thanks. Phil

Personally, I LIKE the ability to connect with my boat with my knees & hips in addition to my butt. And I can't imagine a ski (even a short one) being much fun in rock play. But the OP asked why some folks like Surfskis, so that's the answer he got. Phil

I'm not adding any opinion on which is better, but for most paddlers, the surf ski allows better lower body engagement (knees centered and legs pumping like a bike) then your average sea kayak (whatever that is). So it's easier to use the big leg muscles to drive some of the hip rotation and lengthen the effective part of the forward stroke. Also, spray skirts can reduce torso rotation somewhat. Of course, as stated nicely above, that's at the cost of being able to roll the boat and keep cold water out of your lap. Phil

CG is federal, though they may call on state or local resources like the harbormaster if appropriate. P

While the CG doesn't charge for rescues (mayday calls), I believe if you're just floating around in a non functional boat but not in immediate danger they call Sea-Tow, who does charge for the rescue service. Phil

OK- 9pm and no modifications. Guess we'll figure out something else to do tomorrow. Hope you all enjoy the day. Phil

Al- Sorry, just got back from running errands all day. It's 5:50pm Sat. and if you still want to paddle Lorrie and I are up for it. Phil

David- Sorry, but something's come up an I can't join you today. Enjoy!. Phil

David- I have to drop someone at the airport tomorrow around 7-7:30. If the predicted downpours are not in progress I will probably join you. Phil

Hi Al- I'm interested, and I'll add a tenative yes for Lorrie. Will confirm on Saturday. Phil

I don't know for sure, but have seen a fair number of people A) launch from the swimming beach; and park their cars close to the front of the lot. A gentle comment on the parking got the response that "I haven't had any problems parking here before". A thought: should the NSPN list of launch sites be available only to paid members? Phil

Lorrie and I are in. Phil

Jeff- I've got an 01 passat, and the tow loop is hidden behind the slotted trim piece below the bumper in vertical line with the headlamp. Not sure if there is more than one, but the one we use is on the passenger side. Our trim piece got lost in a fender bender, but it looks like it just snaps in, and that you could tie a piece of webbing through the tow loop, slide it through the trim piece and then tie another knot to keep it from sliding back. You don't normally want much pressure on the front and or rear ties (why the sell ratcheting ties for this is beyond me), but you want it strong enough to keep the stuff on top of the car from leaving should a catastrophic rack failure happen. Phil

Nancy- check the warranty info and the discussion/reviews on amazon. IIRC, the waterproofness warranty is only good for a year and otherwise requires yearly replacement of the gaskets at the factory for a cost of about 1/2 the original purchase price (~150$). Phil

I used the source Jason links to, but it would help if I wasn't a week off. Phil