grl

I agree, it is confusing. They are essentially the same coordinates. One is N 42.97 degrees and the other is N 42 degrees 58.1127 minutes. If you get the software running with charts for area you can really zero in of coordinates for locations on the chart. The real fun is developing routes as it gives you headings,distances, travel times, etc, Ed Lawson

A few random thoughts: 1. One of the more serious navigational mistakes is to disbelieve authoritative information because it does not conform to an erroneous opinion/conclusion/speculation. This mistake has resulted in catastrophic accidents. 2. It may seem quaint in the age of GPS and distrust in government, but NOAA takes it responsibility to provide accurate navigational information very seriously as lives depend upon it. There is essentially no possibility the coordinates published by NOAA for the Isles of Shoals station are erroneous. They are not general coordinates for the cluster of islands which make up the Isles of Shoals, they are for the location of the Isles of Shoals light. 3. The reason the coordinates for a tower on Appledore I. differ from the coordinates for the NOAA Isles of Shoals station is due to the fact it is not on Appledore I. It is located at the Isles of Shoals light which is on White I. 4. Plotting the coordinates for the Isles of Shoals light on a chart should result in the location of White I. and the light on White I. If it does not, then it is time to discover the errors being made and not to blame the chart or to assume the published data is incorrect. I say this from the perspective of several hard earned experiences due to such mistakes made and longer days as the result. Ed Lawson

SOFs are NOT created equal. There are as many different SOF frame designs as there are hull designs of composite "sea kayaks" and each performs differently. The paddler's size and weight influences the performance of a SOF far more than it does a composite layup, and good fit is essential to good performance/control. Yes, they weathercock; some are evil and some are easy to deal with. It all depends on you and the design of the frame. External skegs are available for SOFs, and there are some paddlers that use them, but neither Ed nor I have ever used one. If we are going to be at the same pool session, you can try mine. Email me at glawson@metrocast.net Gail

Give yourself some time off. Your body is telling you something, and "quick fixes" are myths. If it doesn't improve with rest, see a professional.

Are you taking "when ship happens" class?

Try this site and check Buoy B http://www.gomoos.org/data/recent.html My SWAG is that water in places which get flushed and refilled like the Little Harbor area tend to be colder than you might expect and colder than the buoy data would suggest. Or at least it seems that way at times. Ed Lawson

NE Seacoast Paddlers has a large and growing membership that attracts flat water and beginning paddlers, but not exclusively those, with turnouts in the teens and above . . . so, there's plenty of people wanting to paddle and wanting to learn. It requires someone(s) willing to take on a beginning group of paddlers and provide a good experience in a spirit of helpfulness in settings without the fear factor. I recall my first NSPN paddle led by Patty Phalen in Gloucester Harbor. I didn't have a clue, wished I did, and that wonderful first paddle on the ocean set the stage . . . I think NSPN has shifted significantly in its focus over the past few years which leaves the newby and solace-seeking paddlers to find other means of learning and others to paddle with.

I am very accustomed to the feel of wood and like it. That said, the differences of blade width, loom length, and type of wood all impact how the paddle feels and performs. Also weight is a factor. Western red ceder with a narrow blade at my size is almost weightless and effortless to use for hours. By way of comparison, I had the chance to use a Superior carbon fiber one-piece paddle for a day. This paddle was too long for me, and the blade width was wider than optimal (for someone my size) which gave a bigger bite per stroke--but it was useable and I used it for a day. The primary difference to me was a much stiffer, unforgiving feel which is not bad for certain types of paddling, but the wood has a softer feel, a slight flex/blending with stroke that is kind to the shoulders and more pleasant after a few hours of continuous paddling. The CF was light in weight, but did not have the same buoyant exit at the end of the stroke. None of this is bad, just different. I was considering a CF as an alternative but have yet to get one! Hope this helps. Gail

I have found the drop seat zipper to be an issue sliding in and out of a tight ocean cockpit on SOFs and for this reason prefer the lowered front zip. Gail

Mine must have been made in the same batch! Gaskets were okay, but boy did it fill up with water in October! Sent it to Kokatat and they returned a brand new one. Delamination of the fabric. Customer service is superb, and their gear excellent. Gail

Peter, why are you selling it?

It's Peter Brady's -- now we know what we does up there.

I have no personal interest or gain--just letting people know. At the Concord NH LL Bean outlet store on Ft. Eddy Road there are 3 Kokatat XXL drysuits at 50% off the current sale price ($339) which is quite a bargain if they fit!

A sound conditioning program consists of strength training; cardiovascular endurance training; and flexibility exercise to achieve balanced physical fitness. There are many ways of doing this and you can use lots of different tools to achieve it, but in a broad sense this three-pronged program is the foundation for any sport. There are no short-cuts and doing it only partially opens the door for injury. Consistency of workouts with gradual loading of weight/intensity will prove invaluable in the spring.