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.

I've used two different Polar HRM models swimming laps in a pool without problem. As for beeping, they can be set for different ranges of effort, and will beep if you're working above or below the range you set. Also, the beeping can be turned off.

Let's try this again: Sunday's paddle was invigorating and a great pleasure. Ten of us left Pierce Island and found our way into Little Harbor. We ventured out past the jettys and around Jaffrey Point and up to the Coast Guard station where we crossed the mouth of the river over to Gerrish Island. We then followed the coast to Ft. Foster where we took a break for a stretch and a snack, then continued up the coast along Gerrish to roll along with the swells. The sun was shinning and there was no wind, two large tankers were anchored not too far away, and it was peaceful. Turning around to head back into the harbor we found some great swells to ride on. As we approached the mouth of the river of the Piscatequa, a Navy vessel watched us carefully and we gave her a lot of room. The tide was coming in and we absolutely few up the channel with a max speed of 5.7K! Two tugs going out to fetch the tankers provided some neat wake. Four hours later, and a total of nine nautical miles paddled, found some happy if not rather well-exercised paddlers loading gear back into and onto cars. Then . . . off to Red Hook for a brew and burger . . . what a great day!

It's a Ferrari (16' x 19 3/4") that loves to move--yes, it's a challenging ride. Was told to eat my Wheaties before I got into it! I'm small (5'1", 110 lbs) and I cannot wear a water bladder on my PFD when I paddle it. Its stability (primary and secondary) is determined by physical size, and a higher center of gravity affects performance. For me primary is iffy, but secondary is solid. The deck both fore and aft is high. I have a Force 3 with a lower rear deck than the Rumour. It will challenge you to acquire better skills if you don't already have them. If you have them, you will be able use it as it was designed to be used.

The 19th or 20th work for Ed and me.

My preference is 19th so Ed could come. However, I will do either.

We can read books and watch videos but reality is putting blade to water. How many times this weekend did the light come on, “Oh, that’s what that means!” The opportunities were endless with the door wide open to try things not tried and do things not done before. Thank you Paul for the invitation to “notch things up.” Everyone is at a different place on the learning curve, and that has nothing to do with being a “good” or “bad” paddler, which is how we judge ourselves. The attitude “I’m not good enough to do that . . .” keeps a tight rein on taking a risk and developing abilities. Is the glass half full or half empty? It is confidence that provides the answer; and we find confidence in discovering the ability to do things we thought we couldn’t. It was an extremely valuable weekend, exhilarating, confidence building for me. Rick, I now have a card compass and can use it. My final exercise of the day was to figure the bearings on a trip around Gerrish. I did it (yes, he checked them to be sure). So much for timid virgins and whisky! And finally, how much I appreciate the fine friends that make paddling such a pleasure.

Saving the date. I might be able to get to the launch site at 10--don't know why Ed will be so late!

SOME OF US HAVE TO WORK! This explains why Ed quizzed me about what I was going to do the day after Christmas . . . he'll probably be there and I won't. I took all my available time to play when the weather was warm . . .