Hal

Lake Champlain is a great freshwater location. I have paddled most of the NY side (west). With the exception of Plattsburgh the water quality seems good. Lots of wooded shoreline, private camps/homes and quaint towns to stop in. The west shore is mostly limestone cliffs are rocky beaches. If the wind comes up it can be challenging. The norther portion of the lake on the Vermont side has lots of islands many coves. I am not sure what you have to do if you want to paddle north of Rouses Point into Canada. Enjoy your trip.

To stop one merely turns into the wind.... maybe several times to bleed off speed. Most sailors have ice cleats on boots to assist in stopping. As Doug said I have s goofy video link. The style of ice boat I use is called and Iceflyer. It uses a standard windsurfing sail, mast and boom. The runners are not like skates, they are sharpened to a point not flat like ice skates. Hal

I had a close encounter of the 3rd Kind last week as I passed him on RT just north of the Mass line. He is indeed working on pool session organization in Goffstown.

In years past we paddled to Monomoy by launching at either the Causeway, Oyster Creek or Hardings Beach. We went down between North Monomoy and "south beach" to the break. Now that South Beach is connected to Monomoy and I am curious if you can still get through the pass between N and (formerly) S Monomoy for a return trip on the west of N. Monomoy. I think this question will only make sense to those who have paddled there before the new land bridge. Any recent information will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

For the record I was at the Cape last week and was able to find in most of the marine supply stores an "updated" chart for Monomoy and Pleasant Bay. The map shows the location of the new cut in Nauset beach that has made some changes in Pleasant Bay and it also shows the new configuration of the Monomoy area. I would also recommend paddling in the protected upper reaches of Pleasant Bay and using Lisa Evans' book as a reliable guide to several trips. There is also a state park camp ground at Exit 1 (Shawme Cromwell State Park). Almost always an available camping spot but not centrally loctated.

It is an interesting paddle trip from Meeting House pond in Orleans. You can follow the directions in Lisa Evans' book. It is in the Pleasant Bay section where she details a trip to the Cupola House ( it is just another 3/4 mile further south). Don't try it at or near low tide.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_...yaker_rescued_1

Several months ago there was a do-it-yourself article in "Sea Kayaker" magazine on how to replace the standard latex neck gasket with a "semi dry" neoprene system. I am tired of dealing with the latex gasket and want to make the change. So I am looking for feedback from anyone who has actually done this change. Over the years it has been made clear to me the weakest link in all my kayaking/outdoor gear is the neck gasket. Even if you have a new gasket and are not super careful your gasket can tear and make it useless. Let me know if you have done the change and how it went. Hal

This is the best Saranac Lake area day trip. Put in at the South Creek boat access on RT 3. Paddle into Middle Saranac (if you have the time cross the lake and visit Weller Pond). Paddle east across Middle Saranac through the bull rushes into the Saranac River. Follow the river through the locks. At this time of the year it is a self service project (the instructions are on a sign). Continue down the river into Lower Saranac Lake. Paddle about 1/3 of the length of the lake to the Saranac River outlet. Paddle to the RT 3 (State Bridge Boat Launch). You can take out there call a taxi from Saranac Lake and get back to your car or keep going. Continue down the river through one more set of locks that I think are also self service this time of the year. Paddle through Oseetah Lake staying on the Saranac River to the Lake Flower boat landing. Call a cab and they will take you back to your car. Your boat should be safe at the landing during daylight hours. Enjoy. If it is Thursday try the buffet at the Hotel Saranac. Hal

John, I lived there for 12 years and know the paddling areas well. Are you interested in day trips or an overnight or two? If you are planning on the Saranac Lake area there are many great scenic and remote trips. Let me know your interest. Hal

I have had a separate policy for my boats through Allstate for about $60/year. I recently burned down my Gulfstream (another whole story.... picture attached) and they came through for the cost of the repair estimate. Most likely like you I was nervous carrying about $5,000 worth of boats on my car's roof.

I have reservations to use one of the lean-to on Isle au Haut (Duck Harbor area) for the nights of July 20 and 21. Due to conficts we are unable to go. The reservation cost $25. If you are interested in a great Stonington, ME trip get in touch with me ASAP. First come first serve. It is one of the greatest places to camp on the Maine coast. Hal

This picture in the Globe pretty much shows the break http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/...?p1=MEWell_Pos1

2 summers ago we did an unsupported trip in Misty but we used the services of Southeast Sea Kayaks (Kethikan based). Their infrormation was great and they had excellent equipment. We planned on being out for 18 days but cut it off at 15. If you plan to go there remember that it's not named Misty Fjords for no reason. Feel free to contact me back channel for all the details on conditions, what went great and what did not.

On most of our trips to Monomoy we would go out with the outgoing tide and return on the flood tide. The question is with south beach connected to South Monomoy, will the tidal currents be reversed (outgoing tide flowing north around North Monomoy). Or will the outgoing tide flow out between North and South Monomoy, keeping the currents going in the "normal directions".