brambor

If you would like to join some of the trips posted here then you will have a very hard time to keep up with the faster 'sit in' kayaks considering that you are new to the sport. But if you don't really care about joining these trips then I think those sit on top fishing kayaks would be a great choice for what you described (as I recommended in my first reply). They are made with greater initial stability in mind (i.e. stable while you are futzing around with fishing tackle). Primary skill in getting out onto the water is to be able to reenter your kayak in case of a capsize. This is what you should practice in calm water first and then progress to practicing it in bumpy water as well. Sit on top kayak is a little bit like a large life preserver ring. If you tether your paddle with a paddle leash to the kayak and if you hold on to your paddle in case of a capsize then you should be able to reunite with your boat. --- the next thing is to be able to get back up without tipping over: 1. From the side, behind the seat, get your hands across the kayak and launch your belly onto the kayak deck while your legs still dangle in the water. Kicking legs like during swimming will keep you more horizontal (that is a good thing) 2. Place the leg closest to the boat into the cavity where the seat is and then the second leg. Now you should be laying on your belly on your kayak. 3. shuffle a little to get your belly into the cavity of the kayak seat. 4. carefully turn around and sit up. This could be aided better by using a paddle float. For sit on tops I recommend a foam paddle float that you can have strapped in your bungees. (that could be a followup reply if we go that direction) In general you did not see a wealth of newbie advice pouring out because it was hard to pinpoint which direction you will be heading with your boat choice and usage.

nope

Nice shooting Dustin!

14 feet sounds a little short to me. I would look into the line of the new sit on top fishing kayaks from what I read about your description of usage.

Spider, I would love to view the pictures. The link doesn't seem to be working though... Rene

I really enjoyed the full moon paddle last year (organized by Pintail). Any interest in doing it again ?

Take lots of pictures - Have a great time.

nice shot. I've been meaning to drop in for a few weeks now. The kids finished school yesterday. Maybe next week will be kind to me.

How long is too much driving?

I have a family of 4 = plenty of gear. If there is an upcoming overnighter where we both go and if you are in any need to gear then I would gladly help out.

One issue I also have is after I put sunscreen on my face and spend time on the water the sunscreen eventually makes it to my eyes and consequently acting like an irritant. I am really having a reat time - no, I am not crying ;-)

Me toi. Thanks Sal.

Do you think that sunburn from the sun reflected off the water is possible?

What do you do to avoid sunburn to the face? If I put on sunscreen I still get sunburned. I tried hats but seems to me that my had is not wide enough or perhaps I'm getting sunburn from the reflection (is that possible?) Last Saturday I paddled with sun face mask and that kind of worked except that I got sunburned around the eyes like Zorro.

Perfect weather, great company and a great campsite combined for a wonderful weekend on Bangs Island. I launched from Falmouth Foreside in the morning and headed towards Litte Chebeague island. On the crossing I encountered a lively fetch that made the crossing more interesting. From Little Chebeague to the point of Big Chebeague the conditions were benign. From then on the paddle to Bangs was against a headwind. I first landed at the middle campsite where I had a muffin and good thermos of coffee. Then I paddled to the Northern Site where I was to meetup with the rest of the group later. Upon landing I checked my trip odometer and mistakenly thought I paddled 12 miles (later at home I realized the odometer was in Kilometers). The total trip was 7.1 miles. I spent the rest of the time collecting wood and examining the condition of the island for a cleanup. Rob, Spider and Marilyn arrived about 3 hours later. After a short settling down we all grabbed a trash bag and proceeded to hike the island in search of garbage, flotsam or jetsam. We managed to fill several trash bags, had a decent time hiking the rocks around the perimeter of the island. Rest of the evening was spend cooking, comparing gear and sitting around a campfire which we built below the high tide mark. The night was unseasonably cold. I woke up around 5am and then slept until about 8am. After breakfast we packed our gear and waited for another paddler to join us at 10am and accompany us to Cousins island. The return trip was aided by favorable wind and following seas. Nice meeting Rob, Marilyn and Spider. Hopefully we'll camp again this season. Thanks for the good times.

How about doing it during the Solstice Paddle? More people to browse the goods.

First the maps and pictures. Words later. Paddle to Bangs Paddle From Bangs

great. I will launch early in the morning and welcome your party {3} at the campsite.

I am now definitely going.

Good luck to you and thanks for chiming in. I second the choice of EPIRB. I am in awe of your upcoming adventures. P.S. Hurricane season officially started today. Maybe the wind that picked your kayak airborne was a prequel. Stay safe.

hi Barry lets think of other months you can make. OTOH lets talk about alternate trip for the same date. rb

I am still ON although there is a chance I will have to bail out and stay home. I am also planning on launchimg earlier than noontime, in which case we would meet at the campsite.

i am about to try attaching a suction cup camera mount on my foredeck. I will sure be rolling with it before I go anywhere.

Interesting. So he couldn't cut the bag off the foredeck and ditch it? Maybe shove it into the cockpit, reenter and roll? Looks like the conditions were very bad but at least he should have tried before calling the CG for rescue.

I did think about going but I am glad I did not go.