Doug

Lake Winnipesaukee (Weirs Beach) BIB 11AM Saturday...Weather looks great and water temperature around 61 degrees. Let me know if there are any takers. Trip just posted in NE Seacoast Kayakers as well at http://paddling.meetup.com/53/calendar/8927295/ Doug

I'll be there..... Doug

Larry Great pics... Thanks for sharing. Doug

If your still going, I'm in...I'll try and be there on time.... Doug

I also have a Kokatat system that I've been using for a year. Never had any problems with it at all. Lays flat and is secured well on Kokatat vests. Has a flat zip-loc bladder rather than other bulbous ones I've seen. Doug

Great pictures. I wish I were able to join you all that day. Can we convince Ed to plan another trip soon? Doug

The comical thing here, is that the fuel that sparked the fire (so to speak) with this forum/debate came from someone that was not even part of this paddle from the start. Maybe people should think twice before trying to spoil the memories of the fine trip this actually was. CAM works and it did on this trip as well. When the waters were calm we did spread out a bit but when things became more serious, we clustered together for safety and leaders became outspoken. We used our radios and everyone returned home safely. I look forward to the next trip. Doug

Ed I suppose that's an abstract way of looking at it but British humor is not my cup of tea. Who knows what truth is? I think you need to go paddling..... Doug

Pintail, (or Chris?), I was the one you asked where Kevin was. The larger group I was paddling with was well aware of Kevin's plan to play. As we approached the first rock garden, the 5 of them (Kevins platoon) split off to explore at their leisure. Any concern of them falling back was discussed within minutes as being a course of action Kevin was interested in following. He was quoted in saying that he was tired of strait line trips and wanted to be more relaxed that day. This is the luxury a group of this size could accomodate. I was also tempted to join him but having never paddled around Cape Ann, was drawn to cover more ground. We were a very coherent group. 5 or 6 of us had radios with us. Granted, 2 were packed away but we were well aware of what was going on. You did seem a bit stressed trying to locate Kevin. I was not sure why. In my opinion, this was a well organized group of paddlers that acted responsibly. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would have rated this trip a 9. Close to a perfect day. If only I borrowed Carolyns sunscreen sooner, it would have been a 9.75. Doug Some pics of this paddle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelsbydoug

See pics of this trip at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelsbydoug great trip, good friends, warm water, hot and sunny day........

I'll be there. Doug

Any idea of estimated miles? Doug

Any hotels in the area? Would like to paddle 2 or 3 days & meet with the group at a designated location each day. Is this a possible format in conjunction to what is being planned? If so, does anyone else share the same interest in a more pampered home base? Doug

I will be there as long as the weather holds up. Would also like to go through the locks. I already signed up for this through Seacoast. Doug

I will be joining you too... Doug

I'm pretty sure I can make it too... Doug

I purchased the Baffin (by Boreal design) 8 days ago at Contoocook River Kayak & Canoe. Pat has always taken care of me in the past. I have now paddled it 4 times and logged on 30+ miles. Compared it with the Ellesmere on back to back paddles as well as 2 poly P&H Capelas in different lengths. I felt the baffin plowed a bit (probably due to my 240 lb body) but that did not seam to have any effect on forward or reverse speed. In fact this boat really moves along rather quickly. Initial stability was very good, quite different than the Ellesmere which tended to be a bit unstable until you got a few forward strokes going. Although the new skeg worked flawlessly, it was not needed unless a cross wind was over 12 mph. I like the lines of the design. Very nimble and easy to turn yet holding an edge seemed to take more out me than my 50 lb Cetus. Low profile behind the cockpit .... effortless rolls. The Baffin uses the highest quality poly I have seen that actually has a nice smooth sheen to it. I chose "Mango" yet Pat has another in "yellow" as well as a multi-colored demo boat. First rate workmanship makes it a winner in my book. Doug

WHAT A BEAST................

Looking for feedback on the Boreal Design Baffin Poly Kayak. I'm interested in a bulletproof poly sea kayak to back-up my Cetus that that can also be used by beginner family members or friends that may want to join me. They have considerably lighter bodies than mine. Maybe I'm asking too much from one kayak. Has anyone paddled the Baffin or suggest a poly boat to fit these parameters? doug

Count me in. Doug@NEBM.net doug

Hi Kevin I'm up there almost every weekend from now until October. We keep a boat in a boathouse in the Weirs Channel. I can meet up with you most any time . I know the lake quite well. Contact me at Doug@NEBM.net or call me. Doug

Did the new boats come in that were expected to previously arrive in March?

TRY PERFORMANCE REHAB in Londonderry or Nashua NH. Not sure if that is convenient to you. They have helped me many times from leg, back & neck injuries. A good ortho man is Wendel Pierce MD in Winchester, MA. There is also A'sante massage in Londonderry NH...Victoria is a deep tissue expert, the best I have found. She works out of her husbands Chiropractic office so be prepared for the sales pitch. (send me a IM and I'll give you her number if your interested) I'll take a qualified physical therapist over Chiropractic care any day of the week. They can make mistakes very easily and I have paid the price by getting a bad one or 2 in the past. To each his own. Hope this helps you. Good luck. Doug

Don't worry, I'm sure I over reacted. On another note, it was a great trip yesterday. One I'll never forget. It took everything I had...and more. Thanks for sharing the experience. We'll do it again soon...

Sorry I asked......I won't make that mistake again !