jdkilroy

Seem to be drifting from the topic a bit; Is anyone interested in going out tomorrow? (Sunday) Conditions will be advanced with N ~ NE'ly winds in the F5 ~ 6 with seas in the 5+ foot range depending on where paddling. Thinking of heading out from Portsmouth area just to get out and deal with the conditions. Would obviously adjust plans as appropriate. Jon PS: I believe Rick and Paul are down in CT doing the rough water weekend with G Paquin and crew.

I've got pretty big paws myself Phil and the Snapdragon Pogies have worked well even with neoprene gloves on. (I wear XXL gloves) Jon

A hearty congratulation Ross! (although Mom did all the work). The very best to all three. Jon and Laura

Hi Brian, To respond to the excellent points you raise: "Is there any particular reason you used Kevlar? ... could be done with fiberglass, which would be simpler, easier and just as effective." I used Kevlar primarily because it came as a tape; a fixed width with finished edges and I happened to have some. It was the toughest cloth product I had on hand. As far as simpler and easier; it was fairly simple and fairly easy. "BTW, when doing jobs similar to this where the reinforcing fabric tends to lift or curl, simply cover the repair with clear packing tape." Quite true and that would work well on the materials that lay over the hull. Taping over the material inside the skeg box is not an option so you still need to babysit the repair while the epoxy sets up. Jon

The KariTec skeg system has been the best I have used and abused so far, bar none. With only basic care and common sense I have never had it jam on those rare occasions that I actually needed it. Even when I forget to raise it and the skeg gets pushed into the box, the wire has not kinked (as designed). KariTec uses a universal skeg box that allows installation of any of their three skeg systems; rope, wire or hydraulic. The main problem with KariTec's universal skeg box is the bond between the plastic box and the fiberglass hull. With impact, (rock gardening, seal landings etc), the joint between the two materials can separate and the leaking begins. NDK is now building their boats with a fiberglass housing to enclose the Kari box in order to address this. I have addressed the leaks in my boat by adding a couple pieces of kevlar tape to strengthen the joint and end the leaks http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...Kariskegbox.jpg To effect the repair, you will need to release the skeg wire from the control box forward and remove the skeg assembly from the skeg box. You then apply masking tape to the hull to limit the hull exposure to sanding and adhesive. If the joint is already leaking you will want to remove the gel coat that overlaps the bottom of the skeg box. Rinse with fresh water and dry with isopropyl alcohol. You will know when you've done enough when you see a clear delineation between hull and skeg box. You will need to mark the inside of the skeg box with a pencil where the widest piece of your tape will extend into the box and sand down that far (just beyond). I used both 1" and 2" Kevlar tape. (Do NOT use your wife's fine sewing shears to cut this stuff) Sand everything smooth with 150 grit; the hull and down each side of the skeg box on the inside a little beyond your pencil line. I used West system epoxy for the adhesive, applied to the masked off hull and the inside of the skeg box. There is a fair amount of room to work in there. Kevlar is tricky stuff and just a little annoying to work with. You will find that you have to babysit the job after applying the tape (folded over the hull and into the skeg box). As the epoxy sets up the tape will want to unfold itself on one side of the fold or the other. It would be worth going through the exercise on a piece of wood first so you get an idea of what you will have to deal with. On my boat, I used 1" tape first and then applied the 2" tape over it to reenforce and provide for wear. Once the repair is complete, you will need to replace the skeg assembly and reconnect the control cable to the slider forward. This worked quite well and if anyone is having similar problems and contemplating this solution, feel free to email and we can chat prior to your getting into it. It sounds much more involved than it is but it's probably not a beginner job. Jon

A readily available and safe(er) knife that has worked well for me is the "bearcalw" made by CRKT. http://www.crkt.com/cgi-bin/crkt.pl?pgm=co...;search_id=4685 Here it is on my pfd. http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...oy/P9060001.jpg I don't even notice it. I don't tether it and it has never come out inadvertently ( the way I seize it on helps with that). The finger hole helps assures you have a good hold as you remove from the sheath and use it. Personally, I just can't see having to deal with opening a knife when I need it in/on the water. Jon

This is the working fishermen's small boat launch so please be sure you do not block the access. They launch their skiffs here to get out to their vessels in the harbour. Jon

I am an MEC member Jason so theoretically, If you are willing to pay postage, we could just order one and have it shipped to us. No where near as much fun as actually going there to get it yourself but perhaps a little more affordable right now. Jon

An alternative to the Lasso is a product called "Steel Core" security straps. These are slightly thicker than your typical tie-down straps and have a locking ratchet device on one end. Very strong and friendly to use. Jon

Barry, This does not appear to require any sort of structural repair as I do not see any gel coat cracks radiating out from the primary insult. I would apply a small (2" x 2") fiberglass patch to the inside and then fill the outer defect with epoxy; tinted or not with white gel coat tint. You would want to thoroughly rinse with fresh water (including through the hole) then dry and then clean with acetone or fiberglass cleaner prior to any repairs. My preference is West system epoxy but you could use regular fiberglass resin as well and that may be easier to get in smaller amounts. On the other hand, a small circular piece of Gorilla tape would work just fine as well. Have fun, Jon

Hi Jeff, Welcome to NSPN. We live in Chester and the NH seacoast is our usual playground. We'll look forward to seeing you on the water. Jon

One of the handiest things we've found for camping (kayak or otherwise) is a shelter that allows you to get out of the weather quickly. A space to set up cooking, keep gear out of the rain etc. With these purposes in mind and the fact that I am 6'3', I prefer a peaked shelter that allows me to stand or at least have some headroom while still being protected from wind-driven rain. The best I've seen is made by Superior Kayaks. Very well built, your paddle can serve as the only upright support. Mark is pretty helpful as well. http://www.superiorkayaks.com/superiorkayaks2009_003.htm Another well made shelter is made by GoLite. Laura and I use the 3 person shelter and it works great. You can find these on sale if you look for a bit. http://www.golite.com/Product/proddetail.a...=SH6125&s=2 Hope that's helpful, Jon Disclaimer: I have no relationship with either company.

I guess its a nifty parlour trick, but I see no practical use for this exercise other than working on your underwater hold time... If I go over and loose a paddle, it is unlikely that I will have any clue where it is and I'm not going to waste valuable time looking for it upside down. I will remove half a split from the fore deck, roll up, put the split together and paddle. Jon

This is the question that has been running through my mind since reading the post earlier... When was it that Gene was noticed as missing? What was done at that point? Jon

Coming from NH, parking is always an issue without the local knowledge or license plates. What is the parking situation at the Pebble Beach put-in? thanks, Jon

This is sounding good, If its blowing at all we can go out to the mouth west of Wood Island as well and play in some of the junk out there. Jon

"... As far as the sailboat goes that's another issue, but they do have the right of way... " By far the simplest and safest rule for kayakers operating on waters navigable by any other type of vessel is "the rule of gross tonnage." If at any time you feel it does not apply to you, your day of reckoning awaits you. Regardless of your legal standing, assume that you are the burdened vessel and act accordingly. Jon

I don't think we know anything about what actually happened yet so.... Jon

The Trip Report: Monday, May 25th, 2009 We gathered at Rye Harbor to make a final assessment of the day and launch. A little later start than optimal but with sunset holding off until after 20:00, we had plenty of daylight at our disposal. Ross vouched for both John and I as we had never paddled together and Ross knew us both from a paddling perspective. The decision was to paddle to the Isles of Shoals, poke around a bit and head back. We listened to the latest weather from NOAA before passing through the breakwater at 1243. http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j.../Headingout.jpg The skies were dotted with fair weather cumulus and a SE'ly breeze blew in defiance of the predicted NW winds to 20 kts. These were not optimal conditions for a trip of this sort as the predicted winds would be brisk and offshore if and when they materialized. The paddle out against a 10 knot SE'ly breeze seemed leisurely and we made good about 3.6kts aiming for the tower on Appledore. Meandering past Malaga, Smuttynose and Star Islands we made our way toward the lighthouse for lunch. http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...WhiteIsland.jpg Greeted and welcomed by Dan and his wife Maggie we hauled out next to the ways. This is the 12th summer that Dan and Maggie have spent on isles of Shoals monitoring and collecting data on the terns that nest on White Isl. There are now three of them with the addition of their 18 moth old daughter. What summer memories she will enjoy! http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...anandMaggie.jpg The monitoring of the terns has been a cooperative project between Cornell University and the University of NH. the nesting takes place primarily on White Isl and part of Dan's job is to try and encourage the birds to stay there rather than extend their breeding area. The constant background noise as we approached was near deafening at times once on the island. The sound of literally thousands of terns calling out. Some unknown event would occasionally send a cloud of them into flight, wheeling and keening more than ever before settling once again into the baseline chaos on the ground. http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...ationBlinds.jpg http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...estingEider.jpg We enjoyed our lunch basking in the sun on their front lawn, the horn moaning in our ears at regular intervals. Dan invited us to take a tour of the lighthouse after lunch and we gladly accepted. Dan had a fair knowledge of the light's history and he provided a steady stream of background information. Upon entering you can see the construction; 3-1/2 bricks thick and some 60 ft of tower in a perfect cylinder. The climb up the stairs is a little dizzying when you look up and see the spiral stairs disappearing into the blackness above. http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...bricksthick.jpg http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...housestairs.jpg The former incandescent light with the fresnel lens that rotated to create a sweeping flash every 15 sec has been replaced with a very high intensity LED light. Much less appealing to watch and certainly less romantic but effective and efficient enough to allow the light to be powered by one small solar array. http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...ightelement.jpg We hung out at the top of the light for a while, taking in the view and the spectacular day. You could just make out Cape Anne in the distance to the South. http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...RossandJohn.jpg http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...9/Whataview.jpg http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...refromlight.jpg While we were up in the light, we could feel the wind freshening and observed it veering from the free-ride-home SE'ly to the in-your-teeth W ~ NW'ly. The occasional whitecap turned into a landscape of them. Nobody said it but we all knew it, it was going to be a bit of a slog back home. http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...9/Whitecaps.jpg So... when you head out to the Isles, its pretty easy assuming you pick a day that you can actually see them. They are the only thing out there, just paddle to them. Heading back home is a whole different ball game. The discreet island masses you paddled toward this morning is now a continuous and homogenous band of dark green in the distant haze. Agreeing on a heading, we began our paddle back after thanks and farewells to our gracious hosts. We took it right on the chin for the first hour with a pretty stiff WxN'ly wind in the 15 ~ 20 kt range with higher gusts. The 2 ~ 3 foot seas kept us pretty wet. The wind eased a bit over time and continued to veer until settling on NNW. I had expected that we would get set to the south quite a bit by the wind and outbound tide. Interestingly, we really did not experience that at all and about 2/3 of the way across, had to adjust our heading to make the harbor entrance, passing abeam at 1845. PeterB was there to greet us. He noted that he had been scanning the sea with binoculars for some time and had not been able to see us until we were really quite close. Something to be aware of; how nearly invisible we are if the sea is stirred up at all. The TripTik: http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/j...oalsTripTik.jpg Trip Length: ~ 13.6 nm It was a great paddle with a few unexpected delights and dash of adventure. Jon

Wanted to share the photos. The written trip report will post tonight. Please hold off on adding to thread until report added. Slideshow: <http://s311.photobucket.com/albums/kk467/jdkilroy/Isles of Shoals 5-25-09/?albumview=slideshow> You will have to cut and paste as the URL gets mangled upon posting. (remove the arrows on the ends.) Thanks, Jon

It was a cruise out there and a slog back but a great trip for the three of us who made it. Trip report to follow. Jon

Phil, You might try the soap solution technique to locate exactly where the leak is then use a vacuum to get the epoxy where it needs to go. This may be especially helpful for such hard to get at places as the bow and stern. Look at the recent, "fixing a leaking cockpit flange" thread for possible ideas. Jon

I would presume the best way to establish this number would be to set up some sort of measured mile (nautical mile?) on a lake and then paddle it on a calm day or to do the same on the sea but paddle it on a calm day at slack water. I'll see about setting up a measured mile in the Portsmouth area John and others can apply themselves to it as conditions and timing allow. Jon

Hi Gene, I'll second Chuck's advice re the edge of the coaming or flange. Taking a piece of 220 sand paper, round the edge of the rim all the way around the flange. Carefully feel the underside for any sharp edges of fiberglass as well and sand this as well. I've yet to feel a factory cockpit flange that did NOT need to be smoothed out. You need to use a small piece to be in control of it so as not to be scratching the top face of the flange or the deck surface below. You are looking to nicely radius the edge and smooth out the underside only. As an added benefit, the skirt goes on and off easier and with less wear. Jon

Suz, if you have a dehydrator, try dehydrating Kefir as you would to make fruit roll-ups. Laura and I did this recently for our Downeast trip and it was great. I used strawberry kefir and the flavor became more intense. It was like a top quality strawberry taffy. Roll it up and cut into short lengths while still warm. Cool and pack in zip locks. I gave PeterB a piece that was three weeks old last weekend and since he posted yesterday, he must still be alive. Jon