Grajan

I would like to add my thanks to Gary and everyone else who helped make this a great weekend and a great introduction to NSPN tripping. Here are a few more photos. Graham (and Janaki)

After some 'flamboyant abuse' of my Tempest 170 Pro, I am in urgent need of a fiberglasser to fill in the small holes and then put on a keel strip. Can anyone recommend someone in the Portsmouth area that could do this sort of thing in a hurry? This is no time to be off the water..... Thanks a lot. Graham

Janaki here: Thanks to all for your input on my behalf. As Graham mentioned, I am feeling a little cramped in my Avocet especially with no room for my knees to be bent outwards. This straight leg position makes edging and rotation more difficult. When I demoed a Nordkapp standard and a Nordkapp LV last weekend I felt much more comfortable in my stroke and rotation, although the LV was just as cramped in the legs and the standard felt a bit high volume. I am not small at 5' 8" and 145lbs so I'm looking for a boat that has a slightly higher front deck than the Avocet so that I can bend my knees out, but isn't a bathtub. I would also like to find a longer and slimmer boat for more speed over long paddles. I will be trying a Impex Force 4 this weekend. Maybe a Force 3 would be a better fit but I don't think Kittery Trading Post have one in stock. If anyone has a Force 3 I could try out I would be very grateful. Deb, my paddle is a Cyprus 215, which I love, so I guess I'm a larger build than you with your 205. Janaki

Hello all, We have just moved to the Portsmouth area and are pleased to find a group of enthusiastic sea kayakers. We are looking forward to paddling with you some time. Right now we could do with some kayak selection advice. My wife Janaki is a confident paddler with a good stroke, a good roll and some multi-day tripping experience but she has some trouble with pace. She is currently paddling a Poly Valley Avocet. Apart from the fact that it is poly, a little too short and a little too wide, we think the main problem is it keeps her legs too straight, impeding rotation and edging. She is currently looking at a Valley Nordkapp (it is on the big side but the LV had the same straight leg problem as the Avocet) or possible an NDK Explorer although she has not yet managed to try one. We are interested in anyone who has experience of both boats and can compare them as well as any other recommendations. Thanks for any help. Graham

Gary, Janaki and I would be very interested in coming with you. We had some great trips when we were living in Newfoundland and are looking forward to checking out Maine. Graham