BethS

I got an email, but after following the directions in it there does not seem to be any way to renew. Any advice? Thanks, Beth

I have been going north and coming back to MA all winter, it's not really a big deal. You can just get a covid test on returning, which is easy to do these days. (Or if you have been winter camping and been nowhere near anyone you can just say you will quarantine upon returning!) Of course if you just spent the last 15 hours on a plane flying back from Hawaii and sitting in an airport as you change planes in CA then no worries.... ?

Unfortunately I can't make it tomorrow, have fun and hopefully next time i'll be free.

I am definitely interested, I have done it twice and very much enjoyed the crossing. but am open to other variations as well. My ideal would be to paddle over, spend the night, have time to explore, and then paddle back. But I don't know if that is actually an option. Interested in participating however things develop. If you need/want another person (three at sea!) for the "test run" paddle I'd be happy to join you. Whew, heck of a song!

I am interested, will confirm tomorrow.

I am interested as well, depending on the dates I'd love to participate. The past cold water workshops have been very educational!

I'll be there, (in Manchester MA). Thanks for organizing!

I have had good luck with the Patagonia capilene long underwear tops and bottoms, and/or the fishnet shirts from Brynje of Norway. If it's below 35 ish out I wear the expedition weight, above 35 or 40 I maybe use the midweight. They all dry so fast and wick extremely well, (esp the fishnet shirt!) i never get sweaty or clammy. I also use an assortment of different hats, some warmer than others, and wear different ones at different times during the day. If all else fails I dump my life jacket in the water, get it soaked, and put it back on again. Then dunk the hat in the water as well. Seems to work well for me.

Just saw this post so it's belated, but congratulations! And thanks again for all of your many contributions to NSPN and the paddling community.

Yay, I can join you! I'm in, and thank you Janet. Looking forward to meeting you Faye!

I may hopefully be free the day after T day if anyone is interested... Have a great time tomorrow, sorry I can't join you!

Unfortunately i'm feeling a bit sub-par today, so I am not going to make it. Have fun!

I'd love to join you, just sent you a PM Beth

Before you buy; I will put in another vote for the NDK Romany Surf. Try one out, it’s an excellent stable high performance boat that you won’t grow out of. It’s a bit on the slow side, but not bad, much better than the Scorpio or the Delphin, and is extremely solid and maneuverable in rough water. At 16 feet it is not too big or heavy either. Your wife probably had an easier time of it because she most likely is shorter than you and has a lower center of gravity, so any boat will feel more stable for her. Keep at it, and in a few more trips you will be feeling far more solid regardless of the boat you buy.

Lowering price, make me an offer! Would also consider trading towards a pack canoe.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread This testing program is intended primarily for residents of certain high risk areas, but is open to all MA residents. I'm posting this here because this info may be of use to some of us in making paddling or travel (or other!) plans. Stay safe everyone!

This sounds great, I just signed up! Looking forward to it, thanks Joe.

I need room in my garage! Kayak and paddle for 200 or Best Offer! Located in Boston; will meet at a local lake or ocean put in for test paddle if desired. I got this SOF Baidarka style kayak a few years ago, used, from the guy who made it. The workmanship appears to be very good. I have used it only lightly, and stored it inside. I did some minor repairs on it (paint and reinforcement of the bow and stern paint job with shoe goo, also replaced the deck lines). It has one minor repair to one of the cross-piece frame bars which was done by the original owner. It seems to be totally solid. It appears to be slightly warped if you sight down the midline, but it must be OK below the waterline because it tracks just fine, without veering to one side or the other. It is fully functional in that it floats, tracks and paddles very well in the wind and chop, is quite fast, turns easily, rolls like a dream, and is fun to paddle. It is also rather tippy and tricky to get into because of the small Greenland style cockpit. It is quite light of course, somewhere around 20 or 25 pounds is my estimate. It does NOT have float bags (I used empty gallon jugs in a mesh bag), a seat (I used a folded piece of foam), foot pegs ( I rested my heels on the frame crossbars), back rest (would have been nice to have but I never got around to it) or spray skirt (I had an old one but it fell apart). All of these things you will want to make, add, or improvise if you use the boat much. I have no idea what the life span of a nylon skin is, but so far this one seems to be holding up fine. I don't know how old the boat was when I got it, but it wasn't new then, and it isn't now either. It looks like it still has a lot of life left in it though. It would be a good boat for someone who is curious about Baidarka style boats, wants to try out a SOF without spending the time and money to make one, and/or someone who wants to practice rolling, esp Greenland style! I also have a very nice used but in good shape wooden/epoxy covered Greenland paddle (made by me!) which I will include with the boat. Contact me here or at Beth.Sangree@gmail.com if interested.

I'm late to the party here but if you are still cold and thinking about a warmer tent and can't afford the Hilleberg I like this one a lot, the Marmot fortress https://www.marmot.com/fortress-2-person-tent-39480.html?dwvar_39480_color=9945&dwvar_39480_size=0000ONE&cgid=equipment_tents_2-person-tents#start=1 Often they are on sale, I picked one up last year for under 200. They are truly 4 season in that they have 2 doors with mesh screens as well as vents and are well ventilated for summer but also you can zip up windows over all the mesh and vents to keep out cold breezes and wind. It really does make a big difference, although a warm sleeping bag and pad are still the most critical things. I hope we can all get out camping again soon!

This sounds fantastic, thanks Janet!

See y'all sunday, rain or shine! Lost my towbelt a while back, so I need advice on buying a new one..

Yeah, it probably is a boat best suited to those who are rather broad in the beam (low center of gravity!) such as myself.. Don't sell yourself short though, get a boat that you can grow into rather than out of.

looking forward to seeing it!

Thanks Dan, I hope i can be "here" for all of the next one. Beth

Great idea, I’ll be there (uh here..) Beth