tyson

My previous kayaks were taller and wider than what I paddle now. I now prefer a shorter paddle than I did for my previous boat. Lesson: The paddle needs to fit the paddler/boat combination.

It refers to using the numbers on a clock to indicate direction from your current heading. 12:00 is directly in front, 3:00 is to your right and 9:00 is to your right. I've only heard it "officially" used in aviation contexts and can be further detailed by also calling out the point of interest to be "high" or "low" if it is above or below you. If in a bomber in combat, people would call out where attacking fighters were using this terminology. These days, ATC (air traffic control) still uses the clock directions to indicate to pilots where nearby traffic is that they need to see and avoid (or at least be aware of). However, instead of calling out high or low, they will give you the altitude of the other aircraft if they know it.

Dude! From here, I can't tell the difference between Boston and Gloucester! They are in the same spot!

Curse you folks with enough time to play during the week! Enjoy!

Thanks!

Sounds like people did a very good job in responding to the developing/dynamic situation. Not to make light of it, but it would seem that in this case, even if everyone ended up in the water, there was likely enough skilled paddlers there to keep everyone safe and get everyone back to shore. The question of what if you are alone was raised. In that context, it would seem that one should be much more considered before getting within reach of a swimmer. This event raises the point that one doesn't need to be a "leader" or "guide" to need NSPN CAM, ACA, BCU, what-ever leadership training. All the skills for being a leader are the same ones needed to be an asset to a group or incident instead of a liability. The next incident victim could be someone in your small, informal group.

In addition to 2nd-ing Phil's comments, and in the spirit of don't become a victim yourself: A sculling brace can be VERY powerful. Used effectively, it is (nearly?) impossible for a swimmer to capsize a kayak, even if their purpose is to do so. The exception would be if the swimmer gets a hold on the paddle. Don't let them grab your paddle, and if they get whacked because you are defending yourself against their "assault", so be it. If needed, whack them deliberately.

I think you may have mis-understood. Our pace doesn't count as "racing". We are merely participating.

...yeah, most people prefer climbing shoes and a harness for rock climbing gear rather than a kayak.

The Surf Skis might be starting around 8:30. The start schedule is tentative. The fastest of them are a bit under 2.5 hrs, but that will depend on conditions. Some other classes start around 8:00 and some of the fastest Blackburn times have been down near 2 hrs. So, 10:00 would be about the earliest reasonable (assuming that the 2 miles from the dogbar to the finish isn't very far compared with the entire route). I expect that Emilie and I might be going by in the 12:00 time frame.

Also, on the lower left of each post is a button to report a post, instead of creating yet more posts about it.

Thanks! I'm thinking that some packing tape would hold the strip down while it cures and provide a smoother finish before gel-coating.

A slow standard roll is pretty easy, but I have a long way to go before I can do a slow storm roll! Heck, I can't even do a proper storm roll yet. It is still mostly brace as the sweep portion isn't very effective yet. Regardless, I wasn't putting nearly as much load on it at that point as I often do with a forward stroke. A more careful "off-line" inspection as Pintail suggests, followed by repair is the only thing that would have prevented it. Repair options that include some fiberglass and perhaps some doweling are being explored.

Picture number 5 has a familiar look to it.

Emilie and I met up with Barb in Portland and paddled the 2+ miles out to Tom Bergh's, Maine Island Kayak on Peaks Island where we would meet up with Cheri and Turner for a Comprehensive Greenland Clinic. While we were getting the boats loaded a guy stopped by and asked about where he might be able to rent or get a tour. I told him I know just the place! ...but he'd need to take the ferry. We had a great day of paddling. I now have more to work on with the GP forward stroke, the beginnings of a storm roll, and a ton of other bits that are less tangible. At the end of the day we walked over to Tom and June's house where we met their parrot and had some beer. Turner had brought a couple bottles of some amazing specialty beer that were shared. ...and some wine for those that like to be able to see through and don't like to be able to taste their beer. Unfortunately, that crack I heard in my paddle the previous weekend came back to haunt me. I don't recall what type of roll I was working on at the time, but when I tried to come up my paddle snapped in two. I reorganized the bits of paddle in my hands and rolled up with using the pieces. I don't know if it was a flawed piece of wood or if Western Red Cedar isn't right right paddle material for me. On our way back to Portland, we stopped at Fort Gorges. PicasaWeb

I finally got out pictures of this trip posted. After lunch near Rockport,Emilie and I head for a lap around Thatcher. We came back by way of the partially submerged breakwater. About a mile or so out from our return to Lanes, Leon did a fly by in his Epic 18x; he was on about mile 30 for the day. At one point nearing lanes I was putting in some strong strokes and getting the stick to bite the water clean and hard. ...and I heard a crack come from near the middle of the paddle. I poked, prodded, studied, put in a few more strong strokes and it _SEEMED_ to be OK. That will be a topic of my next post. PicasaWeb

Looks like all that CAM training paid off!

What was going on in the two pictures where it looks like a beach ball is being towed?

Log in to the web page for your album so that you are looking at the thumbnails. Above the thumbnails there is an "Edit" pull down. Select "Organize & Reorder". At the top of the page that comes up is a "sort photos by..." menu. Select filename from that menu. Your photos appear to by named by photo number and it should put them in order.

Why is everyone saying that weathercocking is promoted by more weight in the stern? ...that is contrary to what I think I know (knew?).

I think that the problem was weather cocking, not lee cocking. This would suggest that the bow was anchored/engaged too much and so I would guess that it was extra weight (water) in the bow, not the stern.

They seem to be either private or missing.

...I guess I was mistaken when I thought that rock climbing and kayaking were two different sports. It was also kind of Glen to hold the pose there for a few minutes while all of us and everyone at Halibut point took pictures.

I have first hand experience of a nice sunny easy day turning into a small craft advisory, 25-27kt winds, STEEP choppy waves and a very nervous Coast Guard. ...and there is no quick exit for shelter. It is no place for someone who isn't ready to deal with some L4 conditions because you may have to deal with them even if the morning conditions and forecast looked pretty decent.

We'll see you Sunday! The weather forecast (if it means anything 2 days out) says the weather should be great! ...even if the water will be rather flat. Sunday: N wind 7 to 9 kt becoming ESE in the afternoon. A slight chance of showers before 7am. Seas around 1 ft.