billvoss

In a non-NSPN context, an experienced trip leader is raising concerns that smaller boats like my F1 skin-on-frame are not capable of performing a T-rescue of large heavy boats such as tandems. I've never tried to rescue a tandem, so while I have some theories, I do not have any experience. Who has experience performing T-rescues on large tandem kayaks? Is the rescuer's boat size ever an issue? thanks, Bill

I definitely second that suggestion.

Location: Gould Barn, 1 Howlett St, Topsfield, MA Google Maps Topsfield Historical Society -Bill Voss P.S. It looks like I will probably be able to attend!

If it is a Kokatat suit, you also have the option of sending it back to Kokatat to have GoreTex booties added. Adding GoreTex booties costs a little more than latex booties, but they are also expected to last longer.

I'm bound to join you unless there are small craft advisories. Regarding the potluck. I'm not familiar with the visitor center. Does it have electrical outlets that could support crock-pots?

So tempting. Unfortunately, I'm fighting a cold, so I had better pass.

SCA so CANCELED.

I'm detecting a number of people who might be interested, but no strong site preferences among my potential paddling companions. So inspired by Liz and Gene's suggestions, in my capacity as fearless leader cowardly inexperienced trip instigator, I'm going to shamelessly steal propose repeating an AMC trip that I greatly enjoyed. (Thanks again for leading that AMC trip Kevin and Dennis.) Here is the plan. Date: Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 27th, 2010. BIB: 10:30 a.m. Launch Site: David S. Lynch Park in Beverly, MA. We will launch from the beach by the large parking lot. The NOAA RNC 13275 chart with the title "Salem and Lynn Harbors" shows the launch site as Mackerel Cove just west of Woodbury Pt. According to the park regulations, we can park for free at this time of year. Unfortunately, the regulations also say the restrooms are closed after October. So plan accordingly. After launching, we will head east along the coast bound for Great Misery Island just west of the Manchester Harbor. Where we will hopefully enjoy a snack/lunch, and perhaps inspect the Public restrooms (composting toilets; open seasonally). Depending on sea state, and the mood of the group, we then have the option of circumnavigating Bakers Island which lies just SSE of the Misery islands before returning to Great Misery Island for a possible final inspection of the Public restrooms (composting toilets; open seasonally). If we head back to Lynch Park after circumnavigating Bakers Island, the total trip should be roughly 11 land miles. I would appreciated receiving standard NSPN RSVPs for this trip. Obviously if you don't RSVP, but happen to show up at the same place and time wanting to paddle in the same direction at the same speed, we will tolerate enjoy your company. However, without a couple of RSVPs the trip might be canceled leaving you paddling alone!

Certainly feel free to start a Friday trip thread. It sounds like it would be fun. Unfortunately, Saturday is the only day I expect to have free for paddling this coming weekend. So lets keep this thread focused on a Saturday paddle, so that I can attend! So far Liz has the only suggestion (thanks Liz): I'm personally mainly interested in a roughly L3 trip. Are there others who would like to form L2(+) or L4 pods?Does anyone have another suggestion, of does Beverly to Great Misery win by default?Where is the Beverly put-in? I did not find a listing on the NSPN Put-Ins page.Is the Beverly to Great Misery route sensitive to tides? I believe North Shore high tide is around 3pm that Saturday.Is there a good alternative route from Beverly if NOAA posts gale warnings and a SCA? P.S. Sharing leftovers is optional.

Hi All, This is my first time trying to instigate an NSPN trip. So please pardon my lack of experience. This will be a CAM trip, as I'm definitely NOT qualified to lead a kayak trip. Please don't think I know what I am doing! Though even I know that a drysuit will be required for this paddle. Because of my family constraints, this trip will occur on Saturday after Thanksgiving. This will be a L3 or lower trip, expecting to cover say 10 to 15 miles. BIB late morning, say around 10:30am. I need the board's help in picking a location. Though I like minor bumps, I don't want this trip to be canceled because of weather. So something with at least a protected option would be preferred. Other than that, I'm willing to launch anywhere between Boston and Portsmouth. So who wants to join me? Even if you are not sure you can join me, do you have any suggestions on where we should go? thanks, Bill Voss

I normally use Firefox (currently version 3.6.8) to browse the forum. Until I saw Tyson's post, I did not realize that the new forum's "View New Content" page had an "Active in the last [24 hours ^] (Go)" bar. I'm seeing the bar when I log into the forum using IE, but not when I'm using Firefox. Its especially a problem when the forum says "Sorry, no new content found." because then I can not even see a list of the current day's new content. thanks, Bill

I just launched it October 1st! So far I mostly really like it. I love its light weight. I love how it surfs little wind waves. It has definitely become my default boat for ocean day trips. Unfortunately on some of my recent AMC and Meetup trips, I'm not getting as much exercise as I used to, since I keep having to wait for people to catch up.

The NSPN site itself also has a nice article http://www.nspn.org/hypothermia.htm

I expect to attend, unless NOAA issues a small craft advisory.

I stuck a strip on my bow last night, and paddled today. So far, pretty good, and extremely good considering how cheap and easy. -Bill

I went back and read the original post, and noticed the original poster specified the HOOK size of the tape, not the "fuzzy" loop side. -Bill

So wipe the hull with rubbing alcohol, then once the alcohol dries tape the keel with the loop side of HD hook and loop tape, trim the "puckers" and you are done?!?!?!? That definitely appeals to my cheap, lazy, and impatient frugal, efficient, and productive nature. I had been thinking that I would try the Chesapeake Light Craft rub strip approach this fall. http://www.clcboats.com/shoptips/fitting_out/rubstrips.html However, the hook tape approach I could implement this evening, and still paddle tomorrow! -Bill

Alas not yet. I will not be able to join you this Saturday. Have a good time. I'll be properly envious. -Bill

Perhaps it is finally time to meet the elusive Pintail. I'm fine with the time, and the board's Lane Cove put-in directions seem to match my Google maps results. So I should be able to find the put-in. This will be my first time kayaking at night. I have some scuba diving flashlights which will be fine for emergency use. However, I believe I'm required to bring navigational light(s). Am I correct? What do people generally use? I don't want to bring something too bright, or too dim. Is there anything else I should bring that I would not always bring during a day trip? What difficulty level is expected? I was comfortable with the L3 group at the Solstice paddle. However, I would not want anything harder during my first night paddle in an unfamiliar area. Roughly what time would we expect to return, and what time should my shore contact call the coast guard to report over-due paddlers? Bill P.S. Feel free to wave me off if you would rather not have a night virgin on this trip.

Pay attention to battery replacement cost. It varies significantly. You will probably get a "water proof" radio, but consider getting a waterproof case anyway. I use and like the Aquapac Small VHF PRO http://www.aquapac.net/usstore/small-vhf-p...225-1136-0.html Though I have not tried any other cases, as this was one of the few cases that would fit my "floating" radio. From what I have read, even "water proof" radios are not really designed for the challenges of kayaking, and I want my radio to work when I need it, and to last a long time. The case also keeps the sand and other grit away from the radio, and makes post paddle cleanup simple, and less urgent. Personally, I currently want my VHF radio to substitute for a PLB. So I wanted a radio with an integrated GPS and DSC support. That narrowed the field way down. I ended up getting a Standard Horizon HX850S on close out shortly after they introduced the HX851. http://standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd...mp;isArchived=0 It is not perfect, but I like my Aquapac Small VHF PRO case with Standard Horizon HX850S combination. I had to remove the belt clip from the radio for it to fit in the case, because the radio "floats" it is a bit large. I also can not operate the Mayday button intentionally or by accident while the radio is in the case, but I can still send DSC pan-pan and securite, or could simply remove the radio from the case if I really wanted to send a true automated Mayday. I've noticed that the HX850S's squelch will not silence as many nearby conversations as some of my companion's radios. I'm not sure if that is a feature or a fault.

Then I can keep looking forward to meeting everyone, even after Saturday's paddle.

I'm planning to join you. This will be my first NSPN level 3 trip, and only my third NSPN event. I attended both of the recent moving on the water events. I'm looking forward to meeting you all. -Bill

Is this Google maps location 43.048659, -70.727262 the Odiorne Boat Launch? I'm looking forward to another great day of practice and learning new skills. Bill Voss

I have to second that. I had a great time, and learned a lot! Thanks again. I'm looking forward to the next outing. -Bill Voss

This will be my first NSPN event. I've already RSVP'ed, and I'm impatiently awaiting Saturday! I had a few logistics questions. First, did Google correctly find where I should go on Saturday? Google Maps: Riverhead Beach, Marblehead, MA Second, are there any directions/gotchas on where to park/unload when I get there? Third, is 9AM meeting time the time to pull into the parking lot, or the time to have my boat ready to push off? This is going to be a fun long day for me, but an even longer day for my dog at home. thanks, Bill