ThomasL

Many of You guys are far too sophisticated and yes, elitist for us common folk. The best training and expensive gear work well. Try to remember that, in spite of your best efforts and expenditures, you are still just all very vulnerable human beings. Sound like "sour grapes"? Perhaps, but my ignorance is accurately bliss when it comes to much of this forum.

I have only been in a somewhat difficult predicament once in over 40 years of ocean paddling, and that instance was personally initiated to determine the seaworthiness of a new boat. I see lots of pictures of folks all "geared up" comfortably floating parallel to the water's surface securely in their VERY flat rear decked "rolling" kayaks. My one self initiated "experience" found me bottom up and perpendicular to the surface instantaneously. I wonder if such maneuvers like the sweep recovery are usable to the vast majority of the paddling public. Some are not very comfortable under water, and do not have the time or motivation to get involved in our program. Is it all about luck for the uninitiated? Tom

Got it. Will give it a try next time out. Tks, Tom

I have no experience rolling either of my sea boats, but the paddle float re entry has served me well when I capsized alone several miles off shore. Tom

I had my 1st Folbot while stationed on Guam 1967-69. lt performed very well and I had no difficulties with the boat. Now however with the supposed wisdom of age, I most definitely prefer a plastic or composite boat with a watertight compartment design. If one is paddling in the ocean in less than flat conditions one will capsize. Not all of us have the skill or the right boat to avoid ending up in the water, outside our craft. It is infinitely more possible to pump out a cockpit and be on one's way, than to deal with a completely submerged hull. Tom

My perspective is that if a a potentially life saving instrument is involved, do the research and replace the battery whatever it's composition well prior to it's expected life potential. Tom

I bought a the Icom M92D and (being insecure) also purchased an additional battery. My 1st trip out with the radio ran about 6hrs, and, following the paddle, the charge indication on the radios LCD indicated it was still in the all bar fully charged condition.I was alone and did not transmit, but the GPS function was running. Obviously for a a day tourer like myself the 2nd battery was an unnecessary investment. As for the shelf life of L-ion batteries, I have multiple camera batteries dating back to 2004 that still hold a charge and who's performance has not diminished in spite of the fact that they have seen only sporadic use over time. They are far superior to the nicads of years past. Tom

You Guys/Gals are great... more power to You. Keep doing what is best for the paddling community. Tom

Brambor, You hit my perspective exactly. Guess I'm not one who feels the need to belong, but simply someone that seeks to enjoy the paddling experience. Guess I worry a lot about people who are excited about being on the water, but have not yet experienced how vulnerable we all are there in less than ideal circumstances. Tom i

It is simple.... It is very easy to DROWN.

After reading/skimming the entries, I, as a less than documented, but by some standards an experienced water sport enthusiast, have come to the conclusion that it is not so much about the liability issue CAM, but as always about common sense. If a large group of paddlers of varying levels of training and experience embark on any any paddle involving less than inland small lake flat water conditions, it is a "crap shoot". Love this group, but will continue to involve myself with folks of known, not assumed capacities. I'm low on the scale of sea kayak performance but still like to push myself. You of the more "ambitious" group should be saluted for attempting to involve more participants. However, the ocean is not a place for casual social interaction. Tom

Great to have access to you well informed folks! Tom

Seems though such an elevation device would be very useful if one was attempting to alert the Coast Guard to an emergency involving another person/boat in distress it might be difficult to utilize in a solo water emergency when the distressed party might well find himself out of the boat in rough water circumstances. Still, whatever the situation, getting that antenna as high as possible would be a very high priority. Tom

Rob , I too recently purchased a radio and regard it as a piece of safety equipment. Last weekend my son and I were out for about 6 hours and with the radio scanning the frequencies hearing all the bridge open and pump out requests along and the kids setting up dates for the evening on this or that island the noise soon became a burden. I chose to simply monitor 16 and enjoy the paddle. I purchased the DSC equipped device more as an emergency tool than a means of communication. It did get in the way clipped and tethered to the deck in front of me, and seemed to serve little purpose on a sunny trip to Magnolia. On an occasional winter paddle I will no doubt appreciate it's utility much more. I'm not a club event paddler involving myself in group expeditions/overnights, so my perspective is limited. However, A radio and some knowledge of proper transmit/receive procedures and courtesy certainly is of great benefit to anyone choosing to go to sea in our minimal craft. Tom

Was down at the "new" Ft. Point dock the day after Xmas 2011on foot and have been itching to put in there since. Seems it would be a fun excursion. Someone said the North End is an easy paddle from there?! Anyone for Italian sausage?

Leon, I do not think that the M92D is physically larger than the M72. However, due to the GPS capability(I'm told ) the battery life is limited to 8 hours. Think the 72 offers up to 15 hours. To date my Old Man excursions seldom top 5 hours, but bought a back up battery in case. Might be difficult/impossible to swap batteries in an emergency. Tom

Yes Leong. It is the M92D. Unfortunately home obligations(installing a hot tub!) have kept me off the water to test the system. Tom

In theory, if your radio is out of range, the DSC system utilizes all other DSC radios within range as repeaters bouncing one's distress signal from craft to craft until a CG station receives the call and position of the "distressed" boat. Then the CG responds on 16 utilizing the same bounce route to determine the nature of the "emergency". According to the CG, the DSC system offers a much quicker response than the satellite EPRB system. Apparently satellite traffic sometimes causes up to an hour or more delay in getting the emergency signal to the CG. Tom

I very much acknowledge and value all the club input. My solo winter adventures obviously require more planning and thought. The digital "connection" to the Coast Guard is a plus, but not the answer to what is a risky proposition.....Still, it is SO nice to be out there with the birds and occasionally jumping(not the pacific flying type) fish without any distractions. I can not think of any condition/situation that puts my mind in a such positive state. Tom ps: The channel 14 comment is subject to the validity of my memory, and the influence of a drink or two.

"Suggestions or suggestions" ! Should have avioded that last "drink"!

After a solo paddle in February, I, feeling VERY vulnerable decided that I needed a worst case option. So, I waited and purchased an ICOM vhf transceiver with DSC capability. I applied and received my MMSI number and attached it to the radio. Bill Lord mentioned to me that NSPN "communicates" on channel 14, and that is a channel I should include in my scan profile. Any suggestions or suggestions? Tom

Thank You Mr Lawson. Tom

Has anyone paddled in Norway? Helen and I am planning a Scandinavian cruise next summer. I have a college friend with a bed and breakfast on the water in Norway and plan to spend some time with her prior to the cruise.Is tourist kayaking an option there? I cannot imagine being in Norway without putting a paddle in the water! Tom

Remember back about 35 years, when canoeing, observing the bloody back of my girlfriend's brother while passing the salt marsh toward the sea. Wish then I had been in a tight skirted kayak. Tom

Guys/Gals, Some weeks ago Helen and I attended a session at Chebbaco lake. At the time the exercise appeared a little tedious , but the instruction Helen received put her on the path to becoming a safe sane kayak enthusiast. During the Chebbaco exercise I chose to participate in an assisted "self" rescue as an encouragement for Helen. She did well, I floundered around a bit, but I managed with assistance. Little did I know, or even suspect that my involvement would prove significant. Over the years I have paddled a variety of "tubs" that, though tough to move were VERY forgiving in less than flat conditions. NOT So with a narrow beam sea kayak!!! I found out on Thursday. I was taking a paddle out of Tucks in Beverly hoping to hit a few of the islands in Salem sound. A "stink pot" cruiser passed to the port, and I thought it might be a good time to test the response of my Surge. BAD Move! I let the cresting wake of the big boat have it's way and suddenly, unexpectedly found myself "bottoms up". I'm pretty good submerged, but in spite of my confidence, the instant circumstance, for a second put me in a panic mode. Then common sense told me to grab the fwd skirt and yank. The custom skirt fits VERY tight, and was not forgiving, but I managed after a 2nd attempt to exit. Then it was about me on the surface and getting back into the boat! After several(probably 10) minutes of attempting to "swim" into the cockpit, it became obvious that some other method was required. THANK GOD on a previous paddle that Bill Lord had casually mentioned that a paddle float was a useful item to have aboard! Got aboard, pumped out,and continued to Misery. Lesson learned. BIG difference between recreational boats and dedicated sea kayaks!!!