ejwilliams

It can be very helpful to practice packing everything in your boat before you get to the put-in, to make sure everything can fit through hatches and figure out ahead of time where gear fits best and what you need to edit or rearrange. Do not put anything in your cockpit or down by foot-pegs that could float and move and hinder a wet exit if needed.

All of the above trips sound great, but New Castle sounds most inviting. My recovering from surgery, etc. and too much time out of my boat will likely impact my speed and energy level, but my husband has towing equipment, so if we do the circumnavigation or attempt a more ambitious paddle with wind and/or conditions and I am too slow, he can assist me or we could follow our own back-up plan (if the size of the group allows this) if needed. So I am hoping that any possible limitations should not negatively impact or burden the group. We have done circumnavigations around Gerrish, putting in at Odiorne before and Castleneck from Pavillion Beach. My husband has done trips out to Isle of Shoals from Rye. We are flexible as to time and put-in. Elizabeth Williams and Bob Taylor

Spouse and I would be very interested in joining you. I also want to get back on the water after time off for surgery, etc. We have dry suits if we need them. (will also renew our NSPN membership).

My old dry suit non-Gore-Tex had a rear-entry zipper. It worked fine, and I thought had some advantage as the somewhat bulky, stiff zipper was not in the front to interfere with arm movement and add to general bulk and stiffness in the front underneath your PFD. It helped that mine was a little long in the torso so I could pull it up a bit and reach easily over my shoulder to zip it up. It is more awkward if you want to slip out of the neck gasket and sleeves to walk around on land when you take a break, as the top half then hangs off in front of you and flaps all around as you walk. Obviously, the relief zipper makes a big difference.

Bob and I would love to join you (unless the weather gets ugly). Lane's Cove or Gloucester Harbor sounds good. Elizabeth

I have a new Werner and it was frustratingly tight to put together and take apart to start, and I struggled with it, but now it is better with use and rinsing it off well after ocean trips. I would rather have it too tight than loosen up too much over time. As a beginner, I was told not to take paddles apart and put them back together any more than you have to, especially around salt water and sand, to keep the ferrules in good shape and to not wear them out too quickly. Personally, when I use the take-apart, I never take the paddle apart until the end of the trip, but then again, I am more accustomed to using a one piece paddle.

I agree that the paddle-float re-entry and roll self-rescue is good in a variety of conditions, and I have more confidence in this self-rescue technique than many others, though of course, staying in your boat is always best. It helps to be quick about it and to practice while wearing various paddling clothing, like your dry suit. It usually works fine too if you don't take the time to completely inflate both sides, as long as you keep your head down and attach the float with the strap. I think semi-inflated can be better in strong winds than an awkward fully inflated float you then have to deal with, taking it off and deflating in conditions. Practicing hip snaps using just holding the blown up paddle float is something I try sometimes to strengthen my hip snap and improve flexibility, without having to worry about set-up and blade angles. I also find the scoop rescue to be an easy way to help a fellow paddler, but it does involve having to pump the boat out after they are back in -- I just stay rafted up until this is accomplished. The scoop comes in very handy with beginners or individuals without a lot of upper body strength to pull themselves up out of the water, or with someone who is anxious or cold. Interesting discussion.

We are open to paddle whatever you think is best. But if you decide conditions are again favorable for the circumnavigation, that would be our preference. Elizabeth and Bob

Thanks, I never thought to look in the business section.

Does anyone know the reasons behind this? It was a PayPal account. We can always rely on memory, but certainly not as reliable. E. Williams

Bob and I would like to join you for this trip if there is still room for two more. We have done this circumnavigation before, starting from Pavillion Beach, but it was quite a while ago. We have done the Fox Creek to the back of Crane's part of it more recently. Elizabeth

Thank you to Christopher and all for a wonderful trip, and to Lisa for posting photographs and our track. I hope the images of the sunset and moonlight sparkling over the water stay etched in my mind for a long while. Lisa, is it okay if I download a few photos for my personal use? Elizabeth

Bob and I would like to join in for this moonlight paddle. Elizabeth

I would suggest a test paddle of the boat, if possible (especially if you haven't paddled this type of boat before) including a trial run with set up and breakdown.