David M

Thinking of bringing a small portable propane grill for hotdogs. Is this allowed at Devereaux?

Does anyone have any experience/recommendations with waterproof "activity trackers" that accurately compute sea kayaking activity? I'm especially interested in the basics of calorie consumption and possibly heart rate.

Josko, Will you be posting more details? Cheers, David

I'm a Knappster fan also. By the time I'm ready to wear it, I don't mind the "semi-dry" classification.

Nick, Kudos to you for raising an issue we have all had to deal with at one time or another... an ultra-reliable wet exit that works in all conditions and then... setting up the skill development for a solid self-rescue. As you indicated, and others have echoed, properly fitting and functioning equipment is foundational. Building confidence and self-awareness follows closely behind. One of the things that I have found helpful at those junctures, especially underwater is to keep my eyes open. During practice I will also periodically wear a diver's mask to reinforce the practice I realized I was keeping my eyes closed quite a bit. The mask allows you to observe what's happening at key steps and make quick adjustments. Naturally, we have to also acclimate to exercising the new skill without the mask. One piece of advice I was given along the way was to work on my hang time. That is, increasingly getting comfortable upside down and simply staying there for increasingly long periods. I've drawn on that practice over and over again when sometimes it's best to let whatever knocked you over pass or subside before attempting a self-rescue. These kinds of things are ideal for the NSPN winter pool sessions and the weekly practice sessions recetntly posted on the site. Good luck!

Joe, Nice job Joe! Congratulations.

Jason, Any further thoughts on ths? Cheers!

Hearty congratulations to all! Well done...

I'm a definite! Thanks for organizing.

David, After a fair amount of experimentation I've settled on the Strutter https://www.backcountry.com/sweet-protection-strutter-helmet?skid=SET001Q-DIRBK-LXL&ti=Ojo6NTo= The combination of fit, comfort, sun and impact protection in my estimation are well-suited for the touring environment. Good luck, David

Does anyone have any experience and recommendations with waterproof cases for tablets? Contemplating but not committed to taking mine on extended trips.

Beth, I've been thinking of and seriously considering this as well. It's been on my calendar for some time, although I lack a plan. During the bicentennial, my dad, my then six-year old daughter and I went out for the main festivities (Parade of Sail) of Operation Sail and slept overnight in one of the designated areas in the inner harbor. We did it in a 19 foot day sailor. It was a spartan experience. We were dwarfed by a seemingly endless fleet of much larger power and sail boats with stereos, bars and grills with the most alluring of aromas (especially when compared to our hastily bought sub sandwiches). While it is a treasured memory for the three of us, I also remember the vigilance required because behind the official viewing line. There was a constant jockeying for position and incessant movement among the much larger and more powerful spectator fleet. That's where those memories intersect with my thoughts of a day paddle at the height of the spectacle. For me, the tension is between the obvious safety factor of a smaller and lower profiled craft in the ensuing melee and rarity of this kind of event. I'm going to catch up on the offered events on the website and may chime back in. I'd love to hear other thoughts and options!

Mark, The Keel Eazy Strip advertises at 2 inches. The strip on my P&H Aries is 2 3/8 inches.

The trip sounds like a great idea. What are the prime times in our area? And what would be the basic equipment needed?

Leon, If the squirrel doesn't cooperate, I've used a similar approach to this to resolve a tight-quarters maneuver. 1. Tape your smart phone or video camera to a pole or stick of sufficient length to see what the underside in fact looks like. You may need supplemental lighting. 2. Assuming there are two nuts on either end of the u-bolt, secure a ratchet wrench to a sturdy, yet trim piece of pipe and patiently give it a go. 3. Consider providing extra security to keep the socket from getting knocked off the wrench I might consider loctite or a substitute. 4. I'd also probably opt for turning the boat over to allow the wrench to "drop" onto the nut In all likelihood much easier said than done. Good luck! David

Hi Nick, I have two expedition suits. https://kokatat.com/product/gore-tex-expedition-dry-suit-dsuexp Both have performed extremely well. I had mine customized for a reasonable upcharge to exclude the hood. Cheers, David

Thanks Pru for taking the time to share this extraordinary journey! It got the juices flowing as the season begins to unfold.

Steven, Welcome to the club. I've sent you a PM

Dan, Happy New Year! This is a great idea. It's probably fair to say that unless the workshop was billed say as introductory, intermediate or advanced that there will be a range of experience and understanding. To accommodate that potentiality is there any merit to using an accompanying book such as Ferrero's Sea Kayak Navigation or Killen's Simple Kayak Navigation. Both are pretty user friendly. Ferraro's is a standard in the BCU training system with accompanying UK references. Killen's is US-centric requires no "translation" of navigation aids and such. By using a text as a general guide, participants could accomplish some pre-reading. Additionally, if there were items/areas that needed further exploration or emphasis after the workshop we would all have the framework of the accompanying book. Also, any thought to doing it, say in March in case there is the temptation of an early thaw to get on the water? Just a thought... David

I'm back in paddling Cetus. Looking forward to it!

Me too.

Either day for me as well.

I'll probably need until Saturday noon to finalize but any location works for me.

Katherine, Did you ever make this trip? Details? I'm loosely considering it for this year. Thanks! David

I was toying with the heat absorption benefits of basic black for the winter. Sounds like we're not in the same boat.