mhabich

Rob's away until Friday night, so I'll be getting us ready for Saturday. It looks as if conditions will be mild for the weekend, and I'd encourage newer paddlers to join in and learn how we paddle together as a club and how you can become an asset to the group. The plan for the day will evolve as we can better predict conditions and as we discuss together what we'd like to accomplish for the day...that's the nature of CAM, after all. I'd anticipate a short trip with some (always optional) play in rocks or surf if we can find any, some incident management (if we don't have any incidents, we'll make them), and some (again optional) rescue practice in a more protected area at the end of the day. Do post here or PM me with any questions. I'll also be at Chebacco on Thursday evening, as usual.

Kokatat Knappster is awesome. It's a semi-dry top, but has kept me dry while swimming. Very light and flexible. All the cool kids have them.

I'll be there.

Come join us at Chebacco Lake Thursdays at 5pm. Practice strokes, rolls, rescues, falling out of your boat, or just watching kingfishers. Dress for immersion. A wetsuit is warm enough, and keeps down the bruises from climbing back into your boat ten times a night. We meet at the boat ramp at the south end of the lake, and hang out in the cove to the left of the ramp. You can either get off 128 at Pine st (exit 16) and head north on the dirt road, or find Chebacco road off Rt 22 in Essex and avoid the dirt. No entrance fees. No rangers to kick us out at the end of the evening, but the mosquitoes do the job just fine. This Thursday, June 1st, is also designated the New to Sea Kayaking Lake Session, so there should be lots of paddlers (swimmers?) there.

Tape the hull across the skeg so the skeg can't drop. Slide the skeg adjuster back and the blue string that pulls the skeg up will be loose. Pull the knot out of the adjuster and tie another overhand or figure eight knot against the original knot. This should tighten the string just enough.

Holy smokes! I'll be there with a boat and gear.

Well, maybe just a little...

Joel at New England Small Craft on Route 1 in Rowley does plastic boat repair. Looks like he is closing the shop (he's been saying he would for years), but is still doing repairs by appointment. You could also call P&H; they're always helpful. For that matter, Carl Ladd is everybody's go to guy for great fiberglas repairs...wonder if he does plastic? He does carry P&H. Joe, I said you could borrow my boat if you like. Might be changing my mind on that...

On Polar Tides: Paddling and Surviving the Coast of Northern Labrador, by Nigel Foster. Documents his 2004 trip. A good read. How to Read a Nautical Chart, by Nigel Calder. All the material in NOAA chart 1 and more, in a format that's actually readable. Not much of a plot and weak character development, but at least it's by a Nigel. Great resource to sharpen up on charts from outside the US. Trawler: A Journey Through the North Atlantic, Redmond O'Hanlon. A damned fool joins an Orkney trawler crew for a fishing trip in a hurricane. Manic, funny.

Kokatat Gore-Tex Meridian here. Like the overskirt that goes over the tunnel on your sprayskirt...keeps out a lot of water when you roll. Don't feel the need for the extras on the Expedition...just as happy not to have extra weight/stiffness of the sleeve pockets. Definitely Kokatat, definitely Gore-Tex. Customer service, both for warranty and repair, is unmatched. They've earned our support.

I have the predecessor model, Icom M92D. The new one is a bit slimmer, though heavier. The bigger screen on the new one would be welcome. DSC radios tend to be larger than those without, but the ability to send a distress call with location by digital transmission by pressing one button is well worth it. Haven't used it, don't plan to, but... These radios don't have a knob that turns, so they avoid a common leakage path/failure point. Most of the time during a trip you'll likely have the radio off, so battery life should be OK. I'd go for it.

BBQ? You bet.

April 15, right?

Yeah. Hope these pogies work.

Plan to be at Nautilus road for 10 am bib

Either day OK for me.

Haven't paddled this section. Looks like about 10 nm there and back. Prediction is for west wind, with wind waves about 2 feet, plus swell from SE, also about 2 feet, 6-10 seconds. (NOAA, click on map for point forecast, then click on hourly forecast graph) There's land to the NW to protect us from the wind, but no shelter from open water.

North side of Cape Ann usually seems to mean Lanes Cove. A paddle from there to Essex Bay or outside Crane's could be quite pleasant. Another possibility for shelter is Salem Sound. Could launch from West Beach, since it's out of season. Disadvantage is a bit of seaweed, but hasn't been too bad lately...could walk down the beach to avoid. Advantage is that our house is five minutes away, and we could host a feast afterwards if there's interest.

I seem to have that day off...

Bow first, front hatch over front J-hook. Slide kayak forward on J-hook to proper position, then lift stern onto rear hook.

Well deserved. It's been an honor and a joy for all of us who've been able to share in your journey and see your dedication.

Done for the year. Water's still fine, but sunset just won't cooperate.

Wouldn't miss it.