mhabich

Do you want a boat with a rudder? If you want to hone your skills you might do better without a rudder.

What size boat would fit you? It's not about length, but cockpit size and displacement. A light paddler in a high volume boat won't sink the hull enough for good stability.

You could stay within WS plastic boats with those comfy seats and consider a Zephyr or a Tempest. A Zephyr is a more playful boat, easier to turn, while a Tempest is more of a go straight boat. Either would carry you farther through your learning than a Tsunami.

I don't bail until I capsize.

I won't make it to Sakonnet, but Pru, you should go. I'd have to punt something else anyway.

Hope to be there.

Rocks, wind, a plastic boat, peeps, and good company...what could be more fun?

It's just the nature of bunnies, even pink ones. There's never only one.

(Oops, that rhymes)

Input on the put in? I'll try to check out West Beach tomorrow.

2-4 ft seas out there, less in close let's hope.

ERBA was gateway drug. Bought a boat and showed up at Chebacco, where I encountered a Hazard. Then a Crangle showed up, and nothing but hazards since.

I've never had a paddle float lure me into the rocks. Can't say the same for a Crangle (or a Levine).

Another mark against paddle floats...

This can all be accomplished with equipment you already have. Throw a SOLAS flare into your skin-on-frame boat and seal the cockpit with your paddle float. Clip yourself to a toggle with your strong, but easy-to-handle, tow line. The flare will illuminate the boat and the heating of the air within will cause it to rise from the water, summoning help and keeping the boat from crashing into you.

Great Bay might be another place to investigate.

Either day, wherever. I'm easy.

As Josko so delicately put it in a separate conversation: "Not even a destroyer would leave port tomorrow unless it absolutely had to.

Large craft advisory?

Boy, I know this feeling. I can remember lots of times I haven't known what to do, but when I've figured it out or someone (often Rob) has told me what to do, I've known how to do it. Makes for very effective learning.

Rob, are you saying you need to paddle with someone who'll get into trouble and make you think? Always glad to oblige.

3M 5200 adhesive/sealant is good stuff. Comes in while or black. West Marine has it.

Betsy and I will be there, staying at the Llangolan. The innkeeper mentioned that there are dog agility trials that weekend at the Hadley Point campground...should be good amusement. Might keep the bears away from Warren's tent too.

Nice day, great gang. I'll be there.

Yeah, woulda been better with chocolate. Can't think of anything else that would have improved the day...being in a beautiful place in a boat with good company. Thanks, Al, and everybody.

Al,

I plan to be there. I'll PM details.

Mike

Route 1 is fine by me. I'll just have to peel my lazy carcass off the beach after lunch and get paddling. Should be great fun.

I was thinking of Clammers' Beach on Conomo Pt. You can unload boats on the rocky beach at the picnic tables (keeping the ramp clear), then park up the road past the residents only sign. I've launched there on Fridays; don't know how busy it gets on the weekend.

Pavilion Beach (Ipswich) is at the Fox Creek end of the trip. We'd be leaving the beach after lunch just before high tide, and fighting current returning to Fox Creek. We'd want to get there while the creek's still fat enough for us and the powerboats on a summer Saturday.

Forecast is calm. Once around Crane's would be a delight. Al, are you thinking of an Essex launch? Outside first while we're fresh, return through Essex bay as it drains?

Local books about the area where you'll paddle are always a good thing; AMC has a couple for around here. There are lots of books with "all you need to know about kayaking", and most of them don't explain much and show inefficient rescues. Gordon Brown's videos are remarkably good...seakayakwithgordonbrown.com for previews and to buy. They'll help you absorb the tremendous amount you can learn from the paddlers here.

Brenda, you led an x-c trip to Greeley Ponds for AMC years ago...I was the only guy in the group of 12. Afterwards, you tried to teach a few of us to make tele turns on the old slope on Snow's Mountain. Thanks again for a great day.

REI Reading also has NW Sea Tec in stock. Its bag is a pouch, while the Dynamic is more of a burrito wrap with mesh. Otherwise they're quite similar.

North Water just came out with a New! Improved! model, the Dynamic Sea Tow Pro. I got one, and it seems pretty clever. Bag rolls open, easy to stuff, bungee is away from the biner so it doesn't snag. Info on North Water site and there's a YouTube video also (I can't figure out how to paste a link here). I'll have it with me if you want to check it out.