Inverseyourself

V8 Pro (why not V9?): Noticeably less twitchy than the V10 Sport, longer and narrower than the V 8, width and length between V8 and V10 Sport (V8 Pro:19'L, 19.9"W, V8: L18', W21.25, V10 Sport: L 20", W18.9"). Works for inseam 35". But you have to try the seat (bucket), width can be an issue for us bigger guys.

Question related to surf ski transportation: Does anyone know how much a surf ski on a roof rack is allowed to overhang the front/back of the vehicle? Is 3 feet front and three feet back still legal, provided I use colorful flags to mark the ends of the ski?

The perfect symbiosis between species surfski and species lobster boat (ok, maybe it's not a lobster boat):

Since we're back at wing paddles, I consider myself a reasonably powerful guy but am wondering whether a small mid wing might be better than a midwing. I'm not of a I-have-power- therefore-I-need-a-big blade mindset but am looking for the most efficient blade-size for my body measurements. I'm currently 6' 5-1/2" (I insist on the 1/2!!!) and 230 lbs.(I expect or rather hope latter number to decrease with fitness paddling). Very long arms. Any opinions for intended use of no-race, no-sprint, 2+ hours sustained exercise?

Leon, I'm thinking along the same lines for my modest, non-racer needs. No rock-play with the ski, although I've been known to find them unintentionally. Trying to decide whether thePerformance would be worth yet another .5 k. Help, help, I'm being sucked in by "lighter, faster".

Matt, I'm just going to shamelessly pick your brain: What do you think of the comparison of the V8 club version vs the V7. V8 is a foot longer and 12 lbs. lighter in that version. I kinda know the answer but is it worth the 900$ extra?

Aahh, someone else attracted to the dark side. I for my part have swallowed enough BCU-Koolaid to be somewhat immune to assimilation, Leon.

Leon and Matt: Thanks a lot for your input. I really appreciate it. I think after hearing your opinions and also talking to Ed on the phone, I'll go for the green shaft. Probably better to only try out the V7 and not the V8 or 10 Sport or else I'll get tempted.?

I am looking for an educated () opinion on whether there is any really (!) good reason to get the burgundy full-carbon Epic Mid Wing over the green Club-carbon Epic Mid Wing for 150 $ more. Intended application: I am not a racer but like to go at a medium sustained (2-3 hours) good pace (3.5-4+ kn) in my Explorer (for now...). I am of course not looking to beat my expedition boat into submission with a wing, which I know won't work. I would use the wing mainly for form-training. Thank you very much in advance! P.S.: Has anyone tried out the Epic V7?

Awsome!

Bought the red light after watching the video several times but haven't taken the next step to buy the Suunto compass yet. I am curious about compass deviation caused by the light's battery. Like Leon says, if it occurs, one could determine the deviation with another compass and keep that in mind when using the night-compass.

Nice kayak, Leon :-)

Maybe he wanted to sand the hull down?

This will interest Leon: http://www.hobie.com/products/stand-up-mirage I'm looking forward to his first report of racing one of these!

I guess it depends a little on how the other paddlers viewed Leon and vice versa: As someone who needs to be escorted to the beach or as someone whose departure removes a valuable asset from the group. And how did Leon view the group: Doomed without him or all good paddlers who really don't need him to go on? Even though Leon answered these questions in this concrete case, these question arise anew in any permutation of such a scenario. Bill's point about a minimum of 3 paddlers is important. Can any group let a single paddler leave on his own in conditions (who determines "conditions"?), no matter the paddler's expertise? I may be wrong and may still be failing to understand CAM fully but I think that CAM could be interpreted either way: 1.)The weakest, most afraid, most concerned, the one who can't or won't go on (let's assume, as in Leon's case, going on is not mandatory and towing therefore not indicated) determines the course of the entire group (home or on). And what if 2 out of let's say 6 feel the same way about turning around? 2.) The cohesion of the group (with all its +s and -s) is the determining factor and therefore you can't just leave the group, asset or not. Of course, CAM assumes that everyone is an asset. But is EVERYONE really an asset EVERY TIME? WW may be a little different, since everyone goes in the same direction and the portaging paddler can still assist with rescues downriver if portagers and river runners coordinate. Of course, if they don't, then you have 2 separate groups. Complicated stuff. Wait, maybe this is the solution: CAM, by virtue of what the first letter stands for, rules out that someone goes off on her/his own, no matter the reason. For that paddler, it then becomes a SAM (Solo or Single Adventure Model). Back to the question whether CAM was agreed upon by everyone at the beach....... P.S.: Sometimes, even NSPN CAM paddles run the risk of morphing into multi-SAMs.

Gorgeous kayak!

Chebacco anyone tonight?

In the blog, Daugherty describes a push from Halifax Island (just southwest of Machias Bay, off Roque Bluffs) to West Quoddy Head in one long day (33 miles). Apparently, it can be done.

I wish I had done it. Below link is from Michael Daugherty's blog. I read a little about the BC in his new sea kayaking guide last night but must have been too tired to remember much this AM. His guide describes kayaking the Bold Coast in detail and divides it into two sections. I remember him mentioning going about a mile out to catch the "Downeast Express" but he describes various strategies at various distances from the shore using currents and counter-currents, depending on how much you want to see the coast or just get by it as fast as possible. Here's a report from a section of the Bold Coast in which currents are mentioned. On his blog, you'll find a link to his e-mail. http://seakayakstonington.blogspot.com/search?q=bold+coast

Congrats Mike and Dave!

Try stretching your posterior thigh muscles. Sit flat on the ground, one knee bent with the sole of that leg's foot touching the medial knee of the straight leg, then bend forward and try touching the toes of the straight leg. Stay in that posture for 30-60 seconds. The bent leg is friendlier to your lower back than having both legs straight during this exercise. The posterior thigh muscles are too short in most people. Also, unfortunately, with age the glutes atrophy and there is less flesh to sit on.

My son Felix (12) got a new camera for his birthday and shot these from the Crane Estate today. Idyllic meandering of Fox Creek and "Grande Allee with Isles of Shoals".

Wow! I'm inspired to join next year. Beautiful trip and trip report!

What a beautiful place, Ram Island! I don't want some "developer" to post "Private, keep off" signs and contributed.

Still going! Hope dies last!