Inverseyourself

I'd really love to go Rob but can't make it yet. Sounds like an interesting trip if conditions will keep what the forecast promises. Have fun!

Very sorry I missed it. I live one street over from the barn but had to work over the weekend.

Boat, Rob, boat

I am a polygamist already, technically. New "one" is wrapped up in a warehouse in Portland waiting for me to take her home.

Almost as good and available for your immediate viewing pleasure: Kayaking the Aleutians, downloadable at cackletv.com. I got my copy already. Awesome expedition!

Beautiful trip. Great report by Pru, as usual!

But...but...I married mine

The Kayak Centre in RI has a used North Shore Atlantic for 850$. They're also offering courses. Just saying'... Andy

Pru: just want to let you know I would L O V E to go but can't. Andy

Awesome report! Awesome trip! Green with envy!

Green Jackets in action:

They offer a web tow to be stored in the side pocket that I mentioned. It won't replace a tow belt, though. I don't really see a place that has enough stowage room for a longer line in the PFD (off topic, but if you're looking for a really versatile, immensely wearable line o n your PFD, check out Jeff Allen's throw-tow). I don't see a downside at all for getting a GJ for sea kayaking. There are other sea kayakers who use them. If I ever replace my Seawolf, it's going to be by a Greenjacket.

Absolutely! Forget my "essentially no different" comment. On the other hand, for sea-kayaking purposes, the strength of the GJ may be overkill.

I have the Seawolf and agree with Rick on the high quality and functionality and stellar comfort. I have a fairly large Standard Horizon and fit it horizontally in the '"handwarmer pocket" below the large capacity single front pocket. I secure the VHF with a lanyard and attach same to PFD via small carabiner. The front pocket easily holds 3 blazers, 1 laser-flare, on-water boat repair kit (denso-tape and small vial with Epoxy), 2 energy bars, compass, sunlotion-stick, without changing the profile of the PFD significantly. You can easily rig the Kokatat hydration system on the back, I have no experience with other hydration systems. I don't carry my knife in the place designed for it but have attached it vertically to the left shoulder strap (righty). The side pockets hold surf-wax for quick minor boat repair on one side and a bridle for assisted re-entry in the other (latter has served me as a belaying anchor during a difficult landing). I find the side pockets are easily reached. I have used the Seawolf without issues in every situation, including cowboy rescue. As mentioned, the profile is flat and the VHF is well protected in the horizontal pocket under the large front pocket while sliding along the deck. The Seawolf is about 60-70 $ cheaper but doesn't have the short-tow option. Other than that, the 2 are essentially no different. If I had the choice, I'd probably go for the Greenjacket, but only for the cool looks .

NRS ATB Wetshoe, not pretty but sturdy and cheap (~70 $). Probably more suited for cooler environment.

Ooops, I am so sorry, my apologies. Looks like I inadvertently hijacked this! Didn't mean to. Thanks for the outpouring of sympathy. Beth: Skateboarding. Be back in 2016. Over and out.

Would love to help but am in long arm cast x6 weeks after complicated wrist injury. Will not be able to do any paddling until March '16. See you all then (by that time I'll probably need a NTSKWS). Andy

The blade enters the current with its face perpendicular to it and initially does not have a climbing angle as it gets support from being grabbed by the strong current. It then needs a little bit of a climbing angle and it looks to me that there is a small amount of sculling involved to avoid flipping. The lean back is to lower the center of gravity, I guess. I also see the recovery as a hip-snap.

Now try the Haghighi, Leon !

Archee?

Great advice, Josko. I am not partial to Epic, it is simply the one that I tried out and liked. I am, as a matter of fact, looking for a wing paddle that I can use in rougher conditions. I will be more likely to use it touring than for calm water racing. I was inspired by watching a documentary on Sean Morley from GB, a racer and sea kayaker who uses a wing paddle in all but the gnarliest conditions.

Looks like Small-Mid to Mid-Wing is "only" 15 cm2 difference and Mid-Large to Large-Wing is "only" 25 cm2 difference. These are already not (!) so subtle differences: 1.2"x2" for Small-Mid to Mid and 2"x2" for Mid-Large to Large. Now, the really big jump is between Mid-Wing and Mid-Large Wing: 70 cm2, that's roughly 2.8"x4", a ~9% difference. To me, the step between Mid Wing and Mid-Large Wing is big enough to err on the side of caution, i.e. choose the smaller one. Thanks Leon and Josko for your input.

Leon, Doug and Lisa: Thanks for the advice on Burgundy vs. Blue. It's just, I hate burgundy . But I can make an exception for the sake of my joints. Michael: No worries! Who knew! I just had to try it. I'm sitting on the Corry now, no one seems to want to buy it. But fine, I may at one point give it another try. Josko: If you were to buy a go to wing again, say for use beyond mid-season, would you go with mid-wing or mid-large wing?

Interesting, Josko! Can you please elaborate on "spinning it out".

Josko: My favorite paddle is the Lendal Storm, a 650 cm2 blade, 640 grams weight, 215 cm. Since I was interested in finding out what a larger blade would do for me in lumpy water, I purchased a Werner Corryvreckan 210 cm, a 721 cm2 blade weighing 800 grams. I paddled it for a day with the same focus on proper technique and...hated it. I felt like I was not making any headway. I did not feel that the blade was in any way harder to pull, it just felt that it was less efficient than the Storm. Interestingly, when I told John Carmody this, he felt the same way about the Corry (don't quote me, I believe that's what he said). Of course, the Corry and the Storm are very different in design but what I am trying to say is that blade-size per se may not be the only factor. This is a very personal observation (which was apparently confirmed by one of my betters) that is specific to 2 specific blades. I am aware of the more general issue of blade size and will incorporate this in the choice of the wing blade I pan to purchase next (Epic Mid Wing). I tried a Mid Wing in fall and loved it. While I'm on the subject of Epic mid Wing, does anyone have input on whether to get the burgundy or stiffer blue shaft. I'm aware of the theoretical differences, but does anyone have practical input ? Seems like the stiffer blue on is more durable, according to Epic's website. Input would be appreciated.