Inverseyourself

No issues with a short cord tethered to peripheral deck lines for >9 years. perhaps I am in the minority?

That's what's great about NSPN. So much experience to tap into. Thanks!

I am surprised that they did not come tethered from the factory.

I don't know what is more impressive: the dry hatch not leaking after the improvised cover, or the four hours of drills after the drills you had already done! Impressive. Looking forward to meeting you and paddling with you.

I have to disappoint. The 4 hours of drills were a day after the ones during which I lost the cover.

I, too was impressed by how waterproof the improvised hatch was. I actually used Gorilla tape (not duct tape as I initially wrote) and it was sticking very solidly to the deck when I removed it at the end of the day. The key is to stick it on a completely dry deck surface.

Upon rechecking my remeaining 2 hatch covers, both NDK brand, there are actually 2 decent sized tabs, one on the outside, one on the inside. I don't want to use any attachment ON deck, it'll just come off at one point. Any advice on what's the best way to attach to the underside of the deck? What kind of cord? Bungee or nylon? How long? What glue? Pintail wrote to use epoxy. Do you attach the cord DIRECTLY to the deck-underside? Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated.

I apologize for sounding smug; but why on earth have you not tethered your hatch covers? They should all be tethered for just this reason.

Depending on the type/make (Nigel Dennis uses those big, floppy ones) there should be internal means for attaching a cord that you will glue with epoxy to underside of the deck. In the Valley hatch covers (you don't have these ones), there is usually a tab that can be punctured or drilled to take a nylon cord. Alternatively, a bungee around the stiff rim of Valley covers -- perhaps you have this on another boat?

Shame -- expensive lesson, no? (New England Small Craft on Route 1 in Rowley has perhaps got spares for you? (978) 948.6118; but he's probably closed Mondays and Tuesdays, at this time of year)

Thanks for the advice. I guess I needed to see for myself . Actually, my NDK covers have a teeny- weeny tab but I don't see how I can attach a reasonable cord to that. I have a Valley cover coming, decided to get an emergency neoprene one as well.

I took a sturdy garbage bag and cut it in 3 pieces to cover the hatch. Affixed them with 6" bungee loops (the ones with the "ball" attached for easier removal), one over the other and put duct tape over the whole thing. 4 hours of non- stop rescue drills, in-out-in-out, not one drop of water in day hatch. I'll always take garbage bag, bungee loops and duct tape on bigger outings.

But you're absolutely right, it shouldn't have happened and in conditions I would have been in trouble!

Would a Castleneck circumnavigation work if boats get in the water by 8:00 A.M. or earlier (I know, I know...) and going through Fox Creek first or if boats get in the water at 11:30 A.M. and going via Crane's Beach at a very leisurly pace with a nice lunch at the backside of Crane's, maybe paddle towards Gloucester (not to !) a bit to give Fox Creek time to fill up. I know, given the 11 AM low tide it's a little bit of a stretch. I won't mind if this post gets blown out of the water (...what water?). I'll try to join wherever the paddle is going to be.

Sorry, have to cancel for the potential Sunday Lane's cove paddle(with a heavy heart). Played around in Hoods Pond with my new (!) boat this morning. After a few self rescue drills, I suddenly heard more than felt a weird sloshing sound. Turning around, my day hatch was gaping at me with my waterbottle and powerbar floating in 5 inches of water. Could've sworn I "hammered" it tight with my fist at the beach. Turns out, them hatch-covers don't float. After sadly paddling to and fro calling for my hatch cover, I had to give it up and call it a day. Better pond than The Sea. Next time, more attention to detail as I'm entering and possibly dislodging stuff on deck, including hatch covers.

Looking very much forward to Suz's CWC! It was the post I was hoping and waiting for! I'll definitely try to be there.

Sorry, I would if I could ... I just noticed a noise coming from my rear brakes or bearings. I'm going to try and get if fixed Saturday. If that works out then perhaps Sunday at the same time.

Car safety first! I'll stay tuned.

Very much interested! My drysuit is still in the works but I'm up for a nice, easy L2(-3) paddle.

Andy

Is it on? I'm interested.

That's great Katherine. I'll be up for a little practice session here or there as soon as I have a boat (Oct). I live 2 minutes from it. Unfortunately, I never have time during weekdays, except Friday nights and of course long summer evenings.

Andy

Has anyone paddled on Hood's Pond in Topsfield? Is anyone interested in principal? I'm not trying to start a new pond session series away from Walden. Just curious if anyone living nearby would be interested.

Andy

Andy,

Don't want to worry you, but once we started paddling, my husband and I have never gone back to skiing! ;-)

So that I don't get scolded by the group - yes, yes, lots of people manage to do both . . .just not us!

I guess there is always the surf-ski to fall back to

Andy,

Have you considered cold water/weather kayak camping during November, December, March and April. It does require some planning with proper gear and it is safest when performed with others, but the rewards are many. Shoot off an e-mail or post if it is something you would like to consider.

Warren

Rob and Warren

Thanks for the inspiration.

I don't even have a boat yet. B u t....I am itching to buy a NS Atlantic RM and virtually all the gear you need to paddle safely incl. drysuit in October. My kids will just have to postpone college for a year. Once I'm all set with my equipment, I'll be game for a lot of the NSPN activities I have been enviously following online. I usually ski throughout the winter and have little time off but I can easily imagine tagging along on a camping trip in April (who knows, maybe I'll even turn hardcore in the meantime and go camping in deep winter with one of you), when I'm sick of skiing again. I will try to harvest the vast paddling knowledge in the NSPN community at every opportunity open to me.

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Andy

Thanks for all the informative answers! NSPN looks like a place of great camaraderie.

Does anyone anticipate cold water drills at Pavillion Beach this Oct/Nov?

Thanks,

Andy

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and interested in joining your pond sessions at some point. My question is: what do you guys actually do in the pond ) ? Rescue practice? Stroke critique? Just hang out?

Thanks!

Andy

Very nice surfing!!! Great dynamic footage! What kind of camera and mounting system? Hope to join you one day!