Jim Snyder

So I checked my spare paddle which never gets used or rinsed after a trip on the deck and it operates as smooth as new.

I know Werner says don't lubricate the mechanism but I'm tempted to try some dry lube on my spare paddle. The constant maintenance is too annoying.

Has anyone found a way to keep these from needing to be flushed with hot water weekly? Great product but this seems to be a real design flaw.

Regarding Portsmouth to Wells, you could break this up nicely with a stop at Cape Neddick Campground. As of last year there was a $10 fee. Are you planning to do these all as shuttles?

I just sent my phone into the Cetus. The end of the paddle sockets into the peg body. It seems like if the paddle and the peg are assembled properly you should be able to slide it in then trap the aft end of the paddle shaft with the end cap.

I had this experience with my vintage Explorer. The rail mounting screw ends trapped the pegs. These look very much like the ones on my Cetus. It looks like you should be able to slide them in with the front disconnected. I bet there's a receiver that the end of that red paddle has to socket into. You could tape your phone to a paddle and send it in there to video the other end. In the worst case, Mike Habich might fit in there...?

I feel like I contributed to hijacking this thread. Maybe we need a new thread for opportunities for new to sea kayakers.

Midtempo, welcome to the site and I encourage you to join the club. It's a great place to grow your skills and knowledge. A few years ago I too would have been a little shocked that people would venture out on the ocean in sub 50 water. Now I paddle with people who paddle all winter. The things we do to make this safer include: Assessing conditions and avoiding conditions that push the envelope too far. A nice quiet day in January can be a lot less challenging than a bouncy one in August. Matching group size and skill sets to conditions. Dressing for immersion. Drysuits and layers make it possible to tolerate 40 degree water for quite a while. Practicing self and assisted rescues. Others may add to this list, and even given the best planning things can go wrong. It's a rare paddle though that I didn't feel less at risk on the water than on the drive there and back.

There were a lot of MA plates at Goat Island last week. I didn't see any issues.

I'm paddling in the Portsmouth area Monday if you'd like to join me, observing safe distancing.

I would remove the track to install the pegs.

I'm following up on this. It's not clear to me yet whether as a paddler you have to do anything to activate this other than calling 911. I talked to the OOD at Coast Guard in Newcastle and he wasn't clear either. He is checking it out and will get back to me. Edit: They got back to me quickly. You don't need to do anything to access this service other than call 911 and ask for Coast Guard. They will send you a text message asking you to authorize their access to location service. They emphasized that the best first option is VHF radio, especially with DSC.

Just saw this on the news and wonder what others think: https://coastguardnews.com/i911-helping-the-coast-guard-save-lives/2020/05/06/

I've been printing some charts on waterproof paper. They don't last forever but neither do laminations. I use a laser printer and don't know if an inkjet would work as well but they are rated for that. I bought some loose sheets from the print desk at Staple's but they can be ordered on line as well. When they wear out I print a new one.

I can't get your videos to play...

Sorry, wrong answer... Maybe this will help:

Anyone know where this is? Feel free to make other comments. Hint: approximate latitude 43.613449.

I'm guessing these were rental drysuits...

You guys realize that your white text shows up black on the "activity" list?

While the suffering of those with this disease is horrifying, even the worst case projections pale in comparison to what my imagination can conjure up for a pandemic. It seems like we have more of a health care crisis than a health crisis. I learned a lot more here: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/26/coronavirus-may-be-deadlier-than-1918-flu-heres-how-it-stacks-up-to-other-pandemics.html

Looks better than some of Bob's boats...?

Rock gardening on Winnisquam... This passage looked good but turned out to be a little to shallow: Paddling amongst the mini-icebergs:

I just talked to the harbormaster in Kittery and he said the Town Dock should remain available so long as we don't jam up the parking lot.

I had hopes that the boat ramp at Odiorne would remain open. their website says they are but I called the Seacoast Office and they said the gate is closed for now.

I'm starting this thread so we can keep each other informed about places that are available for launches and those that are not. The discussion about whether we should paddle can take place elsewhere. I had unavoidable business in Gloucester this morning and hoped to launch solo out of Tuck's Point. When I arrived there was not only a "closed" sign but the entrances to the parking areas were blocked with boulders. . Please post here if you find common launch sites either open or closed. I think this is going to become more common for a while.