Jim Snyder

I'm glad to see all the interest! I'll start a group message tomorrow. 

If you've looked at a tide chart you've seen a pretty big range on Thursday. Low at 9:05am is -1.25'. The harbor is slack at 10:18am. My plan is to launch at 10:30am giving the walk to the water a chance to shorten up a little and Bill a chance to eat breakfast. Maximum flood is at 12:54pm but we should still have a nice push on our return and a short walk to the road. 

Conditions look good for an easy trip out of York headed south on Thursday. Predicted air in the 50s but water still around 40 so drysuits and other immersion gear are required. Seas predicted currently to be around 1' and winds negligible. I'm planning for a pretty relaxed paddle as conditions and life have kept me off the water for a while. 

Contact me by any method and I'll start a group message for the trip. 

If any unforeseen issues arise I could be part of the solution as well.

After discussion with the board I'm starting this topic in response to Karen (Glad's) idea of leaving some money to NSPN as part of estate planning. I'm calling it the legacy fund until or unless we call it something else. The idea being a fund outside of the operating budget that could be used to do good things. You could donate as Karen has suggested or while still alive by donating in addition to your annual dues, which I think most of us realize as a bargain. The board has some help in the procedural stuff. The intent of discussion here is to talk about how a fund might be used in line with the mission of the club. This is for brainstorming, give it some thought and weigh in.

Thanks for raising this idea! I think there would be a lot of details to set something up but I think a fund with a specific purpose would be great. Also, I don't think you should have to be dead to contribute!

I second David's post. Nothing wrong with using two hands. That's what the other hand is there for. Your paddle will likely be trapped between your body and the cockpit for that brief moment you're unsprayskirting and getting out is job one.

Seals large tunnel is 33-35". I find I need a lot bigger than expected to go on over drysuit and layers.

https://www.sealsskirts.com/sizing/sizing.php

If I remember right when I wanted a custom tunnel and color I talked to seals first and then went to the retailer. Don't be surprised if they won't extend the discount on a custom order. 

Edit: I just noticed Seals only lists one online seller for custom orders:

https://www.oakorchardcanoe.com/e-mail.php

I also like Seals and last I checked they're made in America. I have a Seals 1.4 for the Volan which fits well. I also prefer the 6" tunnel, especially with the drysuit that has the fold down flap. Remember we have a club discount at OutdoorPlay. 

https://www.outdoorplay.com/products/seals-pro-shocker-kayak-spray-skirt

Also it's great to bring up this important safety issue. If you can't free the skirt in two quick movements it's a problem. Alternatively it's worth practicing pulling it off from the side in case the loop got buried or leaving through the tunnel if all else fails. 

Our group was myself, Richard Blais, Ricardo Caivano, Dana Sigall, and Bill Doucet. Predicted conditions were a long period 1'swell and a light onshore breeze. There was some concern that the long fetch breeze might make conditions a little too sporty for cold water paddling but it turned out to not be an issue. We launched out of the Ogunquit River, just a few yards from our parking.

There were some nice looking waves at the river mouth and some surfing was attempted but the duration of the waves proved disappointing. We made our way down the beautiful rocky coast, passing Perkins Cove with the intention of spending some time in the Grotto below Bald Head Cliff. The waves never developed into any challenging paddling but the day was beautiful and the visuals spectacular.

The grotto was calm but beautiful and we decided that the conditions were just right to haul out for lunch.

Spending time in this beautiful spot was a real treat. Heading back we hoped the higher water might make for some better surfing at Ogunquit but again it was not ideal. 

After loading up I decided since it was early I would go check out the launch at Footbridge beach, about a mile up the river. As it turns out its a great spot and I hope to post a tidal trip from there soon.

Group message should be in your inbox. 

I will start a group message tomorrow morning. 

Conditions look nice for another trip out of Ogunquit. Predicted very little wind and long period 1' swell. Paddlers from last Saturday can attest that that prediction is plenty to make it interesting. Contact me by any means if you would like to be on the group message for the trip. 

Whether it's worth it or not depends on the value of the boat. It's hard to tell what that boat is.

You may have some skim ice to break through...

We were myself, Fred Goodman, Bill Doucet, Dana Sigall and Jim Doscher. Conditiions were as predicted, with light winds and temps in the fifties and a short period 2' swell. The waves breaking outside the river were surfable but we decided to leave that for on the way back.

This stretch of coast is spectacular with rocks and coves all the way. We had to be cautious as periodically a set of 3 to 5 waves would come in at almost double the usual. 

We stopped at a spot which on a previous trip had featured cliff jumping but no one volunteered today.

The cove beneath Bald head cliff was spectacular as usual.

Lunch at Phillip's Cove.

The sun battled to peak out all day but never quite made it. The sky and water were beautiful nonetheless.

We all got to surf a little at the river mouth. Here's Bill on a little one, looks like he should have caught the one behind...

Thanks to everyone for a great day on the water.

I'm adding a hand carved cedar Greenland paddle and lowering the price to $500.

I'll start a message tomorrow to all who have at a minimum replied "interested". Please contact me if you wish to be added. 

8 hours ago, Barbara Ryan said:

Jim, can you please remind us of where exactly we would be parking and the arrival and launch times?

We'll be launching from the main parking lot, probably on the river side to ride the current out. I'm hoping the bathrooms will be open but can't confirm. I'll post a Google pin once we have a group message. 

Deborah, if the forecast doesn't change, any possibility for surf or rock play will be pretty tame. Also it's rare that I've been on a trip where some paddlers don't choose to avoid any rough water by staying in deeper water. I'm sure that will be possible on this trip. 

This will be the fifth annual fall trip to Ogunquit, heading south towards Cape Neddick Harbor. Parking is free after 10/31. See earlier trips here:

Early forecast looks pretty mellow but water temperatures call for drysuits. Indicate interest here or contact me by other means and I'll start a group message.

My Iphone records pictures in .heic format which won't paste into the posting window on the forum. I open them in IrfanView and save them as .jpg s. That works for me but is a bit tedious.

3 hours ago, Deborah Walsh said:

Rye,NH to Portland ME,with a particular interest in trips in Southern Maine.

That's my go to range for weekday paddles as well as I am also in New Hampshire and hate to fight the traffic south. I as well would be happy to work with you.

I built this boat in 2017 and just haven't used it enough to justify keeping it. It will come complete with flotation bags, a sea sock, both a footboard and footpegs, now removed. kit of the original two part polyurethane which I've been meaning to apply to the seams. It takes a Seals 1.7 sprayskirt. $500 firm. I'm 6'0" and 185 and it's a snug fit.

I will post WLPs north occasionally, between Hampton and York Harbors. 

I'm a definite maybe...