Deb Millar

As part of the VW buyback deal for my 2015 TDI Golf Sportwagen, I just picked up my new, 2017 VW Alltrack. We've been very happy with the VW wagon, the diesel scandal notwithstanding. The car has plenty of room for gear, it's a great height for loading boats, and it's not a Subaru. Josko, what news source, besides the dealership, are you quoting? My impression was that, under the agreement with the government because of the emissions scandal -- and VW/Audi is in BIG TROUBLE in Germany because of it -- all diesel VW's were to be completely scraped, even with "the emissions fix."

Bob and I both have USCG gaskets. Carl Ladd at OSKA replaced ours, and he's the best.

Sal, I had a similar problem two years ago with my now-seven year old Werner Cyprus. Like you, I never "abused" my paddle, although I've always used it in rocks, surf, and during pool sessions when I'd occasionally hit the sides of the pool. During a session, I noticed that it was wiggly when I rolled, to the point where it almost came apart when I was coming up. I called Werner and they directed me to repair, where I received a Referral number and a person and an address to send the paddle to. I packaged it up, insured it for its full replacement value (although I DID NOT send it through the USPS, but used FedEx and a local mailing/packaging facility); once they received my paddle, Werner sent me a brand new, tags still on it Cyprus to use in the interim. Werner replaced the ferrule, polished the blades up, and sent it back to me in two weeks time. There was nominal cost for the repair as the paddle was well out of warranty, but I was more than pleased with the prompt service and Werner's attitude. Hope this helps. Deb

I have prescription, bifocular Rec Spec sunglasses, which work great. However, I doubt if they'd be effective at night, in which case I'd have to risk wearing my regular glasses.

Hi Lisa, I'm an occasional car camper and probably not qualified to write a lot about proper sleeping bags, but I can tell you a good bag and a good sleeping pad can make the difference between cold-bodied agony and bliss while sleeping in the great outdoors. Because I'm a cold sleeper and because I was in utter misery two years ago in Maine in May in my 12 year old synthetic North Face Cat's Eye bag, rated down to 20 degrees, I talked to a few winter campers and the great older gentleman salesperson at REI. They all advised down -- which, as Suzanne pointed out is now treated -- and they all advised NOT getting one with the opening for the sleeping pad. I ended up getting a Woman's Marmot Ouray, which is rated down to 0 degrees and I am, literally, a happy camper. While a 0 degree bag may seem extreme (and it ain't cheap, but I took out my own REI membership and used the member coupon that came with it.), I've found it works for me. I used it last year in August in southern Ontario, when the nighttime temp were in the 50's, and I was fine. We have fleece liners, which I made. I'm definitely not a seamstress, but I measured our bags and went to JoAnn Fabrics for advice on how much fleece to buy. The total cost of the liners came to about $15, although not without a lot of naughty words -- I said I'm not a seamstress -- and some agita. I plan on making summer weight liners this year. I have an Exped sleeping pad, which Phil Allen had recommended, and my husband has a NEMO. Again, both are in the $130+ range, but they provide an extra layer of warmth. Some people find them noisy, but neither of us has found this to be a problem. You've gotten some great advice here. A good sleeping bag is an investment and the price differential -- Bob has a Sierra Designs rated down to 14 degrees as it got good reviews, but it's not as well constructed as mine -- sometimes shows up in how well made the bag is in whatever factory in China it comes from. Both are bags are mummy style, which neither of us finds confining. Whatever you get, though, make sure it's a woman's bag. They're a bit wider at the hips than a man's but have extra padding at the foot as evidently women have colder feet. Hope this helps. Deb

Bill, just to qualify the concept of the BCU Star Awards and the BCU Coaching Awards, which are two different things but the latter is dependent on the former. The Star awards, which range from 1* - 5*, are given on the basis of paddling expertise or ability, as defined by BCU guidelines, which are pretty straightforward and understandable. The Coaching awards are termed by levels. While one needs a certain star to coach at each level, which makes sense, there is no such animal as a BCU 4 STAR coach. There are 4 LEVEL 5 BCU coaches in the States, with a few level 3&4's who obtained their certifications under the "old" BCU scheme. I know, it is confusing. It wasn't much clearer, either, under the old BCU scheme as to who could become a coach depending on their star level.For example, if you had passed the "old" 3*, which was strictly strokes on flat water (and not all that easy, either), you were then qualified to do Coach 2 training and assess for Coach 2. If you passed your 4*, which did not at the time involve leadership but did involve paddling in the same conditions as the new 4*, and had Coach 2, you qualified for training as a Coach 3, and so on up the coach/star line. Attaining Coach 5 was a long and intense process, with, admittedly a strong award bias towards UK paddlers. This has all changed under the new BCU coaching/paddling award scheme, which is, perhaps, more confusing (I've yet to fully understand it and I've done Coach 2 training under the "old" scheme.) but follows somewhat the same path. The ACA has adopted many of the same criteria as the BCU, but it's a lot easier to understand how it works. Hope this helps. Deb

We use a cheap blue tarp from Ocean State Job Lots. Works fine for our big mother 4 person tent. Deb

Very beautiful.

Interesting idea, but how the top part works eludes me. I think I'll stick with my comfy polar fleece Jedi changing robe.

Loved your trip report, Kate, and I especially liked the format you used. Newfoundland has been "on the list" since I first put a paddle in the water. Deb

Definitely try what Sal suggested, but if that doesn't work, Werner Customer Service is excellent. I emailed them this winter when the ferrule on my 7 year old Cyprus kept coming loose and the paddle would come apart, usually when I was rolling. The CR department gave me a RA# AND sent me a brand new, still had the tags on it, Cyprus to use while they repaired mine. You do have to pay for postage and, if they are sending you a loaner, it's best to use the box the loaner comes in to return your paddle to Werner, but it's definitely worth it. I got my repaired Cyprus back quickly. It was all cleaned up, too, and Werner put new degree markings on it. Best of all: No charge, and the paddle is long out of warranty. Hope a simple soak helps your paddle woes, but, again, Werner CR is great.

I've used Weldwood, which was recommended to me by Tom Bergh at MIKCO, for backband and padding installation. As Phil said, sand off existing dried glue and use multiple coats, drying in between them. Deb M

Barb and Bill, Get in touch with Turner Wilson at KayakWays. I think he's been doing design work with Novorca and could help you out. Deb M (who has paddled with one of Turner's designs in carbon but loves her Werner Cyprus)

Hi Al, Route 1 is perfect, Al. And you are so right about parking at Conomo, especially if there's a nice turnout for NSPN along with others -- not just kayakers but boaters with trailers -- using the launch site. Have fun on the trip. It's a favorite of ours. Deb

Hi Mike, Just what I said above. Non-resident parking does get crowded on weekends, especially nice ones. Deb

Hi Al, Jus so there's no confusion as to launch location, Pavillion Beach is in Ipswich. Conomo Pt in Essex has restricted parking; you can launch but you still have to park the car a few blocks up the road. The town has made more parking there available, but parking across from the launch can equal a hefty ticket. Deb

I ordered a pair of Kokatat Hand Covers from The Kayak Academy in Seattle and they arrived Monday. The good news: Kayak Academy is great to deal with. The bad news: The hand covers, while nicely made even if manufactured in China, are somewhat awkward to put on and, presumably, use. Sadly, they're headed back to Seattle. Yesterday I was in REI and picked up a pair of NRS Boater's Glove. They cover the back of the hand with some nice, comfy 50SPF material and are very flexible. They are women's, and be forewarned, NRS tends to run small, but I think guys could wear them in the larger sizes. Only $19.95, too. Here's a link to the website: http://www.nrs.com/product/25006.02/nrs-womens-boaters-gloves Deb M

Hi Phil, I have the same issues with my hands. I also hate wearing gloves, and it took years of dirty fingernails, the threat of tetanus, and the fear of losing the stone in my engagement ring before I wore gloves gardening, I wear pogies in winter or when the water is cold in the fall and spring. Following Yves suggestion, I will pay a visit to either Orvis or First Light Anglers in Rowley to see what they might have in a lightweight, possibly SPF-treated glove. Deb M

I agree with PeterB totally. I've always had a Meridian, complete with rear relief zipper and feet, and I've been happy with it. While the extra pockets would be nice and I realize I could get the dry suit without the hood -- personally, I'm not a fan -- I can't see paying more money for a basic piece of equipment that works for me in its present form. I've also always felt the extra piece in front that fits over a spray skirt is a Must Have. The only thing I might consider should I hit the Eternal Dry Suit (delamination) Sweepstakes is paying to have have the front, ladies' whiz-zip put in. Even then, I'd think about it a bit before I had it done. Deb M

To beat this topic to death even further, I'd like to recommend two books. Both are well-written and both look at Grizzlies AND black bears realistically and not though the lens of New Age pseudo science. "Grizzly Years" by Doug Peacock. Peacock came back from the Vietnam War with some serious PTSD. He found that living in the wilderness with Grizzlies helped him. "Bear Attacks: Their Causes and How to Avoid Them" by Stephen Herrero, PhD. The definitive (and revised since I first read it, and, yes, I own a copy) book on both Grizzlies and black bears by a University of Calgary scientist. Neither book sensationalizes the topic ("The Bear ate my baby..") although the details of the before and after of a bear attack can be, well, sobering. Deb M (who has a mortal fear of bears in any way, shape, or form and has never seen one in the wild nor particularly wants to.)

After reading Phil and Michael's reviews of the Exped SynMat, I bought one today to accompany my new Marmot Ouray Zero Degree sleeping bag. It was time for a new one as my North Face 12 year old Cat's Meow had definitely given up its ninth life last year; I'm a cold sleeper, and it's 20% off coupon time at REI. Bob went one better and bought a Nemo Cosmo 25L pad for his new Sierra Designs Zizzou, which had terrific reviews. Both pads have an integrated foot pump and, after sleeping on our faithful car camping LL Bean air mattress for a few years, it was time for something warmer and high tech. As for noise: Meh. Rather some rustling, which I don't notice any way, than waking up in the morning with a back or shoulder ache. Deb M

First, thanks, Doug, for coordinating the dates/times/venue for pool sessions. It's not an easy task. As I'm a member of the Ipswich Y, I'm prejudiced towards that pool. It's warm and clean, the lifeguards are great and the clean locker rooms, with abundant hot water -- the older ladies who are members make sure things stay that way -- made pool sessions enjoyable. However, even living 15 minutes away, the time was not always the best for us. Then there's Haverhill: Maybe if the Haverhill School District warmed the pool up a bit -- I've come out of it with my teeth chattering despite wearing layers of neoprene and a heavy rash guard -- and saw it in their budget to perhaps clean up the filthy, torn curtained, freezing cold showers in the locker room not to mention the room itself, I might feel differently. While the time and day is great and the distance manageable, the venue leaves much to be desired, especially at $26.00 a session. Portsmouth, ah, Portsmouth. Clean pool, warm water, nice life guards, good size, and CLEAN locker rooms with HOT water. What more could one ask for. While it's a hour/15 minutes for us, it's more than worth the price of admission. Thanks again, Doug, for all you do. Deb M

Hi Dan, Do you mean 55 degrees air or water? I'm usually out of my dry suit mid-June, but I'm also cold sensitive. It also depends where I'm paddling, which is mostly the North Shore or Maine. Deb

Hi Sherry, I'm in agreement with Les about the PilgrimLV. While I never fit well in the Impex Force3 and thus never really paddled one outside of a demo, I did find my RomanyLV more than suitable in conditions. Being back in a NDK boat is, for me, happiness in fit and function. The same applies to my PilgrimLV that applies to Leslie's Expedition, except for the layup (mine is all fiberglass and thus heavier) and the length. There is, however, the original Pilgrim 16', which was released in 2009/2010, and the PilgrimLV 16' which Tom Bergh also helped Nigel Dennis design and is the prototype that I have. Both boats look the same and have the small, keyhole opening but the PilgrimLV for "wee(er) folk" is about 1" smaller all around than the original Pilgrim16'. Both boats fit me very well, but the PilgrimLV fit me the best of all, and I don't consider myself to be exactly on the "wee" side. I was in the pool last night in my PilgrimLV and was finally, after a frustrating four years, rolling on both sides, doing reentry and rolls, and balance braces again. These are things I could always do in my RomneyLV but found a bit more difficult, because of the fit, in the AvocetLV. However, this DOES NOT mean that my issues with the boat will be issues for anyone else. It was just a matter of my body type (I have short legs and a long torso; I'm 5'4") /placement vs the cockpit design. As a good friend of mine always says: "'There's a boat for every butt'" and I find this to be very true. What works well for me may not work for another person; again, it's all a matter of form and function and what makes you happiest and most comfortable when you paddle. Deb

I had an AvocetLV and now own a 16' PilgrimLV. While I dearly loved my Valley boat for its speed, maneuverability in rocks and surf, and beautiful lines -- to me, VCP boats are among the prettiest of kayaks -- it didn't fit me all that well, especially in the cockpit. My PilgrimLV fits me perfectly and I've found it has many, if not all, of the attributes of the AvocetLV. Ed is right about the difference in chines, although I've consistently found both boats easy to edge and therefore to turn. Sherry, did you paddle the 17'+ PilgrimLV Expedition or the 16' one? I think I'm the only person in the area who has the 16' Pilgrim, but then I could be wrong. My boat is a prototype and was built in 2012. I bought it late last summer from Tom at MIKCO. However, both boats are great. I should add that I'm a big NDK/SKUK (Sea Kayak UK, the "new" name for Nigel Dennis Kayak) fan as I've owned my share of the brand. However, my husband and I also have a little fleet of Valley boats in our basement. My feeling about kayaks is if it fits you well and does what you want it to do, then that's probably the "right" boat for you. Hope this helps. Deb M