Australia is having it's hottest, driest, most fire prone summer on record. I also have an inflamed tendon in my shoulder limiting what I can do moving my arm, so very little Pahi 26 building. I believe I do have all the frames or bulkhead cutout and ready for sealing. Next stop, hull planking!
So yesterday with the heat climbing into the low 40's C, we went to the beach, Wanda Beach near Tea Gardens. The wind was a light seabreeze, nor-easter and as this beach runs ESE through NW, it was offshore conditions, hot but with a cool breeze and sparkling waters. The atmosphere on the beach was lazy holiday stuff, lots of sitting chatting, ball games in the water, beach cricket and just ambling about.
After a good soaking we went for a wander towards the western end on the beach. A series of little headlands hiding quaint little coves. At the extreme west end , before the Myall River, we discovered a beautiful little cove with perfectly calm anchorage dotted with 5 sailing catamarans spaced out for maximum privacy and minimum of fuss If you wanted to anchor up for a few lazy days, with a cool offshore breeze, natural scenery and a whitewashed beach, with the prospect of catching a fish for dinner, this would be the ideal spot.
Now, the following morning, I'm wondering, why all catamaran? Spacious, comfortable, shoal draft, yes. But something beachy and beautiful too, something inn the aesthetic of catamaran that mono marina types just don't get. Can't wait.
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Thursday, November 28, 2019
Slow Ahead
Well it's nearly December, I've had my Pahi plans for 3-4 months now and I reckon all the hull frames are done. If I should shout out to any prospective builder I'd describe to them how there are only 4 bulkhead shapes in the build, you draw one and cut four off the same. So bulkhead #1 sits in the left bow and the right bow, as well as the stern of both hulls. It's the same for the next two bulkhead and the middle bulkhead is the same just for the midships of each hull. The time saving is fantastic, but I believe the psychology off building a craft with such design simplicity is more rewarding.
So my next step is cutting out the lower "planks" for the hulls. And guess what? Yep, they're the same for bow and stern, inner and outer of each hull. Can you sense the majesty in that?
So my next step is cutting out the lower "planks" for the hulls. And guess what? Yep, they're the same for bow and stern, inner and outer of each hull. Can you sense the majesty in that?
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Close Encounter with Tiki 21
Well, I fell in love with Wharram catamarans, over twenty years ago. The vibe of them really warms my heart and fills my head full of romantic adventure. Not just because they’re nearly always drawn with topless women on the bows, they just have a really ocean friendly rake and sheer. The plans are works of art, and they sail like witches brooms. I can’t get close to describing why I love them.
I’ve looked at them on and off lots of times. I bought plans for the Tane, a 27’ classic design secondhand, years ago. But after thought about the fact that I mostly sail by myself, I downscaled to the 21’ Hinemoa. The Hinemoa is probably the cat in the range of designs that most resembles James Wharram’s first home built cat’ that he sailed with two young German women, Ruth and Jutta.
Years ago, while I was lugging around in a shiny plastic monohull on my local lake, a modest little Hinemoa could often be seen far from the shore cruising off by itself. That rakish cat' was running it’s own race!
Even though I had my hands full fitting out, sailing, living aboard and later singlehanded cruising my mono, I’d often go to check out the Hinemoa at her mooring. Those sweet lines held me captive. Even on paper, Wharram designs would send me into dream world. Hopelesssly dumbfounded just like Toad siting on the road, “poop poop”.
So here we be, some 34 years down the river of life and my Wharram love has shown itself not to be a fleeting interest. It has outlived many other boats and even a long loveless marriage, until now.
Five years ago I ogled over a Tiki 21 that has been listed for sale. I could not afford it, but still I drove over to check her out. I’d imagine myself sailing off the wind, s itting in the little cabin, sipping coffee, watching the world go by. Joining the ranks of Wharram sailors worldwide: sailing their own course, lounging on the decks, chatting among the crew or listening to soft music or the splatter of the bow wave. At the end of the day I'd go find a remote anchorage, isolated and away from marinas, yacht clubs and jet skis.
Fast forward to today and that same Tiki has come up for sale again. This time cheaper, I could afford it. Now I am more confident with my own needs and interests. I might just make that purchase, this time.
I’ve looked at them on and off lots of times. I bought plans for the Tane, a 27’ classic design secondhand, years ago. But after thought about the fact that I mostly sail by myself, I downscaled to the 21’ Hinemoa. The Hinemoa is probably the cat in the range of designs that most resembles James Wharram’s first home built cat’ that he sailed with two young German women, Ruth and Jutta.
Years ago, while I was lugging around in a shiny plastic monohull on my local lake, a modest little Hinemoa could often be seen far from the shore cruising off by itself. That rakish cat' was running it’s own race!
Even though I had my hands full fitting out, sailing, living aboard and later singlehanded cruising my mono, I’d often go to check out the Hinemoa at her mooring. Those sweet lines held me captive. Even on paper, Wharram designs would send me into dream world. Hopelesssly dumbfounded just like Toad siting on the road, “poop poop”.
So here we be, some 34 years down the river of life and my Wharram love has shown itself not to be a fleeting interest. It has outlived many other boats and even a long loveless marriage, until now.
Five years ago I ogled over a Tiki 21 that has been listed for sale. I could not afford it, but still I drove over to check her out. I’d imagine myself sailing off the wind, s itting in the little cabin, sipping coffee, watching the world go by. Joining the ranks of Wharram sailors worldwide: sailing their own course, lounging on the decks, chatting among the crew or listening to soft music or the splatter of the bow wave. At the end of the day I'd go find a remote anchorage, isolated and away from marinas, yacht clubs and jet skis.
Fast forward to today and that same Tiki has come up for sale again. This time cheaper, I could afford it. Now I am more confident with my own needs and interests. I might just make that purchase, this time.
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Civilization has removed me from my childhood’s nature
Sven Yrvind is, I find, a very interesting sailor. Some years ago he began building a 10’ boat for circumnavigation. That project failed in so far as the 10’ boat was not completed, but along the road it inspired Sven to embrace boat building in a very unique way. So I like to check in with Sven Yrvind blog when I need ideas.
It has been a while, but this morning I visited his blog and found the following quote:-
At sea I feel “...deep fundamental emotions that I am not able to feel on land. Civilization has removed me from my childhood’s nature on the island I grow up on. The world has changed, but the endless, blue, wet, deep ocean is still the same as when Iwas young. I am fine in my workshop, but outside its walls I am nostalgic for things past“. Sven Yrvind.Ooh I do love reading people’s expressions of their love of the sea, and their dislike for modern life ashore. I would never express a love of the open ocean because I have never transitted one. I have sailed out of sight of land though, and was very pleased, relieved, peaceful, relaxed and liberated by the experience. Thank you a Yrvind.
Sunday, July 7, 2019
The Dark Underbelly of Our Throwaway Culture
Sea kayak paddler on my local river, was the order of today. After a real heavy morning fog I the kayak was lashed atop my Hobie cat atop its trailer. This looks odd but is handy because of its modest height above ground level :)
The mess at the boat launching ramp was a poor omen, the river was filthy. ISome flotsam was expected after recent rain weather, but the next find was the tank from a Porta Potty camping toilet! The day's tally ended up being:
Porta Potty. X 0 5
Boogie Board x . 0,5
Cardboard box x 1
Beer 6 pack carton. X 7
Beer 6 pack wrapper x 2
Plastic meat tray x 2
GAZ camping has canister x 2
PET Bottle (lge) x 2
" " (med) x 4
Glass bottle (lge) x 1
" " (sml) x 4
Styrofoam box x 1
Foam hot food carton x 1
Paper bag x 1
Aluminium can x 1
Plastic pieces x 6
Felt hat x 1
Left in situ:
Cow x 1
1 000 litre cube tank x 1
Returning to the ramp, the kayak looked like a garbage barge. I was glad to be helping out, especially as much of this stuff looked old and as tho it had been floating on the tides for months. But, despairing for our society that does this without consequence (in the short-term).
The paddle? Yes beautiful, and energizing. At age 59 and in the early throws of what may be a destructive legal battle over property from a failed 27 year marriage, a paddle like this is compulsory to maintain sanity. The highlight of the day was listening to bird song in a groove just north of"the mansion". Up in the tops of a stand of tall eucalypts the birds were invisible, but they made short happy calls, like singing rounds to a song we humans could never understand. A predatory kite soared overhead, but the bird chorus never missed a beat, as though after a week of lost weather, they were celebrating and nothing was going to stop them.
The mess at the boat launching ramp was a poor omen, the river was filthy. ISome flotsam was expected after recent rain weather, but the next find was the tank from a Porta Potty camping toilet! The day's tally ended up being:
Porta Potty. X 0 5
Boogie Board x . 0,5
Cardboard box x 1
Beer 6 pack carton. X 7
Beer 6 pack wrapper x 2
Plastic meat tray x 2
GAZ camping has canister x 2
PET Bottle (lge) x 2
" " (med) x 4
Glass bottle (lge) x 1
" " (sml) x 4
Styrofoam box x 1
Foam hot food carton x 1
Paper bag x 1
Aluminium can x 1
Plastic pieces x 6
Felt hat x 1
Left in situ:
Cow x 1
1 000 litre cube tank x 1
Returning to the ramp, the kayak looked like a garbage barge. I was glad to be helping out, especially as much of this stuff looked old and as tho it had been floating on the tides for months. But, despairing for our society that does this without consequence (in the short-term).
The paddle? Yes beautiful, and energizing. At age 59 and in the early throws of what may be a destructive legal battle over property from a failed 27 year marriage, a paddle like this is compulsory to maintain sanity. The highlight of the day was listening to bird song in a groove just north of"the mansion". Up in the tops of a stand of tall eucalypts the birds were invisible, but they made short happy calls, like singing rounds to a song we humans could never understand. A predatory kite soared overhead, but the bird chorus never missed a beat, as though after a week of lost weather, they were celebrating and nothing was going to stop them.
Monday, July 1, 2019
"tilman" Rides Again
It had been some time since little tilman had been let loose on the water ( I've been kayaking). But a Facebook discussion early this week and involving Lemon Tree Passage, had planted the seed of an idea to sail there. This fine winter's day provided the perfect excuse to ditch the housework and get on the water.
Despite stiff winds in the early part of the day, the midday weather outlook presented quite well with light to moderate winds from the south-west.The tide was set to be at its lowest ebb an hour before we hit the water.
The Lemon Tree sail ground is essentially a long creek (Tilligerry) that runs in a SW direction for five or ten kilometres running off the much larger expanse of Port Stephens. For added navigational complexity an island is situated near the mouth of the creek, Lemon Tree Passage to the west and I guess Tilligerry Creek to the east. The waters are tidal and tides reach probably 2-3 knots in the vicinity of the island. The waters are sufficiently deep for a centreboard dinghy, and the only congestion is in LTP, where a mooring field lines the E and W sides of an already narrow passage.
The launch ramp is on LTP, adjacent the SW extremity of the island. It's a rough, but gently sloping entry over sand which ensures fewer users and an absence of rocks.
The first minute after clambering aboard is bound to be the most hectic of the entire cruise. Sails hoisted and the halyards tidied away, tiller lowered and lashed, centreboard placed in its slot and lowered, grab a spot in the village to sit, haul sail and take up the helm. Phew! But once these are seen to the biggest thrill of sailing hits; as the shoal bottom drops away, so do the cars and worries of shore life. I feel like I literally escape the world, at least for a while!
With a stiff flood tide pushing upstream against an 8 knot breeze, the water's surface was lively. We pierced standing waves as we headed S towards a yacht anchored in Tilli' Creek. The Mirror does well to windward and with the tide pushing us upwind we easily laid our mark. It proved to be a cement schooner, with mismatched masts, one white the other black. I was interested to see whether it was the same yacht that sold for the cost of debt with the local marina. It proved not to be, but was nice anyway. A nice change from the sameness of whole beaches of white production yachts. There was someone on board, but they appeared happy enough down below. We gybed off the wind, heading nor-east into a substantial flood tide flow. Tillman had impressed before with his ability to shoot an errant tidal flow with ease, and today was no different. To make it less obvious we kept clear of the main channel and skirted oyster racks on the western side. A boat with a mast was motoring towards us at a healthy clip, sleek design, diesel, favourable current and negligible headwind. We were navigating inside the channel markers (another Mirror forte), so we're in no risk of colliding. I held course and milked the dying breeze for what I could. As the boat with a mast passed I could recognise it as a Beneteau type, all sails furled away, crew sitting on a stern seat, fully closed in with plastic screens. Argh!
Unsure of our prospects for circumnavigation Bull Island due to the fading breeze, I reassessed again before deciding to go about and beat back the way we came. Typically, hard on the wind with a current up your stern, have the effect of increasing pressure on the sails. I even had to sit on the seat (ie. not in the bilge), to keep things safe. We could not retrace our course out and had to drift across the main channel. A healthy chop was being generated by the conditions and the bluff bow was shouldering off the chop on sparkling fashion. The wind was not so heavy to drive any spray aboard, so it was deeply pleasurable. Mesmerized I watched the bow spray against the light of the lowering sun. For the umpteenth time today I reflected on how lucky we sailors are. Some men spend thousands beautifying their houses and yards and work all week to pay for it, sailors spend time in Mother Nature knowing that she will provide all the beauty that's needed.
Tacking up towards where we launched, bearing the channel towards the west of the island, I noticed with surprise how the channel markers reversed colours. I'm sure I knew this, but that's just me. Port track up the Lemon Tree Passage channel dodging moored craft. Up close, most look dishevelled and oversized. Ego!
Ah, but the wind is fading out as is the light, and is getting cold. We about face, tack back down the channel. Yet another boat with a mast is motoring home, my blood boils to see fine sailing craft used like powerboats. Yes each to his own, but really?
The beaching is without drama, unrigging and loading, the same. I lash him down and head to the village for hot chips for the drive home.
Despite stiff winds in the early part of the day, the midday weather outlook presented quite well with light to moderate winds from the south-west.The tide was set to be at its lowest ebb an hour before we hit the water.
The Lemon Tree sail ground is essentially a long creek (Tilligerry) that runs in a SW direction for five or ten kilometres running off the much larger expanse of Port Stephens. For added navigational complexity an island is situated near the mouth of the creek, Lemon Tree Passage to the west and I guess Tilligerry Creek to the east. The waters are tidal and tides reach probably 2-3 knots in the vicinity of the island. The waters are sufficiently deep for a centreboard dinghy, and the only congestion is in LTP, where a mooring field lines the E and W sides of an already narrow passage.
The launch ramp is on LTP, adjacent the SW extremity of the island. It's a rough, but gently sloping entry over sand which ensures fewer users and an absence of rocks.
The first minute after clambering aboard is bound to be the most hectic of the entire cruise. Sails hoisted and the halyards tidied away, tiller lowered and lashed, centreboard placed in its slot and lowered, grab a spot in the village to sit, haul sail and take up the helm. Phew! But once these are seen to the biggest thrill of sailing hits; as the shoal bottom drops away, so do the cars and worries of shore life. I feel like I literally escape the world, at least for a while!
With a stiff flood tide pushing upstream against an 8 knot breeze, the water's surface was lively. We pierced standing waves as we headed S towards a yacht anchored in Tilli' Creek. The Mirror does well to windward and with the tide pushing us upwind we easily laid our mark. It proved to be a cement schooner, with mismatched masts, one white the other black. I was interested to see whether it was the same yacht that sold for the cost of debt with the local marina. It proved not to be, but was nice anyway. A nice change from the sameness of whole beaches of white production yachts. There was someone on board, but they appeared happy enough down below. We gybed off the wind, heading nor-east into a substantial flood tide flow. Tillman had impressed before with his ability to shoot an errant tidal flow with ease, and today was no different. To make it less obvious we kept clear of the main channel and skirted oyster racks on the western side. A boat with a mast was motoring towards us at a healthy clip, sleek design, diesel, favourable current and negligible headwind. We were navigating inside the channel markers (another Mirror forte), so we're in no risk of colliding. I held course and milked the dying breeze for what I could. As the boat with a mast passed I could recognise it as a Beneteau type, all sails furled away, crew sitting on a stern seat, fully closed in with plastic screens. Argh!
Unsure of our prospects for circumnavigation Bull Island due to the fading breeze, I reassessed again before deciding to go about and beat back the way we came. Typically, hard on the wind with a current up your stern, have the effect of increasing pressure on the sails. I even had to sit on the seat (ie. not in the bilge), to keep things safe. We could not retrace our course out and had to drift across the main channel. A healthy chop was being generated by the conditions and the bluff bow was shouldering off the chop on sparkling fashion. The wind was not so heavy to drive any spray aboard, so it was deeply pleasurable. Mesmerized I watched the bow spray against the light of the lowering sun. For the umpteenth time today I reflected on how lucky we sailors are. Some men spend thousands beautifying their houses and yards and work all week to pay for it, sailors spend time in Mother Nature knowing that she will provide all the beauty that's needed.
Tacking up towards where we launched, bearing the channel towards the west of the island, I noticed with surprise how the channel markers reversed colours. I'm sure I knew this, but that's just me. Port track up the Lemon Tree Passage channel dodging moored craft. Up close, most look dishevelled and oversized. Ego!
Ah, but the wind is fading out as is the light, and is getting cold. We about face, tack back down the channel. Yet another boat with a mast is motoring home, my blood boils to see fine sailing craft used like powerboats. Yes each to his own, but really?
The beaching is without drama, unrigging and loading, the same. I lash him down and head to the village for hot chips for the drive home.
Friday, June 21, 2019
Hunt for a "New" Car
Since i promised to give my Land Rover to my daughter for her eighteenth birthday, i needed another car.
So I've been looking for a clunker on Gumtree, something for two or three grand, that's reasonably reliable and that i can work on. I had an interesting dalliance with the W123 Mercedes Benz. This series, from 1970 to 1985 apparently possesses the capacity for high mileage and has been dubbed "million mile cat". Like the Rover, the older Merc's are "simple and a pleasure to work on". That's my kind of car! This evening I came across a motoring article featuring a W123 300D diesel with 3,4 million kilometres on the clock. The 86 year old owner has used it as a taxi in Belgium and reckons he just changed the oil regularly and has avoided any major rebuilds. That's gold right there.
But, you know we live on a rural property and the driveway was designed by a web-footed mountain goat Essentially, we lose bits of the driveway each time a good downpour arrives and its been some years since two-wheel drive access has been possible. So negotiating with said Merc might involve a caveman type drag rather than a cruise. So Plan B I designed was to look for a survivor of the smallest 4WD ute in recent decades, the Subaru "Brumby". These went out of production in 1995, but like the W123 Merc, they have a bit of a reputation for longevity. They won't routinely pull out a million k's, but many achieve between 5 and 800 thousand. In the USA they're known as the Subaru "Brat", something about Recreational All Terrain, because of its higher ground clearance and for-wheel drive configuration. Strangely, they normally run as a front wheel drive, and when going off-road, the rear wheels are engaged. Quite unconventional, they have been the vehicle of choice for adventurous types for many years.
So I've been looking for a clunker on Gumtree, something for two or three grand, that's reasonably reliable and that i can work on. I had an interesting dalliance with the W123 Mercedes Benz. This series, from 1970 to 1985 apparently possesses the capacity for high mileage and has been dubbed "million mile cat". Like the Rover, the older Merc's are "simple and a pleasure to work on". That's my kind of car! This evening I came across a motoring article featuring a W123 300D diesel with 3,4 million kilometres on the clock. The 86 year old owner has used it as a taxi in Belgium and reckons he just changed the oil regularly and has avoided any major rebuilds. That's gold right there.
But, you know we live on a rural property and the driveway was designed by a web-footed mountain goat Essentially, we lose bits of the driveway each time a good downpour arrives and its been some years since two-wheel drive access has been possible. So negotiating with said Merc might involve a caveman type drag rather than a cruise. So Plan B I designed was to look for a survivor of the smallest 4WD ute in recent decades, the Subaru "Brumby". These went out of production in 1995, but like the W123 Merc, they have a bit of a reputation for longevity. They won't routinely pull out a million k's, but many achieve between 5 and 800 thousand. In the USA they're known as the Subaru "Brat", something about Recreational All Terrain, because of its higher ground clearance and for-wheel drive configuration. Strangely, they normally run as a front wheel drive, and when going off-road, the rear wheels are engaged. Quite unconventional, they have been the vehicle of choice for adventurous types for many years.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
It's a new car (sound of discordant trumpets)
In between running my gardening business, feeding two teenagers and the dogs and two dozen unproductive chooks, I like to get onto, in, or beside, the water. But, to get near water one needs a motor vehicle.
Now, for me, motor vehicles fall into the category of houses, a boring necessity of life. I really hate having to work or spend time repairing cars or painting houses and co. For me, I would really prefer to liveaboard a large old boat; may be with plants in pots, but no designer bathroom or kitchen, no tedium. That's the background, now the present.
For the last few years I've been talking around in an ex-army Land Rover. And really it has been fantastic except for tolerating people's quips, criticisms and disdainful glances. Sometimes i can't figure whether this is about them not feeling comfortable with people bucking the system or its thumping great noise and beat aesthetic. Anyway, it's not my brother to worry what others think (thanks Buddhist Wisdom).
So anyway, last week as i was taking miniscule and slow steps toward my ultimate goal of living off grid on a large boat and riding myself of anything suburban in appearance, I promised to give my Rover to my daughter for her eighteenth birthday. This has passed the week before, so it's time to move.
Initially my plan was to replace the head gasket on my Ford ute and get that registered, but it has a "fatal" design fault in that it blows radiators and head gasket each Christmas. Plan B required.
After looking on the used car market I've discovered that most modern cars have the same fatal flaws. So go old?
Old Rovers have gone through the roof cost wise as people have realised they're a snap to work on and are reliable and beat.
Don't know how, but some weeks ago i rediscovered the Hillman Minx, a sixties British sedan, compact, stylish and reliable. Performance-wise the Hillman suits me, it's kind of pedestrian. She'll just plod along, but with a bit of old school maintenance she's pretty reliable. And so far the "car enthusiast" crowd have largely ignored the Hillman Minx.
There are only occasional murmurings on the used car market and a good few of those are just too "projecty" for my interests so it's going to be difficult to get hold of one. The project car sellers tend to market the dream while those with drivable vehicles know they have a rare type. Oh K'ism, such a pleasure.
Now, for me, motor vehicles fall into the category of houses, a boring necessity of life. I really hate having to work or spend time repairing cars or painting houses and co. For me, I would really prefer to liveaboard a large old boat; may be with plants in pots, but no designer bathroom or kitchen, no tedium. That's the background, now the present.
For the last few years I've been talking around in an ex-army Land Rover. And really it has been fantastic except for tolerating people's quips, criticisms and disdainful glances. Sometimes i can't figure whether this is about them not feeling comfortable with people bucking the system or its thumping great noise and beat aesthetic. Anyway, it's not my brother to worry what others think (thanks Buddhist Wisdom).
So anyway, last week as i was taking miniscule and slow steps toward my ultimate goal of living off grid on a large boat and riding myself of anything suburban in appearance, I promised to give my Rover to my daughter for her eighteenth birthday. This has passed the week before, so it's time to move.
Initially my plan was to replace the head gasket on my Ford ute and get that registered, but it has a "fatal" design fault in that it blows radiators and head gasket each Christmas. Plan B required.
After looking on the used car market I've discovered that most modern cars have the same fatal flaws. So go old?
Old Rovers have gone through the roof cost wise as people have realised they're a snap to work on and are reliable and beat.
Don't know how, but some weeks ago i rediscovered the Hillman Minx, a sixties British sedan, compact, stylish and reliable. Performance-wise the Hillman suits me, it's kind of pedestrian. She'll just plod along, but with a bit of old school maintenance she's pretty reliable. And so far the "car enthusiast" crowd have largely ignored the Hillman Minx.
There are only occasional murmurings on the used car market and a good few of those are just too "projecty" for my interests so it's going to be difficult to get hold of one. The project car sellers tend to market the dream while those with drivable vehicles know they have a rare type. Oh K'ism, such a pleasure.
Sunday, June 9, 2019
A paddle and a kingfisher up close.
Bless me father for it has been the weeks since my last paddle ... my daughter's eighteenth birthday and bad weather ... ok. Phew, I only need to go offshore for two hours. On a day like today that's easy, but I won't tell him that.
Just to mix things up I transported "Sunshine" (my sea kayak's new name), on the deck of my Hobie cat. It worked out quite well; because there was no need for a special rack, and it was easy to load up. Compared to every system I've previously used, this was the best by far.
Prior to joining the water I check and discover that the tide will be in flood for the next six hours. So I decide that a half-hour downstream, one hour up, and half hour back down will spread the burden of passing against the flow. It should also deposit me back to where I started.
The ramp is vacant as usual, so i can park off to the side, down by the water. I change into Rubbernman (my wetsuit and booties). But as there are no phone booths within five kilometres I just do it al fresco.
On the water, the Bliss Bomb his straight up. The water is slick, quiet and beautifully peaceful. Aah! At the bottom end of the ebb there is a lot of flotsam, mostly benign like bamboo stalls, twigs and seed bombs but there are more logs than usual ... and the wheel of a truck.it's so busy that t the only second run-about boat I've seen on the river proceeds only slowly. The peace is broken only by the sound of occasional traffic and little brown ducks fleeing our bow wave. Typically after time of from paddling I feel frumpy and uncoordinated, which I really dislike. For a short two hour paddle i can only rely on feeling better much later.
My thirty-minute time to turn around alarm goes off, but I decide to continue on downstream to visit my favourite riverbend and continue against the flow to properly push my stamina. At the "mansion bend" I nudge into the northern bank to escape the flow and take off my top layer of clothing (rubber doesn't breath week), and to hydrate. While removing my PFD with my pale lashed, I'm wary of ending up in the chilled water, but I'm reminded how comfortable and strong I feel now compared to my wobbly beginnings just three months ago.
After turning to go upstream I'm immediately aware of how easily and fast we're shooting along. It's an old story but a good one to "go with the flow". No longer do I consciously duck into bends to avoid the head flow, now we swing wide and slingshot upstream. I'm aware of the reduced physical load and up the pace to give myself a decent work rate.
Life's great, we hear and then see said runabout dodging logs and frankly we are too. Although we're moving in the same direction as the logs we come upon them quite rapidly and you never know until the bow his smaller pieces, whether it's something to bother about. If there's a small bump its a bamboo shoot, but a real clunk indicates a submerged branch. These are mostly harmless but wrist-thick ones can knock the dagger fin or rudder. A dull almost silent strike can mean a submerged tree which has the real threat of capsize if one side of the hull rides high and tips us of balance. All good though, its mostly bamboo and using the river to search clear paths is low key fun. The truck tyre and rim come up fast, we're well clear but i must about the potential to get it off the river. But it's too big and the banks are too inhospitable for such folly.
Well after bypassing our take off point I spy a green foam noodle on the backside of the river and make a mental note to grab it on the way back south. We turn for the last time at the Paterson Road bridge and I begin hunting for the noodle. The bamboo clump leans over the river and I worry about ticks, so approach gingerly. As I stow it on deck, my attention is drawn to a shy whistle overhead, an Azure Kingfisher. I quickly take note of its remarkable plumage before it flies off, only it doesn't. It actually it's watching me load the noodle like it approves our something. Being typically human I exploit nature and quickly grab my phone and snap of a few photos. Well I don't think this sacred little bits minds the publicity.
Nearing the ramp I wait a plastic bottle, a bit of insulation, a wrapper and quickly and thirteen pieces of plastic debris that I remove for landfill, instead of fish-
or bird fill.
Hardly, the sailor home from the sea. But sure the paddler home from another few hours on the river. The post paddle adrenaline is there, but only mild when compared to that after a long paddle when I'm fitter. But I'll take it, it has been nice and the sun is seriously dipping do own on what has been a beautiful day.
Just to mix things up I transported "Sunshine" (my sea kayak's new name), on the deck of my Hobie cat. It worked out quite well; because there was no need for a special rack, and it was easy to load up. Compared to every system I've previously used, this was the best by far.
Prior to joining the water I check and discover that the tide will be in flood for the next six hours. So I decide that a half-hour downstream, one hour up, and half hour back down will spread the burden of passing against the flow. It should also deposit me back to where I started.
The ramp is vacant as usual, so i can park off to the side, down by the water. I change into Rubbernman (my wetsuit and booties). But as there are no phone booths within five kilometres I just do it al fresco.
On the water, the Bliss Bomb his straight up. The water is slick, quiet and beautifully peaceful. Aah! At the bottom end of the ebb there is a lot of flotsam, mostly benign like bamboo stalls, twigs and seed bombs but there are more logs than usual ... and the wheel of a truck.it's so busy that t the only second run-about boat I've seen on the river proceeds only slowly. The peace is broken only by the sound of occasional traffic and little brown ducks fleeing our bow wave. Typically after time of from paddling I feel frumpy and uncoordinated, which I really dislike. For a short two hour paddle i can only rely on feeling better much later.
My thirty-minute time to turn around alarm goes off, but I decide to continue on downstream to visit my favourite riverbend and continue against the flow to properly push my stamina. At the "mansion bend" I nudge into the northern bank to escape the flow and take off my top layer of clothing (rubber doesn't breath week), and to hydrate. While removing my PFD with my pale lashed, I'm wary of ending up in the chilled water, but I'm reminded how comfortable and strong I feel now compared to my wobbly beginnings just three months ago.
After turning to go upstream I'm immediately aware of how easily and fast we're shooting along. It's an old story but a good one to "go with the flow". No longer do I consciously duck into bends to avoid the head flow, now we swing wide and slingshot upstream. I'm aware of the reduced physical load and up the pace to give myself a decent work rate.
Life's great, we hear and then see said runabout dodging logs and frankly we are too. Although we're moving in the same direction as the logs we come upon them quite rapidly and you never know until the bow his smaller pieces, whether it's something to bother about. If there's a small bump its a bamboo shoot, but a real clunk indicates a submerged branch. These are mostly harmless but wrist-thick ones can knock the dagger fin or rudder. A dull almost silent strike can mean a submerged tree which has the real threat of capsize if one side of the hull rides high and tips us of balance. All good though, its mostly bamboo and using the river to search clear paths is low key fun. The truck tyre and rim come up fast, we're well clear but i must about the potential to get it off the river. But it's too big and the banks are too inhospitable for such folly.
Well after bypassing our take off point I spy a green foam noodle on the backside of the river and make a mental note to grab it on the way back south. We turn for the last time at the Paterson Road bridge and I begin hunting for the noodle. The bamboo clump leans over the river and I worry about ticks, so approach gingerly. As I stow it on deck, my attention is drawn to a shy whistle overhead, an Azure Kingfisher. I quickly take note of its remarkable plumage before it flies off, only it doesn't. It actually it's watching me load the noodle like it approves our something. Being typically human I exploit nature and quickly grab my phone and snap of a few photos. Well I don't think this sacred little bits minds the publicity.
Nearing the ramp I wait a plastic bottle, a bit of insulation, a wrapper and quickly and thirteen pieces of plastic debris that I remove for landfill, instead of fish-
or bird fill.
Hardly, the sailor home from the sea. But sure the paddler home from another few hours on the river. The post paddle adrenaline is there, but only mild when compared to that after a long paddle when I'm fitter. But I'll take it, it has been nice and the sun is seriously dipping do own on what has been a beautiful day.
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Time on the river.
It had been a woesome week.
Depleted by a full body revolt brought on by bad food.
No paddling, surfing or sailing for days.
But today I was rewarded with time on the river.
A four-hour paddle in my new neoprene spring suit.
All against current: to rebuild stamina.
Early on, the turf farmers' levees were all neat and clipped.
Then wildness arrived; weeping willows and shadey forest oaks.
A modern if sterile bridge spews faceless drivers overhead.
Short runs and bends, teal ducks, swallows and pelicans six.
The river; brown, swirling, chilled.
Men in caravans in camps established upon low banks.
Fatigue creeps up, drawing attention to technique.
More abdomen, less arms, twist and draw.
No orcas, sharks or high swells, just the beckoning blind depths.
We return to the site where budding artists paint Delft-style, the city opposite.
Upon brown sand banks once trod by the ancient Wonnarua people, now by pet dogs on their weekly outings.
Sweet tiredness, a refreshing sponge down. A chocolatey reward.
Depleted by a full body revolt brought on by bad food.
No paddling, surfing or sailing for days.
But today I was rewarded with time on the river.
A four-hour paddle in my new neoprene spring suit.
All against current: to rebuild stamina.
Early on, the turf farmers' levees were all neat and clipped.
Then wildness arrived; weeping willows and shadey forest oaks.
A modern if sterile bridge spews faceless drivers overhead.
Short runs and bends, teal ducks, swallows and pelicans six.
The river; brown, swirling, chilled.
Men in caravans in camps established upon low banks.
Fatigue creeps up, drawing attention to technique.
More abdomen, less arms, twist and draw.
No orcas, sharks or high swells, just the beckoning blind depths.
We return to the site where budding artists paint Delft-style, the city opposite.
Upon brown sand banks once trod by the ancient Wonnarua people, now by pet dogs on their weekly outings.
Sweet tiredness, a refreshing sponge down. A chocolatey reward.
Friday, May 10, 2019
I Paddle My Local River - Tick
Part 3: Sunday 5th, 2019:
After last week's effort I had just one leg to paddle in order to complete the entire river - well up to where dragging over sand bars or rapids is needed. Today we actually launched onto another river, a bigger one that my local river feeds into on their passage towards the sea.
I only had to paddle downstream a kilometre or so, before turning upstream again to complete my river. Today, due to the tide times and recent rain, I would be paddling against both an ebb flow and runoff. I found that hugging the shoreline and inside of bends meant we dodged the worst of the current. But it was still tough going with added complication of the weather! Fifteen minutes in, a squall hit us with localised gusts and rain. Normally getting wet can erode your enthusiasm, but I found that having a goal kept me going hard.
The scenery was quite different from farther upstream. The levees were lower for a start, this meant the river was brighter and the views were more varied. We were in flat alluvial soil country,. Most of it was highly valued, so the banks were almost clear of weeds. Grass was the most prevalent plant, followed by willows and casuarinas and river gums.
We passed out first timber tries bridge after 20 minutes, and a singularly acute bend at 50 minutes along. From there it was fairly straight and exposed us to bouts of heavy winds, from our port bow, but also from that quarter. oing, but with strong headwinds at times.
We reached the turnaround mark at about the two hours mark. Another shower blessed us and I was reminded that I should carry a second water bottle.
But turning back bought massive relief as we shot of downstream on a hefty current I could ease up on paddling and rest my shoulders. My right knee protested; bending it through the cockpit opening helped, but Tiger Balm put the fire out. We flew on enjoying ourselves until reaching the main river again. There, we again fought the ebb and a stiff SW wind were against us. But Mother Nature relented quite strongly and the river glass over and the ebb didn't seem so bad.
I had now successfully paddled the extent of my local river, a one-way distance of 30 kilometres +/- in 6 hours, over three Sundays. But of course, being an unsupported adventure, I had to paddle back to the car each day so the distance was double.
From my wobbly kayak beginnings a little over a month back, to this, is beyond my wildest imaginings.
After last week's effort I had just one leg to paddle in order to complete the entire river - well up to where dragging over sand bars or rapids is needed. Today we actually launched onto another river, a bigger one that my local river feeds into on their passage towards the sea.
I only had to paddle downstream a kilometre or so, before turning upstream again to complete my river. Today, due to the tide times and recent rain, I would be paddling against both an ebb flow and runoff. I found that hugging the shoreline and inside of bends meant we dodged the worst of the current. But it was still tough going with added complication of the weather! Fifteen minutes in, a squall hit us with localised gusts and rain. Normally getting wet can erode your enthusiasm, but I found that having a goal kept me going hard.
The scenery was quite different from farther upstream. The levees were lower for a start, this meant the river was brighter and the views were more varied. We were in flat alluvial soil country,. Most of it was highly valued, so the banks were almost clear of weeds. Grass was the most prevalent plant, followed by willows and casuarinas and river gums.
We passed out first timber tries bridge after 20 minutes, and a singularly acute bend at 50 minutes along. From there it was fairly straight and exposed us to bouts of heavy winds, from our port bow, but also from that quarter. oing, but with strong headwinds at times.
We reached the turnaround mark at about the two hours mark. Another shower blessed us and I was reminded that I should carry a second water bottle.
But turning back bought massive relief as we shot of downstream on a hefty current I could ease up on paddling and rest my shoulders. My right knee protested; bending it through the cockpit opening helped, but Tiger Balm put the fire out. We flew on enjoying ourselves until reaching the main river again. There, we again fought the ebb and a stiff SW wind were against us. But Mother Nature relented quite strongly and the river glass over and the ebb didn't seem so bad.
I had now successfully paddled the extent of my local river, a one-way distance of 30 kilometres +/- in 6 hours, over three Sundays. But of course, being an unsupported adventure, I had to paddle back to the car each day so the distance was double.
From my wobbly kayak beginnings a little over a month back, to this, is beyond my wildest imaginings.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
PUP - Pick Up Plastic
Ever since my sail on tilman to the remote and beautiful Windawoppa Beach where I filled a bucket with waste plastics in less than 5 minutes, I've made rubbish collection a part of each outing.whether I am surfing, sailing or paddling, I pick up any plastics i see.
At the moment on Facebook a guy called Ferris Gump is taking a peddle-powered Hobie SUP from Byron Bay to like Cairns to raise awareness about plastics pollution.
I know very few of any people read this blog, but I'm just putting it out there. Just saying...
At the moment on Facebook a guy called Ferris Gump is taking a peddle-powered Hobie SUP from Byron Bay to like Cairns to raise awareness about plastics pollution.
I know very few of any people read this blog, but I'm just putting it out there. Just saying...
Sunday, April 28, 2019
The Star of the Show
In all my paddling of late the most amazing part is the river itself. Every second I am scanning the water ahead or either bank looking for form, movement and colour. I am always enthralled.
The water is invariably brown and cloudy.The head of the paddle disappears from sight on each stroke. It works lazily and late in the day every square metre features debris, detritus and flotsam of some kind; leaves, twigs, feathers and the ubiquitous seed lanterns, through to bamboo stalks, even whole trees. It's only by paddling several times a week that you realise the river's changing nature. One day you encounter a log reef, at a bend in the river,a tree lays beached, smaller branches, bamboo and leaf litter complete the scene. You wonder idly at how big a flood will be needed to clear it out before the next day when it has completely dissolved. After a while you recognise certain pieces of tree having transported itself down or back up the river. It's ever-changing magnificence.
Depending on where you are the width and i suppose depth, varies. Generally it's narrower and shallower the further upstream you go, but not always. It varies, as do the banks. Downstream, the levee banks are further apart and seem lower.This opens the river to light and greater air flow, friendly breezes or enemy gusts blast across rolling the surface darkly.
The flow is always present but not always evident. At its height it will swirl around snags at other times it is barely perceptible, you need to sit quietly and study the waters for evidence of movement. Yes, it's going out. It's always moving, once the flood stops, the ebb begins. Barely a calm exists, always one way or the other. The flow is the paddler's friend, begin your outing before a change and as you return the tide will turn with you. Keep it at your back and you have a helpful friend.
The water is invariably brown and cloudy.The head of the paddle disappears from sight on each stroke. It works lazily and late in the day every square metre features debris, detritus and flotsam of some kind; leaves, twigs, feathers and the ubiquitous seed lanterns, through to bamboo stalks, even whole trees. It's only by paddling several times a week that you realise the river's changing nature. One day you encounter a log reef, at a bend in the river,a tree lays beached, smaller branches, bamboo and leaf litter complete the scene. You wonder idly at how big a flood will be needed to clear it out before the next day when it has completely dissolved. After a while you recognise certain pieces of tree having transported itself down or back up the river. It's ever-changing magnificence.
Depending on where you are the width and i suppose depth, varies. Generally it's narrower and shallower the further upstream you go, but not always. It varies, as do the banks. Downstream, the levee banks are further apart and seem lower.This opens the river to light and greater air flow, friendly breezes or enemy gusts blast across rolling the surface darkly.
The flow is always present but not always evident. At its height it will swirl around snags at other times it is barely perceptible, you need to sit quietly and study the waters for evidence of movement. Yes, it's going out. It's always moving, once the flood stops, the ebb begins. Barely a calm exists, always one way or the other. The flow is the paddler's friend, begin your outing before a change and as you return the tide will turn with you. Keep it at your back and you have a helpful friend.
Paddle - 20 k., S to W Bridge_
Two weeks ago, at my local boat ramp, I met a female kayaker and I marvelled that she paddled 9.5k downstream to the W bridge and back. It took her four hours and she timed the turn around with a change in tidal flows on the river.
This chance encounter did two things; it made me think more about tides on the river, and it challenged me to do the same paddle.
Last Sunday I fronted up to do that paddle, but the tide flow was exactly opposite to what I needed. But as it was going upstream for two hours, that's what I did. And after four hours I'd paddled about 20 kilometres in total to the river's navigational head. Basically, I ran out of water for my kayak, right on the peak of high tide.
So today, I checked the tides before leaving home. If I left at 11:00 it would give me two and a bit hours to reach the W bridge, and paddle back on the flood tide, just as the lady kayaker did. So, although I guessed last week's distance, i know for sure that today i paddled just under 20 kilometres in just under four hours. I set and met my first paddling goal.
Over the past week or so I've been reading "Crazy Winds" by Alexis Right. Ms Right, a thirty-something Canadian sets out to paddle alone in a plastic kayak, halfway around Lake Ontario. She notes how different, how exposed, she and he kayak are on this vast lake when compared to rover paddling. The s water and air temperature too, are vastly different, and equally lethal. AR is an experienced kayaker, she knows how to self rescue and co. But still finds herself in an ambulance suffering delusional hypothermia, twice. On both occasions she resumed paddling without delay. Tough, and she paddles 40 + k each day, tv day after day.
I still have room for improvement.
This chance encounter did two things; it made me think more about tides on the river, and it challenged me to do the same paddle.
Last Sunday I fronted up to do that paddle, but the tide flow was exactly opposite to what I needed. But as it was going upstream for two hours, that's what I did. And after four hours I'd paddled about 20 kilometres in total to the river's navigational head. Basically, I ran out of water for my kayak, right on the peak of high tide.
So today, I checked the tides before leaving home. If I left at 11:00 it would give me two and a bit hours to reach the W bridge, and paddle back on the flood tide, just as the lady kayaker did. So, although I guessed last week's distance, i know for sure that today i paddled just under 20 kilometres in just under four hours. I set and met my first paddling goal.
Over the past week or so I've been reading "Crazy Winds" by Alexis Right. Ms Right, a thirty-something Canadian sets out to paddle alone in a plastic kayak, halfway around Lake Ontario. She notes how different, how exposed, she and he kayak are on this vast lake when compared to rover paddling. The s water and air temperature too, are vastly different, and equally lethal. AR is an experienced kayaker, she knows how to self rescue and co. But still finds herself in an ambulance suffering delusional hypothermia, twice. On both occasions she resumed paddling without delay. Tough, and she paddles 40 + k each day, tv day after day.
I still have room for improvement.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Gear list - snatched from REI site
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Expert Advice Paddling Kayaking
Kayaking Checklist
3.7
(185)
This article is part of our series: Intro to Kayaking.
An aerial view of two kayakers on a beach preparing to launch their kayaks
For kayaking around on calm, near-shore waters, you don’t need a pile of gear. If you’re paddling to a faraway destination, though, our checklist is a handy way to ensure you don’t forget any essentials. Your preferences, abilities and conditions dictate what you leave off or add to your final list.
Note that this list is for flatwater kayaking—whitewater trips require slightly different gear.
Note that we've already integrated the Ten Essentials into this list. If you're planning on camping overnight, also see our Backpacking Checklist for items you'll need in camp.
Printer-friendly version (PDF)
Kayak Gear
Recommended for Short, Recreational Outings
Kayak
Paddle (1 per paddler), plus spare
Personal flotation device (1 per paddler)
Bilge pump
Spray skirt (for cold weather/water)
Dry bag for personal items
Headlamp/light with extra batteries (in case you're out after dusk)
Signaling whistle
Additional Recommendations for Extended Trips / Overnights
Paddle float
Paddling knife (attached to PFD)
Towline
Maps and charts in waterproof case
Compass (that floats)
Watch
Weather/VHF radio (+ local emergency channel list)
Dry bags (variety of sizes)
Paddle leash (optional)
Large sponge
Float bags
Emergency flares or strobe
GPS (loaded with map files)
Two-way radios (1 in lead, 1 in sweep boat)
Clothing
Items below are in-boat wear; adjust according to anticipated air and water temperatures. Read What to Wear Kayaking for an overview.
Note: Dress for the water temp, not the air temp—a capsize (and hypothermia) can happen suddenly; avoid cotton, which will chill you; quick-drying clothing is a must.
Warm weather/water (>60°F)
Swimwear or shorts or convertible pants
Rashguard top or moisture-wicking T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt
Neoprene footwear
Sun-shielding hat
Cap retainer leash (optional)
Bandana or buff
Paddling gloves (optional)
Fleece jacket or vest (weather dependent)
Spray jacket or rain jacket and pants (weather dependent)
Additional clothing for cold weather/water (<60°F)
Dry suit or top (very cold water) or wetsuit or top (cold water)
Long underwear (not needed with a wetsuit)
Synthetic or wool socks (to wear under booties)
Pogies (coverage for hands)
Wool/synthetic cap
Personal Items
Recommended
Sunglasses with glasses retainer attached
Sunscreen (SPF 30+ and water resistant)
Lip balm (SPF 15+)
Insect repellent (as needed)
First-aid kit (see our first-aid checklist)
Water in bottles or reservoir
Matches/lighter/fire starter in waterproof container
Emergency shelter or tent
Snacks like energy food or lunch
Cellphone in protective bag/case
Credit card; small amount of cash
Permits and licenses (if required)
Trip itinerary left with friend, in boat + under car seat
Additions for Extended Trips
Toilet paper or sanitary wipes and sanitation trowel
Hand sanitizer or biodegradable soap and ziplock waste bag
Menstrual and urinary products
Water treatment (and backup)
Powdered energy drinks (optional)
Camera (optional)
Binoculars (optional)
Guidebook (optional)
Notebook and pen or pencil (optional)
Fishing gear (optional)
Repair Kit Supplies
Multi-tool
Sealant (such as Aquaseal)
Static deck line
Bungee cords
Replacement rudder parts
Bailing wire (copper, small roll)
Repair/duct tape
Related Articles
What to Wear Kayaking
Packing Your Boat
The Ten Essentials
Kayaking Safety
Learn More
Kayaking
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SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT
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Menuopen main menu
Expert Advice Paddling Kayaking
Kayaking Checklist
3.7
(185)
This article is part of our series: Intro to Kayaking.
An aerial view of two kayakers on a beach preparing to launch their kayaks
For kayaking around on calm, near-shore waters, you don’t need a pile of gear. If you’re paddling to a faraway destination, though, our checklist is a handy way to ensure you don’t forget any essentials. Your preferences, abilities and conditions dictate what you leave off or add to your final list.
Note that this list is for flatwater kayaking—whitewater trips require slightly different gear.
Note that we've already integrated the Ten Essentials into this list. If you're planning on camping overnight, also see our Backpacking Checklist for items you'll need in camp.
Printer-friendly version (PDF)
Kayak Gear
Recommended for Short, Recreational Outings
Kayak
Paddle (1 per paddler), plus spare
Personal flotation device (1 per paddler)
Bilge pump
Spray skirt (for cold weather/water)
Dry bag for personal items
Headlamp/light with extra batteries (in case you're out after dusk)
Signaling whistle
Additional Recommendations for Extended Trips / Overnights
Paddle float
Paddling knife (attached to PFD)
Towline
Maps and charts in waterproof case
Compass (that floats)
Watch
Weather/VHF radio (+ local emergency channel list)
Dry bags (variety of sizes)
Paddle leash (optional)
Large sponge
Float bags
Emergency flares or strobe
GPS (loaded with map files)
Two-way radios (1 in lead, 1 in sweep boat)
Clothing
Items below are in-boat wear; adjust according to anticipated air and water temperatures. Read What to Wear Kayaking for an overview.
Note: Dress for the water temp, not the air temp—a capsize (and hypothermia) can happen suddenly; avoid cotton, which will chill you; quick-drying clothing is a must.
Warm weather/water (>60°F)
Swimwear or shorts or convertible pants
Rashguard top or moisture-wicking T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt
Neoprene footwear
Sun-shielding hat
Cap retainer leash (optional)
Bandana or buff
Paddling gloves (optional)
Fleece jacket or vest (weather dependent)
Spray jacket or rain jacket and pants (weather dependent)
Additional clothing for cold weather/water (<60°F)
Dry suit or top (very cold water) or wetsuit or top (cold water)
Long underwear (not needed with a wetsuit)
Synthetic or wool socks (to wear under booties)
Pogies (coverage for hands)
Wool/synthetic cap
Personal Items
Recommended
Sunglasses with glasses retainer attached
Sunscreen (SPF 30+ and water resistant)
Lip balm (SPF 15+)
Insect repellent (as needed)
First-aid kit (see our first-aid checklist)
Water in bottles or reservoir
Matches/lighter/fire starter in waterproof container
Emergency shelter or tent
Snacks like energy food or lunch
Cellphone in protective bag/case
Credit card; small amount of cash
Permits and licenses (if required)
Trip itinerary left with friend, in boat + under car seat
Additions for Extended Trips
Toilet paper or sanitary wipes and sanitation trowel
Hand sanitizer or biodegradable soap and ziplock waste bag
Menstrual and urinary products
Water treatment (and backup)
Powdered energy drinks (optional)
Camera (optional)
Binoculars (optional)
Guidebook (optional)
Notebook and pen or pencil (optional)
Fishing gear (optional)
Repair Kit Supplies
Multi-tool
Sealant (such as Aquaseal)
Static deck line
Bungee cords
Replacement rudder parts
Bailing wire (copper, small roll)
Repair/duct tape
Related Articles
What to Wear Kayaking
Packing Your Boat
The Ten Essentials
Kayaking Safety
Learn More
Kayaking
How helpful was this article? Click a star to rate.
Rating one out of five stars
Rating two out of five stars
Rating three out of five stars
Rating four out of five stars
Rating five out of five stars
185 votes so far - average rating 3.7
Print Facebook Twitter Pinterest
Questions
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Back to top
How are we doing?
Give us feedback on this page.
Sign up for REI emails
Co-op offers, events & cool new gear
Enter your email address
BECOME A MEMBER
WHERE-TO-GO WITH MAPS & MORE
Your Online Account
Purchase Status
Shipping Info
Return Policy
Membership
Expert Advice
Classes & Outings
REI Adventures Trips
Co-op Journal
Camping Project
Find Trails
Gift Cards
Gift Registry
Wish Lists
About REI
Stewardship
Jobs
Technology Blog
Store Locator
Email Us
Live Chat
Help Center
CALL US AT1-800-426-4840
Get REI apps for shopping & adventure
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© 2019 Recreational Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc.
Terms of Use Privacy Policy Interest Based Ads Product Recalls CA Transparency Act REI Accessibility Statement
Friday, April 19, 2019
Paddle Report - Good Friday T. to GB & back
Wow! Good Friday and I was set for a big paddle. I met "Frijon Lady" last week and her 4hr. paddle south seemed like a testing but achievable goal. Only thing, when I arrived the river flow was upstream - this was to continue for another two hours. I didn't want to paddle against it for two hours, then fight back for another two hours - especially with big Easter tides. So up we go!
So today was otherwise bog standard except that I wanted to have a fish on the way. Off we go, current favourable, sky overcast, wind light. Perfect.
P. came and went in under and hour. This is the historic head of navigation for the river, and soon after the river got narrower and shallower - more interesting. The scenery is repetitive, steep banks, heavily vegetated in weeds, fish leaping, ducks scooting put from the banks, all good. It got interesting when I saw a Sacred Kingfisher, the deepest blue wings with lime green (?) about the face. Beautiful but very timid.
On and on we go, still feeling strong and enjoying the ride. Over the duration of the paddle I saw four Osprey: two on their own then a pair just as I arrived at water too shallow to continue.
Throughout, the river was real interesting, there were heaps of logs, some sitting on the bottom, some just whirling and spiralling about. Hundreds of smaller pieces, mostly bamboo, rhythmically beat on the hull as we scooted past. Thank God for plastic hulls.
I learned years ago when floating with the kids that you should never base river navigation on your experiences of nearby roads. Basically, roads are pretty straight, rivers go anywhere! They bend and loop about and many is the time you can hear a train in front of you when you know the trainline is behind you. Well, that's kind of weird fun, but the upshot is that you paddle for a lot longer than you expect. I expected to see my destination bridge for a half hour before I bottomed-out. Luckily, I was able to walk on the river bed to the next bend and see the bridge a tantalising few hundred yards away.
I was feeling a little fatigued, but not hungry. Odd, but I ate anyway, just muesli bars and an up n go before heading back. In the short term we pushed the tide even though it is supposed to have changed. Then i noticed it was with us. Obviously it was not like the tides by the sea which slow around change times. The river seemed to be against us, then with us. And I don't mind saying,I needed all the help I could get. But as happens on rivers and hikes, everything looks different on the way back. Even the little glide I enjoyed had disappeared, but it was a lovely distraction. I had prepared a handline and lure, but found the lure to be to buoyant and had no takes even though the mullet were plentiful.
It took pretty much right on two hours from the ramp to the top of the paddle and once the current came with us,I estimated it would take the same on the return. It took 2.5 hrs. but that could be for the breaks and fishing delays, as well as me allowing my rate.
To go from paddles of just 5 k's a week or so ago to about 20 k. today left me feeling worn out, but really chuffed. The feeling of fatigue is a great elixir.
Thanks.
So today was otherwise bog standard except that I wanted to have a fish on the way. Off we go, current favourable, sky overcast, wind light. Perfect.
P. came and went in under and hour. This is the historic head of navigation for the river, and soon after the river got narrower and shallower - more interesting. The scenery is repetitive, steep banks, heavily vegetated in weeds, fish leaping, ducks scooting put from the banks, all good. It got interesting when I saw a Sacred Kingfisher, the deepest blue wings with lime green (?) about the face. Beautiful but very timid.
On and on we go, still feeling strong and enjoying the ride. Over the duration of the paddle I saw four Osprey: two on their own then a pair just as I arrived at water too shallow to continue.
Throughout, the river was real interesting, there were heaps of logs, some sitting on the bottom, some just whirling and spiralling about. Hundreds of smaller pieces, mostly bamboo, rhythmically beat on the hull as we scooted past. Thank God for plastic hulls.
I learned years ago when floating with the kids that you should never base river navigation on your experiences of nearby roads. Basically, roads are pretty straight, rivers go anywhere! They bend and loop about and many is the time you can hear a train in front of you when you know the trainline is behind you. Well, that's kind of weird fun, but the upshot is that you paddle for a lot longer than you expect. I expected to see my destination bridge for a half hour before I bottomed-out. Luckily, I was able to walk on the river bed to the next bend and see the bridge a tantalising few hundred yards away.
I was feeling a little fatigued, but not hungry. Odd, but I ate anyway, just muesli bars and an up n go before heading back. In the short term we pushed the tide even though it is supposed to have changed. Then i noticed it was with us. Obviously it was not like the tides by the sea which slow around change times. The river seemed to be against us, then with us. And I don't mind saying,I needed all the help I could get. But as happens on rivers and hikes, everything looks different on the way back. Even the little glide I enjoyed had disappeared, but it was a lovely distraction. I had prepared a handline and lure, but found the lure to be to buoyant and had no takes even though the mullet were plentiful.
It took pretty much right on two hours from the ramp to the top of the paddle and once the current came with us,I estimated it would take the same on the return. It took 2.5 hrs. but that could be for the breaks and fishing delays, as well as me allowing my rate.
To go from paddles of just 5 k's a week or so ago to about 20 k. today left me feeling worn out, but really chuffed. The feeling of fatigue is a great elixir.
Thanks.
Monday, April 15, 2019
Hobie Progress
My free Hobie is closer to being launched, may be as soon as this Friday.
Since bringing her home, a large part of my effort has been focused on getting a trailer going. The trailer I bought had been hopelessly neglected and needed major work: descale and repaint frame, strip old electrics, replace tyres and tubes, replace axle bolts, grease wheel bearings, refit cradle parts. All this work was completed yesterday, with just the mast stands needing to be made. So on to the boat.
Yesterday I lifted the hulls into position on the trailer and fitted the trampoline frame, minus the bent port side frame. So far so good!
Today I straightened the port side frame piece, removed the chainplates and left it with a welder. I'm now anticipating that it will be completed by Thursday.
Since bringing her home, a large part of my effort has been focused on getting a trailer going. The trailer I bought had been hopelessly neglected and needed major work: descale and repaint frame, strip old electrics, replace tyres and tubes, replace axle bolts, grease wheel bearings, refit cradle parts. All this work was completed yesterday, with just the mast stands needing to be made. So on to the boat.
Yesterday I lifted the hulls into position on the trailer and fitted the trampoline frame, minus the bent port side frame. So far so good!
Today I straightened the port side frame piece, removed the chainplates and left it with a welder. I'm now anticipating that it will be completed by Thursday.
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Paddle Report - P R, south of T ramp
6:40am - Unloaded kayak from Land Rover as usual. Thigh pads in reward setting are snug, only one leg can fit through the gap at a time. (This made me to cold sweat during the following night, worrying about how I would escape in case of capsize.)
The scenery in the immediate vicinity was unspectacular to me. I had been here before and it was similar to the river north, high banks covered in weeds and grassy pastures above. But obviously it was peaceful and calm and I love sneaking up on cattle in the fog alongside cattle. This kayak is so sleek and easy to propel across the water - such a pleasure to witness an old design, perfected by the First Nation's peoples, holding up so well in the thrill and function departments.
Then, the river changed. Ahead a glade of willows, forest oaks and others towered over a near vertical bank on the outside of a sharp bend to the east. Beautiful, I thought about a photo but continued. No more than a hundred yards, another bend to the right, south, similarly forested. The early morning light, already dimmed by fog was being filtered through a green canopy over the river. Enchanting! Another bend, this time to the right, out of sight, more than ninety degrees. The far bank particularly lush, giant bamboo, fallen trees or those that had floated down years before, formed a ominous snag below the bank. This setting was alien to me, no gums, these trees were European and Asian I supposed, the bank was unusually steep, obviously banked by stone. Just as I was marvelling at this scenery the kayak slewed around out or control. A real swirling eddy, unbelievable. I had thought that this lazy, underfed river would never be so animated except in heavy flood. My mind raced, I daydreamed of running a shanty boat through the bends, poling off the banks, trying to avoid snags. The vessel swirling about pirouetting as she went.
I roused myself, completed the paddle and returned to the ramp. But in my head were dream thoughts just like Toad after his horse-drawn carriage was wrecked by a speeding motorcar, "toot toot".
The scenery in the immediate vicinity was unspectacular to me. I had been here before and it was similar to the river north, high banks covered in weeds and grassy pastures above. But obviously it was peaceful and calm and I love sneaking up on cattle in the fog alongside cattle. This kayak is so sleek and easy to propel across the water - such a pleasure to witness an old design, perfected by the First Nation's peoples, holding up so well in the thrill and function departments.
Then, the river changed. Ahead a glade of willows, forest oaks and others towered over a near vertical bank on the outside of a sharp bend to the east. Beautiful, I thought about a photo but continued. No more than a hundred yards, another bend to the right, south, similarly forested. The early morning light, already dimmed by fog was being filtered through a green canopy over the river. Enchanting! Another bend, this time to the right, out of sight, more than ninety degrees. The far bank particularly lush, giant bamboo, fallen trees or those that had floated down years before, formed a ominous snag below the bank. This setting was alien to me, no gums, these trees were European and Asian I supposed, the bank was unusually steep, obviously banked by stone. Just as I was marvelling at this scenery the kayak slewed around out or control. A real swirling eddy, unbelievable. I had thought that this lazy, underfed river would never be so animated except in heavy flood. My mind raced, I daydreamed of running a shanty boat through the bends, poling off the banks, trying to avoid snags. The vessel swirling about pirouetting as she went.
 |
| Returning to the bends from the south. |
I roused myself, completed the paddle and returned to the ramp. But in my head were dream thoughts just like Toad after his horse-drawn carriage was wrecked by a speeding motorcar, "toot toot".
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Surfing Log 2019 (part complete only)
January:
26: MB @ Pog, 3' & sloppy
27: MB @ Pog. 3'
30: Got a near new "Softy" a Softech 6'6" shortboard
31: Softie @ Pogs 3'. First wave ran over my son and cracked the fin.
": MB @ Pogs, 4' & offshore, 10 waves
February:
1: Softie @ Pogs 3'
": MB " " "
7: Pogs MB
8: Pogs, Softie 4'
9: Bought Bluey from Tuncurry
": Boomerang Beach, 4-5' beach break on Bluey
10: no surf due to storm swell
16: OMB @3' on Bluey
23: Seal Rocks @ 4-5' on Bluey
March:
1: Pogs @4' on Bluey, really nice, 10 waves including first tube on years
2: Pogs 3' on Bluey
Surfest and crappy surf overtook local break for two weeks
22: Pogs on Bluey
": Learned that Softie had been stolen
24: Bought LL from recyclers for $40
29: Pogs @2-3' on LL.Felt slow and cool.
April:
4: Pog @3-5' x #6 waves before S change
7: OMB, 2' crowded, no surf.
11: Pogos @ 3'-4' but meaty from S. & got nailed paddling out on the LL!
ABBREVIATIONS
Bluey - mal 9'1" tri fin, c.1988 bought Feb 2019
MB. - mal 8'4" tri by Mick Byrnes owned from new since 1980's
LL - "Little Log" mal 8'0" single fin, Salubrious Surfboards c. 1960's owned since April '19
Mer. - Merewether Beach, my local break since 1960's. Consists of The Bomby, Ladies and The Rocks reef breaks that favour Southerly swell and sou-west to westerly winds. And The Middle, a beach break thats ok in NE or E swells.
OMB - One Mile Beach. A beach further north, protected from S, so prefers small E swells. Point break may be ok in bigger swell and a series of (changeable) beach breaks.
Pogs. - Pogonoski's Beach a reliable and open beach break next to Merewether Beach that tops out around four feet except in strong NE swells.
Softie - 6'6" Softech trifin surfboard that I traded in January with my sister and was stolen by my arsehole brother in April.
Paddling Log
April 2019
3: P R (out of T. ramp, swim deck return) dist. 4k . Conditions: calm, 1 knot ebb
7: T. beach (CB. & LTP) 10km, 8 knot SW
8: M. - 1.5 hrs (up to 2 drums) some shallow banks, flat rural vista.
12: T. - 1 hr. Fitness paddle in fog.
13: T. - 1.5 hrs. Downstream to pretty bends and beyond. Met experienced kayaker, a woman with Frijon fibreglass boat.
In pm. returned to ramp to clean it up, slash grass and weeds, collect plastics and spray weeds. Met Woman kayaker from earlier, having paddled to W. bridge 9.5k at 2 hrs.
19: T. 4.5hrs. Ran tide to near G. Bridge taking 2hrs. Tide back with breaks, 2.5hrs.
22: T ramp - 1.5 hrs. Ran early ebb flow to bends S and return. Cannot identify estate by the bends. Not "Old D", apparently not "D" & not property owned by the famous gardening family
May
5: M ramp 4 hours. Vs ebb, outflow and gusty wind to WB.Closed the loop, paddling the PR, twice.
____________________________________
3: P R (out of T. ramp, swim deck return) dist. 4k . Conditions: calm, 1 knot ebb
7: T. beach (CB. & LTP) 10km, 8 knot SW
8: M. - 1.5 hrs (up to 2 drums) some shallow banks, flat rural vista.
12: T. - 1 hr. Fitness paddle in fog.
13: T. - 1.5 hrs. Downstream to pretty bends and beyond. Met experienced kayaker, a woman with Frijon fibreglass boat.
In pm. returned to ramp to clean it up, slash grass and weeds, collect plastics and spray weeds. Met Woman kayaker from earlier, having paddled to W. bridge 9.5k at 2 hrs.
19: T. 4.5hrs. Ran tide to near G. Bridge taking 2hrs. Tide back with breaks, 2.5hrs.
22: T ramp - 1.5 hrs. Ran early ebb flow to bends S and return. Cannot identify estate by the bends. Not "Old D", apparently not "D" & not property owned by the famous gardening family
May
5: M ramp 4 hours. Vs ebb, outflow and gusty wind to WB.Closed the loop, paddling the PR, twice.
____________________________________
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Sea kayak paddle two at port S
Launched at glorious T beach, not at dawn, but fairly early. Wind was light from NW and a slight ripple enlivened the water's surface.
Being my second outing, gear arrangements went more smoothly, as did launching. My first effort at getting into the kayak was deeply unsettling, so I Googled for info on my time off. Experienced kayakers recommended stealing the kayak in deeper water, sit down first, then draw your legs in, using the pale light a tight-rope walker. It seemed so ungainly, straddling the boat and leaving your legs flailing about, but ... it worked! No wobbles, no risk of injury, we were off. We headed north along the shore, into the tide flow just metres from the mangroves. When I got game, I dodged inside of outlying mangrove trees and stirred large flathead from their lies. Note to self: pack fishing tackle.
In C. Bay, 1.5-2 miles out, I skimmed the shoreline in a sweep to the left until I was heading SW. Altho' the surface chop was only 4-6" I did get a taste of how hard it would be to negotiate a beam sea. My god, it was like loosing contact with the water, as the 'yak rolled from windward to leeward. Eeek!
The paddle back towards LTP was pleasant. Full sun, gentle wind and "sea" on the starboard bow. But it never slowed us, we were literally skimming along, so effortlessly. I can see how people get hooked into paddling long distances.
In the channel, it got boring! The water glassed off, the wind eased behind trees, nature gave way to man made crap; jetties, boats, shops, houses crammed onto the water's edge, manicured parks. I cleared the built-up area and found a tiny sand beach. Time to stop for necessary sustenance.
The voyage ended back at T beach when an unbelievable, to my mind, thing happened. As I pulled towards the shore, coming in on the reverse of my own original trajectory was a group of sea kayaks. Nine kayaks carrying ten paddlers, one timber, six fibreglass. All sleek and slender with beautiful upswept bows. "Just friends ... we go somewhere different each weekend". Beautiful!
 |
| Launching - T beach |
Food & water break. Feeling fabulous
Other Sea kayaks!
Being my second outing, gear arrangements went more smoothly, as did launching. My first effort at getting into the kayak was deeply unsettling, so I Googled for info on my time off. Experienced kayakers recommended stealing the kayak in deeper water, sit down first, then draw your legs in, using the pale light a tight-rope walker. It seemed so ungainly, straddling the boat and leaving your legs flailing about, but ... it worked! No wobbles, no risk of injury, we were off. We headed north along the shore, into the tide flow just metres from the mangroves. When I got game, I dodged inside of outlying mangrove trees and stirred large flathead from their lies. Note to self: pack fishing tackle.
In C. Bay, 1.5-2 miles out, I skimmed the shoreline in a sweep to the left until I was heading SW. Altho' the surface chop was only 4-6" I did get a taste of how hard it would be to negotiate a beam sea. My god, it was like loosing contact with the water, as the 'yak rolled from windward to leeward. Eeek!
The paddle back towards LTP was pleasant. Full sun, gentle wind and "sea" on the starboard bow. But it never slowed us, we were literally skimming along, so effortlessly. I can see how people get hooked into paddling long distances.
In the channel, it got boring! The water glassed off, the wind eased behind trees, nature gave way to man made crap; jetties, boats, shops, houses crammed onto the water's edge, manicured parks. I cleared the built-up area and found a tiny sand beach. Time to stop for necessary sustenance.
The voyage ended back at T beach when an unbelievable, to my mind, thing happened. As I pulled towards the shore, coming in on the reverse of my own original trajectory was a group of sea kayaks. Nine kayaks carrying ten paddlers, one timber, six fibreglass. All sleek and slender with beautiful upswept bows. "Just friends ... we go somewhere different each weekend". Beautiful!
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Sea kayak -first paddle
Even though I'd had my "new" Riot Brittany for 24 hours, I'd not paddled her yet. That had to be remedied.
Toting the kayak on the Hobie cat trailer, was successful but a tad bulky and cumbersome. But it works for now.
Launching compared to sailing dinghies, was a treat. The fun started as I tried to get in it!
Sitting on the rear cockpit coaming, lift one foot of the (slippery sloping) boat ramp and things got very wobbly, very quickly. Its worth stopping to reflect on the wobble; because I was totally out of control, it was quite upsetting. I had wobbled before on bikes and surfboards, these are more of a predictable loss of balance that are easily corrected if you are alert and capable. When a kayak wobbles, its titally unfair, unpredictable and deeply unsettling. It comes upon you as you are exercising great caution and is so rapid, that its hard to determine what action you shoukd take. You realise very quickly, that this could go pear-shaped and drop you in the water in an instant. It's a feeling that I'm not familiar or comfortable with, and could potentially derail any plans to paddle at all. I mean, if you risk a broken arm or cracked skull each time you enter or leave your kayak, the activity trends to lose its attractiveness. I managed to slip my legs in and get my bum down of the coming without injury, just afew scrapes on the pale blades. I quickly felt joy and relief to be on the water, but this matter needed attention,
I quickly found that this was a quality craft, skinny and long, she sped along the water like a flying fish. Despite the lack of wind, we were setting a cracking pace. Amazing. It was a treat to sneak up quickly and quietly on ducks and lizards, that stealthily slipped into the water or sky.
In preparation for this first paddle, I'd studied various training videos on U-Tube. Fortunately, learning that power should come from the torso, not the arms. Following this advice made it easier to cover the mile of so distance from the ramp to the nearest village. In fact, I was channelling an image I had stored from seeing Ironman Grant Kenny paddling the Brisbane River many years ago. I was in the middle of a singlehanded cruise along the east coast, pottering about in the cockpit early one morning land there he was, all bronzed and svelte, shoulders rotating as he sped along in his kayak. That's the technique for long tireless paddles obviously.
I went ashore halfway through, to respond to a rash of phone messages (nothing important), and was able to work out how the daggerboard and rudder operated. I used both on the return trip, to good effect.
The second most difficult moment came again at the ramp again; my legs largely unused (I thought) for the past hour and a bit, has transformed to heavy jelly filed appendages that were no longer taking instructions from the control tower. Dismounting was made more difficult by the slippery sloping launch. At that point this all seemed beyond me. It's this hard or am i just really lacking fitness and coordination? A large spoonful of self-doubt was swallowed against my will. But the sheer necessity over took me, I just had to get out wet or dry. My repeat error made at launching was to get my bum of the seat first. The kayak wobbled and scrapped on the ramp, the pale scratched for traction and once I planned a foot on the earth again, things steadied appreciably. Second foot down, phew. WTF and OMG! At this point I'm just blindly expecting this whole in and out of kayak thing to get easier with experience.
As the adrenaline, maximum chuff-ness abd stoked feelings subsided, I carried out a promise I made on my last outing under sail, thst is to collect plastic waste each time i go on the water.
Reflecting on the day's events, I actually found the experience to be slightly spiritual, it brought great peace to my mind as would a period of meditation as well as providing a gentle physical workout and unique communion with nature.
Toting the kayak on the Hobie cat trailer, was successful but a tad bulky and cumbersome. But it works for now.
Launching compared to sailing dinghies, was a treat. The fun started as I tried to get in it!
Sitting on the rear cockpit coaming, lift one foot of the (slippery sloping) boat ramp and things got very wobbly, very quickly. Its worth stopping to reflect on the wobble; because I was totally out of control, it was quite upsetting. I had wobbled before on bikes and surfboards, these are more of a predictable loss of balance that are easily corrected if you are alert and capable. When a kayak wobbles, its titally unfair, unpredictable and deeply unsettling. It comes upon you as you are exercising great caution and is so rapid, that its hard to determine what action you shoukd take. You realise very quickly, that this could go pear-shaped and drop you in the water in an instant. It's a feeling that I'm not familiar or comfortable with, and could potentially derail any plans to paddle at all. I mean, if you risk a broken arm or cracked skull each time you enter or leave your kayak, the activity trends to lose its attractiveness. I managed to slip my legs in and get my bum down of the coming without injury, just afew scrapes on the pale blades. I quickly felt joy and relief to be on the water, but this matter needed attention,
I quickly found that this was a quality craft, skinny and long, she sped along the water like a flying fish. Despite the lack of wind, we were setting a cracking pace. Amazing. It was a treat to sneak up quickly and quietly on ducks and lizards, that stealthily slipped into the water or sky.
In preparation for this first paddle, I'd studied various training videos on U-Tube. Fortunately, learning that power should come from the torso, not the arms. Following this advice made it easier to cover the mile of so distance from the ramp to the nearest village. In fact, I was channelling an image I had stored from seeing Ironman Grant Kenny paddling the Brisbane River many years ago. I was in the middle of a singlehanded cruise along the east coast, pottering about in the cockpit early one morning land there he was, all bronzed and svelte, shoulders rotating as he sped along in his kayak. That's the technique for long tireless paddles obviously.
I went ashore halfway through, to respond to a rash of phone messages (nothing important), and was able to work out how the daggerboard and rudder operated. I used both on the return trip, to good effect.
The second most difficult moment came again at the ramp again; my legs largely unused (I thought) for the past hour and a bit, has transformed to heavy jelly filed appendages that were no longer taking instructions from the control tower. Dismounting was made more difficult by the slippery sloping launch. At that point this all seemed beyond me. It's this hard or am i just really lacking fitness and coordination? A large spoonful of self-doubt was swallowed against my will. But the sheer necessity over took me, I just had to get out wet or dry. My repeat error made at launching was to get my bum of the seat first. The kayak wobbled and scrapped on the ramp, the pale scratched for traction and once I planned a foot on the earth again, things steadied appreciably. Second foot down, phew. WTF and OMG! At this point I'm just blindly expecting this whole in and out of kayak thing to get easier with experience.
As the adrenaline, maximum chuff-ness abd stoked feelings subsided, I carried out a promise I made on my last outing under sail, thst is to collect plastic waste each time i go on the water.
Reflecting on the day's events, I actually found the experience to be slightly spiritual, it brought great peace to my mind as would a period of meditation as well as providing a gentle physical workout and unique communion with nature.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Tilman (Mirror dinghy) - Shoal Bay, Port Stephens. Part2/2
After doing a Good Deed (collecting plastic off the beach) and a muesli bar and water, we set off. The Mirror was zigzagged, off the sand - the bow lifted towards the water, let stand and then the stern etc.
There were sandbanks off the shore so the centreboard was left only halfway down, similarly the rudder. We sailed downwind of a beam reach and made good speed through the clear water, supporting patches of sea grass as we went. A Hobie cat was saying across the port, square to the wind making good time. I wanted to get close to chat, but that was one rapid and aloof cat. We had no chance.
I steered her offwind parallel to the northern shore of the port. Once satisfied the cat chat was a no-go I hauled up into a tight beam reach steering for Nelson Head. A prominent high headland on the southern shore. The local marine rescue cabin was set there because of its drone-like view of the entrance to the port. With the tide at late ebb, there was a large send and Tilman rose lazily, a metre above the horizon, then a metre below as she swayed before the breeze. As the pressure on the main halyard eased it emitted an Oystercatcher call. I looked around, nothing. The dozey motion was hypnotic and I found myself snapping back awake quite frequently. I was weaving badly, but not worried as good headway in the general direction of home was being made. A non-natural buzzing din stirred me from stupor, I stared through sun strained eyes. Yes, a jet ski thing was coming directly towards Tilman, bugger! I veered off, it followed double bugger! It turned out to be a Marine Patrol guy. I had my life-jacket on and all the safety gear to hand, so I was annoyed rather than afraid. He asked if I was all right, "the guys on Nelson Head asked me to check". "Yes, fine thanks. I was steering erratically because I dozed off", I volunteered. The Inspector commented: "You're moving along quite well". Incredulous I said "Yes, fine thanks" ... (you f%®© ing idiot!)
As he buzzed off, I mused over the conversation and the dying wind conditions and fading light. Then it clicked in my dozey mind; oh they must have been concerned I would be becalmed. Well obviously they don't know this is a Mirror dinghy!
Pulling upwind to take the breeze on our portside shoulder, we settled into 3 knots over glassy water. I enjoyed being alone again on a glassy sea in soft light, ahh I love sailing.
Gathering plastic on that otherwise pristine beach had given the voyage an air of purpose, a certain productivity. I voted to make this a goal of all future voyages.
There were sandbanks off the shore so the centreboard was left only halfway down, similarly the rudder. We sailed downwind of a beam reach and made good speed through the clear water, supporting patches of sea grass as we went. A Hobie cat was saying across the port, square to the wind making good time. I wanted to get close to chat, but that was one rapid and aloof cat. We had no chance.
I steered her offwind parallel to the northern shore of the port. Once satisfied the cat chat was a no-go I hauled up into a tight beam reach steering for Nelson Head. A prominent high headland on the southern shore. The local marine rescue cabin was set there because of its drone-like view of the entrance to the port. With the tide at late ebb, there was a large send and Tilman rose lazily, a metre above the horizon, then a metre below as she swayed before the breeze. As the pressure on the main halyard eased it emitted an Oystercatcher call. I looked around, nothing. The dozey motion was hypnotic and I found myself snapping back awake quite frequently. I was weaving badly, but not worried as good headway in the general direction of home was being made. A non-natural buzzing din stirred me from stupor, I stared through sun strained eyes. Yes, a jet ski thing was coming directly towards Tilman, bugger! I veered off, it followed double bugger! It turned out to be a Marine Patrol guy. I had my life-jacket on and all the safety gear to hand, so I was annoyed rather than afraid. He asked if I was all right, "the guys on Nelson Head asked me to check". "Yes, fine thanks. I was steering erratically because I dozed off", I volunteered. The Inspector commented: "You're moving along quite well". Incredulous I said "Yes, fine thanks" ... (you f%®© ing idiot!)
As he buzzed off, I mused over the conversation and the dying wind conditions and fading light. Then it clicked in my dozey mind; oh they must have been concerned I would be becalmed. Well obviously they don't know this is a Mirror dinghy!
Pulling upwind to take the breeze on our portside shoulder, we settled into 3 knots over glassy water. I enjoyed being alone again on a glassy sea in soft light, ahh I love sailing.
Gathering plastic on that otherwise pristine beach had given the voyage an air of purpose, a certain productivity. I voted to make this a goal of all future voyages.
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Buy Sea Kayak - Tick
This afternoon I bought a lightly used sea kayak off Gumtree. Sonia, the previous owner "wasn't using it enough ... and thought it was being wasted".
I tried not to buy the first kayak I saw, but I couldn't fault it; as new and fully optioned.
Riot - Brittany. vs. Pittarak
LOA. 4.83m. 5.17m
BEAM. 55.2cm. 58.5cm
WEIGHT. 31.7kg. 29 kg
MATERIAL. Plastic. Fibreglass
I actually wanted the durability of plastic because I plan to use it: run onto rugged beaches, take it offroad and aling it on and off the roof of my vehicle very often.
Apart from loving the form of the sea kayak, the purchase is part of a plan to undertake one-man expeditions with a surfboard and kayak slung on the deck of a tiny house-boat. Bwahahahaa my devious plot is coming together just as I had planned!
I tried not to buy the first kayak I saw, but I couldn't fault it; as new and fully optioned.
Riot - Brittany. vs. Pittarak
LOA. 4.83m. 5.17m
BEAM. 55.2cm. 58.5cm
WEIGHT. 31.7kg. 29 kg
MATERIAL. Plastic. Fibreglass
I actually wanted the durability of plastic because I plan to use it: run onto rugged beaches, take it offroad and aling it on and off the roof of my vehicle very often.
Apart from loving the form of the sea kayak, the purchase is part of a plan to undertake one-man expeditions with a surfboard and kayak slung on the deck of a tiny house-boat. Bwahahahaa my devious plot is coming together just as I had planned!
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Mini Log Restoration
I could not believe my luck at the recycling centre on Sunday, a perfectly neglected, damaged and abandoned, little log was for sale. I asked the lovely lady on the checkout what the go was, she said it "had a price" before taking off with me on her heels. I whined that the nose had been snapped off and "was on the move again". Luckily, she seemed to sympathise, may be she knew about surfboards? "Its seventy but I think we can do better. Forty". Snap!
Step 2: Ensuring that I'd sanded a dish or hollow I filled the crack with thickened epoxy, then laid over some glass tape, wet on wet style. Its quicker and bonds well.
From here sanding and filling....
Meanwhile I removed all the old wax to reveal a pretty nice old 8' single fin surfboard with a cool logo. ( see above)
There's another ding bogged with grey gunk that needs repairing, and probably a few cracks and depressions that need sealing. But then its off to the beach on my $40 little log. If I can ride the nose, it'll be priceless.
POST SCRIPT:
48 hours later and I had a couple of hours up my sleeve to repair it.
Step 1: Clean wax residue and sand off old bog any lose fibreglass. Bingo! The break only damaged the deck, the bottom was intact meaning all I had to do was "glue" the crack and glass the deck.
Step 2: Ensuring that I'd sanded a dish or hollow I filled the crack with thickened epoxy, then laid over some glass tape, wet on wet style. Its quicker and bonds well.
From here sanding and filling....
Meanwhile I removed all the old wax to reveal a pretty nice old 8' single fin surfboard with a cool logo. ( see above)
There's another ding bogged with grey gunk that needs repairing, and probably a few cracks and depressions that need sealing. But then its off to the beach on my $40 little log. If I can ride the nose, it'll be priceless.
POST SCRIPT:
- Got to surf "Little Log" for the first time just two days later and I'm pleased to report it goes really well. Not wanting to stress the most to much, I didn't put any wax on it and well, let's just say I wish I had. The biggest surprise is how differently she goes compared to a tri-fin. Slower to get onto the wave, in fact at every point is slower. You do fewer turns per wave and the feedback is electric. Like going back to house and carry days, it's slower paces and much more enjoyable. Even though she's just eight feet long, I did manage a few walking steps and some real gliding across the face of the wave
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Tilman (Mirror dinghy) - Shoal Bay, Port Stephens. Part 1/2
Earlier in the day I de-scaled and painted the axle and spring assembly on my "new" Hobie cat trailer.
Then I scrubbed Tilman's decks, stowed gear, checked trailer lights and headed off. The forecast was for a light seabreeze, ie: north-easter. On the way to my ultimate launch site I passed the local recycling centre and had the idea to check there for Hobie parts, principally a ramp' frame side piece. I had no luck with that, but found an old malibu with the nose snapped off and bought it (them?) for a knockdown price of $40. Another project!
The launch ramp had been busy, but as it was late morning it was presently quiet. So I unloaded Tilman and all her bits and parked up. As if the cool sea breeze, beautiful blue waters and prospect of going sailing were not enough, there was a woman wearing a bikini thing right nearby, holding a jet ski while her man fetched the trailer. Fortunately, he was the world's worst at backing a trailer and I enjoyed the view for was long as it took to rig up. Excuse me, butt I've never had a girlfriend or wife with assets like that, and she didn't seem to mind. Win win!
The day got better ... just as I realised the wind was more E than NE (ie: a beam reach instead of close haul), a mob of dolphins came up to leeward. But these guys were heads-down at work on a school of bait fish. It was still good to see them though, I find them to be a good omen on the water.
Actually, as I passed across the mouth I was beginning to doubt the dolphin-omen thing because the sailing got immediately risky. The ebb flow seemed to be overpowering the wind and the sea got quite bouncy and occasionally little breakers could be seen ahead. Viewed from the bilge of a dinghy any swell looks big though, and I chose to just focus on the sailing and trust that we wouldn't be stuck-shoved out into the Pacific Ocean a few hundred yards off down current.
But I was reminded of the Mirror dinghy's primary assets in the conditions; she is a modest racing dinghy, and has a limited below waterlevel profile. So in short, she benefited more from the light winds than she was penalised by the current. But Winda Woppa beach, to the N, seemed a long way off and although the sailing was fine and the views of the coastal cliffs of Yacaaba and Tomaree head were spectacular, I was feeling quite stressed. Lining up a remarkable tree behind the beach with a distant range of hills, gave me a sense of drift versus headway. We were winning, although it never looked very reassuring from onboard, the ranges said different. Phew! Just keep sailing and hope nothing breaks!
There was a brief tense moment nearer to shore as we enter the Yacaaba wind-shadow, but it was brief as a gentle breeze from the other side of the headland found out sails. I started getting smells from the new shore, and they weren't nice; overtones of sewerage with a hint of rotting seaweed. And yet the shore we were making was pristine sand backed by lightly vegetated dunes and the sea beyond. It wasn't completed devoid of humans though, I could begin to make out people walking on the beach and powerboats beached on the sand.
There were some shallow and banks with little breaking waves on them as we approached the shore, but the water was crystal clear. With the centreboard half up and the rudder lock-down released, we easily found a space ashore away from the others. Tilman was hauled a little up the beach and I grabbed some water and a muesli bar and walked across the peninsula to checkout the surf. The view from atop the dunes was magical, aqua blue, sapphire blue, golden white sands, and sienna brown rocks up towards the head. The surf was small as I looked across to the blue-grey offshore islands, the blue sea sparked under a light seabreeze. I kept wondering where all the people were, why we're so few enjoying this magnificence? Dingo tracks, plastic jetsam, high and low emotions. I collected some rubbish and promised to do more of that.
End of Part 1 of 2.
Then I scrubbed Tilman's decks, stowed gear, checked trailer lights and headed off. The forecast was for a light seabreeze, ie: north-easter. On the way to my ultimate launch site I passed the local recycling centre and had the idea to check there for Hobie parts, principally a ramp' frame side piece. I had no luck with that, but found an old malibu with the nose snapped off and bought it (them?) for a knockdown price of $40. Another project!
The launch ramp had been busy, but as it was late morning it was presently quiet. So I unloaded Tilman and all her bits and parked up. As if the cool sea breeze, beautiful blue waters and prospect of going sailing were not enough, there was a woman wearing a bikini thing right nearby, holding a jet ski while her man fetched the trailer. Fortunately, he was the world's worst at backing a trailer and I enjoyed the view for was long as it took to rig up. Excuse me, butt I've never had a girlfriend or wife with assets like that, and she didn't seem to mind. Win win!
The day got better ... just as I realised the wind was more E than NE (ie: a beam reach instead of close haul), a mob of dolphins came up to leeward. But these guys were heads-down at work on a school of bait fish. It was still good to see them though, I find them to be a good omen on the water.
Actually, as I passed across the mouth I was beginning to doubt the dolphin-omen thing because the sailing got immediately risky. The ebb flow seemed to be overpowering the wind and the sea got quite bouncy and occasionally little breakers could be seen ahead. Viewed from the bilge of a dinghy any swell looks big though, and I chose to just focus on the sailing and trust that we wouldn't be stuck-shoved out into the Pacific Ocean a few hundred yards off down current.
But I was reminded of the Mirror dinghy's primary assets in the conditions; she is a modest racing dinghy, and has a limited below waterlevel profile. So in short, she benefited more from the light winds than she was penalised by the current. But Winda Woppa beach, to the N, seemed a long way off and although the sailing was fine and the views of the coastal cliffs of Yacaaba and Tomaree head were spectacular, I was feeling quite stressed. Lining up a remarkable tree behind the beach with a distant range of hills, gave me a sense of drift versus headway. We were winning, although it never looked very reassuring from onboard, the ranges said different. Phew! Just keep sailing and hope nothing breaks!
 |
| Approaching crossing of the mouth, towards Yacaaba head |
There was a brief tense moment nearer to shore as we enter the Yacaaba wind-shadow, but it was brief as a gentle breeze from the other side of the headland found out sails. I started getting smells from the new shore, and they weren't nice; overtones of sewerage with a hint of rotting seaweed. And yet the shore we were making was pristine sand backed by lightly vegetated dunes and the sea beyond. It wasn't completed devoid of humans though, I could begin to make out people walking on the beach and powerboats beached on the sand.
There were some shallow and banks with little breaking waves on them as we approached the shore, but the water was crystal clear. With the centreboard half up and the rudder lock-down released, we easily found a space ashore away from the others. Tilman was hauled a little up the beach and I grabbed some water and a muesli bar and walked across the peninsula to checkout the surf. The view from atop the dunes was magical, aqua blue, sapphire blue, golden white sands, and sienna brown rocks up towards the head. The surf was small as I looked across to the blue-grey offshore islands, the blue sea sparked under a light seabreeze. I kept wondering where all the people were, why we're so few enjoying this magnificence? Dingo tracks, plastic jetsam, high and low emotions. I collected some rubbish and promised to do more of that.
End of Part 1 of 2.
Friday, March 22, 2019
Shanty Boat Building to the Sound of a Blues Harp'.
For years, more than I care to count, I've been fascinated by the prospect of living on the water. Of course I already have done so, for a couple of years whole I was fitting out and then cruising my Top Hat 25 (sloop), to the Whitsunday Islands and back.
Although I loved doing that, it was all new and yachty, too yachty in fact. I've moved on. The prospect of being on an expensive yacht, lashed to a marina full of other expensive yachts, leaves me cold. I want / need, to do it much cheaper and preferably away from yachty people and marinas!
I want to hide away in hard to get to places, way up a river in water depths that would stop anything vaguely yachty from entering. Places way too unglamorous for your average motorcruiser jock.
So, with these desires sailing about in my head, I discovered the "Shantyboat". The shanty boat was endemic on the Mississippi and other big US rivers during the Depression years of the 1930's. The socio-economic context is the key to understanding the shantyboat; the people that lived on shantyboats were invariably struggling financially because of unemployment caused by aglobal economic downturn. But they were also resourceful; their boats were scrabbled together from found materials, commonly from timber that washed down when the river was in flood. The engineless boats were drifted or rowed downstream, whirling before the eddies and currents, bends and rapids, with navigation,skills honed by harsh reality of life. The crew, usually family groups got by fishing, shooting game and trading along the various rivers. The rustic utility of the shantyboat is worn like a badge of honour, even today.
For contemporary rivermen, the lifestyle is followed by choice and necessity as a two-fingered salute to modern society.
The drive to be a shantyboater has sunk its fangs into my jugular and I want to do it bad. I just want to slip away from home at a moment's notice and get along on a local river and hang out, snoozing, reading, sipping coffee, listening to music.
While hanging out in the seedy corners of the interweb I've discovered a tiny shantyboat design, with barely room for two, easily and cheaply built. It is known as the Harmonica, and the plans have been ordered.
Although I loved doing that, it was all new and yachty, too yachty in fact. I've moved on. The prospect of being on an expensive yacht, lashed to a marina full of other expensive yachts, leaves me cold. I want / need, to do it much cheaper and preferably away from yachty people and marinas!
I want to hide away in hard to get to places, way up a river in water depths that would stop anything vaguely yachty from entering. Places way too unglamorous for your average motorcruiser jock.
So, with these desires sailing about in my head, I discovered the "Shantyboat". The shanty boat was endemic on the Mississippi and other big US rivers during the Depression years of the 1930's. The socio-economic context is the key to understanding the shantyboat; the people that lived on shantyboats were invariably struggling financially because of unemployment caused by aglobal economic downturn. But they were also resourceful; their boats were scrabbled together from found materials, commonly from timber that washed down when the river was in flood. The engineless boats were drifted or rowed downstream, whirling before the eddies and currents, bends and rapids, with navigation,skills honed by harsh reality of life. The crew, usually family groups got by fishing, shooting game and trading along the various rivers. The rustic utility of the shantyboat is worn like a badge of honour, even today.
For contemporary rivermen, the lifestyle is followed by choice and necessity as a two-fingered salute to modern society.
The drive to be a shantyboater has sunk its fangs into my jugular and I want to do it bad. I just want to slip away from home at a moment's notice and get along on a local river and hang out, snoozing, reading, sipping coffee, listening to music.
While hanging out in the seedy corners of the interweb I've discovered a tiny shantyboat design, with barely room for two, easily and cheaply built. It is known as the Harmonica, and the plans have been ordered.
Friday, March 15, 2019
Hobie 14 - Trailer Restoration
Having fun here this morning, stripping down the trailer to the frame. I am keen to adopt an "expedition mindset" with my Hobie 14, so thst I end up with a solid battle-hardened outfit (trailer included). I need to be thorough in my preparations.
So, the trailer frame only,the mudguards attached (welded in place). The guards were severely bent when the axle came adrift, and did a bellyflop on the road. I beat them back into shape using opposing hammers. Also bent were the trailer outriggers - long crossmembers that house the hull rollers and v cradles forward. I chained the frame to a sturdy tree and used a sledgehammer to square these off.
Another component still attached is the tow hitch. This has to be replaced and the retaining bolts will need to be ground off with a cutting disk.
Sunday, March 17, 2019:
The tow hitch is replaced, alarmingly one of the bolts is already broken. The new fitting is fastened with new galvanised bolts.
I give thr trailer a quick sand with a disk on my anglegrinder and note that "rust scale" is actually caked on red dust. This trailer has lived! I begin painting, but within moments the rain resumes.
So, the trailer frame only,the mudguards attached (welded in place). The guards were severely bent when the axle came adrift, and did a bellyflop on the road. I beat them back into shape using opposing hammers. Also bent were the trailer outriggers - long crossmembers that house the hull rollers and v cradles forward. I chained the frame to a sturdy tree and used a sledgehammer to square these off.
Sunday, March 17, 2019:
The tow hitch is replaced, alarmingly one of the bolts is already broken. The new fitting is fastened with new galvanised bolts.
I give thr trailer a quick sand with a disk on my anglegrinder and note that "rust scale" is actually caked on red dust. This trailer has lived! I begin painting, but within moments the rain resumes.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Support for an Australian Everglades Challenge
I'd love to see something like an Australian version of the Everglades Challenge. An endurance race to develop design and skills among small craft paddlers and sailors.
These comments by a previous comoetitor soon after making it to the final checkpoint describe a lot of the camaraderie that has developed:-
"This is the finest collection of people I have encountered. I guess that the race is quite a filter itself. It takes a special kind of person to spend all the hours in planning and training and to have the tenacity to see the project through to a finish. These folks are problem solvers – they focus on the solution instead of the problem."
These comments by a previous comoetitor soon after making it to the final checkpoint describe a lot of the camaraderie that has developed:-
"This is the finest collection of people I have encountered. I guess that the race is quite a filter itself. It takes a special kind of person to spend all the hours in planning and training and to have the tenacity to see the project through to a finish. These folks are problem solvers – they focus on the solution instead of the problem."
Gear List for a Watertribe Challenge by "Chief"
Click here to visit Chesapeake Light Craft
Home Page
Magazine
Table of Contents
December, 2002
Table of Contents
Surviving When Gods Play
By Steve John Isaac
Make a Hypothermia Kit
By Steve John Isaac
Modify Your Space Blanket
By Steve John Isaac
Dozing Off
By Steve John Isaac
Fueling the Fire
By Steve John Isaac
Hydrate Or Die
By Steve John Isaac
The WaterTribe Kit
By Steve John Isaac
How To Finish a Challenge
By Steve John Isaac
Tow, Tow, Tow Your Boat
By Steve John Isaac
The WaterTribe Kit
By Steve Isaac (aka Chief)
This is the recommended WaterTribe kit. It is designed for anything from an afternoon nap to a week in the bush. You can take a comfortable nap in the bush by carrying only the extra hypothermia kit and your camping hammock. If you're planning a WaterTribe Challenge in class 1, then you'll want to consider all the non-luxury items in this list. If you're going on a camping trip or expedition some of those luxury items may be very important to your success.
This kit will handle any weather, rain or shine, down to 32 degrees at night. It is intended for SW Florida in November through May. Other climates might need more or less protection. This kit meets WaterTribe required equipment rules (and then some).
Waterproof Matches
It's good to carry a couple of boxes of normal waterproof matches stored in convenient and key places.
But be sure to also carry some so called "Life Boat Matches," "Storm Safe Matches," or equivalent in your emergency hypothermia kit. Once these matches are lit they will not go out even in rain, wind, or from violent shaking. Caution - you must let them burn out completely before disposing.
Many items give a company or brand name. These are my current selections and are intended to be examples. Other companies may have similar or even better products. Select what works for you to fill the line item function.
The waterproof sacks I'm using are Outdoor Research (OR) Advanced Stuff Sacks. Sometimes I use SealLine bags.
Just because an item is found listed under a specific function does not mean it can't be used for some other function. For example, if it is very cold, I'd add the poncho liner to my wool long johns and the cocoon sleeping bag. I'd also put the sleeping pad in the hammock. The only exception to this "cross use" statement is the "SACROSANCT" camp clothing. You must not ever wear that clothing while paddling. It's OK to wear paddling clothes in camp but it's not OK to wear camp clothes while paddling.
You can use this checklist as is or customize it for your particular needs and choices.
Shelter and Sleep System
Cocoon sleeping bag/blanket, synthetic insulation,
in #2 Waterproof sack
Modified Hennessy UltraLight Hammock in #2 Waterproof sack
Sil Tarp (optional)
6 stakes and 50' light line in ditty bag in sack with hammock
6 clothes pins (for drying your paddle clothing) in sack with hammock
Closed cell Ridge Rest ground pad stuffed in tail of kayak
SACROSANCT Camp Clothing and Sleep Wear
This is stored in a #3 Waterproof Sack. NEVER, EVER, under any circumstances wear this clothing for paddling.
1st Layer: wool or synthetic long johns (shirt and pants)
2nd Layer: expedition pants and shirt
Teva Sandals (allow your feet to dry out) (not in sack)
Wool or Polartec watch cap
Wool or Polartec socks
Wool or Polartec gloves or mittens (optional)
Kitchen and Pantry in CCS Kitchen Bag
2 Liter pot with cover or a tea kettle
Pot holder
Measuring cup
Extra MSR fuel canister
MSR Superfly stove with fuel canister and hanging system
Waterproof matches
1 Paring or fillet knife
1 Tough plastic knife and spoon
Coffee cup with cover
Water purification tablets
Individual sheets of paper towel stored in Ziploc bag
Extra Ziploc bags
Hypothermia Kit With Your PFD
AND In Your Boat in Waterproof Sack(s)
In or With Your PFD Additional Gear In Your Boat
Orange Plastic Survival Bag
Ranger Rick Modified Mylar Space Blanket
3 PowerGels or Stingers
3 Chemical heat packs in crush proof box
Candle Lantern
Waterproof matches
Life Boat Matches
Fire Ribbon or starter
Folding eye glasses (optional)
Sil or Military Poncho
Ranger Rick Poncho Liner
Mylar sleeping bag
More heat packs
More waterproof matches
More Life Boat Matches
More Fire Ribbon or starter
Resin or paraffin impregnated kindling
Paddle Wear: Day Time, Good Weather
The Mysterioso top and bottom will work in cold or cool temps and even somewhat warm temps. However, for hot weather substitute a lighter weight rash guard
1st Layer Cool Weather and/or Cold Water:
Mysterioso M-Tech, Polartec, Power Stretch tights and long sleeve top
1st Layer Hot Weather and Warm Water:
RailRiders Tough Tights and a light weight rash guard shirt with long sleeves
Nylon or Supplex shorts (quick drying), worn over the tights
Tilley or Ultimate Sun/Rain Hat
Boat Shoes, should give protection to your ankles – (socks optional)
Sunglasses with retention strap, look for full UV protection and don't spend more than $20.
Paddle Wear: Night Time, Good weather
Outer Layer: Kokatat Gore-Tex Paclite Anorak
or GoLite Newt Jacket (9 oz.)
Outer Layer: Kokatat Gore-Tex Paclite Pants
or GoLite Reed Pants (5 oz.)
Fuzzy Rubber skull cap or Polartec skull cap or ear band
Paddle Wear: Foul or Cold Weather
Middle Layer: 100 weight Polartec vest and/or shirt
Middle Layer: 100 weight Polartec pants
Chotas and/or Smart Wool socks (optional)
Paddle Poggies
Cascade Designs Large Pack Towel (for wringing out paddling clothing at night)
It doesn't hurt to carry another Pack Towel for your own use
Boat Gear
Main paddle with leash
Spare paddle
Paddle float with lanyard roughly 3 feet long
Main electric or foot operated bilge pump
Backup bilge pump
Sponge
Inflatable seat pad
Thermos
Comprehensive repair, patch, and tool kit with duct tape
Sail Rig (optional) --
Class 1: Balogh TWIN, or Spirit Sails
Class 3: Balogh BOSS
Sprayskirt containing on-the-water boat patch kit
Cockpit cover
Spare hatch covers
Deck bag holding pharmacy, night paddling gear, Leatherman, food, batteries, duct tape, VHF, blister 1st aid kit
Well Found PFD
EPIRB
Strobe/Flashlight combo (replace batteries regularly)
Knife
3 Flares
1 to 3 Smoke canisters
Signal mirror
Whistle
Hypothermia kit (see details above)
Small fish eye compass
Randall Mini Survival Kit
Navigation
Charts in special waterproof chart bag with 2 caribiners
Waterproofed waypoint list with notes
Waterproofed flip cards for each "chunk"
Mini Red LED flashlight tied to chart bag
Navigation Quad tool
Compass
Watch
GPS and lanyard with deck bracket
Backup GPS (optional)
Binoculars 7 or 8 by 35 to 50 depending on physical size you want (optional)
Waterproof log book with pencil
Night Paddling
Hands Free Headlamp – Petzl Duo or multi LED type
Powerful, waterproof hand flashlight (at least 4 AAs)
1 White chemical light stick per night plus 1 spare
1 LazerBrite Red/Green LED light (optional)
Passive reflector tape permanently installed on the boat and/or reflective deck lines
Communication
Waterproof and submersible VHF
AA battery adapter for VHF (as a backup)
Cell phone in special waterproof bag
Cell phone 12 volt charger (optional)
Roll of quarters for pay phones and/or calling card in Get Away Bag
Hydration, Fuel, and Food – 8 Days
Each morning move the day's supply of food and fuel from the rear hatch to the deck bag, day hatch, PFD or where ever it will be handy. You can also do this at each chunk during your rest break. Obviously you need to make your own list. This is more or less what I carry for 8 days.
Gatorade or favorite sports drink in 1 to 4 liter bladder with drinking tube, in cockpit, day hatch, PFD, or on back deck. Replenish at each "chunk." It's important that the volume of your hydration bladder is enough to finish the next chunk or open water crossing.
3 caffeinated PowerGel or Stinger packs per day
3 non-caffeinated PowerGel or Stinger packs per day
Jerky enough for about ½ to 1 pound per day in deck bag. Repackage in 1/2 pound vacuum bags.
Gorp or snacks for each day
1 Orange, 1 apple, 1 banana per day for meals or snacks
3 Cheerios Milk and Cereal Breakfast Bars per day for meals or snacks
1 MetRx or Ensure can per night, consume before sleep
Pita bread 2 pieces per day in re packaged vacuum bags
Peanut Butter for the pita bread
Jelly or stinger packs for the pita bread
Freeze dried coffee
Hot chocolate mix 1 per day
1 Freeze dried meal for every two days
Water filter if traveling in fresh water regions (optional)
Water purification tablets (always)
1 Gallon jug of water – replenish at each checkpoint
Another gallon jug of water or equivalent Gatorade – replenish at each checkpoint. But I start with as much liquid Gatorade as I have room for in the boat. It's a lot of weight at first but is reduced at a steady rate. Re supply can be problematic in some areas. You can carry powdered Gatorade instead of liquid but it's more of a hassle. I carry one tub of powder just as a backup anyway.
Body Maintenance in a SealLine See 5 bag
Toilet Paper & matches
Purell (to disinfect your hands)
Trowel (in its own Ziploc)
Pee bottle in the cockpit while paddling and in the hammock while sleeping
Pharmacy
Prescription drugs as necessary
Purell ( to help dry your hands or feet and wash your hands)
Aspirin
Imodium AD
Chewable Pepto Bismal
Chewable Dramamine
Benadryl tablets and spray
Neosporin Plus (some people are allergic to Neosporin)
Desitin
Medicated drying powder
Sunscreen
Sunburn ointment
Chapstick
Vaseline
Body Glide
Insect Repellant
Dental chewing gum
Other items as necessary, substitute brands as desired, check for compatibility and allergic reactions before placing in kit
Possibles
First aid kit with Sawyer Extractor and resuscitation mask
Spare batteries
Eye glasses with a spare
Magnifying glass for reading charts
Camera and/or camcorder
Medical ID for identifying allergies or other medical conditions
Dog tags or waterproof ID card for identification in case you die
Get Away Bag
You will need this when you run to the nearest 7-11 to get some supplies. Clip into the rear hatch area for easy but safe access.
Small waterproof belt pack carrying ==>
Wallet with ID, cash, and credit cards
Roll of quarters
Keys
Glasses
Other Items as YOU Deem Necessary for Safe and Efficient Open Water Paddling.
That's the end of the basic WaterTribe Kit. But if you are doing a challenge or an expedition you may want to add the following items.
After Trip Bag in #2 Waterproof Sack or a SealLine bag
Shower kit: bar of soap, shaving kit, tooth brush & paste, floss, towel, other items as necessary
Under shorts
Pants with belt or suspenders
WaterTribe t-shirt
Socks
Running shoes
Although the basic kit is surprisingly comfortable, you may want to add certain items when you are "cruising" on a planned camping trip. But even luxury items should be considered carefully for weight and bulk.
Luxury Items
Therm-a-rest pad at well over 3 lb.
Additional tent or tarp
Additional pots, pans, and other kitchen items
Coffee pot
Bigger stove, more fuel
Fishing and/or diving gear
Campfire materials: starter, kindling, hatchet, etc.
Campfire grate
Baking oven
Harmonica or other torture device
Book
Chess or checkers set
Playing cards
Lafuma sling chair at 4.5 lb. is a big load but provides sinful comfort in camp. But you won't have room unless you are paddling a Kruger Dreamcatcher.
Additional clothing
Additional body maintenance items
That one luxury item you can't do without
Key Points
Start out with a basic kit that provides for all your critical needs
Keep it fast and light so you can take it all the time.
Packed bulk is as important as weight
Consider components that work together as a system
Pare it down to a minimum that still provides comfort and protection
Add trip specific items as needed
Add luxury items sparingly
Finally
Believe it or not, this is a light weight kit. The list seems endless but many of the items are very small. You can't really save much weight for Boat Gear, Navigation, Paddle Clothing, etc. The weight saving must come from the camping equipment. The "camping" portion of the list is only about 10 pounds -- that's light.
Food and water weighs what it weighs. You can save weight by carefully calculating your real needs. Challengers usually carry way too much food. It's not unusual to have 10, 20 even 30 pounds left over after your first challenge.
Paddlers in class 2 (racing kayaks and canoes) will get nightmares from this list. They will pare it back to almost nothing. In my opinion they are rolling the dice with each race. Their almost super human capabilities will usually get them through, but it's not worth the risk to me. I'll carry this kit and be comfortable and safe when I have to sit out bad weather.
© 2003 Steve Isaac. All Rights Reserved
© Copyright 2000-2018 WaterTribe, Inc.
Chief@WaterTribe.com
www.WaterTribe.com
WaterTribeTM Pending
Ten Tips - Everglades Challengers x J de Voglaer "Devoman",
Top Ten Tips for Challengers
By James DeVoglaer (aka DevoMan)
With the WaterTribe Lake Michigan Challenge right around the corner I thought it might be helpful to offer my top ten tips for novice or first time challengers. As such, I put together my a list of tips that will hopefully assist someone in getting that first finish. Good luck to all!
Feel Comfortable In Your Boat
Make sure that you feel stable and comfortable in your boat. Make sure you have selected and tweaked (padding if necessary) the seat so that it feels like you can sit on it forever. Trim the boat for the appropriate water conditions and load.
Essential Equipment
a) Pharmacy -- Experiment with your pharmacy and include what you will need.
b) Repair Kit -- Include fiberglass repair in the kit along with a Leatherman.
Always carry DUCT TAPE.
c) Headlamp -- Make sure it fits comfortably on your head.
d) Bilge Pumps -- Plan carefully for water extraction. You'll need an electric, foot, and hand pump.
e) Navigation -- Make sure you know how to use your GPS, compass, and charts.
f) Signaling -- EPIRB, VHF, flares, mirror, whistle, strobe. If you ever need them you won't worry about what they cost.
Keep Warm
Regardless of which Challenge you will get wet and potentially cold so be prepared. Dress appropriately for the conditions and prepare for the worst. Make sure you have emergency fire starting materials. If the water conditions warrant, make sure you have a rock solid plan for dealing with a capsized craft. How long can you survive in the water based upon what you are wearing; what is your plan for getting dry; how will you warm your core body temperature; can you build a fire; how will you maintain warmth; can you block the wind; can you stay dry in adverse conditions? If you have answered all these questions, what’s your backup plan if they all fail?
Control Your Pace
Most paddlers start too fast and get caught up racing someone else’s race. The Challenges tend to be long races with a myriad of known filters (portages, tides, water depth) and many unknown filters (wind, waves, temperatures, etc) so paddle at a pace that YOU can sustain for the duration of the event.
Fuel and Hydration
Pay particularly close attention to your fuel and hydration needs. Remember, don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink! Stay on top of your calories. Paddling hard, you will tend to eat less than you think, so plan carefully to avoid carrying excess weight.
Course Knowledge
Planning is a critical success factor. Make sure you have researched and/or paddled as much of the course as possible. Divide the race into mentally manageable sections to avoid the “I’ll never get there syndrome.”
Safety Above All Else
Make sure you keep safety in mind at all times. Sleep deprivation and prolonged performance requirements tend to increase your risk of making a bad judgment call. Remember, you are captain of your own boat. Your safety is up to you.
Attitude or Mental Toughness
Don’t get discouraged! Stay focused and always, always remain “PERSISTANT” in your efforts. Remember, if you’re not paddling, you’re not racing! If you find yourself in a pickle and are thinking about dropping out… pull over, build a fire and get comfortable. If possible, hydrate and eat and then get some sleep, but don’t drop out until you have done all of the above and gotten at least a few hours of sleep. After sleeping on the issue you will be in a much better position to make a decision.
Lighting
Use the best lighting system that you can afford. The ability to paddle at night with the same level of confidence as the day will increase your chances of meeting your event goals.
Body Maintenance
Take the time to perform body maintenance as required. Potential problems and candidates for maintenance:
A. Chafing (nipples, armpits, buttocks)
B. Sour stomach
C. Overall discomfort (get over it!)
D. Snake bites
E. Sun burn (avoid large areas of exposed skin and wear sunscreen!)
F. Blisters (hands, feet)
G. Back pain (lower back, lats and trapezoids)
H. Heal pain especially in kayaks
I. Headaches
J. Cuts (hands, feet, legs)
DevoMan ~ Out
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the WaterTribe discussion forum on June 24, 2002. It was converted into an article so it wouldn't get "lost" when the forum was archived.
Copyright © James DeVoglaer, 2003. All rights reserved
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