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.

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!

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!

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:

1.   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

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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."

Gear List for a Watertribe Challenge by "Chief"

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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





© Copyright 2000-2018 WaterTribe, Inc.

Chief@WaterTribe.com

www.WaterTribe.com

WaterTribeTM Pending

Free Hobie 14 Cat'

A free catamaran! I cannot actually believe that I succeeded in getting a good boat for nicks, I am usually the bunny that gets ripped off.
   So last week when I was scouring Gumtr__ for a cheap Hobie cat' I was surprised by an ad' describing a boat basically complete, if not in working order.
   Meeting Bruce was enjoyable, because here was a man that had done well in life; a beautiful home on the shore of Lake Macquarie and a keen dinghy racer. I could love in his boatshed, the sound of water lapping the shore, the smell and coolness, were immensely relaxing.
   Apparently the yellow cat' had loved along the shore a few boat lengths away before Bruce took it on. Since taking on ownership he has restored the boat; new running rigging, re-anodized tramp' fittings, new trampoline, polished hulls and a Turbo kit (furling jib and trapeze). The port side longitudinal section of the trampoline frame was bent, severely and needed replacing.

Loaded for home

 There was no trailer, so for those with only a casual interest, it offered little attraction. To me it was a godsend and I thank Bruce immensely. I even offered money, that's how impressed I was.

Iconic image of a surfing Hobie 14

March 16, 2019: I call the "Hobie factory", Totally Immersed Watersports, Huskisson NSW, and am quoted $242 on a new tramp' frame piece. Well, worse comes to worse... In the meantime I'll keep searching.

Cat' Trailer

This happened on the way from buying my not so cheap cat' trailer. The bolts holding  the spring - axle assembly croaked. This exploded coming off the Gostwych Bridge sending the wheels and axle sideways and the trailer frame skywards with much noise and some sparks! Lesson: old trailers are not good for lowering blood pressure.

Singlefin soul surfing vs. Trifin wing-wang surfing. Who knew?

Well, it seems, there is much to learn about longboard design, even for a not-that-old dog.
A handful of weeks back I bought a new-to-me longboard; 9'1"x23", tri-fin.  And I've done some noseriding, but I've plateaued out. As I go towards the nose the board becomes really unstable sometimes tossing me and off with an inglorious splat!  I don't understand it, it's no good for my little ego, the fun-element or my future noseriding.
So ... I turned to Dr Google. There I discovered two things; tri fins and wider boards are not good for noseriding. Well, this was a slap in the side of the head! Wide board is stable yeh? Well, yes and no. They're stable in smooth (mornings or winter offshore conditions), but actually become very unstable in choppy or bumpy conditions like summer aftwrnoons amd beachbreaks. Which exactly describes the waves I've been having lately. Lesson learned!
Then the fin thing. Ok three fins, you'd be right to think they have a total area way above a single fin. So, should be directionally stable? BUT, what happpens when you g  on the nose is that the fins rise up out of the water or close to it, and bingo! You suddenly become a free agent. A tall single fin, when noseriding, maintains traction. There were lots of other stuff in favour of singlefins that I wish I'd read before.
To quote:-
"There are many surfers around who would contend that a single-fin longboard is the only true longboard, as they foster a cleaner, more glide-oriented style of riding than do the maneuver-oriented multi-fin longboards.
The single-fin longboard seems best suited to those who want to trim, glide and perform sweeping turns that the stable yet pivotal feel of the single fin allows. If you enjoy the friskier, "oomph" surfing, or as the locals call it here in Hawaii, "wing-wang" surfing, go for a multi-fin longboard ..."

I hate "wing-wang" surfing but it seems that my wide trifin is a wingwanger rather than a noserider! Dang!

Get a Hobie cat. Tick.

Got my first Hobie cat today! It's a project, but it's great and cost me ... NOTHING!
 you Bruce, i will have fun!

My plans are for this to be prepared and sailed as an Expedition craft: coast sailing and camping. Ooo ooh! :))

A New-to-Me eHobie Project

In under 48 hours ago, while trawling the 'net for a cheap Hobie 14 I discovered a give-away project boat. Immediately I organised to see it (yesterday), and was astonished at how good it was. Not just a good wreck, the PO was in the middle of aits restoration and had bought a "Turbo kit", re-anodised trampoline fittings, and that type of thing. As it turns out, the PO lived right on the Lake (Macquarie) and had a boatshed overflowing with racing dinghies. (Think carbon fibre mast.) The Hobie was stored in pieces, in the shed ... and PO needs more space. I'm a tight-wad, but was so impressed I offered money!

So my plans are to create an "Expedition Hobie". One with storage for camping out and fishing, deep reefing main, ground tackle and row-able. I'll be checking off the Watertribe checklist for the Everglades Challenge! I mean sleeping on a cat trampoline is a no-brainer.

From there I'll be ready to hit the water at a moment's notice and will be inspired to take regular coastal, river and lake trips,

Surf Report - week one, March 2019

Two surfs this week, at the same break Pogos. Storms last week had shaken up the sandy bottom providing new nreaks to try out. A chsnge is as good as a holiday, hey?
Well the break looled like two peaks 200 yards apart, not really like little triangles. More random with lefts stronger than the rights. Another bonus was the rip-channel through the middle that made the paddle out real easy. So after going left on the S Peak it was easier to jog along the shore and use the channel.
Used my 9'1" and caught small stuff until I dialled in, then got hungry for a few more stylish waves. Great stoke!
I even got a little pit! It was good enough for a thong wearing babe on the shorebreak to glance away from her own image reflected in the water and hive me a nod of recognition. Not that I need that shit anyhow.
SURFEST is getting warmed up at Merewether, so every kook on the hood will be out next week and the parking eill be even more horrendous, but I dont care. I'll be searching hard for holes in the facade and going surfing anyway.

Stay young at heart.

New Longboard

well the stoke from my return to surfing continues. four surf sessions so far this week, and another today at boomerang beach.
boomerang was on the way back from tuncurry where i picked up a "new to me" 9'1" mal by a shaper in nearby forster. althou the longboard looked and felt right i was cautious  because I'd never heard of the shaper previously.

keen to wet its head,i headed for Boomerang Beach. the headland faces SE so the NE seabreeze was offshore. The swell was up, four feet with some five footers. luckily i spied a break away from the headland that was being a little starved of swell and had an occasional three footer peeling away, lefts and less frequent rights.  the main break was crowded with thirty or so surfers while the lonely beach break further S had just the odd friend. just then i overheard someone expressing an interest in "my break"!   time to own it! 
i got to break out a new legrope (leash wtf?) and waxing up with a fairly new block, living the dream. ah the familiar but forgotten pleasures off jogging over rocky carpark, board under arm. there were three guys on my break. but hey, i had a 9 footer i could sit out wide and pick my waves. anyway with this new longboardi was trying to keep it simple, nothing too strenuous. haha! well at least for the first wave.

my first wave was a little insider, picked off easy, up on my feel quick and she felt good from the start.  i went left, with the current in long flowing few arcs, then i cranked her up a little, i floated her off the lip and came down with great manners. thats when i knew she was a keeper ... better than my now second best Byrne's mal'. Stoked again after all these years!