Kayaking Narragansett Bay, RI Memorial Day

[Warren]

Darren,

I'll use it if no one else is. Thanks.

I doubt there's rentals for a pfd, should I just get one?

 

[LauraM]

Geezum, I realized I didn't post on this thread, so I didn't know plans were developing.....

Warren, use my extra kayak on Sat. You are all set. I will get extra PFD's I have 2 spray skirts, 3 paddles, and I will borrow extra pump and paddle float from a friend. Sunday is more of the prob. when Donna joins us -- Maybe we should kayak in Darren's neck of the woods then so we can use his 3 boats. I can get more spray skirts, other extras from friends if we need them.

What about Freddy, does he have a boat?

BTW, way to go with the new Avatar, Darren!!

Laura

 

[funkyfreddy]

What about Freddy, does he have a boat?

No, unfortunately. I really would like to go, especially since I'm mad at myself for missing the DP hike because of the gigs I had last weekend. Work - what's that about? I'll be kicking myself for a long time for missing out on a such a great event.

Oh well, could of /should of/ would of's don't count, back to kayaking. A friend of mine is going to lend me their PFD but his boat is in the Catskills and I don't think I'll be up there in the next few days, so if I can't borrow a boat I would be glad to rent.

Darren, I'm 5' 9'', 160 lbs - would your small boat be good for me if Warren uses Laura's boat? I promise to be careful and not to scrape or bang it up!

Warren, as soon as I'm through typing this I'll E-mail you. I'm free all day Friday so if you want to car pool that would be great, I'll help out with gas and expenses as I'm sure you don't want to ride in my car. Originally I was planning to drive out to Jay's but since you live so close it will probably work out fine. I'm glad you're going as I'm a beginner as well. I've kayaked a little and I'm a very good swimmer but don't know very much about any kind of boats. I love to kayak, though, and I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and getting out on the water. Thanks, Fred

 

[Jay H]

I think the Mystic is probably too small for Fred or Warren...
As a comparison, I'm like 5'4 and 130lbs, and have size 8 feet. I find my feet kind of at it's maximum length for comfort in the Mystic. I wear some river shoes though and not sandals.

Jay

Great avatar Darren, we all bow to your kingness.

 

[darren]

I agree with Jay, I think the Mystic is too small for Warren or Fred. My friend Dan is about Fred's size and it is too small for him.

My Sealoution II XL is also available. It's a big plastic boat. It is made for people over 6' tall. Someone around 5' 9" can paddle it, but it will be a bit like paddling a bath tub. It would be _very_ stable though .

We should nail down a schedule. How about Sat we go from Narragansett to Dutch Island and on Sunday if people want, we can paddle near my house. That way we can use all 3 of my boats (Donna can paddle either my Mystic or Laura's Loon). I might be able to get a friend to bring an extra boat too.

- darren

 

[darren]

Great avatar Darren, we all bow to your kingness. [/B]

I like your new avatar as well! Gee...I wonder how that happened???

- darren

 

[Adventurous]

Ocean State Scuba in Jamestown has Kayak rentals. Here's the link if you want to check it out.

http://www.oceanstatescuba.com/

I have tentative dive plans for the weekend but would be interested in joining the group if those plans fall through.

Kim

 

[Jay H]

Sounds fine to me. I figured we'd figure things out Friday night, but you know the area more than I... I do like the idea of Dutch island exploration, we could also save that to the better day, between saturday and sunday. With Donna coming over on sunday, Laura was thinking about all of us going to Darrens house for the night and perhaps doing something really quick on monday morning. With Donna, that will put us over the 4 person limit on sunday so instead of getting another campsite, we could camp at Darren's place.

See my new Avatar? I hope I don't scare away too many new VFTTers..

Adventurous: thanks for the link..

How soon will you know if you are free then?

Jay

 

[LauraM]

Jay, you little devil! Love the new avatar -- good job, Darren! It's good to be the king, indeed!

My 2nd boat is a Lincoln Chebeaugue, 14.5 ft. long but wider than the Mystic, so Warren or Freddy would fit fine in it. Warren and Freddy can decide who wants my extra boat and who wants Darren's. We can always trade off at Dutch Is., too! Then on Sun., Donna can take the Mystic.

Darren, the schedule sounds great! How early do we want to start on Sat.?

I am going to borrow an extra paddle float and pump to go with my extra boat. Will bring all my kayak gear -- I have one extra PFD although it is pink and small. My extra boat should be all ready to go, including spray skirt and paddle, but it might be nice to have a better PFD.

Darren, can we still crash at your place on Sunday?

Laura

 

[TomEske]

How early do we want to start on Sat.?

You guys should keep with the schedule you had last weekend and start at 4am!
Sorry Laura, I won't be there to supply your coffee this time.
Have a great weeknd, I'll tell WR1 and WR2 you wish they were with you. (And I do too.)
Tom

 

[LauraM]

Tom:

How will I survive without you bringing the coffee?? Sure you don't want to drive to RI this weekend? Thanks for saving me last Sat. This Sat. -- no 3:30am wake up call! You read Warren's post -- he is not a morning person!!

I need a year off before we do the 3:30am wake up again.

Sorry, WR1 and WR2 are YOUR problems, since they are a Catskills phenomenon -- I get the creeps just thinking about them! Happy hiking when you do DP in their territory! Please, do not invite them to the Gathering!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Laura

 

[TomEske]

Actually I was toying with the idea of starting a cottage industry in the export of WR's to other areas that have been deprived of such things.
I know they have them down south (seen the movie), but I think they would be a hit down east, don't you?
Tom

 

[LauraM]

Thanks, Arm, for the info! You should join us -- You have a boat?

Warren: I tried to PM you, your mailbox is full -- I don't think we have to rent any boats, think we are covered for all days.

Tom: No thanks, I wouldn't DREAM of depriving you of your local characters! We have plenty of "local color" up here, but thanks for thinking of me!

Laura

 

[funkyfreddy]

Maine has more "fringe" characters and weirdos than the Catskills do, IMHO. If you don't believe me just go hiking in the Mars Hill area sometime....... actually now that I think about it check out Eastport and Lubec, too. Not that I dislike characters, mind you - how could I and live in NYC? You have to be a bit of a character just to survive here with your good will and sense of humor intact.

OK, enough of that. I want to thank Darren and Laura for letting me and Warren use their boats and Jay for organizing the trip and inviting me. I'm really, really looking forward to kayaking again!!

 

[Jay H]

I really think all campsite rangers are from the same gene pool

Swamp, PM or email me your phone number just in case we need to contact you... We are going to overflow the 2 car limit at peeper's pond, not sure if we'll just splurge the extra $ to park the car in the overflow or if we ask really nicely or what...

I'll send you my cell number if you need to call us... We should all be at the pond by 8pmish although I think I will be the first one there as I plan on leaving NJ by 1pm and I expect a 4 hour drive (allowing for traffic).

TeeJay, if we borrow your Taj Majal, we could tent the whole state.

I like your avatar too, you kind of have a Fred Astaire "singing in the rain" look to it, except instead of an umbrella, you're leaning on a hiking pole..

Jay

 

[sli74]

Hey Jay . . . the tent was TeeJay's but the avatar is Tom

sli74

 

[darren]

The schedule seems fine with me, but I am little confused on sunday. If Donna takes my Mystic and Warren or Freddy take Laura's extra boat and , then what is the other guy going to paddle? I can only transport 1 extra kayak to RI. I plan on bringing the big boat on Sat for either Warren or Freddy. I can bring it back again on Sunday or I can bring the Mystic for Donna, but I cant bring both.

No problem for people crashing at my house on Sunday. I have 2 guest beds, a couch, floor space, and room for tents. We can paddle Monday morning about a mile down the street from my house.

After the practice Sat and Sun, if some of you are ready, we can head out into the ocean and "round the horn" to this beach. Or we can stay in protected waters.

I'm heading to the Cape to paddle tomorrow. Psyched. First time out this year.

- darren

 

[KayakDan]

Sounds like you have a great trip in the works. Darren,I'm glad to see that you are putting the new paddlers through practice-it's amazing the situations people paddle in without a clue!
Just a thought-the water is still pretty cold,and I didn't see any mention of wetsuits,dry tops etc.
Our rule of thumb is "dress to swim",because you just might!
Any more plans for a big VFTT paddle party?
Have a great trip!
Dan

 

[Jay H]

I think Laura has a plan to go to your place on Sunday so you have 2 spare boats without the need to transport. I have a roof rack and some pipe insulation so I can probably toss another kayak on my roof for transport to the put in. Then we can camp/stay at your place sunday night (forgo our reservation at PP) and then do a short paddle Monday for those that can stay.

That would solve the kayak situation.

As far as drysuits and stuff, I have a farmer john and a drytop that I shall bring...

Jay

 

[donna]

Hey All,

I already borrowed a Kayak, paddle, spray shirt and PFD. So...I'm all set there.

I have no idea what to bring for clothes...I was planning on t-shirts and shorts and I have water shoes. I don't own any kayak clothes but I do have "quick dry" clothes.

Any suggestions on what to wear?

Also, I can either meet you late Saturday night (10:00 PMish) or early Sunday morning. I'll need to know where to meet you... Oh yea, I am very bad with directions...soooo, make it somewhere easy to find.

If someone PMs me with their cell phone number would be great and I'll give Laura or someone my number as well.

Darren, if you're leaving your house early Sunday morning to meet up with the gang, maybe I could get directions to your house and follow you...if you don't mind.

What makes sense?

Oh yea, I have never kayaked...I can swim, canoe and I have "sort of" okay upper body tone.