Kayaking trips 2013

BobC · Oct 6, 2013

Just wanted to post a quick report on some paddling trips I did this year with my wife Sandra. We got a couple of Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 kayaks in May and have enjoyed several trips over the spring and summer.

First trip paddling on the Lamprey River in May- we have an apartment in Newmarket that is right on the river, upstream from the MacAllen Dam:

https://plus.google.com/photos/1016...ms/5879856809270418929?authkey=CJHJ4ZOq7qKNcA

In late June we did a paddling trip on Pawtuckaway Lake which was fun, pictures didn't come out that well on this one but here are a few anyway:

https://plus.google.com/photos/101636602991465000734/albums/5892857677915350529

In late July, after doing several trips on the upstream portion of the river where we live, we decided to pack up the kayaks and take them to downtown Newmarket below the dam, and from there we paddled out to where the Lamprey River meets Great Bay. This is a trip where you really have to pay attention to the tides because the water depth in Great Bay goes up and down up to 7 feet with the tides, and this affects the rivers that feed it. You can get stuck in the mud if you end up out there at low tide in the wrong spot.. We didn't really go out into the bay too far, but this was one of my favorite trips of the season:

https://plus.google.com/photos/1016...ms/5905709821958570849?authkey=CMH09OP56v7nKQ

coldfeet · Oct 6, 2013

Very nice, I too have a pungo 120. After getting stuck in meandering turns on a trip one day with a 17ft kayak, I went to EMS and purchased the Pungo. Love it! Have packed it a few times for overnights on some easy waters in NJ and the ADK's. I now have 4 boats after 7 years and the Pungo is a great go to boat and perfect for the beginner paddler that goes with me. On some trips it's the #1 boat to use, especially in low rocky water. there used to be a Pungo computer animated cartoon about paddling a pungo around Africa! very funny. love the pics..

spider solo · Oct 7, 2013

I see we paddle some of the same waters here locally. I am often paddling Great Bay. Nice pictures as well, I recognize some of the places. In case you are looking for ideas people often put in at Exeter then paddle down to Chapman's landing. You have the choice of round trip or a one way trip depending on energy. (and of course you can do the reverse and put in at Chapman's) No worry about running out of water on that paddle, the current is never to strong to stop you either, but usually people try to ride the tide to their advantage. Have fun..happy paddling.

BobC · Oct 7, 2013

Thanks for the comments.

Spider, do you know the time difference for high tide/low tide at the Exeter landing vs. the times at the Squamscott River Railroad bridge? This is the closest point to get tide info as far as I can tell, and not knowing how much time to add for the Exeter end is one of the things that's made me avoid this trip so far. It doesn't seem to make too much of a difference on the Lamprey, I've been out near low tide and at high tide and there are no strong currents. But I've heard from several sources that the currents around Chapman's Landing can be pretty strong, and there have been some reports of people running into trouble (even a recent death of a kayaker) in that area.

spider solo · Oct 7, 2013

I usually guess- ta-mate about 40 minutes, but haven't refined it much more than that... a 1/2 hr might be more realistic.

Yes, very unfortunately a woman about my age did drown there earlier this year right near there. I even got "called on the carpet" on a different web site for offering condolences seemed she didn't have her pfd on at the time etc etc....
So I'll be assuming that you're all wearing yours at all times.

Figure your getting your tides from this link http://www.maineharbors.com/

another option for launching is at... Sandy Point Discovery Center.... over there in Greenland. One of my all time favorite "stress free" launching sites (basically directly across from where the Lamprey dumps into the bay.)

It is very tide dependent... ideally we split the tide 2 hrs on each side of high tide. Here is one link that may be of interest to you http://www.greatbay.org/

and one other featuring the center itself as a nice family destination
http://www.nhdfl.org/events-tours-a.../sandy-point-discovery-center-salt-marsh.aspx

I'll be putting the boat to the water this weekend though I haven't picked my day as yet. Feel free to contact me if you want to join up or meet for a non paddling over view of the area. Beautiful foliage in these parts might as well enjoy what is right here in our own "backyards"
Great Bay one of NH's best hidden gems...

BobC · Oct 8, 2013

I can't go out this weekend but thanks for the offer.

As for the tides, I use an app on my phone called 'US Tides' which I believe uses the same data sources as the mainharbors.com web site.

Great Bay is indeed a hidden gem, I've lived in New England all my life but didn't realize how nice it was around the bay area until I moved to Newmarket a couple of years ago. Besides kayaking in that area there are some nice little hikes you can do, like around Adams Point. I haven't been to the Discovery Center but it's on my list of things to do.