Homestead mailing list

[<eureka AT hctc.net>]

Just back in town from a long distance trek to the 
dentist.

On Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:11:57 -0400
 EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net> wrote:

 DH is
> talking about building kayaks now.  I think he is 
> looking to build a sea 
> kayak though.

Have only used a sea kayak once on a local lake that most 
of you would consider a pond in size. It's a very 
different way of paddling, using a rudder. But if you and 
DH have some experience sailing it might come easier. I 
have kayaked a few rivers at flood stage and encountered 4 
foot swells and wind where a rudder might have come in 
handy, but I didn't really enjoy those experiences. I have 
also kayaked in the Pacific down in Mexico in a regular 
sit on top and the swells were more relaxing.

> That would be awesome.  I'd feel much safer with someone 
> like you 
> around.  

That reminds me of kayaking here with my throw rope on 
board, the tubers see it and think I've been hired by some 
unknown entity to rescue them should they get in trouble. 
Of course I would, but I don't tell them we actually carry 
them to rescue each other in our kayaking party.

Have you ever ran the Tuckaseegee? I understand it's a lot 
easier than the Nantahalla, and probably just as close for 
you.

> LOL, yeah, well I have to admit that we had several LONG 
> discussions 
> about this very thing, but in the end, decided that we 
> needed to 
> communicate better and that this would be the thing to 
> teach us to do 
> that and work together.  

The best canoeing couple I ever met were a mother-daughter 
team. I think their communication was almost telepathic.

He built EarthNSky as a
> Prospector, a tripping 
> canoe so that we could go canoe camping.  It was meant 
> to have weight in 
> the center, like ballast, but we have not ever gone 
> camping.  Our 
> biggest issue is that he doesn't trust me.  He needs to 
> react and act 
> immediately on what I say, not wait until he sees the 
> rock himself.  You 
> know what I mean?

Yeah, I know what you mean. There has to be a lot of trust 
involved: trust in your equipment, your own ability, and 
your partner's ability. I think it goes in that order, 
too. I would have no interest in paddling the same boat 
with my husband, even though I think he would trust me as 
the more experienced paddler. I would be better able to 
help him out of a bind from my own boat than if we were 
pitched together into moving water, and vice versa.

I have a whitewater sit on top touring kayak I use just 
for moving water camping, like when I did the Buffalo. I 
can store everything I need in the hull in water seal bags 
so I don't have to tie anything in and still have good 
balance and manueverability. There are just too many rocks 
in most of the places I boat for a deep keeled boat like a 
canoe. You can float a kayak in 2 inches of water, maybe 3 
inches for bigger folks or carrying equipment. I'd much 
rather ride than portage.

--Sage