Search found 3984 matches

by Chris Bolton
Thu Feb 13, 2025 7:04 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Buoyancy aid with big pockets
Replies: 21
Views: 314

Re: Buoyancy aid with big pockets

Unfortunately, not many assessors see it that way, in my experience That's sad. I must have been lucky with my choice of trainer and assessor. I'm not sure what to recommend to Forever Young now - I still wouldn't suggest that anyone carries unnecessary gear that they wouldn't or couldn't use, just...
by Chris Bolton
Thu Feb 13, 2025 5:30 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Buoyancy aid with big pockets
Replies: 21
Views: 314

Re: Buoyancy aid with big pockets

The weight in your BA doesn't just affect buoyancy. If you're doing a self rescue that involves climbing onto the boat, the less you have in your BA the better, in terms of both weight and catching it on the boat. I try to keep the contents down to "what do I need if I'm separated from the boat...
by Chris Bolton
Thu Feb 13, 2025 7:52 am
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Goldilocks and the Greenland Paddles?
Replies: 7
Views: 296

Re: Goldilocks and the Greenland Paddles?

Clearly I should be familiar with the feel of my spare I agree that is important. While mine are Euros, my spare is identical except it has nylon blades rather than carbon, on the basis that if I'm down to one it needs to be tough. It also means that in extreme circumstances I can mix and match to ...
by Chris Bolton
Thu Feb 13, 2025 7:44 am
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Buoyancy aid with big pockets
Replies: 21
Views: 314

Re: Buoyancy aid with big pockets

Do you mean a Peak Ocean Wrap
I do. Apologies to readers and to Peak.
by Chris Bolton
Wed Feb 12, 2025 10:51 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Buoyancy aid with big pockets
Replies: 21
Views: 314

Re: Buoyancy aid with big pockets

I have Palm Ocean Wrap which has quite big pockets. As the name suggests, you wrap it round you, not pull it over your head. It has two full size front panels that overlap, and I find I can put my phone, in an Aquapac, between the layers, which saves a lot of pocket space for other things.
by Chris Bolton
Wed Feb 12, 2025 2:18 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Recommendations for kayak tours near Galway
Replies: 3
Views: 112

Re: Recommendations for kayak tours near Galway

I paddled for about 3 days in that area in 2023 and it's a great place to paddle if the weather suits. We would have stayed longer, but the conditions weren't suitable - the coast is very exposed to SW winds and Atlantic swell. We were self guided. I'm sure there are guides but I don't don't know wh...
by Chris Bolton
Wed Feb 12, 2025 1:58 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Plumb bow protection
Replies: 12
Views: 507

Re: Plumb bow protection

Anyone used dinghy brass keelband? I've tried strip aluminium alloy on the stern of a tandem downriver race canoe (when you go down a drop, the bow kicks up when you hit the wave at the bottom and slams the stern onto the ledge). It didn't work. The flexural stiffness of the metal and the way it yi...
by Chris Bolton
Mon Feb 10, 2025 5:20 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: PLB - criteria and feedback
Replies: 12
Views: 477

Re: PLB - criteria and feedback

Just updating my info above to match other posts - service and battery replacement for the FastFind 210 was £145.95 (Spares Marine had it back in my hand 46 hrs after I posted it to them). It would be practically impossible to activate the fastFind accidentally, you have to remove the sealed cap.
by Chris Bolton
Sat Feb 08, 2025 9:28 am
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: PLB - criteria and feedback
Replies: 12
Views: 477

Re: PLB - criteria and feedback

I have a FastFind 210. It had its second battery replacement/service a year ago. Spares Marine provide a very good service for that. Battery life is nominally 5 years although both times it's come back with nearer 6 years on the label. All I've done with it is carry it in my BA, not used it. The Fas...
by Chris Bolton
Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:48 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Clubs - Rules and Regulations.
Replies: 35
Views: 1798

Re: Clubs - Rules and Regulations.

I agree with mrcharly that our Governing Bodies have done useful things, although I have not had much success getting them involved in standing up for sea kayakers. When it comes to the Coaching Scheme, I suspect it's run mostly by professional coaches who don't understand amateur clubs. I entirely ...
by Chris Bolton
Mon Feb 03, 2025 12:30 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: VHF src exam
Replies: 9
Views: 406

Re: VHF src exam

It's nearly 40 years since I did the exam. I don't remember anything difficult such as aerial heights that required you to remember specifics rather then understand concepts. So you'd be expected to know that aerial height matters and that VHF is line of sight, but not aerial heights in metres. I th...
by Chris Bolton
Sun Feb 02, 2025 6:31 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Clubs - Rules and Regulations.
Replies: 35
Views: 1798

Re: Clubs - Rules and Regulations.

with PUK invoking new standards for deployment we will no longer enjoy Public Liability Indemnity cover (presumably?) when our internally signed off leaders are deployed by the club to lead trips Not having PL cover unless working within PUK standards would, in my understanding, be a significant ch...
by Chris Bolton
Sat Jan 25, 2025 10:58 am
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Clubs - Rules and Regulations.
Replies: 35
Views: 1798

Re: Clubs - Rules and Regulations.

Interesting post, seawolf856, and you raise some useful points: the group has a wide range of experience and skills I don't think I'd consider that to be a peer group. The implication of 'peer' is that the members are nominally equal. That means they should be as capable of making decisions as you a...
by Chris Bolton
Wed Jan 15, 2025 8:08 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking Gear For Sale
Topic: Reed Chillcheater shirt and trousers.
Replies: 14
Views: 710

Re: Reed Chillcheater shirt and trousers.

I think the messaging system is playing up.
If you sent them via the site email, they may have gone into spam. If you sent them via PM, you can tell whether your PM has been seen - if it's in your Outbox, it hasn't, in your Sent items, it has.
by Chris Bolton
Sun Jan 12, 2025 10:23 pm
Forum: Whitewater and Touring
Topic: River for kayak camping
Replies: 4
Views: 359

Re: River for kayak camping

River Wye, anywhere from Hay on Wye down.
Just be aware that so far as camping is concerned, you may be better on the commercial campsites. There aren't many places where you could wild camp without the risk of an angry landowner.
by Chris Bolton
Sat Jan 11, 2025 4:50 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Foam bulkhead / footrest
Replies: 12
Views: 1151

Re: Foam bulkhead / footrest

I have been under the impression not but would be very happy to leave the rails where they are! I expect you could unscrew the bolt at the aft end of the rail just far enough to allow the pedal to slide off, then retighten the bolt. You may need to use a penetrating oil like Plus-gas to unstick the...
by Chris Bolton
Sat Jan 11, 2025 7:43 am
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Foam bulkhead / footrest
Replies: 12
Views: 1151

Re: Foam bulkhead / footrest

I've never had any worries about using a composite bulkhead as a footrest. I've taken one out once, to reposition it, and they take a lot of shifting. With a foam bulkhead I used the forward bolt holes for the rails to fix an alloy bar with a plate on it.
by Chris Bolton
Fri Jan 10, 2025 7:32 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Foam bulkhead / footrest
Replies: 12
Views: 1151

Re: Foam bulkhead / footrest

perhaps just replace the screws with shorter ones just long enough to retain a nut and washer on the inside That's what I did, although I also took advantage of having the nut and washer to attach a small loop of bungee on the aft screws, one loop secures my pump and the other my sponge (having che...
by Chris Bolton
Thu Jan 09, 2025 7:40 am
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Wimmens winter undersuit
Replies: 15
Views: 679

Re: Wimmens winter undersuit

My experience with Brynje is similar. It was recommended to me as good for being warm in cold situations while minimising overheating, and it does seem to work.
by Chris Bolton
Sun Jan 05, 2025 9:19 am
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Did YOU paddle today ?
Replies: 316
Views: 39086

Re: Did YOU paddle today ?

you won't find me hazarding that crossing on an SUP SUP is about the only thing I haven't paddled, and CRT have banned them on the aqueduct. But here's a picture of canoe on it. You can see the way the cast iron segments are tapered to work as an arch, to keep the joints tight and avoid tension in ...
by Chris Bolton
Fri Jan 03, 2025 9:30 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Did YOU paddle today ?
Replies: 316
Views: 39086

Re: Did YOU paddle today ?

Pontcysylllte aqueduct, mere sections of cast iron with gaskets of something possibly tea towels soaked in black treacle (more info required).

I just happened across that information - Welsh flannel soaked in molten sugar:

by Chris Bolton
Mon Dec 30, 2024 5:41 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Did YOU paddle today ?
Replies: 316
Views: 39086

Re: Did YOU paddle today ?

The last section involved heading through the Chirk tunnel which is never one of my favourite places.which is 421 metres long and needs one to be sporting a head torch mainly to prevent one being mown down by a canal barge. Better than head torch is a fixed light on your boat. Canal boats expect a ...
by Chris Bolton
Sun Dec 29, 2024 7:10 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Did YOU paddle today ?
Replies: 316
Views: 39086

Re: Did YOU paddle today ?

A very well made film, Leigh. I found it quite emotional, knowing the context. Poor Freya, I'm sorry.
by Chris Bolton
Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:41 am
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Winter paddling thermals
Replies: 18
Views: 951

Re: Winter paddling thermals

An alternative is fourth element clothing they have a fabric which is very insulating even when wet, I forget which it is now. They call it Thermocline. It's the equivalent of a 2mm wetsuit but doesn't contain rubber. They sell it particularly to warm water divers as it's neutrally buoyant. Unfortu...
by Chris Bolton
Thu Dec 05, 2024 11:36 am
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: USE OF PLB
Replies: 8
Views: 857

Re: USE OF PLB

The only thing is, it has reminded me that I need a new battery in my PLB before March 2025!! At least you know in plenty of time. I realised, 4 days before my flight to a very remote paddling destination, that mine was 3 months past its date. Spares Marine (and Royal Mail) did a great job for me, ...
by Chris Bolton
Mon Dec 02, 2024 9:06 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Winter paddling thermals
Replies: 18
Views: 951

Re: Winter paddling thermals

I haven't worn a wetsuit for years; unless I was surfing or really expected to get wet I paddled in thermals, cag and waterproof trousers (not dry cag or dry trousers, they hadn't been invented). However, something else to consider apart from warmth is movement, both freedom of movement and rubbing....
by Chris Bolton
Mon Dec 02, 2024 7:12 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: USE OF PLB
Replies: 8
Views: 857

Re: USE OF PLB

Snail mail to Falmouth was the only way to register my PLB when I bought it, not that long ago Even more odd. I bought mine in 2011 and registered it online straight away, then updated it online in 2017 and 2023 after I had the battery changed. They have updated the registration system at some poin...
by Chris Bolton
Mon Dec 02, 2024 2:54 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: USE OF PLB
Replies: 8
Views: 857

Re: USE OF PLB

Imagine living in the 21st century and being able to update that kind of information online instantly
Are you saying you can't do that? I've just this minute logged in and updated my details:

https://register-406-beacons.service.gov.uk
by Chris Bolton
Fri Nov 29, 2024 6:31 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking
Topic: Peculiar Nordkapp?
Replies: 9
Views: 513

Re: Peculiar Nordkapp?

Unusual to see Kayak sport hatches on a Valley kayak. They will be Kajak Sport covers on the original Valley hatch rims. Kayak Sport use a much more durable rubber than Valley and sell covers to fit Valley boats (I have been told that the manufacturing process is more polluting which is why Valley ...
by Chris Bolton
Fri Nov 29, 2024 3:53 pm
Forum: Sea Kayaking Gear For Sale
Topic: Wanted- Northshore Atlantic
Replies: 5
Views: 362

Re: Wanted- Northshore Atlantic

my message is in my Outbox and I don’t know if that counts as sent
When the message is in your Outbox, it's in his Inbox but he hasn't opened it yet. When it's opened, it moves to your Sent folder.

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