Not misunderstanding - just not fully understanding. Seems to me that I am understanding very well. Calling for help would be done using the device you have on your person. Not the device you have stowed away in a hatch. As I wrote in my latest post: As far as I know, there is no law against owning...

You can retrofit a spray hood to most life-jackets. I wonder if it would be possible to design something similar to protect a kayaker's airway in an emergency situation? Without one the advice is to breath trough hands cupped in front of your nose and mouth to prevent inhaling spray. I've also wonde...

Lomo do a very good tapered bag which I've found to be ideal for up in the bow.

https://www.lomo.co.uk/acatalog/tapered ... ml#SID=117

An interesting debate indeed, raising several points. My only hope is that we don't all get so bogged down in concerns about our own (or our groups) "followership" skills that we forget to enjoy ourselves. A lot of the points made about the original article seem to be based on the premise that the p...

I think we might be in danger of overthinking this....

Am I misunderstanding the purpose of this app? I thought the purposes were: Registration of a planned route before the trip Tracking during the trip For the first purpose, you need neither phone coverage nor access to your phone during the trip. For the second purpose, you need phone coverage, but ...

Thanks Gordon. That echos my feelings about Safetrx fully. Good points - Makes use of technology most of us already have. Database can store multiple vessels and the profile to suit can be called up from the app. It's free! It's fairly easy to use. It's fine when sailing as it can be used in shelter...

I'm sure Rubberman in wales would do a dry-suit repair / service for you.

https://www.rubberman.co.uk/7/Repairs.html

I've only ever seen these strange swirl marks on very new boats, they seem to get worse for a bit then disappear after a few outings although they'll sometimes return just before I sell a boat. I've also noticed them on the occasional new car for a month or so too - and again they seem to come back ...

Not really appropriate for you as you've never worn the suit in anger, so can send it back, but this man https://www.rubberman.co.uk/home.html can easily (and quickly) swap out socks or seals that are too big / small for you as well as repair any damaged dry-suits you happen to have.

Don't skimp - It's one thing which really does benefit from some shopping around and trying on a few to find one which is comfortable. There are so many variables in terms of neck and wrist seals, entry zip placement and types, braces / no braces, type of socks (latex, breathable fabric or Goretex) ...

From the Sound of Jura... with only one other boat in sight. "Yacht in Sound of Jura, yacht in...... This is Kayak blue Etain, kayak blue Etain....... over" "Ehhhh - kayak blue Etain, this is yacht Blue Etain......." But, once we'd had a laugh about the co-incidence, they were very helpful with the ...

Something which I've done in the past is call up a passing yacht on VHF and ask if they have the most recent forecast. They often get a forecast even if I don't due to the difference in height of the radio aerials and are usually happy to help.

Interesting comments Douglas. I'm also an RYA member - but it had never occurred to me that they would respond to any kayaking issues. I'll bear that in mind if I ever come across any problems in future. My reservations about the SafeTrx app are due to it's reliance on smart phones. I've used it whi...

I know several sea paddlers who love taking a P&H Hammer down rivers. Basically, as a rough guide, anything a good open canoe paddler can get down, you'll get a Hammer down.

Saab estate to Toyota Auris estate. Both big enough boots. Toyota has remote keyless entry which I now consider essential for a kayaking car - no more "which pocket did I put the key in" under BA, spray deck, dry-suit etc. when I remember what I've forgotten.... Winter tyres (or Michelin Cross-Clima...

Yup.

Tried the peak explorer, Kokatat MsFit but went with another Kaikoura. It's not exactly the same as the old one so check it out before you buy it - but it's the closest I could find.

I wonder if it was meant to be a present?

Do you have a fairly recent VHF licence?
Part of the licencing regs are that you may listen in on any chanel but must not repeat or publish any information which you hear when doing so.

Just saying......

It's a comparatively easy route to do but well worth it - I did it solo a few years ago when the weather was too wild to do anything else. The lochs can get fairly interesting though. Loch Lochy is pretty shallow so it throws up some fairly tough waves to batter through - but there's the floating pu...

I guess I just have an inherent distrust of mobile phone technology - and of paddling in areas with no phone reception.

Reed will make you one if you send them a template.

https://www.chillcheater.com/decks

Running on location data provided by the phone is probably the problem, but that's how they want us to run it - a phone is not a suitable navigation device. If I'm in trouble I'd rather CG had an accurate position or track data to work from rather than something which puts me half way up a hill half...

https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/61824/1536787456277-4610.png Not a great advert for the safetrx tracking app. I've had it on my phone for a while now but I've not been particularly impressed with it as an app - it looks like it needs a lot more development before I'd trust it enough t...

210 in the list (although I've already spotted a couple missing...) v 282 Munro's That should add up to a fairly massive mileage to paddle them all.
And should it be a complete circuit, or is it enough to paddle the length of a loch to tick it off?

There could be a category of "sea lochs paddled without a skeg" if you want geeky

West Loch on Jura, and it's mainland West Loch cousin are both fine, as is Loch Fyne but I think Loch Etive is probably a personal favourite with Loch Sween not too far behind at the moment.

Is there a list of, or even a name for, the Scottish sea lochs more than, say, a mile long, similar to Munro's, Donalds etc. tables for the hills? And if not - should there be? With winter heading our way and weather deteriorating I was looking at some lochs to paddle to get a bit of shelter and tha...

Very bad news indeed.

At least no-one has been hurt

Apologies seawolf - I thought that post had been from the OP, hence the gentle paddle in calm... quote