It's Raining!!!

[Melena]

We've finally got some rain here on the West Coast!  Woo Hoo!   [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]  It's been a long dry summer.

And I think the wineries got their grapes in just in time too.  I've seen them out picking the grapes the last week or so.  It should be a good crop.  

It does cut in on the riding though.  I won't ride when it's raining on the oil slick roads.

[Bob_Roller]

It's been dry all over the western US this year .

Good to hear you finally have gotten some much needed rainfall .

So far, 3.70 inches (94mm) of rain in my backyard this year, average rainfall is 7-8 inches (180-200mm) .

But the weather has co-operated with my vacation this year, only getting into the upper 80's F. (32C.) during the day and overnight lows in the low 60's  (17C.) .

I for one am glad the 'hot season' is finally over !!!!!!!

[steve hawkins]

In the UK we have had one of the wettest summers on record.  Both my motorbike and sailing have suffered.

Its either raining or raining and very windy, i.e. too windy for either sailing and comfortable motorcycling.

When the sun finally does come out, there is no wind and I have racked up so many jobs that need to be done that even if I had the time, so sailing and motorcycling are out.

I only ride my bikes to work and I cant remember how to rig my boats....

[Ed Miller]

I started to reply to Melena's post but was sidetracked by the kayak above.  Nice....  I'll still probably settle for a used sea kayak from Craigslist though.

Rain?  Oh, so that's what it is.  I rode to work the Monday after our first rainy weekend.  No bother, but the oil/slick thing is mostly a city and intersection problem, and I ride back roads.  I still was very cautious.  My helmet still leaks water to the inside of the face shield.  So does a nice Shoie RF1000 I got at a garage sale over the summer.  I think that's the price I pay for riding behind a Windjammer and not having wind hit my head.  They both have Pinlock shields, so they don't fog up anyway.

[Air4Life]

Sorry, I deleted my original post as I was not able to "modify" for some reason last night.

Actually Ed, they do consider this kayak a "sea kayak" a light touring version because it has smaller volume.  Its very stable and not as fast as the 21 footers being it is a mere 17 feet long.  

I  spent little time in the sea and more in the bays, lakes and rivers of the northeast.  

It was on craigs for a long time, where it finally sold a couple of months ago.   Its a great design, very stable.  I'd recommend their kits to anyone. They do a nice job of putting the materials together.

http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/kayak-kits/light-touring-kayaks/chesapeake-17-lt-sea-kayak-kit.html


The Sand Dollar was my first experience building and sailing:

http://www.archdavisdesigns.com/davis_sanddollar.html

[Ed Miller]

I didn't notice on the web site if you could mount rudders on those kayaks.  Did yours have one?

[Air4Life]

I did not add the rudder, but had I kept it I probably would have.  It can be tiresome when traveling the same course for a long distance with cross winds.  Though I must say, its not nearly as significant a factor as it would be for the regular 17 footer which has more surface area exposed above waterline than the LT.

[Melena]

Oooo, I like that kayak too.  That is something I would like to do in the not too far future.

We've got some nice areas around here that would be great for a beginner like me.  I'm thinking about Tomales Bay which is by Pt. Reyes.  Very calm and beautiful.  

There are classes around here.  Might be worth taking one to see if it's something I would really like.  

Oh, and the first rain is done.  Some nice weather and then another system coming in next week.  Everything sure got green fast!  

[Air4Life]

I bet that's a real pretty area up there...

The wood/fiberglass kayaks were more fun to build than anything, and there's no greater feeling than paddling your own home built craft.  The biggest problem is that they are easily banged up.  This occurs usually during portages and put ins and outs.  Add to that the on and off of the automobile and it gets to be more time than its worth.  i'd get a plastic one that I wouldn't worry about as much if I were to do it again.

I don't remember the exact title, but if you do get interested and I am able to locate it (its in storage) I have a kayak video recording of basics by Derek C Hutchinson I'd lend to you.  He demonstrates some basics, and of course he makes it look like he's in his living room lounging out as he performs them.  

Rain is good, it provides us with the opportunity to see the sunshine in others.  
  

[Melena]

We'll see about this.  I think you are right about getting a plastic one.  That's what I was thinking of anyway.  But I can still appreciate a nice hand built wood kayak.  

At this point it wouldn't even be until next year.  I just saw an article about kayaking in Tomales Bay.  This is the best time of year right now as the bay is calm and the weather is at its best.  And yes, it is beautiful here.  We've also got the Russian River that people take their Kayaks on all the time.  

There are beautiful places and waterways all over Northern California and places north that would be wonderful to take a kayak.

Now, just for more rain to keep the rivers and lakes full of water.  

[Barry]

I know nothing about canoes but I admire craftsmanship. Last time I was in Canada I visited what I believe was the National Canoe Museum. Can't  remember where it was but must have been somewhere between Toronto and Ottawa. I was in awe of the way those lightweight canoes were built. Truly things of beauty.

The best museum I've ever visited in my life was also in Canada. The Museum of Civilisation in Ottawa or maybe not Ottawa as it was just across the bridge into the French part.  I guess the Canadians know about it but very highly recommended for anyone else visiting those parts.

[suecanada]

Peterborough, Ontario is the location of the canoe museum and it is 3 hours from Ottawa and 2 hours from TO.
Hull, Province of Quebec (PQ) is where the Museum of Civilization is located and it is right across the Ottawa River from the City of Ottawa  side. All federally owned lands on both sides of the river make up the Canadian National Capital Region.

[Barry]

That's it Sue, Peterbourgh. It was an interesting holiday. We got to stay overnight in jail and you had to pay too !  

We were touring around staying in small hotels, guest houses, hostels and cabins. The old Ottawa jail house had been given a new lease of life as a youth hostel.  You could sleep in the cells complete with iron bars. We went posh though and chose one of the warders rooms.  Another hostel was at the Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston. We had a cabin  in a ship  called the Alexander Henry, I think an ice breaker. I like places with character, gives you something to remember.

[Graeme]

We're fortunate here in Australia on the East Coast in NSW, particularly Sydney. There's rivers & estuaries up & down. Sydney Harbour itself is good if you keep out of the way of the Motorised Craft.

Mine's called an "Estuary Plus." Which means that you can take it to sea if you're dopey enough.  The feet controlled rudder is a must.