Re: [Paddlewise] pedal power kayak

> I am out tomorrow. It is all over gray here and the temps dropped 
>  
> 
> last weekend few degrees below zero Centigrades. It means below 
>  
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> 40 F. Few inches of snow, it is wonderful to paddle when it is falling.
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Do you suppose, any of you, that someone could use a kayak with 
>  
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> sails here?

Without a doubt! I don't understand why you would ask the question,
doesn't anyone around there know how to sail? Tell me Ari if the
conditions described below sound as difficult as what you describe
above.  I expect your words are intended just to provoke those of us who
are not limited by our skills to one mode of propulsion, but I'll bite
anyway.;-)
I know a man who has kayaked the NW Passage the last two seasons in a
Klepper Aerius I with sail rig. Conditions were sometimes like you
describe or worse, only very windy. The Inuit call this year the one
that summer never came. During one 400 mile stretch Jon Waterman found
the conditions too rough and windy to paddle most of the time so he
sailed instead.  I quote from his trip report that I received this fall.

"When I returned in July, I was horrified to find winter skies and
stubborn seaice blocking the main Elu Inlet portage.  The wind blew
constantly out of the north—across vast plains of sea ice—effectively
refrigerating the arctic.
        I was lucky, no doubt, but for this demanding passage, I also
had two years of tricks up my sleeve.  I knew what I could get away
with.  Nor did it hurt that my equipment was state-of-the art.  Vital to
my success: a dry suit—which I wore all but one day this summer (and I
regretted that wet day immensely).  Also, a hikeout sailing seat atop
the klepper kayak, which allowed me to see over the waves and reduce the
heeling pressure on the sponsons by dynamic leaning.
Getting to Gjoa Haven was simply a battle. For two weeks I wondered if I
would be forced to turn back  because of the big seas.  I was pushed
(literally—with the sails—and figuratively) to my limits just staying
warm and making miles.For 400 miles from Elu Inlet to the village of
Gjoa Haven, I only paddled perhaps 70 miles because of this wind—I could
always count on sailing my kayak."
And later: "I rode a westerly gale into Taloyoak and since the waves
were covering and crashing over my kayak, several villagers watching me
surf into the harbor thought that I was riding a windsurfer!"

  Any in the US that are interested in trips like this can see some of
it on a couple of television specials. The first one is scheduled for: 
January 16, 5 pm to 6 pm, on NBC.  A two hour special will air in the
spring on Outdoor Life Network.  There will be a book published due out
January 2001 for those who enjoy reading about arctic kayak travel, by
paddle or sail.

Good sailing
Mark


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