In a message dated 1/31/00 9:34:32 PM, aburton1_at_maine.rr.com writes: << So here's the question for all you more experienced winter paddlers: how hard is this on the hull? Is it to be avoided? Is the bark worse than the bite? >> Ann, I had my first ice paddling experience earlier this winter. I thought, like you that it would be romantic to paddle in the ice. NOT -it sounds like it is tearing the hull apart, especially of a composite boat. The plastic boat didn't make that ugly sound. If it is just ice, it is no problem, just noisy. You really can't push against the ice hard enough to do any damage. It won't hurt the boat but I don't paddle in much ice for fear of both being trapped in an ice flow and of the consequences of going over in an effort to push my way out, VERY scary to feel unsteady in ice that your paddle just slides across. If you push hard and hit an open place it is like missing a step. Joan Spinner * * * Looking for a thaw on the Chesapeake Bay watershed dreaming about the red CD Breeze and yellow/white, CD Gulfstream in the back yard *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
A few comments on the two ice related threads. I went out in my Chinook in/on the ice on a local river (here in Ann Arbor MI) a few weeks ago. I found it important to find a lead that actually led to open water. The first few that looked promising only led to more solid ice with a thin layer of melt on top (this was obviously prior to the recent cold snap!). I got back on the road, above the river, and was able to pick out a more promising route. Going through the ice was not too difficult, until it got to be thicker than a couple of centimeters. A couple of times I had to back up and scoot forward, breaking the ice as I went. I made a couple of channels this way. In other places I scooted over the top for a few meters and splashed (or crashed!) in on the other side. The weight of me and the boat was more effective than 'ramming' the thicker ice. I should note there was little wind, no tide(!) and obviously little current in this part of the river. I would underscore that importance of keeping an exit strategy more in mind than usual. Generally a lurker, Will PS I second the advice about using your second or third best paddles! There was a lot of pulling and poking in addition to short paddle strokes. William C. Purves Educator at large (734)761-1084(hm) (734)665-5662 ext 23 (wk) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
William C. Purves wrote: > > A few comments on the two ice related threads. I went out in my Chinook > in/on the ice on a local river (here in Ann Arbor MI) a few weeks ago. I > found it important to find a lead that actually led to open water. Just an added caution in paddling in ice...make certain that there are no Coast Guard icebreakers around. Years ago I was on the Hudson just north of West Point in my double Klepper with my wife. We were working our way through leads in the ice and timing the slow flow of ice floes down and up the river (currents run two ways as the Hudson is really a tidal "drowned" river). Further out in the channel, an ice breaker suddenly appeared bent on opening up the shipping lane. Suddenly our leads started closing up as the ice pushed aside by the icebreaker came our way. I never thought of the Klepper double as a slalom boat but it became one in a hurry. I prefer my ice in a Cuba Libre. :-) ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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