Re: [Paddlewise] Elkhorn trip report

Re. Jerry's Elkhorn report, not much to add. I christened my new Werner
San Juan Graphite and really liked it. It's a little more than half the
weight of my first paddle and more area in the blade. I felt I got more
drive from it with with slower paddle travel and it was possible to make
good progress paddling at a very relaxed rate. At maximum effort I was
making quite a bow wave with my short wide Cobra Explorer. 

Both Jerry and I need to do some exploring of the side paths with our
GPS's to pin down the locations of the ones that connect back with main
slough. The side ways are almost all completely dry at low tide and it's
not wise to explore on anything except a rising tide. They get real
narrow and a long boat can't turn around at all. Both Sam and Jerry ended
up with mud on their bows and sterns from going into the mazes.

During the worst of the wind, it was instant stop and go backwards when
you stopped paddling. I wouldn't care to paddle into anything stronger,
ever. Occasionally you would feel the wind catch under the up paddle
blade with really noticeable force. (I was doing a 60 deg. feather.) If
it had been my first time I'd have been _damn_ nervous. If I was in the
bay and it was an offshore wind, I'd be scared.

In the powerful afternoon wind it would have been really nice to be able
to go down the channel on the N. side of the slough which spans from the
seal pullout, almost to the highway bridge. it has moderately high banks
and would have made much easier going protected from the wind. Because of
the seals all over the place at the top end of it, I've never gone in
there. I don't like to disturb them and one would have to pass within
about 15 feet of where most of them lie on the bank to get into the top
end of the canal like channel. 

I'll probably being doing the slough on the last day of this month,
Wednesday, 5/41 putting in at MBK at 9AM or so if anyone wants to join
me. There's a 6 foot tidal change current to help going in and a 3 foot
one coming out in the after noon. 
-- 
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   Dave Flory, San Jose, CA.             daflory_at_pacbell.net     
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  Speak softly and study Aikido, then you won't need a big stick.  ©2000
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