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From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_telus.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Storm Island Trip Report - Part Two
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 00:24:37 -0700
Someone bugged me back channel for the rest of the report. So, here you
go if you really want it. Gotta run, life is caving in again in my busy
world - wish I was back on a beach in the sun...

------------------------------

Day 3 - Thur Aug 10th, 2000
Easily awoke at 5:00 am, 4.6 foot low tide had left very little water in
channel between the little island I was on (Malei) and Nigei Is. Wind
was low at 5 knots, with forecast for 10 to 15 knots with seas building
to 2 meters. However, Egg Is. lighthouse on the other side of Cape
Caution was reporting 22 knots. My water was getting low, but I decided
to poke out and get a better view, then I would make a decision about
the crossing. I dressed warm, layering under my drytop with the fleece
sweater. A 1 meter swell was running down Gordon Channel. It was cloudy,
with a forecast that included a chance of rain. Current was flooding
until 11:40 at 11.5 feet HW, leaving a 6.9 tide range. Conditions looked
easy for a crossing. Distances were relatively short, and once I had
left Storm, it would be impossible to miss the coast of BC. A slow flood
would keep me in Queen Charlotte Strait if there were a problem. I still
winced at the thought of being swept out into Queen charlotte Sound. It
was hard to loose that preponderance. Visibility was over 15 miles, with
little sign of fog, and high cloud kept me from overheating. The only
red flag other than being solo, was the anomaly at Egg Is., with the
higher wind gusts. I figured the revised forecast would raise expected
winds to over 20 knots, easily. I deduced that I should be over to the
other side in time if I moved quickly enough. One and a half red flags
was good enough. I also new no matter how bad it got, short of a storm,
I'd be within my thresholds, so most of effort was physiological.

At 6:35 I took a bearing on Pine Island, 4 miles away, and started
paddling flat out. I visualized landing on Storm, and it kept me
motivated. A mile out, the sea became very choppy on top of a growing
one and a half meter swell. There must have been some tide happening. As
the sun rose higher behind the clouds, winds picked up quickly to 15
knots - just enough to give a bit of an open water sensation. Two cruise
ships passed by in deep channel, a few minutes apart. It was not a place
to be if fog rolled in. With NW winds predicted, the infill winds didn't
require much of a backup plan. Just turn and run with it. Conditions in
mid channel got a little too interesting as seas developed a steady lump
with a peaking chop and bracing efforts were required each time I
crested and went over the "hill" of each passing swell. Wave period was
5 or 6 seconds, moving rapidly in my estimation for the swell size. So,
I once again deployed the deep draft rudder. I could then concentrate on
my goal. It was particularly choppy on the outside of Pine Is.,  with
reflected swell edging up against this bastion lighthouse island in the
sea. I passed the northeast tip of Pine at 7:50. The Storm Islands
continued to beckon me forward on a fine, beautiful day. They were only
3 miles away. I new I had it in the bag.

Europa Passage turned out to be not as rough. Sealed Reef near mid point
showed little sign of breakers. I turned west a bit more and determined
I would head for the outer Storm Is. first, and soon arrived at 9:00 am
-- having slowed my pace somewhat, to savor the approach. A subtle
feeling of euphoria sank in when I pulled up beside the scantily
tree-clad island - one imprinted into my brain forever from last April
of 1999, after spending four hours only a mile or so away from the
"carrot" dangling before me (us). I simply said "thank you God, I've
made it", and then thanked the ocean for allowing me to visit
successfully. It was not I, but the grace of the ocean. I put the rudder
up, and shot the reef break between the outer and second island,
shouting out like some crazed sea cowboy that I used to be, back in my
twenties. It really was a nice piece of real-estate, but there was no
apparent landing spots. I tried seal landing into a pool just below the
spray zone midway down the second island. I had done a lot of these
types of approaches before. One requires a smooth pull-up zone just
above the landing pool, and a pool deep enough and long enough so as not
to destroy aquatic invertebrate life, or it also helps to have a thick
protective and hardy coating of kelp. The waterfall of sea surge from
the pool contemplated was out on a bit of an angle, and fairly high up
above low trough point - perhaps 5 feet averaging. It was filling nicely
with surge water, but was at a most difficult angle for entry. I had to
partially broach to seaward, then slowly nose the bow up into the cavity
where the water drained out. My new keel strip on the bow griped nicely,
and I was slowly making progress with each surge, but eventually would
slip back. The water was highly aerated and swirling mercilessly due to
the direction of the swell. The next wave was far too powerful, and
washed me right into the sharp encrusted wall of the high inter tidal
zone, where I edged the hull land ward just in time, before it smashed
against the island fortress. The receding wave left me dangling
precariously at 50 degrees to the horizon. With the next wave surge I
backed out. I had stupidly popped my spray skirt at the last second,
expecting only a moment in the pool to alight. I had filled with water
during the half roll to seaward, and so carefully paddled down to the
third island in the chain. Multiple red flags had been flying, and I
hadn't even put on my helmet. I could have shredded my scalp, or even
just my drytop and some subcutaneous arm tissue. It had been a close
call. I then found a more normalized seal landing spot on some rocks
between the third and fourth islands, that had been split apart by a
giant fissure -- where rocks had fallen into the surge channel that
continued through to the west side. This narrow chasm must have split
during some giant geological event, along with the divisions between
each island in the chain. I pulled the hull above the surge -- the
cockpit full of water. This had been no "hulliday" for the bottom side
of my kayak. I remained amazingly calm and self-assured.

I ate a satisfying lunch of mini Bagel's and block cheese, dried fruit
and power bars. During the effort on the slippery rocks to re-fill my
deck bladder, I knocked over both water containers. I was now officially
out of water. I had maybe 10 ounces left in the bladder. Did I ever fell
stupid and suddenly un-assured. It was time to vacate, as the wind had
come up stronger. I knew it would go over Environment Canada's 15 knot
maximum. Sure enough, the new forecast was for 20 knots. Slingsby
channel was picking up on the ebb against the wind, so there was no time
to explore the fourth island, where the Coasties had told us last year
that there was some conditional landing spots. I left the Storm Islands
behind at 10:30 am, and headed for Burnett Bay 6 miles away, where the
chart indicated a good water supply. The swell had picked up to 2
meters, with a 6 second period. Wind speed was up over 20 knots, and
some of the swells ran higher than predicted values. While I hate my
Nordkapp on a dead flat calm sea, as it has poor "glide", out in open
water, I feel a unique freedom with the sea kindly ride. However, some
of the waves really peaked, and the Nordkapp would ride over the crest,
and then change course to lie pointing face into the oncoming wind and
waves. Even with corrective strokes and the deep draft rudder, it took
some effort to keep from an erratic zig-zag course. I felt a lot of
respect surge through me for people who paddle boats in similar
conditions that don't have a rudder. I could also see why folding kayaks
would have a nice ride in the same conditions, not being so prone to
spin on the peak when paddling into such conditions at an angle. As
nervous as I was, it was still all a walk in the park for me. EC
reported winds to 25 knots once I got to shore to check. I wished they
would get it right one day.

The last mile was hard work, given a bad back and sore shoulders. The
back cockpit of the Nordkapp in just too high. I lean back, I spasm.
Rounding Bremner Pt. became much more difficult than anticipated. It was
very turbulent upon the approach, with a bit of a weather tide. I
finally pulled around Bremner Pt., but had to fight my way around it.
Reflected swell bounced chaotically everywhere, and I had come in way
too close. With the sea and kayak dancing wildly, it would be considered
more like bracing than paddling in terms of what transpired, due to the
point of land being somewhat blunt. I landed in small surf, in behind
the hook of the point at 12:15 pm. It was sunny and extremely breezy. I
ran around in the warm sand in circles like some 5-year old on the first
day of holidays. I peeled down to nothing, and went for a refreshing
swim. I soon found water way up-river, treated it with a purifier agent,
after having noticed a brown color and little birds using the stream as
a toilet. The tent was difficult to erect in the wind upon the shore of
uniquely dark brown sand. I slept the entire afternoon, on and off,
watching a gray whale play all afternoon in the bay, the sun glistening
off its tail fluke. The pounding of the surf was muted as I drifted in
and out of day-dreams. It became "white noise", reverberating an eternal
rhythm through the complex interplay of mind, sight, hearing, and living
and loving life in those precious moments where I am absorbed by nature;
where time stands still and egocentrism dissolves. Reality called me
back, dinner was quick and painless, food was hung, garbage burnt to
ashes in the low tide zone in a hole, where I also took care of some
other business and listened to the VHF radio (some guys talked about
chasing an Orca for viewing off Cape Caution). Bed  time came at 21:00.

Day 4 - Fri Aug 11, 2000
Late getting up, so was a long haul to low water mark. Used river stream
in sand to lessen friction. Sun coming up clear. Forecast was for clouds
developing, swell to only 1 meter, wind to 15 knots. Would have been a
better day for a crossing if it panned out true. Was across now, anyway.
Left at 9:00 am with the flood. Got to Buccleugh Pt at entrance to
Slingsby Channel, but my arm pits were raw with pain from drytop, so
decided not to go for Tremble Is. and the famous rapids rushing by it --
some of the fastest in the world. Disappointed, but with two red flags
up, I crossed the channel opening, and left another unfinished adventure
behind. Skin continued to really burn. As the wind never got over 10
knots, I deployed the front stabilization outrigger, and removed the
drytop. "Ahhhhh!" That was much better. I thought about retrying a trip
up Slingsby, but back was getting too sore - another red flag. Wind did
pick up near Bramham Pt., so put the rudder down. Said hello to divers
doing research off the Emily Islands. Got over to Southgate Group -
lovely islands. A big yacht was positioned to allow some old guys to do
some fishing. The captain said I had a good flood tide for two more
hours. I figured one more, but did not argue. I pulled around Westcott
Pt. and into an incredible beach inside Shelter Bay. The sand was very
fine and white - a true tropical like lagoon. The camp sites in the
forest had elaborate pulleys for food hanging. This had to be a tenured
site for one of the kayak tour companies. Tin foil lay about, as did
rusted out cans and partially burnt fires. I cleaned up. The debris left
me a bit nervous about bears. In order to overcome my bear fears, which
I have had for 25 years, I decided to go for a walk through the dark
forest after dinner. Kind of weird, but I love to confront my fears and
overcome them. Had a lazy afternoon doing nothing. Slept, listened to
wind whistle through the trees. worked on this journal on my mini PC.
Called Yvonne on cell phone, said hi to the children. Technology! Called
Pat Kirvin on the cell phone too, re current position. An aluminum boat
pulled up at dinner time, turned out to be Pat's rebellious son - what a
small world. He is employed by the fish farm in the bay. It was another
early night to bed. Didn't worry about bears and the nighttime boogie
man at all. First time in my life. Forecast was good for the next day:
winds 15 to 20 knots. Another walk in the kiddies park.

Day 5 - Sat Aug 12th, 2000
Left beach at 7:00 am  with the flood tide. One foot chop on crossing,
low swell, some tide jostling on surface apparent. BC mainland
disappeared behind me in a blanket of fog. Reached Deserter Group at
8:30, and exited them using the fast flowing inter-island tides by 9:00.
Crossed over to the Gordon Group by 9:45, and hit Duval Pt. by 10:30.
Only thing significant was the heavy fish boat traffic off the Gordon
Group (I counted 25 boats) and the funny incident exiting the Gordon
Group: Two men in small power boats slowed down to an agonizing pace, so
as not to create any wake for me. If those fellows only new what my
Norkapp has taken me through over the years. Pulled into Port Hardy
(under my own steam for a change) at 11:20 am. 16 or so easy miles
complete. Trip done. Storm Islands laid to rest

I paddled over to the Coast Guard dock, and got a picture of the new
$2,000,000 cutter. Finally we have something as descent as the Americans
do. I recognized one of the crew members as the Zodiac driver from the
Storm rescue. He had complained about the pounding his back takes coming
out into heavy sea rescues in the chase Zodiac. He was jubilant about
the new ship. He didn't remember me at first, stating that there have
been so many rescues up there, that he can't keep track. He then
remembered, and said, "Oh yeah, you are the guy who was doing okay off
Storm, I remember you now. You were very well prepared. You write or
something, right?" Then he pointed behind the wharf, and said "Now this
fellow, he's really famous". I paddled over, and it was none other than
Timo Noko, kayak vagabond and world paddler of repute in his self-made
folding kayak with articulating outrigger. We had a pleasant exchange
and reciprocated taking photos. He was very proud of his kayak and
accomplishments. His hatches were similar to how one closes a roll-top
dry bag with fastex buckles. Simple and secure, and sewn/glued right
into the deck, chimney like. He repeated five times how famous he was. I
said how infamous I was. Funny though, with all his maps and world
travels, he seemed so lost. He has no family, and lives off Nokia cell
phone shares. He'd just come down from Prince Rupert, having done the
trip a few times already. He spoke of contempt for the  South America
authorities, and rattled on about kayaking was all he had in life. He
had no idea where he was going from that point, or what he wanted to do.
he refused my offer of lunch and a beer. He was as skinny as a stick.

I unloaded, got the car (which I had forgotten to lock), and headed to
IR land for another bare-bum dip in the sea. I spent the day with
Odyssey Kayaking, helping to pick up kayaks and deliver them, ferrying
customers and explaining to Pat about kayak fleet maintenance using
polyurethane paint. We got along famously, and he may hire me in 2002 to
help guide British students coming out to partake in their Duke of
(something) awards. I also stopped in at the competitors, North Island
Kayak Rental and Tours. For the first time, they were hospitable to me.
I left Port hardy reluctantly, late in the evening under a full moon and
a satisfying week out.

---------------

PW Postscript
On the drive home, I thought long and hard about sea kayaking and
safety. I really don't know what is safe and acceptable anymore. I've
been at it for a while now, and could care less what people think of me
- ultimately, I do what I want in the end, for that is part of the
attraction of sea kayaking. My crossings were not difficult, for me.
Short, but admittedly in an area prone to sudden changes and given great
respect by the locals at all times of the year. Crossings like these in
a 35 knot SE gale were within my comfort zone as I found out in 1999
(tide situation aside, and when in proper physical condition). I did
make an attempt this trip to "keep it real", and to keep well within
thresholds, and work with the elements, especially tidal consideration.
Perhaps that encapsulates what is "safe". I definitely felt much safer
on my own. Nothing was left to chance. No stone was left unturned in
planning each move, if it was one I was going to commit to and stick to.
And by playing the red flag game, one is forced to think things through.
If we had done that on our April crossing, we surely would have come up
with 20 red flags, easily. As far as battling head winds on my summer
trip above, that is sometimes unavoidable. It depends how much effort
you want to put into it. And I did listen to that still, small voice
from within. Usually, we can give ourselves the best advice, if we truly
listen.

Timo Noko's web site is:

< http://www.kolumbus.fi/timo.noko/>

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd (whose away for the next week or two and is sorry for long
post)

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From: Dan Hagen <dan_at_hagen.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Storm Island Trip Report - Part Two
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 01:11:49 -0700
Doug Lloyd wrote:
> 
> ... Then he pointed behind the wharf, and said "Now this
> fellow, he's really famous". I paddled over, and it was none other than
> Timo Noko, kayak vagabond and world paddler of repute in his self-made
> folding kayak with articulating outrigger. ...

Timo really gets around. I saw him a few weeks ago fishing in the swell
off of Superstition Point (Hunter Island, Central Coast of B.C.). He
must have been heading south. He's easy to identify with his unusual
outrigger. 

Dan Hagen
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From: Brian H. <bheifner_at_Rational.Com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Storm Island Trip Report - Part Two
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 07:08:27 -0700
Doug,
My first "real" kayaking trip was out of Port Hardy, and all I can say
is that I am
impressed that you feel comfortable going out there by yourself. Our
first day
was hairy by our standards - wife thought we were going to die, and we
were in
doubles! :-)

Have you stopped at Gods Pocket? After 4 or 5 days of being "out", it is
a great
stop for pie! We stopped and toured the light house you mentioned. Nice
folks,
even though they seemed really surprised that they had visitors. You
were right to
be thinking about bears, there are many amongst the islands.  Three
weeks before
our trip, the guides were doing a training/exploratory trip up there,
and spotted a
cougar eyeing them. That was 2 to 4 miles (I don't remember now) out of
Port Hardy
on Vancouver Island.

Geez, now I want to go back. Thank you so much for posting your trip
report!!!

Brian H.

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From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_telus.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Storm Island Trip Report - Part Two
Date: Mon, 04 Sep 2000 22:52:53 -0700
"Brian H." wrote:

> Doug,
> My first "real" kayaking trip was out of Port Hardy, and all I can say
> is that I am
> impressed that you feel comfortable going out there by yourself. Our
> first day
> was hairy by our standards - wife thought we were going to die, and we
> were in
> doubles! :-)

Hi Brian (et al),

Just got back from family vacation, so catching up on backlogged e-mail,
etc. Don't be impressed by solo trip reports. Going solo is inherently
dangerous, especially in areas typified by open water, remote wilderness,
and tidal considerations. My point in going solo was that I had the ability
to control every aspect and phase of the trip, which for me, made for a
safer paddle - but, in a more dangerous context. This may seem oxymoronic,
I'm sure; but believe me, the nervousness I felt out there with being alone
and all, promoted a much more cautious approach to everything I did - kind
of like a solo hiker in the backcountry who places every foot step with
careful consideration, much more so than if he or she was with a group. Yet,
that same hiker, if an accident did take place, would indeed be in a sticky
predicament. I also kept well under my thresholds for what I can ultimately
handle. See the latest issue of SK magazine for an excellent treatment of
the solo crossing question in both the editorial and incident report.

>
> Have you stopped at Gods Pocket? After 4 or 5 days of being "out", it is
> a great
> stop for pie! We stopped and toured the light house you mentioned. Nice
> folks,
> even though they seemed really surprised that they had visitors.

I'm saving God's Pocket for later in life when I do some milder touring with
my wife, who is slowly starting to look forward to some outdoor water travel
when our kids are older (well, she was - more on that in a minute). I did
keep God's Pocket in mind as an emergency point for outside contact, as they
have a marine telephone based there. I did not stop at the lighthouse as one
needs to make a decision on a trip as to whether one is going to tour stops
of interest, go on a picture taking "safari", cover lots of miles as a goal,
or in my case, finishing a "mission". One cannot do all things on a trip,
and do them all well, so one must choose their priorities.

> You
> were right to
> be thinking about bears, there are many amongst the islands.  Three
> weeks before
> our trip, the guides were doing a training/exploratory trip up there,
> and spotted a
> cougar eyeing them. That was 2 to 4 miles (I don't remember now) out of
> Port Hardy
> on Vancouver Island.

It was funny for me (this whole bear thing). I was so proud of myself at
Shelter Bay, prancing around in the bush, back in the deep forest,
pretending I had overcome my fears of grizzlies. When I got back to Port
Hardy, the father of the fish farm worker I had spoken to the night before
in the bay, asked me if his son had told me "the" bear story. I said no. The
father then said that his son was probably sparing me the trauma of a
sleepless night. Apparently, the fish farm worker was out in his skiff,
pulling up a crab trap in the evening on his free time, when he smelt
something awful from a small islet in Shelter Bay. Suddenly, he saw a huge
head coming toward the skiff, then swimming by toward the islet. Instantly,
a huge bear jumped out on the shore, and bounded up the 10 meter high rock
in two phenomenal bounds. The young man was impressed by the agility and
quickness of the bear, who even with its hair matted flat by the water, was
still huge and thick bodied. It torn into a dead dear carcass in a
frightening frenzy of carnage and rage. Carrion - a bear's most desired
object. The young man motored away instinctively, glad he wasn't camped out
on the beach. Man, I'm glad that fellow didn't relate that story to me that
particular evening!

>
>
> Geez, now I want to go back. Thank you so much for posting your trip
> report!!!

Thanks for the thanks. It wasn't a very good post, nor a particularly good
trip report, but it is what went down as recorded in my log book directly,
and was a "Doug trip" through and through, though I did paddle as safe as I
could allow myself too - seal landings and reef surfing notwithstanding :-)

BTW, I  agree, the Port Hardy and the surrounding area is a gateway to
wonderful, glorious adventure and wilderness beauty. It is rated among the
six best paddling destinations in the world. I went back up there last week
with my wife a two young daughters. We spent two days on Malcolm Island,
near Port McNiell. You take the ferry over to Sonitula, then drive over to
the free tenting sites on the east side facing Queen Charlotte Strait. As we
pulled in, 6 orca whales meandered by. The next day, 3 orcas came within a
stones throw at Bere Point, one of the few easily accessible "rubbing
beaches" (Robson Bite, the other one, is difficult to legally enter).

We also went over to the west coast on Vancouver Island, near Cape Scott,
saw tons of bears, swam in a warm bay with the kids as eagles soared
overhead. I had finally got my wife hooked on the North Island. We also
found one of the area's best kept secrets, and apparently, one of the west
coast's few (possibly only) spots where one can pull a car right up next to
the fullness of the wild coast, without having to backpack in. It is just
north of Raft Cove (noth of Winter harbor), and a bit south of San Joseph
Bay (Cape Scott). The locals call it "Five Minute Beach". It is 15 miles
from Holberg, on the Coast Main logging road. It has raised tent sites, a
river, and an outhouse. It is pure paradise, and provides easy adult low
tide hiking to Raft Cove or Cape Palmerson. The potential for sea kayakers
is awesome (as is Malcolm Island, where we saw and camped with a number of
kayak day-trippers).

This may be off topic, but I goofed big time on our little family holiday.
We tried hiking to Raft Cove from the camp site, but my 5-and 7-year old
girls were getting too small for the rigorous inter tidal ordeal. I went on
alone to the last headland, and fell off a log spanning a chasm. I landed on
my chest, arresting a more serious fall. Unfortunately, I had torn the
cartilage in my rib cage a week earlier while giving 110% at a teen co-ed
camp where I had staged a fight with another counselor as part of the
medieval theme. I landed on it again during the log fall, which is the worst
thing to do (retraumatize a cartilage tear). Heavily sedated on codeine in
my tent, I still slept on and off in agony back at the beach. Violent
hiccups (that lasted two days) from a bruised diaphragm (possibly), made me
feel like I wanted to die - as each one pierced the mending tear during the
late night "carry-over pain" period. We prepared to leave the next morning,
as I needed a real bed the next night, with multiple soft pillow support. In
my drug induced state, I left the radio on while loading the car early in
the morning and drained the battery. I had to leave my wife and kids on the
wild west coast with a big bear visibly stomping around on the hillside, and
hike the 15 miles to Holberg, on a remote logging road know for cougar
activity. I had also ruptured a groin tendon at the camp (the camp director
said he had never seen a counselor go 110% non-stop - which is kind of the
way I kayak too), so hiking out was not easy. I took bear spray, and left a
spare with my wife. I prayed real hard about the time I started to give out
and wince with pain, and part way there, a car headed to Raft Cove drove up
and gave me a lift back and a jump start. The area is not well traveled, and
I was lucky. The point of me telling you all this, of course, is to suggest
that I'd take solo kayaking to the Storm Islands any day compared to my
present predicament of having a wife who currently wants to kill me! She
says I'm the only husband she knows of who can turn a simple family holiday
into such an adventure.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd (aka "Kid Codeine" of the wild, wild west)


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From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Deck closures was Re: Storm Island Trip Report - Part Two
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 12:41:13 -0700
This is a wonderful report as usual from Doug. But I want to sound a
technical note to something he observed.

Doug Lloyd wrote:
> something, right?" Then he pointed behind the wharf, and said "Now this
> fellow, he's really famous". I paddled over, and it was none other than
> Timo Noko, kayak vagabond and world paddler of repute in his self-made
> folding kayak with articulating outrigger. We had a pleasant exchange
> and reciprocated taking photos. He was very proud of his kayak and
> accomplishments. His hatches were similar to how one closes a roll-top
> dry bag with fastex buckles. Simple and secure, and sewn/glued right
> into the deck, chimney like.

That form of closure is pretty much how Feathercraft hatches have closed
for a decade.  Only Feathercraft does the closure one step better. 
Beside the roll top dry bag closure, Feathercraft has a fiberglass rim
that fits over it that then is covered with a fabric lid whose
circumference tightens with bungee cord sliders.  The arrangement is
remarkably implosion free even with massive waves breaking over the
closure.

Another form of closure appears in the new Pouch single.  Its back deck
opens wide so that you can insert the full frame into the skin (instead
of the traditional way of inserting frame halves and then extending the
frame inside the skin).  But instead of using velcro flaps and zippers
the way other models that are now using this approach (various
Nautiraids and the new Klepper Alulite) to close the rear deck, Pouch
seems to be borrowing a page from Voyageur dry bags.  The closure
consists of two beaded edges across which you slide a slotted round bar
to seal the edges together.

ralph diaz
-- 
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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."
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