(Note: I should have given this a new title, as above) Scott., Steve, et al. I assume that neither of you would be out on winter water dressed in street clothes with your PFD attached to the rear deck. I don't really think any of our readers will be the ones that find themselves in a disaster on the sea coast. But we will have more victims this year. They will be novice paddlers that haven't had a course, read a book, read sea kayaker, ANorAK, or Atlantic Coastal Kayaker. They won't belong to a club or associate with other paddlers that have any significant level of skill. Their attitude is "What's to know? It's just water!" They have never been in cold water in their street clothes, and they learn from the press that cold water is fun in those annual Polar Bear Swims. In short, these victims are TOTALLY OUT of the LOOP as far as sea kayaking. And now they have those idiotic pond boats (ABSOLUTELY STABLE) to explore the coast. But, they'll always stay close to shore! I am in general agreement with Scott's sentiments. As I implied in my other remarks (list), I often don't take most of the techno-stuff on most of my outings. I like navigation, and prefer to do it in the clasical way with a chart and compass on the deck. I carry a spare paddle and have needed it at times, same for the tow line. My own history on the water has a lot to dowith what I take with me. Ain't it all just cosmic, as an old friend used to say! Chuck Sutherland *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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