RE: [Paddlewise] Group Crossing Procedures

After reading some of the responses and questions to this point, it appears
to me that not everybody is using the same definition of crossing.

There is a crossing of a navigational shipping channel which is usually done
at 90 degrees to it and everybody paddling quickly across it so as not to
become a speed bump for a 20 knot container ship.

Then there is the crossing that I know Duane is talking about (we paddle a
lot of the same waters). The crossings Duane is referring to is the crossing
from the California mainland to the different Channel Islands. The closest
island is 11.5 NM from shore and the furthest is about 37 NM from the
mainland. 

I believe that Duane has crossed from the mainland to each of these islands
and has circumnavigated all as well.

There is no need to stay in a formation except for when the group is
crossing a shipping lane. Marking your position on a chart by ded reckoning
is an impossibility. After you are about 2 miles off shore, you won't see
enough detail for ranges behind you and you probably can't even see your
destination.

Having good compass skills and a good feel for how the wind and currents are
affecting the boat are both necessary skills that Duane has developed.

The rest of us mortals, usually turn a gps on and refer to it occasionally
while still using the compass predominantly. Some are more electronically
dependent than others.

Duane's ded reckoning skills were demonstrated when he completed a 100 NM
non-stop coastal paddle last year. For most of that paddle, he was able to
identify land features (at least during the daylight hours of the trip).

Hopefully Duane will not be upset that I did his bragging for him. He
usually doesn't brag about himself - but he's one of the best paddlers I
have ever met and I always learn something new from him whenever we paddle
together.

Steve Holtzman
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