Re: [Paddlewise] Solo Tasman Crossing

> What kind of kayak is that he's using, and how does he sh*t while at
> sea? With an outrigger I could possibly think of ways and peeing isn't
> that complex, but sitting in a kayak for more than eight hours is really
> a pain in the posterior, even without needing to sh...

There is some bail scop, I guess. Either cut-off 2-liter milk jug, or a
foldable bucket. Foldable bucket works better. Didn't try it for serious
stuff, but to rinse it out in sea water after some human salts didn't seem to
me neither difficult, nor environmentally destructive in crossings with
outrigger and without it.  Sitting more than eight hours is a problem without
outrigger, indeed.  Because you can't sit on board (under the pretense of
hiking out, but more to change the body position), or stretch your legs - at
least, not always. I found that having a very good seat and backrest was
extrremely important, when siting long hours.  Again, this is easier with a
trimaran, as you can make the seat comfortable for siting (for ex., high
backrest) which doesn't always mean a good seat for paddling.

> How does he manage to go inside the kayak to pick up food or drink or
> clothes changes?. With an outrigger it seems possble to slide inside and
> look for things but without it?

He doesn't go there, I guess. I couldn't go inside my Kahuna or MK1 even with
an outrigger - at least further than a few feet inside.  Long expeditions
require a lot of luggage, so you just can't reach too deep inside, even in a
foldable kayaks, where there are no bulkheads.  Most of things that I needed
in solo multiday trips, I kept either in a deckbag, or on me.  You don't get a
hot lunch on a 8-12 hours solo crossing, be it with or without an outrigger.
Power bars, dry fruits, fresh water, vitamin pills, etc. - in a deck bag.
People at www.watertribe.com will advise in more details on this, with
calories count and so on. Also, - rain jacket or paddle jacket, some fleece
vest or jacket, (synthetic keeps you warm even whe wet), night-time beacon,
etc.  Some things could be in PFD pockets, side bags, backrest storage
(immediately behind the backrest - assuming there is no day-hatch), or in a
small sliding under-deck bag, in addition to deck-bag. Again, there is a photo
of underdeck bag at watertribe - in Magazine, article "Rigging Class 3 Boat".
Everything else is usually in drybags, and should not be opened until the tent
has been set up.
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