Author: jvmullin

Smart Track Rudder Control is sending me repair parts! Thank you Smart Track!!

Trying to get more sponsors and hopefully a new kayak from Current Designs.

I had a few “expert” kayakers suggest I call it quits after 920 NM. I have had a few set backs and some equipment issues. But I don’t know what the word quit means. I have analyzed each and every situation and have learned from each.

My son put a posting on Facebook asking everyone to comment with support for me.

Here is his post.

My Dad has been getting some flak from other “expert” kayakers recently. I don’t think he started this adventure thinking it was going to be a simple quick trip. That said I’m sure he never anticipated the issues he’s had as far as equipment falling apart. Nonetheless the negativity is starting to wear on him. What he’s doing is a huge risk that he’s honored to take for fellow vets. I couldn’t be more proud of him even if I worry constantly. He has no one following him in a chase boat or car. He’s carrying all his supplies with him. He doesn’t have huge corporations sponsoring him, or helping at all. If you have been following my Dad at all and could take a second to send him a message of support it would be greatly appreciated.

So please comment.

I am waiting for all my orders to come in. I will once again reduce the weight if I continue with my current kayak.

I am trying to get Current Designs to sponsor me with a Soltice Titan GT. I feel this is a better kayak for this type of trip in the conditions I am kayaking in.

2 setbacks today. Austin Kayak says I would have to buy complete repair kit for just the pin and are not sure it is in the kit. Second my letter that I sent to Current Designs failed so I had to resend it again.

I will have to fabricate a pin  or come up with a good solution.

 

Austin Canoe and Kayak is working with me on the rudder pin.

I have been doing a great deal of analysis about the trip so far. I have paddled 920 NM so I Don’t think my skills are in question here. 

The journey has been rough on equipment as any journey of this magnitude would.

My health is good. My spirit was a little down because a few nay sayers who Don’t know me well said I should quit. Well that word is not in my vocabulary.  I talked with two of my children today who have boosted my spirits.

What I have discovered or at least I think is the issue is the kayak. It has a high transition strip. I am not a load capacity yet this strip is underwater. I am thinking this has an effect on the kayaks stability under certain turbulent water conditions.

I will email Necky tomorrow with my thoughts to get there input. 

I am Going to try to get a different kayak. One that is slightly longer and wider with a higher weight capacity. I will not increase my current load if I do. It will give a better safety margin let the yak float higher and provide better stability.

I would really appreciate your input on this so please comment.

Thank you.

Joseph

Heard from Biolite Energy, they are sending me a new burn pot for my camp stove.

Still waiting to hear from Austin Canoe and Kayak about my rudder pin. 

Will be figuring out what to ship where to lighten the load.

Had to get new phone as it is a necessary part of my equipment. Will catch up on stuff tomorrow.

Launched from the public boat ramp at the end of West Beach Road. Made it to Watch Hill light. There is a nasty rip there. I almost made it through before capsizing. I have to stop doing that. I spent some time n the water got the kayak to stay up right using the paddle float. But with so much water and weight in the boat when I went to pump more water came in the cockpit than i was pumping out. Called mayday. was talking with coast guard trying to give my position. I hailed a boat going out and he came over. I had him radio the coast guard our position. Another boat came along and helped me pump out. I climbed into his boat and then back in the yak. I had him take me closer to shore as my rudder is broken. I tried to paddle got 3 strokes and went over. I righted the yak and held on to his boat and had him pull me as close to shore as he dared. short swim I could touch bottom.

The real fun began when I had to portage down the beach and up a hill and down the other side. I did find a number of young people willing to help me.

A number of people told me the yacht club would be willing to help me if I told them what I was doing. I went there and that is where I met Danny. Danny was very helpful we found a pedestal with a 110AC outlet unfortunately it was wired up yet. Danny brought me a couple of large pieces of some delicious chicken.

I went back to where I left my kayak and used my laptop to try and charge my phone, I found an unsecured WiFi and was able to contact my girlfriend and make arrangements for a hotel. I wrote down the directions. While I was sitting there I met Kim from the yacht club. She was interested in what I was doing and wanted to know more about the cause and why I was doing it.

Walked to the hotel rang the bell no answer. I waited for awhile and kept trying the bell. I walked down the street to another and the young woman there was very helpful as her place was booked. She called  the hotel I was supposed to be at and got a hold of the person and then helped me portage my kayak back there. Before we left her hotel she took a picture of me and the yak.  We talked about 

Mission22 while we walked.

Finally got a room and crashed from exhaustion.

The Quonny beach/boat ramp group.

Decided after reading the marine report I would wait one more day. Heard it was rough along the shore again today. Gave kayak a fresh water rinse in the pond.

Found a launch site close to campground.

I went down the right side of channel since I would need to turn right at end of breakwater. Boat traffic was a little heavy but spaced apart enough for me not to have too much trouble. That is until the jerk in his big private hatch came flying up my right side throwing a 7 foot wake. I was pointed in the wrong direction. Trying to turn to a safe direction I took the first one okay. I then turned to take the rest.

I made it to east beach In Charles town, RI.

I had taken on allot of water and was looking for a calm spot to land. It was choppy 1-2 feet. I couldn’t wait the water was to the top of the seat. 

The landing was great I hit the beach straight on. As I pulled the rudder up I got hit with a second wave which turned me and because I had so much water it turned me broadside  to the wave. Took two that turned that moved me sideways, but as the water receeded the kayak rolled on the side. I took two waves like that before Brian Hume and his family came to the rescue. Thank you guys!!

I would like to thank all the people on the private East Beach for the hospitality and help especially Ashley and her mom. What a couple of great women carrying my gear to my girlfriends car.

Brian came back and we packed the kayak in his SUV what a trip that was

He followed us to Burlingame campground where we off loaded the kayak took a couple of buddy pics. 

Brian is a professional fly fisherman in Colorado. If you fly fish out there look him up.

well with seas still rough I am going into Point Judith, RI to raise awareness. I have my cards, stickers and a couple of bracelets. The blessing of the fleet is still going on so there will be plenty of people.

I thought it was supposed to be a good day to paddle. Mother nature thought different. Got to launch ramp to 2 foot waves on the ramp. Seas choppy. Trying to get into state campground but with blessing of the fleet it is iffy but working on a 1 night possibility. Tomorrow looks better.