Author: jvmullin

What does it take to kayak 2000 miles along the East Coast of America?

Other than having the right equipment, planning, charts, safety equipment, food, water, and camping gear, there is your mindset.

Currently I am doing this trip solo. That means that there will be allot of stroke time by myself. Unless I run into boaters or other kayakers to talk to the solitude will have to be dealt with.

I can deal with that as most of the time I am transverse Buzzards Bay I am solo.

I find that nature is always teaching you new things if your open to it. Plus the ocean will share many wonderful events. I have seen unique jellyfish, sea turtles, fish jumping, even saw some small autonomous underwater vehicles. 

I will have periods of being in front of crowds as I will need to be doing fundraisers for Mission 22.

I will be looking for those awesome shots to take pictures and will be doing videos.

From my years of underwater recovery and emergency management I have learned not to panic and never quit.  Risk/benefit analysis was a large part of what we did. It will be a major part of my decision making process on do I paddle or do I hunker down. 

I will be posting my thoughts and experiences when I stop to rest or camp.

In truth I will not be that lonely I guess. 

I know I will have you urging me to keep going. I will appreciate that. I have been trying to raise funds to upgrade my equipment which hasn’t gone as well as I thought it would so I have been upgrading my kayak to make it sea worthy for such a trip.

I had a long talk with my oldest son and a friend and they are very supportive now that they know that I am on track and doing everything right.

Please let me know what you think. 

I hope I heal fast. I have a severe strain in the arch of my right foot. Workman’s comp is taking care of it.

Glad it’s my foot not my arms.

One of my new customers donated $50 this morning. This is awesome! 

Now if I can ask each person reading this to donate just $5. and challenge their friends and family to match it or beat it. I could hit my goal soon enough the able to practice in a new and better kayak before I go  the trip.

I will be out all winter so the better gear will be safer and I can have some experience with it before I take off.

I have been at my computer sending out emails to every kayak shop from Maine to New Jersey. I have also sent emails to the headquarters of VFW and AMVETS. 

I still have to email the shops down the rest of the coast.

This is the link to the video I shot today.

shakedown video

 

These conditions are not for recreational kayaks or beginners.

Note in the 1 to 2 o’clock position (they are hard to see) there are 2 boats on their moorings. Count the numbers of times they disappear from the camera view. Now realize they can’t see you either.

Your major concern on the water is your safety. If you do not think they can see you then give them a wide berth, try to call them on the radio to tell them your location, or use your whistle or air horn to draw attention.

I will be crossing channels, shipping lanes, in both clear weather and fog(well lifted enough for me to see) and I will have to make my position known and about how long it will take me to cross. The rules of navigation state that commercial vessels and ferries have the right of way.

The proper radio call is security(pronounced secure eh tae) 3 times then identify yourself an what your intentions are. Wait to hear if the local coast guard or other authority tells you to wait. If you hear no objections proceed at haste and let them know when you have cleared the channel.

I had to fiberglass my bulkheads as caulking wasn’t working. Took yak out for sea trials 3-5 foot seas 10-15 gusts to 20. Glass held its own. Used 2 layers of cloth in critical area.

Spoke with owner of Bananas Military Surplus, they also carry kayaks and boating gear. He is going to talk with the Necky kayak rep tomorrow on my behalf. We will see what comes out of it.

I only have 6 months left. I have to throw things in high gear. Passport. More food contact kayak shops n clubs, see where I can fundraiser on way down the coast. Find sponsors.

Anyone want to help????

My computer has been down and in thew shop for a few weeks. I have upgraded from Vista to Windows 10. Discovered my L isn’t working so if I need an L I need to use the on screen keyboard.

I was on vacation 2 weeks ago and logged 188 nM in Buzzards Bay in conditions from flat to 4 foot seas with winds from 5 to 25 mph. I am averaging 37 nM in 6 hours. I had one day where I had to follow the coast closer and that day I did 40 nM in 8 hrs as conditions were bad.

Last Monday and Tuesday I made 2 trips 37 nM each in 6 hrs. The first half of trip was uneventful. The trip back was a workout. Winds built to 25 MPH on Monday with 4-5 foot seas. Tuesday was worse winds were 20-30 MPH with seas ranging from 3-4 foot sets with occasional 5-6 feet with white caps.

I have a downwind sail from WindPaddle which came in handy for portions of the trip.

Buzzards Bay makes an excellent training ground as the seas can change within minutes and it can come at you from all directions. You learn how to read the water and learn something new everyday. I will be well prepared for my trip next year.