Author: jvmullin

I set out for another 37 nm trip.. conditions started and ended okay small chop less than 10 mph winds. However, Marion and Mattapoisett Harbors were not cooperative. 2-3 foot chop with sets of 4-5 foot mixed in. Water going in 2 sometimes 3 directions. Made for a Rollercoaster type of paddling.

You need to be good at reading the water to pick your best line of attack. Never head on unless you want to get soaked. 10-30 degrees works best but be ready for fast brace turns to stay stable.

Does this look like fun? Come join me.

Trip out and back takes 6 hrs paddling 1 to 2 resting at Neds Point Light.

Well after a couple of days I tried again. This time I monitored CH 16 so I could hear if they were searching for me again and I could tell them I was fine.

The conditions going over were pretty good not to rough so paddling was easy. I turned in Mattapoisett Harbor for the run to Ned’s Point Light and the wind was head on and the seas went to 2 feet. Good workout before lunch, 30 minutes on shore having lunch talked to a few people then back on the water.

My luck wind changed and picked up speed. Tide coming in so it was 2-4 foot seas 15 mph winds and fight tide. Damn I love Buzzards Bay never fails to give you a work out and test your skills.

I had my WindPaddle sail with me so I sailed back for awhile until the sail became a burden then I stowed it and went back to paddling.

I used the sail to get across Marion Harbor due to boat traffic and then part of the last leg back to my beach.

Haven’t decided if I will be using the sail on my trip as there are issues with using it it winds that are not steady. Then it wants to become a great sea anchor.

I will be back out tomorrow to try this trip again.

Final note I purchased a sos distress flag today to add to my safety equipment.

 

 

 

I was out paddling for distance Friday. When I was paddling by Bird Island in Marion the seas we’re rough 2-3 feet and multiple direction bit I found the best track and worked through it. Then on the other side of the island there was a condition where there were cups or bowls of water that collapsed on you from all side at once. Again nothing I couldn’t handle. Well someone saw me bouncing around and called the Coast Guard saying I was in distress. 

This prompted a search by Marion harbor masters and tow boat us. I was surprised on my paddle back to find out they had been looking for me for an hour.

Had a good discussion with the harbormaster and informed him I would be making that run frequently. I also told him that I would keep my radio on and monitor the chatter in case it happens again I can call and cancelled it.

I am making the run again the next 2 days. I think I will be adding a distress flag to my list of safety gear.

I will be putting out an invite to all kayak clubs along the Atlantic Coast and Nova Scotia for anyone who wants to kayak with me for how ever long they want to.

I will be looking for intelligence on currents tides etc. for their area. Also, since I am doing this trip on very limited funds I will be asking if I can camp in their yard.

Make no mistake I have committed to doing this trip and I will be paddling starting May 1st.

I have 2 sisters in Virginia Beach as well as friends so I will have a short layover there before continuing.

I will have 1 gopro with extra battery and 2 Nikon coolpix cameras and I will share pics and videos here and on Mission 22’s website.

I have not asked any companies for sponsorship or equipment but I may be forced to go that route as my gofundme is going slowly.

Thank You for following me if you are reading this.

I went out yesterday in 2-3 foot seas and 15-20 mph winds. A short time later the seas went to 3-4 and the wind  20-25 mph. decided to try the sail. First attempt went flying across the water had good control. Paddled back and tried again. The wind was gusty and the sail was difficult to launch and handle. It kept trying to be a sea anchor. When I got the sail to be a sail the ride was fantastic.

I met a couple who were enjoying the day on Long Beach Point. They had recreational kayaks.

While there a power boat ran aground on Long Beach Point that was under water and shallow. The boater buried is out drive past the top of the prop in the sand. Lucky he didn’t make it to the other side where the rocks are.

The kayaker and I went to help them get their boat back in deep water. It required the owner digging a hole around the out drive with his foot. Then 3 of us lifted the stern by the swim platform so that he could raise the outdrive. That done we turned the boat 180 degrees pointing the bow toward deep water. Once out enough he could lower the drive and motor home. It was fun trying to spin the boat since the winds increased again to 25 -30 mph and the seas went to to 4-5 feet.

All the kayaks left the beach heading home. I was last, as I exited the beach I took a couple of waves over the cummy and had to pump some of it out. As I was paddling out I notice the young lady being tossed around by the wind and the waves. I decided to change course and to check on her as her boyfriend was way ahead of her. She said she was okay but I could see she wasn’t. I took off for calmer water and then retrieved my towline from the back attach. I put on the towline and went back for her. She told me that it wasn’t necessary and I told her she didn’t have a choice. I then towed her to the beach.

She told me how grateful she was and admitted that she couldn’t have made it.  We said our goodbyes and will meet in a couple of weekends to kayak again, hopefully under much better conditions. I pumped out my kayak and paddled home.

Valuable lessons learned by all that day. I should have put on the towline before leaving the beach. It would have saved valuable time. They learned that their kayaks were beyond their limit for the conditions we were in.

We all made it home safely which is a good day.