Lyø - June 2014

Seneca, Katrina, Gravesen and I started from Dyreborg around 14 o'clock. We were promised flat, calm and warm weather for these days. It became the truth.!

We agreed to go past the eastern side of Bjørnø, before crossing over to the causeway separating Avernakø in two, where we had a short portage, to get afloat again.

Then we followed the coast up north, to Avarnakø harbour, we were in dire need of some icecream.!

 From here we aimed straight towards Lyø, where Irene and Tobias already had arrived - on bicycles. We arrived around 19 o'clock. Time for a bath and dinner (Expedition Foods as usual). After the camp were set, it was time for cake, whisky, sweets - and whatever people could pull off their kayaks and bicycles.

We went for a walk on the island in the evening, down to the harbour. Beautiful weather, sky, clouds and light.

Lyø harbour by night.

Breakfast the following morning.

 

Irene and Tobias, my wife and son, are leaving - as are we.

Next day we paddled clockwise around Lyø, towards Knolden and then Dyreborg. On our way we made a stop at Klokkestenen.

 We had our lunch - and some sunbathing - at Knolden.

Well back in Dyreborg, we trained rolling with a loaded kayak, with no jacket on nor buoyancy: max chill, least support, heaviest kayak. It all went quite well.

Circumnavigation of Tåsinge - May 2014

Once again a fantastic tour in the archipelago south of Funen. Seneca, Katrina and I started Saturday from Lunkebugten, on Tåsinge. Conditions were flat, warm and sunny - easy paddle, long breaks.

 We chose to circumnavigate the island clock-wise. We did also round Siø and Strynø. Both with breaks, Strynø also with ice cream, cake and swimming.

After 28 km the set camp at a friends place on Tåsinge. Coffee, more cake, whisky.

At dinnertime, it was once again obvious that Expedition Foods provide us with the best taste and flavour, in de-hydrated foods.



Had a bit of rain Sunday morning, so until the tents were dry, we went for a walk.

 
It was almost noon, until we were afloat again. Through the sound off Svendborg, back to Lunkebugten. The weather had turned nice, warm and dry again - long breaks, ice cream, snooze and swimming. On one occasion a melted chocolate bar was consumed as well - hardly any chocolate left in the face afterwards....

We arrived to Lunkebugten after 24 km, but someone had stolen the water, so we had to haul/carry the boats the last 100 metre or so. This could off course not spoil the impact from the trip.

Shallow water is no excuse for not doing a bit of washing. :-)

Jeff Allen t(hr)owbag - alterations # 3

This is # 3, as you might know there sits a # 1 and a # 2 here as well.

As it turned out, the split D-ring in the belt, was not quite strong enough. Especially in surf, the bag was always dangling somewhere behind me. Therefore I (reluctantly) installed the quick release buckle instead.

Only time will tell how happy I will be with this solution.

In between swims

When you finally got it nailed, I believe the C2C roll is by far the easiest roll to perform.

Jeff Allen t(hr)owbag - alterations # 2

This is # 2, as you might know there sits a # 1 here as well.

As I do consider my towing-system as being the most important safety equipment, only (hopefully) surpassed by common sense, seamanship and skills, it is very important to me that my system works as efficient as possible - in my hands.

That I have seen, and experienced (in surf, moving water, rock-gardens, gulleys, etc, etc...), the importance of a fast and simple system, I do my best to pinpoint the flaws, and fix them. This is the reason why my system looks like this - other people might have other preferences, and therefore their system will look different from mine.

This is how I have had the system for quite a while.

As you can see, I am not too happy about it :-) Besides I feel it hinders me, doing forward rolls.

The bag and carabina hangs in a split D-ring. This is not too bad, but in surf and big water it ends up like this.

Which is not the best position to have it, dangling around. It is quite OK for swimming and cowboy-rescue though - that it is out of the way.

I have tried having the system at my waist - felt quite good, only I needed a quick release option of some kind. I like the simplicity of the split D-ring, only the one that came with the system was too weak for job. Had to find a stronger one.

Where do I find the D-ring..?? Any drybag has two or four of them. I already knew that the ones from Ortlieb are too soft, for this use.

Whereas the ones from Pacific Outdoor are much stiffer, though the dimensions are pretty much the same.

Having found, and replaced the D-ring on the belt with, one from the Pacific Outdoor drybag, the system now looks like this.

On the water it sits nicely under my buoyancy. The carabina is ready at hand, and the D-ring on the vest has no problem keeping it in place. Still got to test it, during a swim, and while doing a cowboy-rescue.

Close-up of the replaced D-ring on the belt.

In case it for some reason does not work to my satisfaction, I will replace the D-ring with a quick release buckle.

The D-ring on the vest is mounted with tie-bands. Not pretty - but who cares.

Thank you for listening - as you see, this seems to be a Never Ending Story :-)

Electrical bilge pump - fittet into a Rockpool Alaw Back

A friend of mine has mounted this system into his boat. Have you any questions, please consult himself: Jørgen Jepsen.  (remove SPAM)
 
Installation af el-pumpe i en Rockpool Alaw Bach

Pumpen er en Rule 500, 12V (forhandles bl.a. af www.Marinelageret.dk) som er placeret lige bag sædet. Den er holdt fast med elastiksnor.

For ikke at bore for mange huller i skotvæggen har jeg limet et par nylon/plastik kroge på væggen. Jeg har brugt ophængningskroge til betonvægge (stålstifterne er fjernet :-). På modsatte side (inde i daglugen) har jeg limet et par nylonøjer (dem der sidder på siden af campingvognen til at holde stængerne til forteltet). Det var hvad jeg lige havde ved hånden, andet kan sikkert bruges.

På siden af pumpen er monteret en Automatic Bilge Pump Switch (model 101) http://www.WaterWitchinc.com.

Holdt fast med kabelstrips. Hvordan el-ledningerne skal forbindes, fremgår af bagsiden af indpakningen.

Jeg har ført vandslangen (19 mm) gennem skotvæggen via en Skroggennemføring med et hul der lige passer (når studsen er savet af) til den udvendige diameter på slangen. Dette gør at, selvom der bliver revet i slangen, så opstår der ikke utætheder som der ville gøre hvis slangen blot var ført direkte gennem skotvæggen. 

I stedet for en Skroggennemføring kunne man bruge en "Forskruning" med den rette diameter (kan sikkert købes ved den lokale elinstallatør).

Til afgangshullet er igen brugt en Skroggennemføring i plastik. Jeg har brugt en 16 mm hvor studsen er savet af og noget af gevin-stykket er slebet så slangen kan sættes på. Yderligere har jeg slebet den udvendige krans så den udvendige diameter er ca. halveret. Der er stadig nok gods at skrue den fast med og den ser lige knap så voldsom ud. Endelig har jeg givet kransen lidt sort spraymaling. (Skroggennemføringerne der kun fås i hvid, er købt i Biltema).

Til batterikasse har jeg (foreløbig) brugt en plastbeholder med "vinger" og pakning (købt i Bilka). Den er vandtæt med nok ikke så god som Pelicase. Jeg har foret kassen så batteriet ligger fast og boret et hul til ledningerne. 

Da jeg vil fjerne batteriet efter hver tur, har jeg monteret det via et 12 voltstik (cigartænder). Tæt på +polen er monteret en 2,5A sikring.

Batterikassen er også holdt fast med elastiksnor og de før omtalte øjer.

Batteri (og lader) er købt i www.Batteribyen.dk

Yuasa NP2.3-12 - 12V - 2.3Ah (F187 4.8mm)	3339	1
CTEK MULTI XS-3600 lader til blybatterier 1,2 til 120 Ah - 12V	1466	1

Real case scenario - use of towing system

På Dansk nedenfor.

Three knights rode due west, for a bit of sea kayak surfing. The weather was amazing for the season: sunny, hardly any wind and 14℃ = lovely.

We opted-out the area with breakwaters, south of Blåvand - it was too dull. Instead we drove to Vejers Strand. Now, that was a completely different ball-game.! Loads of the white stuff, one had to punch through, to get to the green area between the sandbanks. The forecast said 3-4,5 feet swell, with 7 sec period. This combination does give loads of water, that has to pass over the sandbanks, resulting in very few waves under 1,5m, many 2m - and a few at 3m, when a couple of waves joined their forces. Quite a lot more than I anticipated for the day... Anyone can handle 3m waves/swell, as long as they do not break, which they did - otherwise it is just up-hill and down-hill.
At one point I glanced backwards, seeing a kayak wobbling on the top of one of these breaking monsters. Just a glance, that I had my own business to attend to...

I think all reached their limits, and had a few fabulous surfs. Outside the sandbanks there were some 30m peak-peak. Quite different from the 5-8m we are used to.


We ended the event with a very educational Real Case Scenario:
We needed to get a cold (from swimming), tired and insecure (from cold) paddler back into his boat, and on-shore. The first part was done by towing him into the green area, between the sandbanks. An assistant gave him support - ups-a-daisy ;) So far so good.
Problem was we had to get him safe to shore, through the surf-zone. We were only three people and one tow-line. (luckily a Jeff Allen tow, more later).
We decided to place an anchor-man in the rear - and support on the casualty. This pair would take turns in pulling us through, while the anchor-man was supposed to maintain direction and low speed. It did not take long before the anchor-man came rushing past the float, breaking hard. Second time this happened he un-clipped the belt, to let the drogue do a better and safer job, while he rushed to shore, to help with the landing. This last part went real nice and smooth, thanks to the drogue.

Lesson Learned:
1) We were in deficit of towing systems. The ones below deck does not count. Had we had one more towing system, Jeff's throwbag could have been used solely as a drogue, while the 'free' paddler could have pulled the raft through the surf.
2) That the anchor-man overtook the raft twice, shows very clearly that 15m of line is not one bit too much, west of Skagen.!
3) Jeff Allen is absolutely right: A paddling anchor-man makes no sense above 4feet of surf. Better to drop the drogue, or use a swimmer.


Today I am very pleased that I have modified Jeff's system, so that it immediately could be used as a drogue. The early design I got, does normally need to fixed with a knot. With my modification it can just be dropped - and it worked. Jeff's design has changed later.
One thing I would have preferred was that the line had sunk - it came in the way all the time, paddles, around boats, catching skegs (not today though). I only need the bag/belt to float.


Looking forward to next time - much wiser. ;)

/////////////////////// DK \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Tre gæve gutter drog mod vest, for lidt havkajaksurf. Vejret var fantastisk: sol, ingen vind og 14℃ = dejligt.

Vi fravalgte høfderne syd for Blåvand - det så sgu for tamt ud. Istedet kørte vi om til Vejers Strand. Se det var en helt anden ball-game.! En masse hvidt (skumfiduser) der skulle tonses igennem for at komme ud. Derefter et grønt område mellem to revler. Udsigten 3-4,5fod swell, med 7sec frekvens. Denne kombination giver meget store mængder vand i hver bølger, som rejser sig over revlerne. Langt højere end jeg havde forventet.! Der var ikke mange under 1,5m, mange på 2m - samt nogle enkelte, når de slog sig sammen, på 3m - alt sammen brækkende bølger.! Enhver kan magte 3m bølger der ikke brækker - det er bare opad bakke og nedad bakke. Bliver de til skumfiduser, er det noget helt andet.!

På et tidspunkt ser jeg mig tilbage, og ser en kajak sidde og vippe på toppen af sådant et monster - "hold da op" tænkte jeg, men jeg havde jo også mit at se til, horfor jeg vender fokus framad/indad/nedad igen.....

Alle fik "set løverne", men fik vist også et par fantastiske surf.!. Bølger i indre Danske Farvande får en helt anden dimension. Udenfor revlerne hvor de 'sande' bølger løb, var der vel 30m fra top til top. Noget ganske andet end hvor vi her har 5-8meter.

Vi sluttede af med et yderst lærerigt Real case scenario:

Vi skal have en kold/træt (af at svømme) roer op i hans båd og på land. Det første blev klaret ved at trække ham ud i det grønne område mellem revlerne, en støtte på - op med ham. Så langt så godt. Problemet var han også skulle på land. Vi var kun tre mand og ét tov! (heldigvis et Jeff Allen tov, mere senere).

Vi beslutter at sætte en ankermand på bagud, med tovet - samt en støtte på den kolde. Dette makkerpar skiftes til at trække flåden indad, med ankermanden til at holde retning og til at holde farten nede. Ret hurtigt kommer ankermanden surfende ukontrolleret forbi flåden, trods 15m line.!! Da det sker anden gang kobler ankermanden sig af, og lader tovet virke som drivanker - det går mere gavn end en ankermande der ikke magter at være anker. Ankermanden spurter frem og på land, for at tage imod flåden, der dog nu kommer ganske roligt og kontrolleret fremad, hjulpet af drivankret.

Lesson learned:

1) Vi var i underskud af træktove. Bugserudstyr under dæk tæller ikke. Med at tov mere kunne Jeff's throwbag være lagt bagud som drivanker. Ankermand kunne så istedet have trukket flåden ind gennem surf-zone.

2) At ankermanden overhalede flåden to gange, viser med al tydelighed, at 15m line ikke er en skid for meget vest for skagen.

3) Jeff Allen har fuldstænig ret: En sejlende ankermand giver kun mening op til 4fod surf - en god meter. Derover er det bedre at droppe posen, eller hænge en god svømmer ud.

Jeg er idag glad for at jeg har modificeret Jeff's tov, således at det umiddelbart kunne fungere som drivanker. Den tidlige model jeg har, skal originalt bindes anderledes, for at fungere som drivanker. Med min modifikation, skal det bare droppes - og det virkede perfekt.!
Noget jeg havde foretrukket, var at linen ikke havde været en flydeline. Den kom kun i vejen for pagajer, rundt om både, ind i skeg (ikke idag dog). Jeg har det fint med at det kun er tasken/bæltet der flyder. 

Glæder mig til næste gang..!! :-)

Derek Hutchinson †

"Travels with Paddles: Derek Hutchinson †: I Just learned that Derek Hutchinson passed away yesterday. I have never met Derek. However my first reading about sea kayaking (in 1994) ..."

He certainly meant a lot to me and my progress in, and understanding of, sea kayaking. If only he had been more known in Denmark. He's books are amongst the best written and illustrated, till this day, to be seen on the market. They still stands tall.

He's honoured in UK Rivers Guide forum.

A word from another one in Dereks league, and generation:
"One of the most experienced sea paddlers ever.
His writings about his sport were such that one had to put the book down and rush to get onto the water to try out his instructions from the books."

Toggles

We all know Valley's toggle system with bungee and a hook. On a few occasions I have seen the hook catch the other boats lines, during a rescue. Obviously this is not very good - at all.! The hook has also slipped off, while I was pulling the boat on land, resulting in serious pain from the finger that got hit. Strangely it tends to hit the exact same spot more than once....

That there is quite a few issues regarding toggles and safety, it does matter how you alter/make these things. Gnarlydog has a couple of good points on this subject.

This is not at all my own idea - once more, stolen from Gnarlydog :-)

Who needs Kari-Tek

I have chosen to use a trailer for kayak(s) and gear, but I also chose not to pay bucks for a rack - this is what came out of it.

 Though I am a journeyman smith, I opted for a wood solution that I had it at no cost at all. Honestly, this wood-thing was meant to be a test - something temporarily. Like always, making something temporarily that works, you end up using it for ever.

Some steel does not hurt :-)

Latched together everywhere.

 

By moving the posts aft, I still have the full size of the bed.

 

We do not want want the strap to slip, do we...