Talking About Adventure In Small Boats
Sharkchow
Member
I'm heading out on a three-day, two night trip from the Everglades City Ranger Station Feb. 10-12. This is an open invite to Watertribe members in need of some R&R. I'm planning to launch by 10 a.m. Friday and return Sunday around noonish. Let me know if you are interested. I'm not planning on anything too serious in terms of distance, but I could be persuaded...
Sharkchow
Sharkchow
Member
Everyone is invited, particularly folks who are perhaps wondering how to complete a Watertribe race. Maybe some longtime tribers will show up and share their wisdom. Its a good time to test out gear and see what other people use. This will not be a race, just some R&R for me.
I have no firm plans on a route. Maybe north, maybe south. I'm open to suggestions. We'll see how the wind is. If it is just me I'll probably paddle 12 or 15 miles and camp.
Sharkchow
This sounds like a lot of fun. I suggest that you guys setup your SPOTs before this trip and get some practice using the system. I will have SPOT tracking for practice turned on in the next couple of days.
To get setup, print out the SPOT Setup and Usage Guide . Got to the event page on the old site and select the tab to set yourself up.
SPOT can be somewhat challenging to get working correctly so it is good to get it going early.
For EC and UF veterans, you also need to take a look. My insurance provided demanded some changes to our procedures. Also, heads up to everyone, they are thinking about making a PLB and a SPOT a requirement in order to provide insurance. The best way to prevent this additional financial hit is to fully comply with the new SPOT procedures.
A special note on best practices: DON'T PUT THE SPOT BEHIND YOU. This has caused more than one capsize. Put the SPOT in front of you where you can see it and easily push the buttons.
BustedRudder
Member
I'm in.. will be in Tampa Thursday for work and taking Friday as vacation.
I'm flexible as to where.
I bailed last year at Chokloski so have never been South of there, and have never been on a chikee. I wouldn't mind at least climbing up on one (sweetwater bay seems closest) even if not camping on one.
Pavillion key looks like a great place, again i am flexible. Looking forward to testing this years gear:)
Will meet you and whoever else at the ranger station. I'll be there by 8:30
bob
The Everglades Paddle In is that weekend.
MisterMoon
Member
Chief wrote:
For EC and UF veterans, you also need to take a look. My insurance provided demanded some changes to our procedures. Also, heads up to everyone, they are thinking about making a PLB and a SPOT a requirement in order to provide insurance. The best way to prevent this additional financial hit is to fully comply with the new SPOT procedures.
Looks like the new procedure is increased use of the OK button. Right?
OK Message Usage
The best way to use SPOT is with the tracking feature and tracking is required for all WaterTribe events as of September 2010.
But you should also use the OK Message at certain times throughout the Challenge:
On launch day, at roll call, send your first OK message. This will be at 06:30.
When you stop for the night or for any reason, send an OK Message.
If you are out of cell phone contact and cannot get a 24-Hour Report sent, an OK Message counts as a 24-Hour Report.
Send an OK Message at each major course change.
Send an OK Message at least every 4 hours while on the water.
Send an OK Message if a storm passes over or near you and you are OK.
Send an OK Message at each checkpoint. You cannot leave a checkpoint until your SPOT shows that the message was sent.
Send an OK Message after sending a Help Message if you are OK. Remember that Help Messages indicate you are dropping out. Note that newer SPOTS allow you to stay in tracking mode while sending an OK message. Older SPOTs require that you shut of tracking, send an OK, turn tracking back on - know your SPOT.
And finally, send an OK Message for the last time at the finish line. Then shut off your SPOT.
That's right. The OK button will be used more.
The reason is that tracking can go on and keep working even if the SPOT is floating away from the boat/paddler. Tracking only indicates the position of the SPOT.
On the other hand, sending an OK message takes a positive action by the paddler.
If everyone complies with these procedures, I think the insurance company will be satisfied. If we get a lot of non compliance OR other issues like a failed rescue or worse and we will be required to have a PLB in addition to the SPOT with tracking. The only other alternative is safety boats, but we are too spread out for that.
Best Practice for Safety: Have a SPOT attached to your boat in tracking mode and use the OK button as directed. Have a PLB attached to your PFD. Always wear your PFD.
Sharkchow
Member
Here's my challenge to those of you testing out your SPOT. Hit the OK button every ten feet and spell out a message in the water for those viewing your movements at home on a computer. Choose your words carefully.
This will be a fun trip. I repeat my invitation to anyone who would like join us. Those who want to paddle hard and train for the EC or the UFC can do it and camp with us, or if you just want to come out and hang out in one of the most beautiful places on earth, you can do that too.
Hey Chief, you are invited too!
Sharkchow
Sharkchow
Member
Hi guys. Should be a great weekend. Looks like we'll get some rain, some wind, and maybe some temps in the low 50s -- which is good for keeping the bugs down. I will be heading out rain or shine.
As I said before, my plan is to be on the water at the Everglades City ranger station by 10 a.m. Friday, which means I will arrive at the parking lot between 8:30 and 9 a.m. to pack my boat.
I have some ideas of great places to go, but I propose that we have a brief meeting to discuss the weather and our destination. Perhaps we'll vote on which way to go, north or south. I doubt we will camp on any chickees (to answer a posted question.) Most likely we will end up on a beach site. But nothing is set in stone.
See you on Friday.
Sharkchow
Ridgerunner
Member
Envious! I didn' paddle Saturday since winds were over 40 and the temperature plummeting through the 20s with snow. Today I did paddle. High in mid 30s (heat wave) with winds down to 10-15. I'll sure be glad to be down there in a couple of weeks.
Warren, will we see you at the start or finish?
BustedRudder
Member
That was a great EC warmup! Thanks for organizing Warren!
We had nice weather day one, then a storm that night. Windy day two, windier night two and a chilly 44. Day 3 a sloppy paddle South to Indian key pass, and of course the tide against us.
Great test of gear, and the information from the old salts Sharkchow and Whitecaps was priceless.
There is a ton of unused firewood on Panther key but no one will ever find it we hid it so well...
I didn't know it was possible to have a bonfire in 20knots of wind until this trip. Too bad about the rest of the island downwind of us:)
As Sharkchow was the only one with fishing gear I assume he is the one that sprayed my rudder with fish attractant..
Balance of pics here:
http://s1151.photobucket.com/albums/o629/bustedrudder/
Oneeyedjake / kayakkowboy / Sharkchow / Whitecaps on panther key enjoying the last of the nice weather.
MicroTom
Key Master
Busted Rudder, Please use the [img] tags from photo bucket. The pictures will be resized correctly for the thread.
Wish I could have made it down there. Scouting that area this year just hasn't happened for me 
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