[Rhodes22-list] August, 2006 High Adventure Kayaking Trip To The Apostle Islands

[ROGER PIHLAJA]

Alex,

If you look in the archives, there is actually an article with photos that I wrote in the run-up to our circumnavigation of Isle Royale.  Basically, you need to install amidships spring lines, port and starboard on your kayak.  These spring lines need to attach slightly forward and slightly aft of the center of lateral resistance.  The center of lateral resistance is the point on the hull which the boat rotates around when it yaws.  In the case of a single seat kayak hull, the center of lateral resistance is usually right under the seat.  The system works on either the port or starboard side; but, let’s assume we want to board the kayak from the port side.  First, you tie off the spring lines so there is no slack from the mother ship to the kayak when the kayak is right alongside.  Then, you step into the kayak, keeping your weight on the port side.  Normally, your unbalanced weight would instantly flip the kayak.  But, now the spring lines take up the load and the kayak remains upright.  Keeping your weight biased towards the port side and hanging on to the mother ship, you quickly lower yourself into the kayak the rest of the way and attach the spray skirt.  Then, you release the springs lines and paddle away from the mother ship.  Getting out is simply the reverse of this procedure.  Having the spring lines attached forward and aft of the kayak’s center of lateral resistance keeps the yawing to a minimum as the kayak and mother ship rise and fall in waves during the boarding/unboarding process.  Never the less, it’s always a somewhat tippy, unstable process and you want to get it done as quickly as possible.  Practice first at a stationary object, like a dock, before you attempt this from a mother ship in any kind of waves.  It’s not idiot proof; but, it is possible.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

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From: S/V Lark<mailto:Colealexander at hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2020 7:26 PM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] August, 2006 High Adventure Kayaking Trip To The Apostle Islands

Amazing pictures.    I’m adding it to my list.

 How do you get on and off the kayaks from the boat?

Alex




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Alex Cole
S/V Lark
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