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16
Flatwater and Touring / Re: Full Moon Paddle
« on: July 18, 2016, 06:56:59 AM »
Tomorrow night kids, dont even have to wait for the moon after sunset.

A quick rundown from yesterday.  The girlfiend wanted to spend the day, all day on the local res.  Because of parking at the access point and other whiney excuses I decided to load up a full size cooler on the explorer and paddle it out to the 2nd cove away and cache it in a grotto.  Even paddling along for the stretch where I had to contend with wake boards and water skiiers close by it worked out  well sitting on the cooler and paddling.  After dropping off the cooler we used that little place as home base and went exploring  and dinking around.  Case of beer and ice is round 45-50 lbs on an isle explorer, I'm 185, it is about a mile paddle (stupid headwind yesterday,) to the cache. 


With at least six places renting in town now and the low cost of kayaks it is getting harder to find a little peace.  Three years a go I remember seeing someone out on a board and we would usually end up talking.  I counted 50 within 1/4 mile of the boat ramp last weekend.  Crazy.

17
The view from 9,500 in Wyoming.  The wind was brutal all day and we just did a lot of driving and exploring until about 6.  We set up camp in the trees and lake was still showing whitecaps.  Right after this was taken we went out for leisurely 45 minute paddle as the winds died down completely to watch a great sunset (forest fire 30 miles south and west) and watch the trout rise all around us until dark.


18
Gear Talk / Re: Please help choosing a SUP
« on: June 29, 2016, 12:30:52 PM »
Surge, not sure where you are in Colorado, but we are having a pretty big social meet up at Horsetooth Res north side tonight, would be a great time to demo a variety of boards if you are in the area.

19
Gear Talk / Re: Isle VS tower
« on: June 10, 2016, 02:43:27 PM »
I paddled several inflatables before getting two for me and my girlfiend, i ncluding the tower. 

I ended up going with a isle explorer for one, and have several hours on it now.  In the chop you are going to notice the flex, at 200 lbs you are going to notice the flex on every inflatable, I know this because I'm 185.  Keep it at 15 and make sure it is at 15 after you put it in the water for a few minutes, or pump it up to 16-17 like I do, we paddle on the lake, water temps are about 50 right now.

But the extra bit of length on the isle over the tower helps with the glide wich isn't much on inflatables to start with and really like the SS d-rings everywhere, handles and fin set up.  the tower is pretty plain, but comes with a better paddle, and they are rigid, maybe even a very little bit more rigid, although the redpaddle is probably the most rigid I have been on, it also paddles lilke a barge.

The other board I bought is a GUSU touring, 12-foot single fin with tie downs on front only.  I wanted a board bad for a weekend in early march and there is only one guy in town that had boards to sell.  decent enough board and I did not pay retail, it does cruise/glide a bit better than the isle, but that is about the only plus, it will soon be the friend board.

If you get the isle you will want ot order a paddle also and the carbon travel paddles are pretty good for the money, the aluminum paddle shaped object that comes in the box makes a fine flag pole, curtain hanger, coat rack, anything but a useable paddle. 

Other inflatables I have paddled, SOL, which I have a very low opinion of, YOLO touring, love those although narrower than the gusu and isle, they were out of them when I was ready to pull the trigger and a few hundo more.  The isle touring is not a bad one either but those are really getting up there in weight for an inflatable.

20
Flatwater and Touring / Re: Full Moon Paddle
« on: May 24, 2016, 06:41:47 AM »
For lights we have headlamps which are nice for loading up but are turned off when paddling, the light flashing in my eyes reflecting of my arm every stroke is maddening.  We use small led lanterns on the board to be seen by the occasional fishing boat.  Some use bicycle lights, white in front red in the back.  Of most import is the use of glow sticks.  Every one that goes out with us gets one so they can be spotted quickly if they fall in.  The really cheap ones that came connected to make a bracelet or necklace work great.

21
Flatwater and Touring / Full Moon Paddle
« on: May 22, 2016, 06:49:49 AM »
Full moon again last night, we hit all of them last year from May to September and the year before from June to Sept.

At the local reservoir the day paddlers and kayakers start leaving at 5 and are gone by 6:30, all of the power boats are gone by half an hour before dark.  Right at sunset is usually when the wind dies down also.  Glass, quiet, great views.  Saw one boat out fishing.

Since I live roughly 1,300 miles from any surf the moonlight paddles are my favorite time to get out.



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