gAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!
 

Years ago, doing trips on Prince William Sound (central coast AK) there were a few things I always needed to see before I launched. These were, in no particular order:
-PFD on each paddler
-VHF with battery (sometimes the battery would get forgotten in the charger)
-flares (handheld at least)
-bilge pump for each kayak

It's kind of like the old "watch & wallet" before leaving the house, and these things are just second nature now.  Every time I try to pare down my gear I look at this little "insurance" pile of equipment and think. "well, when was the last time I actually used the...?" Now I'll just answer myself with "self, remember Frank & Eugene's Bean Hollow story?" A tale like this is always a positive thing when it turns out the way it did. Props to everyone involved for making it back & keeping safety awareness at the forefront. There are a lot of folks with yaks out there.
-Sean

The burlap sack I have now was originally used to import coffee from Costa Rica. Its a lot heavier weave than the potato sack I used to use, and it even had a few coffee beans left over in it. I picked it up at Bayside in the SC harbor for $2.00.

My sayings are both from my dad.

After landing a keeper halibut and was asked how he hooked the bait, he said "oh, in a twitchy sort of way".

But the one I use all the time relates to seeing any big fish come aboard,
"That's a HAWWG!"

I'm not sure if Tote was referring to me, but I had the exact emergency he described happen to me when i did not use a bow tie down. Now, I've shuttle lots of kayaks ovwer the years with bow tie downs, a lot on 3-4hr drives at freeway speeds, and that is the first time I've lost a boat off the roof. I no longer use the supplied strap system that came with my Mako saddle and have gone back to a single long strap looped around the bar itself, rather than the 2 piece strap with little fittings that Yakima has.
I don't normally use a bowline for around town type kayak hauling, but will always use one for long trips. Its cheap insurance.
-Sean

Piscean
I'm not really into astrology, but I am a pisces. I've always been a water person, just grew up in that type of family so the fish symbol fits. When I was thinking up names for my studio (currently just a shed but ya gotta start somewhere) I chose Piscean Artworks since most of my inspiration comes from the ocean, and the first pieces I carved were all fish.
-Sean

I'm curious too. I've surfed a Cobra Wave Witch for several years, and i have yet to break a paddle. I've seen it happen before, but never experienced it. I've wiped out badly a few times but never hurt the paddle. I'm using a cheaper model white water paddle with thick plastic blades. Seems to work and only cost about $70.
Sean

That is great. The article was nice too, made me feel better. Don, your advice is right on. Give the crew some catnip & celebrate.