thanks I'll check mine which is a Solquist.

Nice. I don't carry one on my PFD but it certainly seems like a good idea as you never know what you might get hooked up in.

well Dog maybe you *are* gettin' a good return on your investment

You know what they call the guy w. the low bid: someone who left something out LOL

If you do get her a SINK for Xmas, get one sized down for you to use as a play/day boat, a golden opportunity to do good and get another toy for you.

A knife is a good thing to have. I have seen it used to cut entangled fishing line, deckline for emergency uses, and in one very serious instance a guide used one to cut someone out of their skirt while capsized.

Spreading peanut butter and slicing apples are other fabled uses, and much more common '-)

Get a blunt tipped knife so you can use the end like a screwdriver or a pry. Also the sharptipped ones have been known to cut the PFD fabric or a person inadvertently.

Double sides (smooth one side, serrated the other) w. a special lil indent to cut fishing line gives you more options.

Since you are in salt water rinse stainless steel real well, or go to titanium (pricey)

The Gerber Shorty is prolly the most commonly seen kayaker's knife out there, but IME they do come off easily, esp. if lashtabbed to the front of the PFD (a back lash may be a different story. Although many seakayakers I know reserve the back tab for an spotter or EPERB, or a VHF radio.

I sacrificed two very quickly to Neptune before looking elsewhere.

In my humble experience the NSR Pilot (or CoPilot, the smaller version) is lighter, more compact,& stays in its sheath much better - the twin "squeeze" release virtually eliminates losing the knife while you clamber around, yet comes out in a flash.

I use a CoPilot & am 100% pleased w. it.

I also own a Wenokah Squeeze (Blackie Collins design) w. that same twin release features, and so far so good w. that.

Once you put the knife sheath in the lash tab, it'll pretty much stay there (the sheath in the tab) forever. It s/be a real tight fit.

Lanyards are potential entanglements. I use one to enable my noseplugs to reach my nose (not such a great distance LOL). When I am not practicing rolls it tucks all the way inside.

I wear my knife on the left side of the PFD, handle downward so I can reach w. my right hand and pull it down & out. YMMV.

They are as varied as the people in them.

So what I post here is just very general characterizations.

You will find them informally on yahoo and Meet-up. I know one in my area w. some highly skilled seakayakers (a good number of them are ACA or BCU instructors) who go out in various conditions, who are very skill focused. Other groups much less so, I'll leave it at that.

You will find them formally as clubs w. officers.
Some are under the ACA umbrella as Paddle America Clubs. Others are non-ACA. The Paddle America designation, among other things, allows the club to purchase insurance for on the water events. They are able to provide ACA instructors w. insurance at classes and symposia. In return they agree to adhere to ACA guidelines, for example, PFDs on whenever on the water. One of my clubs is a Paddle America club of 21 years standing. I get more open water experience via this club.

Other clubs, nonACA, also organize classes acc. to group interests and member skill levels.

Some groups or clubs are tilted very much toward seakayakers, altho member may own and enjoy other paddlecraft. Others have members in rec boats, SOTs, surf kayaks,canoes etc, as well as seakayaks. The composition of the group often dictates what types of paddles are organized. My second club is like the latter, I enjoy the variety and get in more river paddling via this club.

I left one yahoo group bec. IMO they were lax about PFD use and other safety issues, and there was too much alcohol before and during paddling. I didn't want to be part of that in the event of a serious accident or loss of life.

I belong to a second yahoo group that is the opposite.

You'll just need to jump in and see what local groups align w. your own interests and aspirations. Many groups and clubs are delighted to have (properly prepared) guests join them for a paddle or two.

Another benefit is the opportunity to try different boats, to get in on good deals when boats and gear go up for sale. You can ask questions about paddles, paddlewear, etc and see it in use. And you may find a few close paddle buddies that like the same paddling venues and conditions that you do.

Drinking and paddling? Not a good recipe.

I bought two videos today. USK Capzize Recoveries & Rescue Procedures and The Kayak roll. Watched some of the first one and I was surprised how much I learned in three hours. Not second nature as it needs to be. It was better to have at least the one lesson and some water experience and watch these. Being in the water that short time makes me feel way more familiar watching it all now.

Knife I have is a Wenoka blunt tip.

thanks

I'll have to check out some clubs and see what they do as none of my present friends is in to this sport seriouly.