Hi,
I'm very happy to have found this forum and learn from folks with same interests as myself. Here's a little of my background.
I've lived in Montreal all my life. I was an avid backpacker in my teens and twenties. When I bought a house in my mid-twenties, it was very close to Lake Saint-Louis which is part of the Saint-Lawrence seaway which passes south of Montreal. By chance one day, I bought a used fiberglass canoe for $250. It came with two paddles with aluminum shafts and plastic blades. My first outing onto the lake with the canoe was a scary experience as I had no idea how to canoe. There were one foot waves, but in a prospector type canoe, it felt tippy. I did not know that a little bit of wind could have so much effect on a canoe, and it kept pulling me farther and farther from shore. I was finally able to make it back by paddling hard from both sides (switch and hit?).
After that experience, I went out and bought myself Bill Mason's 'Path of the Paddle' and learned how to canoe. Well sort of, I'm still learning... That was 10 years ago. However, that 75 pound fiberglass canoe allowed me to discover the joys of canoe tripping. After a few canoe trips to Algonquin, I purchased a used Souris River Q17 from the local outfitter. I finally grew tired of dragging (begging) any friend to come on trips with me, and I've finally come to the realization that I need to purchase a solo canoe to fulfill my insatiable desire to canoe trip and go on longer trips that just the 3-4 nighter.
This past summer, I discovered the St-Regis canoe area. Up to now, I've only known the Adirondacks as a backpacker's playground. What a great surprise, as the ADK is much closer to Montreal than Algonquin and La Vérendrye, and best of all, its free! No reservations required either.
The Adirondacks allowed me to discover the pack canoes. So I am planning on purchasing one for the next paddling season. Not sure which one yet, but I love the Placid Boatworks, and I believe the Rapidfire is the best fit for me. It's light, and seems to have the optimal volume for my weight (200 lbs + 50 lbs dog) + gear/food for 5-10 nights. What do you folks think? I'm also biased because the few RFs I've seen are absolutely gorgeous, like works of art. I might shed a tear the first time I put a scratch in one, but that's all part of it.
I know that the RF should be paddled with a double blade, but I also plan on using a single blade. Should I go with the high seat in that case? I will never kneel (blew out the knee playing hockey).
So, I'm glad to be here and be with like-minded people. In my group of friends, I seem to be the only one that thinks a once a year canoe trip is not enough and paying $3000 for a canoe is crazy. Or having more than one canoe is pointless... Now I know that I am not alone, I think I've finally found my home.
Shan
I'm very happy to have found this forum and learn from folks with same interests as myself. Here's a little of my background.
I've lived in Montreal all my life. I was an avid backpacker in my teens and twenties. When I bought a house in my mid-twenties, it was very close to Lake Saint-Louis which is part of the Saint-Lawrence seaway which passes south of Montreal. By chance one day, I bought a used fiberglass canoe for $250. It came with two paddles with aluminum shafts and plastic blades. My first outing onto the lake with the canoe was a scary experience as I had no idea how to canoe. There were one foot waves, but in a prospector type canoe, it felt tippy. I did not know that a little bit of wind could have so much effect on a canoe, and it kept pulling me farther and farther from shore. I was finally able to make it back by paddling hard from both sides (switch and hit?).
After that experience, I went out and bought myself Bill Mason's 'Path of the Paddle' and learned how to canoe. Well sort of, I'm still learning... That was 10 years ago. However, that 75 pound fiberglass canoe allowed me to discover the joys of canoe tripping. After a few canoe trips to Algonquin, I purchased a used Souris River Q17 from the local outfitter. I finally grew tired of dragging (begging) any friend to come on trips with me, and I've finally come to the realization that I need to purchase a solo canoe to fulfill my insatiable desire to canoe trip and go on longer trips that just the 3-4 nighter.
This past summer, I discovered the St-Regis canoe area. Up to now, I've only known the Adirondacks as a backpacker's playground. What a great surprise, as the ADK is much closer to Montreal than Algonquin and La Vérendrye, and best of all, its free! No reservations required either.
The Adirondacks allowed me to discover the pack canoes. So I am planning on purchasing one for the next paddling season. Not sure which one yet, but I love the Placid Boatworks, and I believe the Rapidfire is the best fit for me. It's light, and seems to have the optimal volume for my weight (200 lbs + 50 lbs dog) + gear/food for 5-10 nights. What do you folks think? I'm also biased because the few RFs I've seen are absolutely gorgeous, like works of art. I might shed a tear the first time I put a scratch in one, but that's all part of it.
I know that the RF should be paddled with a double blade, but I also plan on using a single blade. Should I go with the high seat in that case? I will never kneel (blew out the knee playing hockey).
So, I'm glad to be here and be with like-minded people. In my group of friends, I seem to be the only one that thinks a once a year canoe trip is not enough and paying $3000 for a canoe is crazy. Or having more than one canoe is pointless... Now I know that I am not alone, I think I've finally found my home.
Shan