Recent content by Alan Gage

I agree with Jim. When I was researching it the consensus seemed to be that bottom side paint was intended for boats that spent weeks or months at a time in the water. Everyone seemed to think top side paint was just fine for short term immersion like canoes or boats that were taken out the same...

I think it boils down to the fact that most people don't want, and never have wanted, to really become proficient paddlers. Most people just want to get out on the water, soak up some sun, be with friends, and maybe drink some beers. By far the lowest threshold to do this in terms of price...

Everyone here locally knows you can go places in a kayak that you can't go in a canoe because kayaks draft less. Alan

And, if that day should ever arrive, listen to us howl in agony as we wish they'd all stayed in their kayaks. Alan

It looks good from here! As for filling the gaps I wait until I'm about 2/3 done with sanding the exterior. I tape off the big gaps on the inside of the hull to keep the epoxy from getting through. Then I thicken the epoxy with wood flour (you'll have plenty after a couple rounds of sanding)...

I'm not sure what your reasons are for trying to avoid portages but if they're not physical reasons then I would recommend reconsidering some of your options. I, and I'm sure many others, began our tripping careers exploring canoe routes with the idea of avoiding routes with portages. It very...

Those are fun boats. I had a couple of them. On both of them I removed the gunwales and cut down the sides a couple inches to make them a little easier for flat water paddling. The sides cut easily with a jigsaw. On one I shortened the thwarts a little for a bit more tumblehome. It definitely...

Have you ever tried to get back into a canoe after a capsize? :) Alan

It won't be directly from the bow but I ran a loop of cord from the center thwart to the carry handle. I used a metal ring to tie both ends of the rope together. To this metal ring I could clip the carabiner of my anchor rope. The metal ring would be within reach as I deployed the anchor and...

That was certainly my experience. I grew up where there were very few people paddling anything. And anything they did paddle was big tandem aluminum canoes. Growing up I thought that's all there was. When I was in my mid-20s kayaks were starting to get popular and readily available so I got one...

I always used one of the small folding anchors when I used to fish from my canoe. Never had a problem with it holding, even in current. I'm guessing I had the 3 pound model but don't remember for sure. Alan

I just discovered and finished Survival of the Bark Canoe by John Mcphee. How have I not heard of this book before? Just a wonderful read about a mid-1970's canoe trip in the Maine wilderness in birch bark canoes with a young canoe builder who is trying to keep the craft alive. Lots of...

I guess I would approach it this way: If you think working with epoxy and composites for canoe repair sounds like fun then go ahead and give it a try with some skid plates. If you think that doesn't sound something to do just for funsies then slap on the EZ-Keel strips and see how long they...

Looks great! Nice work under a time crunch. Can't wait for an on the water test. Very impressive weight if it's accurate! Alan

The more durable options: https://www.canoetripping.net/threads/more-skid-plate-repairs-and-retrofits.100773/ Alan