Recent content by Alan Gage

Very nice! Are you familiar with Lake Constance Canoes? Based on their name I assume that's where they're located. https://www.lakeconstance.de/en/#welcome-to-lake-constance-canoes Alan

Any epoxy will work, just sand the surface prior to application. It will take multiple coats to fill the weave. Peel ply will speed along this process by leaving a mostly filled weave during the wet out. No vacuum necessary, I've always hand laid mine. Dynel cloth is hideous looking stuff so...

There certainly is: A Complete Guide to Making your own Paddle Alan

Great book! Enjoy

I have an Excalibur. I love it. I started out years ago with a Nesco trying to save money. Should have juts bought the Excalibur back then. Alan

I've spent an entire day paddling in extreme winds where I found multiple recent (and large) blow downs across portage trails and heard more than one tree snap and break in the woods. That day was on a winding river where, while the wind was annoying at times, it did not greatly affect me...

I can't argue. I listened to the audio book about a year ago. I kept waiting for the book to turn a corner and give me something interesting rather than entertaining but it seemed like a pretty similar routine throughout. Viewed in an historical light I'm sure it's a very important and...

I do audio books almost exclusively now. A couple years ago I fell out of the habit of reading in the morning and at bed time and couldn't get back into it. I bristled at the thought of an Audible account but I finally bit the bullet and it's been great. I have a 20 minute commute to work so I...

I enjoy my hammock as well but as a whole my tenting setup is lighter than my hammocking setup and my tent isn't tiny (has slept 2 people plus a dog). My hammock system is not the lightest out there but neither is my tent system. The only purchase I can think of that was as game changer was...

No underwear for me 8 months out of the year. I've been going commando for around 7 years I suppose. It's cooler, it's better ventilated, there is no bunching and grabbing, and pants try out much quicker when wet. The only downside is a bigger penalty for the crotch tearing out of your pants...

I'd use 3/4" black galvanized pipe from the hardware store and probably hose clamp it into place. You'll be fine. Even 3/4" electrical conduit would work fine in this application as there won't be much hanging past the end of your Thule bars. You could also buy square tubing similar in size to...

The only people who will see any speed benefit/penalty due to coatings or finishes are elite level racers. The rest of us can use whatever makes us feel good. Alan

What model of Clipper canoe is it? I think the best answer is more seat time in the canoe. You'll get comfortable soon enough. When the weather and water get warm intentionally capsize in shallow water. That will show you just how easy tipping the canoe is/isn't and will hopefully give you...

Yes, it is the littlbug Jr. Thanks for jogging my memory! It also works perfectly with my pot and alcohol stove. I carry a couple pieces of wire and I run them through two of the rectangular holes about 2 inches down from the top of the stove so the wires are crossed. The wires then support my...

I'm a huge fan of them. I don't remember the name of the stove I use right now. It's a super popular brand though so I'm sure someone can straighten me out. I use the smaller version. I've used it a lot and other than an alcohol stove as backup with only 8 ounces of fuel the twig stove was the...