Recent content by carpenter

Not racing hit and switch marathon canoes, but rather racing kayaks, so starting off quite close to the water already...I am perhaps starting to answer my own question with additional details provided above, but higher performance kayaks have taller seats and narrower hulls so very unstable but...

Why the conversion to pack style for a double blade? Racing kayaks are more effective with higher seats - less stable but better stroke dynamics. I find that sitting low in a canoe awkward and uncomfortable. I have always been curious about this - lower seats in canoes for seated paddling...

Urban rather than wilderness - a new book about a 1200 mile loop from Ottawa to Montreal, down to New York and back up through the Erie Canal to Buffalo on to Toronto and back to Ottawa. Waterborne by Dan Rubinstein. A paddleboarder rather than a canoeist but fascinating encounters with folk...

Unfortunately I have had to cancel a trip to Wabakimi, August 3-14. Washago to Flindt Landing return. This does open up a spot for a canoe on the train. Hopefully someone on the site can take advantage.

Not a Thursday but finally found a photo. From a trip we were actually paid to do, 1989. Quebec City to Midland on Georgian Bay, 1200 km in three North canoes, 8 to a canoe. Gear packed in old Canada Post canvas bags, way too much Big Bill's Beans and Rice from Harvest Foodworks, bilingual skits...

I think the question has merit - traditional designs were confined by technology and materials. Certainly folk covered many kilometers in their boats and likely refined designs when able, but I imagine they just paddled and did not worry about how to make the next trip faster by changing the...

Finally made it on the water - two days earlier we had sun and warm weather, bare ground, canoe was on the car but got too busy. Friday night - 25 cm of snow!

...and which shoulder? Connected to which element of the stroke, upper or lower hand? Less surface area and investigating shaft length would seem to be a good first move.

I cannot stop being concerned about 3 inexperienced adults in canoe for anything more than a day trip, regardless of the capacity of the canoe. If you would consider a double-blade paddle in the centre then perhaps a double-blade in a kayak as the additional craft? It is not a canoe, but then it...

I was thinking of something along the same lines. It looks like the saddle is removable? Holding it down with the thwart would make a real difference with respect to stability. I have a Sunburst II with a saddle attached to the hull. Considering building a seat with the option of replacing it...

An opportunity to track down some Montreal-style bagels instead! If you are headed out through Toronto there should be some options.

I echo the recommendations for wool pants. My 30 year old pair of Codet pants have been through Northern Ontario bush, Baffin Island dog-sledding, hikes and hunting expeditions and lately Lanark County chores. Rarely washed, always on a normal cycle with regular soap. I have Canadian military...

Saute rather than deep-fry will use a lot less oil. For cooking on a grill: pre-heat and oil the grill, dry the fish and coat with a bit of oil; be patient, a more solidly cooked fish will be less likely to stick and separate; roll rather than lift to turn. Heard a suggestion to cook over...

Just posted a couple of days ago - Mike McCrae on another site, Thule compatible INNO bars at 65", 71", 79" long: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TRIHLO?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1&psc=1 Looked up equivalent on amazon.ca --- $470 CDN!!! compared to $100 US

It is a good point to reinforce - initial tenderness does not mean that you are going to constantly tip a canoe. It is the response to changes in position. A tender boat is a responsive boat, find and maintain your balance points and the boat will reward you for it...just keep your head in the...