Recent content by Mark Z

Apparently I was confused between the Three Rivers Paddling Club and the Three Rivers Chapter of the WCHA of which I am a member. Sorry about the confusion. The more paddling clubs the merrier.

Since you are in the Pittsburgh area you might check into Riversport in Confluence, PA. https://www.riversportonline.com/ I took a whitewater tandem canoe introductory course from them probably 40 years ago. Although most of the class were in kayaks, the instructor and I were in a tandem canoe...

Glenn, Rutstrum does not say which dimension is height and width and gives no depth since the pack is the envelope style with no sides.. However, the picture on his previous page shows a pack which appears to be higher than wide. That picture is a perspective view and so the width may be...

In Calvin Rutstrum's book, The New Way of the Wilderness, page 129, he lists "Packsacks are made in the following sizes: No. 1---24" x 26" No. 2---26" x 28" No. 3---28" x 30"

Several years ago a very clever Mainer designed and built a roller attachment for Yakima and Thule roof racks that allowed a person to load a canoe from the rear of their car single handed by placing the end of the canoe onto the roller and pushing it forward on the roof rack. Then the roller...

Rinker put in at Elizabeth, PA, a few miles south of Pittsburgh on the Monongahela River. Back then it wa known as Elizabethtown. Modern day Elizabethtown is in eastern Pa as Gamma1214 says.

Huzzah for Glen and all the work he has put in for improving and maintaining this site!

Benson, I think there must be an error in the link to Jerry's page on the 50# canoe models. I have an Old Town 50# from 1938 and the beam is around 35 inches, not 24 inches. That is in line with the beams listed in the Old Town catalog pages shown on Jerry's page. Mark Z.

I did a search for this recipe as I remembered that it looked very good. But, the search did not bring up the recipe, just comments that everyone liked them. Does anyone have the actual recipe to share? Mark Z.

Yes, Glenn, I do paddle with the secondary grip as shown by Rollin. I was taught that method by Alexandra as the Northwoods Style of paddling. I believe she was taught that style by her mentor, Mick Fahey. I find it more comfortable as it puts less stress on the wrist. It also allows me to...

I first paddled Rollin's Traveler on a canoe trip with Garret and Alexandra Conover. It was delightful along with the 18 foot White Guides. When I sold my 17 foot Chestnut Prospector (92 lbs) I built an Atkinson Traveler to replace it in Rollin's shop with my daughter, Alice. Although I have...

I have always understood that ethanol is the go to solvent for shellac. But, to prevent the stains, runs, etc., I tape a skirt of newspaper below the edge line where the shellac meets the paint. I use the green Frog tape to attach the newspaper at the edge line and seal the edge of the Frog tape...

Al, What are those Nordstom water shoes called? Mark Z.

Glenn, another option is to join a local chapter of the WCHA. One of the great benefits of outings with a local chapter is that there is always a lot of help to load and unload wood canvas canoes when putting in and taking out. We always help each other. At home I am lucky to have as neighbors...

Al, I think that is what they used to call Orange shellac and I think it is the waxed variety. For several years now I have been mixing my own shellac from flakes purchased from shellac.net as I could mix it up in any amount I needed and it would be fresh. Once shellac is mixed with denatured...