Recent content by MrPoling

The crossing to Double Springs mountain is about a mile of open water. It is most intimidating when the wind is blowing from the northwest, towards the open part of the lake. We enjoyed remarkably calm conditions. With the development behind you it feels for a while as if you're paddling off...

Shhhh.... Traveling with two kids I keep to the straight and narrow. I would really like to paddle up to the north end of the lake, camp, and run the Foothills trail where it comes along the lake.

Lake Jocassee, SC Date: Late April 2024 Put-in/Takeout: Boat-in boat ramp, Devils Fork State Park Paddlers: 1 adult, 1 Elementary School Kid, 1 Middle School Kid Craft: Mad River Lamoille, "Moose" Lake Jocassee and the surrounding gorges are among the most beautiful and rugged places on the...

I agree with memaquay about looking for another boat. I see in the Massachusetts area there are a few aluminum canoes for sale under $500 on craigslist. Some even under 300. Fiberglass canoes will occasionally show up in that price range too. Most would paddle better, and would allow you to...

The square barrels worked great at mealtime. The flat sides work great as counter space. With both barrels sideways on the ground I was able to plate meals for three people, just like I had a countertop. I am a little concerned the plastic is relatively thin. I was careful not to sit...

Part 6 - A Real Trip We used the square barrels on a two night trip. Two 20 degree mummy bags and sleeping pads fit nicely, taking a little over half the space. We filled the rest of the first barrel with clothes and such. Finally, a frisbee on top. This worked great, keeping the contents...

Part 5 - seal improvements I want to reduce the leakage. However, I don't know if the barrel-to-collar or collar-to-lid seal is leaking. The collar can be pulled off fairly easily. For sure a bear could do it. Maybe a big raccoon. I decided bonding it to the barrel would be the first step...

I had a strap brake while lashing down my canoe. The buckle broke. It was a decade old, and from Walmart. Afterwards I bought new NRS straps. I always use one of those as the lead strap. Anytime I'm traveling by highway I secure the bow. I secure the lines to the fender mounts under the...

I read some careful, well reasoned explanation of why double spaces were completely unacceptable, then why they should be banned. I don't care. Single spaces are harder for me to read. Even uncomfortable with some fonts. It's as bad as someone typing everything in bold. I would be shocked if...

I'm really enjoying this thread. I've been through many of the same problems you're discussing, and it took so long to work everything out. I have left the undersides of inwales square. It works great for mounting seats, thwarts and yokes. I recommend sanding the edge enough it doesn't hurt...

The stuff I have isn't labeled very well, but Amazon shows I bought gorilla waterproof patch and seal tape.

I tested the gorilla waterproof patch and seal tape on a water can tonight. I wet the can inside and out, then dried the section with a hole using one paper towel. There was no standing water on it, but it was still damp, much like the hull of my Royalex canoe in the rain. The tape stuck...

I kept a role of duct tape in my repair kit. A year or so ago I knocked a hole in my Royalex canoe on a cool rainy day. I dried it as best as I could, but I couldn't get duct tape to stick. I've replaced it with some gorilla patch and seal tape, which claims it can be applied to wet...

I have a Yellowstone Solo in black gold, but I think your royalex hull is the one to have. This hull is perfect for class 1-2 rivers. Im looking forward to seeing the build.

I bought a supposedly lightweight aluminum racing canoe once. As others have commented even a lightweight aluminum canoe will be 20 lb heavier than a composite. Probably the biggest advantage of aluminum canoes is The ability to store them outside in any conditions. I ended up selling it...