Finally got a solo

[Gamma1214]

Maybe try swamping it in shallow water and see if it floats or sinks? If it sinks, you could consider carrying float bags like whitewater canoeists do.

That was my thought. If I had to guess, I'd say the canoe will be somewhat neutral buoyancy (won't sink but will "float" pretty much at the surface). It's pretty easy to determine by swamping it in shallow water and never a bad idea to tip a new canoe to find out exactly where the secondary stability ends.

 

[mdkelley]

I will probably use a ridge rest style pad for my Sylvania trip since I already have it and don't have time to buy, test and install pads. I was originally thinking about a removable pad but the glue in sounded easier for portages. I will see how i like using the removable one during my UP trip. The large northstar pad i used when I tested a couple boats was really nice.

 

[mdkelley]

That was my thought. If I had to guess, I'd say the canoe will be somewhat neutral buoyancy (won't sink but will "float" pretty much at the surface). It's pretty easy to determine by swamping it in shallow water and never a bad idea to tip a new canoe to find out exactly where the secondary stability ends.

I will be doing my first paddle up at my uncle's pond where I store my camper and other stuff like paddles and pfd.
Plan to test it's limits and see how it floats next weekend before I head to the UP for 3.5 weeks of camping. I will send some pics if i remember to take any.

Went to rei yesterday and bought some actual tie downs instead of ratchet straps to haul it, some good rope and lashing straps. Got some bungee and toggles also and made some of those bungee loop things. Getting excited to try the boat out. Need to get some tubing like gumpus showed me to put over gunnels while hauling also.

All the thwarts and seat are attached to small AL angle that is riveted under gunnel rail. Wondering if for grab handles I can remove a pop rivet, cut handle to fit tight and just run a stainless screw through the rivet hole to install or if i need to add more angle brackets?

 

[M Clemens]

I will be doing my first paddle up at my uncle's pond where I store my camper and other stuff like paddles and pfd.
Plan to test it's limits and see how it floats next weekend before I head to the UP for 3.5 weeks of camping. I will send some pics if i remember to take any.

Went to rei yesterday and bought some actual tie downs instead of ratchet straps to haul it, some good rope and lashing straps. Got some bungee and toggles also and made some of those bungee loop things. Getting excited to try the boat out. Need to get some tubing like gumpus showed me to put over gunnels while hauling also.

All the thwarts and seat are attached to small AL angle that is riveted under gunnel rail. Wondering if for grab handles I can remove a pop rivet, cut handle to fit tight and just run a stainless screw through the rivet hole to install or if i need to add more angle brackets?

I went back at looked at your pics a little closer. It appears your gunnels are Wenonah type, to which all thwarts and carry handles consist of tubular aluminum, bent at the ends and riveted to the gunnels, seats hung from angles sandwiched between the gunnel and hull. The person who retrofitted the Indy must have chosen to attach wood thwarts to small angles riveted to the gunnels. It might have been cleaner to maintain consistent hardware and go with aluminum thwarts and handles, but no worries.

I have seen folks do as you propose by running a wood screw through the gunnel into carry handles, not my favorite method, but it works.

Lastly, the Independence has MR's classic shallow v hull, with 2 1/2 inches of symmetrical rocker that begins near center (pic below for effect); it feels very different than most other canoes. It takes some getting used to, but if you give it time, I think you will come to lover her.