Recent content by Benson Gray

I have seen this film and heard him speak about it in Bethel as I mentioned here before. I enjoyed it, but can understand why some people in the freestyle community might take offence. The link below has more details about where to see it. Benson https://www.samuelfddunning.com/canoe-dig-it

Do you plan to make this information available on the web to people who can't attend in person? Benson

Greetings Fellow Paddlers! Forty years ago, a community began gathering on the shores of Maine to celebrate the craft, the skill, and the spirit of canoeing. Since then, the Maine Canoe Symposium has become a cherished tradition- and we want you to help us celebrate our 40th Anniversary! We're...

This film is making the rounds of small theaters in New England and Alaska now. I saw it last night in Bethel and enjoyed it. Has anyone else here seen it and/or want to offer any comments? The link below has more details. Benson https://www.samuelfddunning.com/canoe-dig-it

Bill Mason demonstrated this at the end of his Song of the Paddle video. See the segment starting at 38:36 with the link below. Benson

I guess that depends on your definition of 'normal use.' There are lots of real disaster canoes that show up for sale after being left outside for years. They often appear later in a Facebook canoe group with someone asking 'how can I fix this?' Two examples that I could find quickly are shown...

The factory offers a skid plate kit as shown at https://oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/accessories-parts/parts-repairs-other/skid-plate-kit and other suppliers offer similar kits for less. Good luck, Benson

One option to recruit new canoe paddlers is to write magazine and social media articles about fun canoe trips or other related topics. Canoe companies used to sponsor canoe trips which would be published later just to help build awareness of the sport. The link below has one that I wrote many...

I don't know. Most canoe sailors are just out for an afternoon of fun, so avoid conditions that aren't pleasant. The leeboards or centerboard perform the same function as a deep keel on a sailboat. Whitecaps are usually the indicator of a 'rocket ride' opportunity if you want one. The black...

The very old man way includes a dog as a lookout while you rest. Benson

To be truly precarious you need to add more people and a hiking board. It is said that the key to successful small boat sailing is movable ballast, that is you. It was very popular years ago. Benson

Some of us like windy days. Benson

It may also be helpful to take a historical perspective on this competition. I have always understood that canoes were hugely popular years ago when compared to similar outdoor sports but I've never found a good way to measure this. The Google books Ngram Viewer as described at...

Canoe: New England, New York, and Ontario Kayak: New England, Arizona, and Great Britain

I admit to rarely starting a thread here since my prime canoe tripping days are well behind me now and my interest in modern canoes is limited. What is this group's policy or opinion about cross-posting canoe related topics here from other forums? My primary interest is in old canoes so the WCHA...