Recent content by canoekevin

I think that it is a personal preference with maybe a little age factor sprinkled in. When I grew up north of the Adirondacks the cold did not bother me much. As I got older that changed. Not everyone is bothered by the cold, my grandson still lives there and loves it. Paddling here is truly a...

I moved to Bradenton, FL 9 years ago and really enjoy the “all year” paddling here. (much better than the few months a year growing up on Lake Champlain). I agree with Tyler that the gators tend to avoid you. I do make a point to bang my paddle on the side of the canoe occasionally when I am in...

From my paddle yesterday. Hidden landing spot on Jim Neville Marine Preserve

I bought my 16’ camper nine years ago for $200. I decide to replace the seats thwart and yoke with all new parts. I think that parts cost me about $200. I love the camper. Very stable and bulletproof. I decided to get creative with the old seats. I removed what little was let of the cane...

I grew up in on the NY side in Chazy Landing directly across from Isle La Motte. I mostly waterskied and sailed sunfish back then. I didn't do much paddling until I moved to New Hampshire and now on the Gulf coast in southwest Florida.

Welcome. I grew up on the north end of Lake Champlain. What part of the lake did you paddle?

I do not think that a double-bladed paddle would work very well for me here. :)

I have been struggling with the same problem. I tweaked my back playing pickleball recently (second time in three years). I am still able to lift my 65 pound Royalex OT Camper but I turn 68 soon and at some point in my future the weight will probably be a problem. The lighter more fragile layups...

A stable solo canoe sounds like if might work for me once it gets in the water. I am still concerned about the absence of a center Yoke to get from my car to the water and back. I have seen some removable yokes online but I can not say that I am excited by that solution. What do all of you solo...

I am not sure about the water in the boat claim for the double paddle. I use the J stroke and Canadian and switch sides after every 100 stokes. Hardly any water in the canoe.

Today the tide and wind predictions were just about perfect for one of my favorite paddles. Paddle Plan: •Launch at Robinson Preserve south ramp •Paddle through the preserve to the north cut into Tampa Bay. •Get to the cut at high tide (current can be strong at other tides) •Head west to Perico...

Me before grey hair.

HA, exactly. That is the primary concern in my other post looking for a lightweight canoe as stable as my Old Town Camper. This is not the place to be paddling an unstable canoe. :)

I paddled out to Midnight Pass and across the Intracoastal on Saturday, too windy to go out into the Gulf. As usual, I was the only canoe. SUP’s outnumbered kayaks this week. Many if not most were inflatable SUP’s. I have been talking to their owners and they all like the ease of transportation...

I have been paddling here in southwest Florida for about 9 years, and this picture is typical of what I experience. I am usually the only person in a canoe. Most are in kayaks although in the last couple of years inflatable SUP’s are giving them a run for their money. I see people struggling to...