Recent content by Glenn MacGrady

A rib and plank canoe can be covered with canvas, plus a brushed on filler that makes the canvas waterproof from the outside, plus paint on top of the filled canvas. The inside of the canoe—the planks and ribs—are just varnished. (Some builders, like Alex Comb of Stewart River Boatworks, will...

That's quite an epic work project, Sabs. I have nothing constructive to offer except to utter three words you probably still don't want to consider: (fiberglass the outside).

Old guy tangent: Unless you are completely joking, Michael, you should see a urologist. The LUTS symptoms of BPH are very treatable.

I wouldn't worry about thinning the shaft, especially if the paddles are not likely to be your top favorites. The probability of breaking a shaft diminishes greatly if one is just careful with the paddles, uses them mostly in calm waters rather than swift currents or whitewater, and has a suite...

Hobonobbi, I'd like to welcome you, too, to site membership! Feel free to ask any questions and to post messages, photos and videos in our many forums. Please read Welcome to CanoeTripping and Site Rules! Also, please consider adding your location to your profile, which will cause it to show...

Rob, welcome to site membership! Feel free to ask any questions and to post messages, photos and videos in our many forums. Please read Welcome to CanoeTripping and Site Rules! Also, please consider adding your location to your profile, which will cause it to show under your avatar, as this is...

Seems like Kaz's retirement is postponed. The following is now pinned on his Facebook page: My retirement update, in case you're curious. I originally hoped to start winding down at the end of July, but with SO many boats on order, that ain't happening. Thank you! I do appreciate your...

Al, the video was posted on Youtube on July 22, 2022, which I think was after the Assembly. I only met Tom once—well, it was over a four day freestyle symposium, where he was one of my instructors as well as the event organizer, so I got to talk to him quite a bit. I joined the WCHA last...

An enjoyable write-up about a mostly unenjoyable trip. I don't like tortuous, narrow, shallow streams between alders or mangroves either. How much does that SOF canoe weigh? Were you worried about the skin being punctured by side branches or hard things 'neath the shallow waters?

A very interesting video about the life and achievements of a canoeing legend. There are appearances and interviews with CTN members such as Kim Gass, Charlie Wilson and Marc Ornstein.

Sorry, Patrick and others, but I didn't mean outwale. My use of "rub rail" was perhaps misleading, but I think that is the most used term along with "trim rail". They are below the outwale but above the waterline on some w/c canoes and often separate two differently painted areas. Here are...

I have some questions about rub rails on a w/c canoe. Asking for a friend. Are they just decorative or do they actually serve some purpose? Are they usually hard wood or soft wood? Usually oiled or varnished? If they get all scuffed up, do you have to tape above and below them to re-varnish or...

Thanks for the info, Doug. I hope it was because he's in a good enough position to retire, rather than because of some sort of unfortunate situation. It also sounds like he couldn't find anyone to sell the business to. I remember Dave Paton, Kaz and Harold Deal dominating whitewater racing in...

??? Although I'm not a fan of direct links to other sites, there's no absolute rule against it and it might make clearer what the "big decision" is. Or, more simply, the decision could just be quoted or summarized here and folks can discuss it if they wish. I'm not intending to be critical, but...

I bring two headlamps, which I can hang under a tarp, from a branch or in my tent, plus always using one for reading at bedtime. Since I often fall asleep reading while the light is on, I have to bring plenty of fresh batteries. I realized I don't have much use for handheld flashlights, and...