Recent content by JohnSand

I've been involved with wooden boats for decades, people will often confuse materials or forget details. I doubt it's all oak.

Like going to sea on sailboats, to see and experience things that can only be found in that way.

I weigh about 235, my brother has been around 400, we both paddle. Learning to get in and out of a canoe can be a bit of a trick for anyone. Study, practice and caution will help you enjoy this great pastime.

Prudence is a key element of boating.

89% on Long Island. I had a really nice sail in my canoe for a couple of hours. At the peak coverage, the sunlight looked washed out, and the temperature dropped.

Welcome aboard! My Dad built a kit canoe when I was four and started me on a lifetime obsession with boats. Thanks Dad!

I'm not a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist. I'm a retired cop and dealt with all of their patients on a more immediate basis.

While my car is a 2006, I still never use bow or stern ties to the bumpers. (!) Firmly cross strapped, with a line from the bow and stern hitched to the crossbars just in case. Thousands of miles without incident. There are pieces of hose with loops designed to fit under the hood.

Welcome aboard! (Waving north toward the Sound)

I've built a kayak, a sailing dinghy and a rowboat. While all were cheaper than buying new, none were cheaper than buying used. The point of building a boat is the challenge and reward of making and using your own homebuilt boat. Launch day is priceless. There are quicker and cheaper canoe...

I use a couple of folding saw horses with webbing tied between.

I do most of my paddling in winter. This year shoulder trouble has kept me ashore since december.

My only multi day canoe trip as an adult was driving to Florida with the canoe, staying in a cheap motel, and paddling or sailing a different spot every day. I loved it.

I rescued a young woman on a kayak blown out into LI Sound. When she launched from the beach she was in the lee. Farther out the full force of the wind kept her from returning. I spotted her as we were furling sail before going in. We could just see the flash of her paddles, but it looked wrong...

I wanted to go last year. I'm planning to go this year.