Recent content by lowangle al

The stages of twilight are the same in the morning, but when I was doing my morning paddle I never got out much before sunrise. I missed the two darkest phases of twilight. I did recently dig out my thermos so I can get out earlier and have my coffee in the boat. Now would be a good time to do...

This paddling season I have done most of my paddling on my local lake in the evening. In the past I was typically a morning paddler but this isn't fitting in with my current situation. I have always enjoyed evening paddles but didn't expect they would be my preference now that I haven't been...

Is this the last event of the season? I could bring my Malecite with the center seat, but unfortunately my 50th high school reunion is that weekend.

Yeah, besides the extra leverage for leaning a higher seat gives you, it also lets you have a more powerful stroke because you can use more of your core muscles. This gives you the most powerful stroke you can get without using foot pegs or a bar. The minimum seat hight I like is about 11...

Seat hight also makes a difference. A low seat may make for a safer ride but it might not give you enough leverage to comfortably get the lean you want.

I commend your choice for getting a 20' canoe for your family, as I don't think a 17 or 18 footer is enough. That OT Pack canoe can be a good fit when your kids get bigger as either you or your wife can paddle it on a trip.

Thanks for that Marc. I think the OP would want a boat that is stable when leaned to the rail and not squirrely. What boats do you solo guys recommend for him.

Thanks Glenn and Marc. I have watched Marcs videos and have read his articles and understand the physics going on. I was just wondering if I was missing something when it comes to leaning a boat to the rails. I think of it more in terms of secondary stability and how it affects how much I can...

This is my most recent tarp set up. It's certainly not minimalistic, but I felt pretty well protected.

I'd say at least 10x12' should do it. It doesn't have to be real big, just don't skimp.

The question I have is. Is it better to have a boat you can lean to the gunnel, or one that gives you the performance you want without having to lean it that far? Another question I have concerning solo boats when leaning is, Do you keep one knee in each chine or do you put both knees in one...

I'm with Glenn on this one, just use your single blade paddle with one hand. In the "Woodcraft" book Nessmuk uses the one handed paddle as an alternative to the double blade he used. It was probably his only spare paddle and I imagine it took up less room in his 16 lb canoe than a standard size...

I would never go tentless during bug season, but have had success with a tarp in the shoulder season. I would make sure my tarp was big enough to make it weatherproof during a storm.

I've been there in early October and there were only a few other groups. Fear of crowds wouldn't keep me away in September.

This one is from a couple nights ago. It's cool how what seems to be just an ordinary night can turn out like this.