Recent content by MrPoling

The Tripper is hey big heavy boat before you make those repairs. After the repairs, it will be heavier than any alternative, like an aluminum canoe or a discovery. Most of which you could buy cheaply. The beauty of Royalex is it is tough and can take abuse and still get you down the river. I'm...

I used TB III for the laminated, treated pine gunwales on my old ratty Reflection. It's been at least two decades, with a few years of sitting outside. It has only a portage yoke, and no seats, so the gunwales flex like bows. No problems.

Indeed, if it is true, there must be a story behind it. It would be nice to hear from the OP or whoever purchased it. A reverse image search turned up nothing, so that's a good start.

I've hiked part of the Gauley at low water. There are gnarly undercuts throughout Lost Paddle. In my view, if you aren't comfortable and sure you'll stay in your boat you should stay away from the Gauley.

That's a good video. I like how he's done it enough to know it works. Bonus for shooting the video in open water with a little swell. I agree with him too about practicing whatever setup you have.

I don't know if I'm any faster with a bent shaft paddle, but i'm a lot more comfortable, for longer. I think less lifting water is definitely part of it. It keeps the canoe from bouncing as much too.

I suspect a paddler's mechanics, muscles and habits influence paddle preference. The bent shaft is a massive improvement for me. Way more than 2.4%.

I've been using Rubbermade Roughneck bins as plastic wanigans. I nest a tall one inside a medium one to reinforce the sides. The lid flange has been lined with foam weather stripping. Next time I'll line the lid so the foam is better protected. Webbing straps are used to hold the lid...

I've learned not everybody enjoys rugged, difficult, scary sometimes painful adventures. Kids need easy trips where they feel safe and comfortable. Not everybody wants to be on the canoe camping trip. When they're younger, they had to go, but the oldest can opt out now. The struggle with...

I'd take my old fiberglass Mad River Explorer. The Explorer is adequate to do most canoe things. Bonus is the old Explorer isn't going to be hurt by a month in the elements. I'd lock it and wouldn't worry more about someone stealing it. I do worry that any gear like boats or bikes invites...

A few weeks ago I was at a 4H camp. There were canoes on a lake. There was a class where the kids where given boots, a gallon basin, and turned loose in the creek to catch aquatic critters. Image you had 15 kids catching crawfish and 30 seconds of warning to get them to safety. Or a half...

Very well done video showing the flash flood on the Guadalupe river. Hopefully, I found the original video. The river goes from nearly dry to impassable in thirty seconds. In a little over thirty minutes, the entire flood plane is full. I've been told this kind of thing can happen, but...

Has anyone ever put a wood insert in a cane seat frame before? I don't like cane seats. I put straight plywood in my Explorer and like it much better. The problem is plywood is ugly and normally associated with cheap or cheaply repaired canoes. I have 1/4 inch cherry and and several old ash...

The satellite maps show no less than a 0.8 mile crossing, and nearly two miles in most. That is no place for goofing around. They got lucky and help was nearby. Hopefully they learn and don't make the same mistakes in the wilderness. Unfortunately blaming the new canoe and lack of bailing...

Occasionally, fiberglass or other composite canoes are manufactured with center braces. Like a pair of aluminum tubes that go from the center of the hull to the gunnels. It might be worth checking if there's evidence of braces that are missing. However. My guess is boatman53 is correct, and...