Recent content by Steve in Idaho

Photo and video evidence are always deceiving. I wonder how close they actually were when the bison decided to charge. I'm used to seeing this kind of incident starting with the tourist looking a lot closer to the animal.

It's a legitimate concern, and you're wise to be thinking about it. Anyway, enjoy that Swift P14. I really liked the one I paddled.

I've paddled that canoe, and I think as you get more seat time in it, you'll find it to be stable enough to have the seat high enough to clear your feet easily and still feel reasonably stable when sitting. That's a very nice boat, BTW. Another thing that will improve with time is if you point...

This is how my Esquif Vertige is set up, and I slip right out of that too, if I want to.

The law of tonnage applies to four legged critters as well as vessels.

With a pedestal, you slip right out of the straps. I have QD buckles anyway. QD is the way to go if you use straps with a bench seat.

Two examples of pedestals I've installed. First is in the Wildfire. This one in the Guide. Note that it is lower and wider on top. A little better for sitting.

I kneel more than sit, but this ^ is my preferred method in my river oriented solo canoes. With a pedestal, you come right out of the boat when it's called for, unimpeded. In a tandem, I like a kneeling thwart for solo paddling. Not much to get hung up on. On flat water solos or tandems I like...

I recall reading years ago that there has been a problem with the bison transmitting brucellosis to cattle outside of the park. It's amazing how close some people deliberately he to those beasts. That's a big nope in my book.

That was very enlightening.

What I'm seeing the kids riding around here are ebikes fully electric with no need, or in some cases no option, to pedal. I expect to resort to a pedal assist ebike at some point, but not for a while yet if I can help it.

Sadly, I believe the entry level is fast becoming electrified.

I love those people! They have provided me some great bargains.

Halfway in to our destination in the BWCA, the plastic grip of my recreational Zav broke off in my hand. I assume it was the result of some earlier hidden damage from being dropped or something. I really have no idea of its history, since I bought it used. Or maybe it was the result of heating...

Well, yeah. It's possible that if a similarly appointed Polaris or Keewaydin 17 dropped in our laps, we might change our minds. I don't think Northstar is quite up to the level of fit&finish of Vermont MR though, and I don't even see slotted rails as a Swift option - so, pretty unlikely.