Recent content by Steve in Idaho

If the river is mostly straight and flat and current isn't pushy, I can imagine that putting enough weight in the bow so you can stand farther aft can be helpful. That will allow you to plant the pole closer to the keel line. The trade off is a reduced ability to make quick course corrections...

I almost always keep the trim neutral, unless I'm going slower than the current. If I'm just playing, I will almost always accelerate into the eddy, for one reason - because it's fun. Well, and it's good practice for when the move is urgent. Going Slower than current, setting can be easier. But...

I was having that same thought, but I haven't actually tested it. I have yet to return to the places I saw overrun by Covid Campers. I'll be sure to check that out this summer. But I suspect that the "caloric output" factor isn't going to be as strong with those who view sports and then return...

This catches my attention.... Makes me think of when we took our bouncing-off-the-walls rescue dog in for professional obedience training. At some point in the process, our trainer let out that it wasn't so much the dogs needing training as it was the owners needing training. After that...

Something like these, but I haven't seen on with hung seats. https://gaboats.com/collections/canoes I just hate seeing a hull neglected like that.

So, I'll give more detail about my Prospector perspective... Most importantly, everything I say about it comes from my experience with the Nova Craft 16' Prospector. Put a tripping load in that and point it down a class 2 to 3 river that moves continually, and it's pretty hard to beat...

Indy, you say?... https://www.facebook.com/share/1LX5aVRDsV/

The Malecite fits in the same class as the Northstar Polaris, Bell Northstar, and Wenonah Escapade. I consider any one of those perfect as a day tripping tandem that can be reasonably easy to solo. Not for much above class 1 though. That's where the Explorer and Prospectors come in. I myself...

Have you guys seen this? https://www.facebook.com/share/14XB6CjxTeA/

Yes, good article. I have chosen to just call it control. Either you are in control of your boat or something else is.

My Nova Craft Prospector was fantastic as a river solo with a heavy load. Without the load, anything more than a soft breeze made it a real handful to control. The soft chines and moderate rocker made it very forgiving though. Although not as forgiving in some situations (like an accidental...

I don't mind a small chest pack or sling bag. I use those sometimes instead of a day pack, and they don't impair my view of the ground in front of me. Wouldn't hesitate to use one of those in conjunction with my backpack. My usual way of extending my load capacity though is my Summit leg packs...

Test paddling with little experience in solo canoes is tricky. The first time I did was in a model that was actually a pretty good design, but it didn't feel good to me so I passed on it. If I was to get in that canoe now, I'm sure I would like it. (ETA: this was coming from considerable...

That's just mean. :D

When I was there, the flow was so low that the "ledge" was essentially a wall of rocks with a narrow passage in the middle. There was a chute, little more than a canoe width with a deep hole on the right side of it. The approach, as I recall, had current angling from left to right. Running the...