Recent content by Steve in Idaho

Now that I think about it, there was that time I was alone up the south fork of the Payette. I couldn't believe there were people hiking up the riverside trail (and talking) in the middle of the night. What really had me going was when they later woke me up tossing bowling ball size rocks into...

Squirrels are the biggest problem around here. They are tenacious. A slick hanging drybag defeats their attempts as they repeatedly slide off, but they'll keep at it all day. Good camp entertainment.

Did they say which containers lasted the longest?

Again, I think it depends a lot on the particular canoe, the paddler, and to some extent, the paddle (I favor a long bladed ottertail when soloing a tandem). I think you have mentioned an 18' tandem, and I suspect that has a lot to do with what you're saying. The longest tandem I have paddled...

OMG! Little rotation, bent elbows, and no stacked hands - how on earth did he pull away from that double blade team? 😁

Well, there's a lot of nuance to discuss there, and I have to start with agreeing with your point to some degree. We know from the principals of naval design that a longer waterline allows a higher theoretical hull speed. We also can demonstrate that heeling most tandem recreational canoes can...

I am a disciple of Harry Rock's modern poling technique. As such, I have employed the "wildwater" downriver method whenever possible. That is pretty much using the tandem canoe while standing with a pole the same way a solo canoe is paddled with a double blade. Can't say I've been in a...

I think this is only the second time I've seen foot straps mentioned in association with a foot bar. How are your straps rigged, and how do they help you? I have an idea in my mind, but my assumption may be wrong.

Depends on the boat. In the Prospector at least, I found tracking to be neutral. At some length, we will all be overwhelmed. Especially with a paddle. The only times I want the bow to be especially light when poling upstream is when climbing a significant drop, attacking some turbulence, or...

I've been using one layer of whatever fiberglass I have on hand. S glass is best, but E glass and epoxy have held up just fine for me. I mix in some graphite for pigment and UV resistance. I used to use peel ply, but found that stretchy plastic wrap from the kitchen actually works as well if you...

Yes, that is my experience with the Boise River in the valley. Wherever it hasn't been channelized, it tends to meander. And in years with a heavy spring flow, channels move, gravel bars are rearranged, and islands appear or disappear. We also have some beaver activity that sometimes results in...

It depends on which canoe I'm in, what the wind is doing, and what I want to do. Generally, I prefer to be more or less centered in the canoe. If I'm solo in a tandem canoe and I want to reduce skin friction, I'll heel the canoe to one side or the other. As we all know, that also makes it...

Wenonah has had an adjustable hight seat. My Clipper Solitude seat is adjustable fore and aft, as well well as hight. It adds a little weight, but it's good to have. I think most canoe manufacturers aren't catering to those of us who are likely to appreciate the versatility of such a seat, and...

..... I am stuck here in canoe Outland. With all the people moving to Idaho, you would think at least one functional freestyle instructor would be among them. But apparently, no.....

I had read before about using the fluff for insulation, but I didn't know about the PFDs.