Recent content by tketcham

I try to maximize strokes per side with hit-and-switch because I think that unless you have a pretty refined switch it's more efficient; my switches tend to be a bit leisurely. I don't have to focus on not hitting the gunwales and my first catch on each side is cleaner. But probably the real...

I can relate to that advice. I'd been intrigued by the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River in Washington and years ago asked a friend if he'd like to canoe that stretch. He agreed so we tried to find out more about it. We discovered there was almost no information on paddling that stretch and...

Chip, it sounds like everything is starting to work for you. Enjoy that Advantage. Alan, your observations are basically what I was finding while out paddling in my Hemlock Kestrel yesterday using a bent shaft paddle and hit-and-switch technique. I was really paying attention to what worked and...

I have a Hemlock Kestrel but it's very similar to the Trillium. I actually purchased the Kestrel because I wasn't using the Advantage as much as I used to and we wanted something more like a sport canoe to complement our Lady Bug. Plus, we didn't want to add to the number of canoes in the...

Sort of, they use paddles with a double bend so I'm not sure how that effects the catch and power phase but it seems like what he's describing is how it feels when the canoe is flying along. You have to keep the blade close to the hull and the shaft fairly perpendicular to the water or you'll...

I've tried foot straps and have mixed feelings about them. A buddy of mine just sticks his toes under the bar when he wants to heel the boat or wants extra leverage in rough water. I haven't decided which I prefer.

I still have mine but it's now used as a utility knife/awl and sits in my tool box. The square end is good for tapping with a hammer.

Maybe that was your experience but mine has been a responsible indulgence in a glass or two of wine, beer or even a cocktail. I enjoy the conversation and comradery of sitting with friends. And even if I'm not drinking alcohol, I still like to join in. That's not the same as camping trips that...

I like to push against the footbrace with the onside leg for sit-and-switch paddling. It gives you additional leverage (so you're not sliding forward off the seat) during the abdominal crunch phase of the stroke.

Congratulations! I don't have much to add to this thread, mainly my experience paddling an Advantage. It's a fun canoe but as you're expecting, it's much different than paddling a rockered tripping or sport canoe. You just have to adapt to the boat's strengths and weaknesses. It flies along...

I was remarking on the often heard complaint expressed in Callan's article that it's getting difficult to have a wilderness paddling experience. It's the reality of more and more people trying to escape from (sub)urbanization with finite opportunities for travel by paddle craft. I agree that...

Wilderness doesn't exist anywhere in the world anymore. Eight billion people and counting but the earth isn't expanding to accommodate us. Just the opposite, we're developing (and despoiling) more and more of our finite resources each day. Remember the Zero Population Growth (ZPG) movement in...

I've done trips with both types of paddlers and although I prefer the groups that cook solo, I can deal with shared group cooking if that's what they want to do. I do stress over my meal responsibilities (which is why I don't like it) but then enjoy the rest of the meals on the trip. And I've...

Yup. There's theory, and then there's everything else. From my own experience and from what I've read, pulling with your arms isn't as efficient as pushing with your core.

We're going to miss that Lady Bug but happy to see it will be used by an appreciative paddler. It's a classic canoe with provenance. Have fun!