Splash cover

Today, I ordered a splash cover for my Wenonah Wilderness from Red Leaf Designs. I had a couple of questions that was answered to my satisfaction. I can’t wait until I get to use the splash cover this summer.

Red Leaf Designs makes great products.

I’ve checked out their website before but I’ve never paddled with a splash cover. What made you decide to get one?

Neophyte said:

I’ve checked out their website before but I’ve never paddled with a splash cover. What made you decide to get one?

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I am planning some trips this summer and I wanted the splash covers to help keep the canoe drier during rain. I also wanted to cut the effect of wind on my canoe when I am on some of the larger lakes.

I made one myself for my Hornbeck, fited around my backpack in the sstern. It works well to keep out rain, paddle drips, and wave spray in bigger waters that I have crossed (including Lake Champlain). i used foam noodles with a dowel stiffener inside to make end water spill dams. We also made our own for Yukon race canoes, both for 7 paddler Voyageurs, and C4s. Each paddler had individually fitted segments up to and around the waist, held on and adjustable with velcro. Worked great

Not as pretty or functional as yknpdlr’s or Paddling Pitt’s, but…

Splash covers are great, not only for keeping the rain off the gear, but keeping hard rains from accumulating in the canoe. I’ve had hard rains dump inches of water into the bottom of the boat in a very short period of time. My used Mohawk came with a bow cover. I made a bow cover out of tyvek for my Colden Dragonfly. The tyvek lasted for just a 3 week trip on the Cree River which is what I needed it for.

Not sure I like the velcro attachment. Wonder how its going to hold up to repeated on/off cycles, and to dirt and grime. Not sure there's a better way though either that wouldn't require drilling. Still, tempting. Would love to reduce wind drag.

clemency said:

Not sure I like the velcro attachment. Wonder how its going to hold up to repeated on/off cycles, and to dirt and grime. Not sure there's a better way though either that wouldn't require drilling. Still, tempting. Would love to reduce wind drag.

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I went with Velcro because I didn’t want to drill holes in the boat. I REALLY didn’t want to drill holes.

I also put a pocket in the bow for extra paddles. I’ll have to look for a picture.

The Velcro was « heavy duty « . The same Velcro has been on the boat for three years. It’s been through several tough trips. The tyvek did not stand up to the wet and repeated on/off cycles, but the Velcro is fine. No junk in it. Still sticks like rows full of ticks. For the second trip I used some kind of water-resistant fabric; it served its purpose but I made it in a hurry and it was not elegant.

clemency said:

Not sure I like the velcro attachment. Wonder how its going to hold up to repeated on/off cycles, and to dirt and grime. Not sure there's a better way though either that wouldn't require drilling. Still, tempting. Would love to reduce wind drag.

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i used snaps on my hornbeck wood gunwale in the photo I posted above. But snaps can become difficult to use, especiallly if they get dirty or in sand.

Separately, my team installed home made nylon covers with velcro on two woodstrip cedar voyageur canoes. glueing the loop strip part to just under the gunwale outwale. We also outfitted two C4 carbon canoes (SR Saranacs) the same way. All for Yukon River races. Each paddler had their own custom cover to fit and adjust. We contact cemented the loop side to under the outwale. the hook half was sewed to waterproof coated nylon fabric. After multiple Yukon River races, including the 1000 milers, we nad no problems with repeated attachment. Even though I still have a coating of gray river silt on much of my gear.

Thanks everyone for the responses. My closest paddling spot is a lake that's large enough to get some good wind, and since everyone else has kayaks I'm definitely more susceptible to getting blown around. So I'm interested in the covers for wind as much as splash protection.

I noticed the velcro attachments as well. I find that more appealing than drilling holes for sure.

I made custom covers for my Blackwater last year, and they've worked really well at cutting down wind resistance, especially from crosswinds. I'm sure you'll notice a major difference!

I made a test version in Tyvek. This final version is a heavy duty laminated fabric. No holes in the hull, snaps or velcro, I used 3M VHB double stick tape, and zippers along the edges of the back deck for cargo access.