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I've found far more interesting things than I've lost. My first canoe was recovered from the bottom of the lake, and I think I've found three more since. I haven't purchased an adult life jacket in several decades. They are readily available on the roadside, normally about a quarter mile from...

I omitted it from my trip report, but last month we lost a Luggable Lou toilet lid on our trip to Jocassee. It was behind the stern seat and I leaned back on it. I was trying to push the protruding hinge around to the side, so would stop digging in my back. Instead of must have popped it off...

While in an AI training class I had Copilot draw rat logos for one of my canoes. It was pretty impressive, but it really struggled to understand I didn't want double-bladed paddles in the logo. Then I told it to draw the rat poling the canoe. It couldn't comprehend how a rat would hold a...

I frequently think about cutting the timber from a local river. However, I'm very hesitant to cut trees in the water because of the risk of getting pushed and pinned underwater. In particular newly fallen trees with the crown intact seem unpredictable. It sounds like you are using good...

I'll add this is a project the first time you do it. You might end up taking a thwart off too. It's good to budget an hour to do it and then some time to test it and adjust as necessary. It will take like three times the normal amount of straps too.

I see lots of good solutions here, but let me suggest something different. I've carried two canoes by removing the portage yoke from one and laying it partially on top of the other. The bottom canoe is completely on the racks on one side of the vehicle. The cattywampus canoe has one set of...

We awoke to a cool morning. There was a gentle breeze blowing through the trees. We had an easy breakfast of Pop-tarts and apple pastries heated on the a-frame toaster. We broke camp and loaded up. With the two motor boats on the beach we loaded wet-footed. However, it was much easier on the...

1 - bent shaft paddle. Love at first stroke. 2 - propane stove. Sure, the multi fuel Whisper-lite is sooo cool. But also stinky, sooty, and fickle. I've never been comfortable pressurizing gasoline with air. The propane stove has two burners, lights with a click, and boils water faster...

I might be the only one with this problem, but I've got galvanic corrosion on my aluminum gunnels. The stainless screws for handles seem to be the problem. They aren't cheap to source, but you might consider aluminum screws if you'll be around saltwater.

Nylon and silk are good choices for around water. Polyester is more likely to nurture stinky (and worse) bacteria.

We woke to the sound of a motorboat leaving the cove. It was already daylight, but our site was on a westward slope, deep and dark in the trees. The other campgrounds at Jocassee are plagued by motorboat noise. The boat-in site was far quieter. We heard the two motorboats come and go from the...

The crossing to Double Springs mountain is about a mile of open water. It is most intimidating when the wind is blowing from the northwest, towards the open part of the lake. We enjoyed remarkably calm conditions. With the development behind you it feels for a while as if you're paddling off...

Shhhh.... Traveling with two kids I keep to the straight and narrow. I would really like to paddle up to the north end of the lake, camp, and run the Foothills trail where it comes along the lake.

Lake Jocassee, SC Date: Late April 2024 Put-in/Takeout: Boat-in boat ramp, Devils Fork State Park Paddlers: 1 adult, 1 Elementary School Kid, 1 Middle School Kid Craft: Mad River Lamoille, "Moose" Lake Jocassee and the surrounding gorges are among the most beautiful and rugged places on the...

I agree with memaquay about looking for another boat. I see in the Massachusetts area there are a few aluminum canoes for sale under $500 on craigslist. Some even under 300. Fiberglass canoes will occasionally show up in that price range too. Most would paddle better, and would allow you to...

The square barrels worked great at mealtime. The flat sides work great as counter space. With both barrels sideways on the ground I was able to plate meals for three people, just like I had a countertop. I am a little concerned the plastic is relatively thin. I was careful not to sit...

Part 6 - A Real Trip We used the square barrels on a two night trip. Two 20 degree mummy bags and sleeping pads fit nicely, taking a little over half the space. We filled the rest of the first barrel with clothes and such. Finally, a frisbee on top. This worked great, keeping the contents...

Part 5 - seal improvements I want to reduce the leakage. However, I don't know if the barrel-to-collar or collar-to-lid seal is leaking. The collar can be pulled off fairly easily. For sure a bear could do it. Maybe a big raccoon. I decided bonding it to the barrel would be the first step...

I had a strap brake while lashing down my canoe. The buckle broke. It was a decade old, and from Walmart. Afterwards I bought new NRS straps. I always use one of those as the lead strap. Anytime I'm traveling by highway I secure the bow. I secure the lines to the fender mounts under the...

I read some careful, well reasoned explanation of why double spaces were completely unacceptable, then why they should be banned. I don't care. Single spaces are harder for me to read. Even uncomfortable with some fonts. It's as bad as someone typing everything in bold. I would be shocked if...