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Oh, there's still plenty of room for my feet under the contoured seat, but I'm going to get some longer bolts and space it up 3/4 of an inch. It will be interesting to see if that makes it even more comfortable, and whether it makes a significant change in its personality. Wenonah's aluminum...

The original seat cane started to tear, as expected. So since I thought this canoe would be great with a contoured seat, I went ahead and ordered one. I would have just made one, but I was pressed for time. More about that maybe later. I also made half-hearted attempt at matching the color while...

What was almost an "aha" moment for me (I wasn't immediately sure I was understanding what was going on) was when I started putting the BB Viper to work. I had picked it up cheap in an estate sale, but initially wasn't sure I liked it. I had set it aside, largely because it went against the...

He is describing what I have been learning through experimentation. It all rings true.

Much will depend on if there is any surface lacking paint or gelcoat that has sat in the sun for long. A common quip on the sailing forums I used to lurk is, "fiberglass is forever". Just a little bit hyperbolic... Feel around for any soft " crunchy" spots. Lacking any of significant size, it...

I went directly from straight wood paddles to a carbon bent, so for a long time I couldn't know if the improvement was because of the bend or because of the weight. A while back, I picked up a deal on a Bending Branches Viper (double bent). Now I've used that enough that I believe both make a...

Oh yeah, there's a hot spring nearby also. Opposite side of river. We are on the trailing end of the Yellowstone caldera, after all.

Forecast for yesterday was 100°. We went paddling anyway. Water coming out of that creek is sll spring fed, clear as glass, and very cold. There's a lot of that in this stretch of the Snake. Forecast was correct, but I stay cool by occasionally soaking my hat in the river and putting it on...

I would want to compare over at least 15 miles of flat with the same amount and direction of wind. Anything else doesn't compare with tripping. We all know that most people are going to sprint faster with a double. And it still wouldn't be meaningful without a way to track calories expended...

Yeah, it's been hot here, but it cools off at night. Our veggie garden loves it.

LOL. Nothing compares to a pole for going upstream. ;) In fact, I routinely outrun double bladers even when I can't reach the bottom. I'll have to ask if anyone wants to try pushing off the bottom with their double, and see if they can keep up. ;)

Sigh. Wish we had one out west...

I use sit (or kneel) and switch for attainments and sometimes against a strong wind, but I can't imagine that being very effective or sustainable with an animal tail paddle. I have found that I can do better and longer with a carbon bent single than even a carbon double. But as mentioned above...

Well, you know I'm not a racer. But I resemble all the rest of that. And, BTW, your long distance mentoring has had a very positive effect. Thank you.

A backband is pretty easy to set up. I've seen them available on various paddling supply sites.

It's especially effective with an ottertail, but works with any fine or foiled blade.

Also, in water recoveries help reduce or eliminate leeway in a sidewind.

I guess that would reduce wear on the grab loop, but I really haven't seen significant wear just running the tie down line through the loop. Loops have always been replaced due to UV damage before anything else. I don't like adding unnecessary hardware to lines. I guess that's a hold over from...

Yeah, it's a good idea to make your own with a more robust webbing. Cheaper too. And I never use carabiners or any hard objects for attaching the lines. Better to just use knots, like a trucker's hitch.

No worries. We're just having some fun. :)