Search results

That's a good video. I like how he's done it enough to know it works. Bonus for shooting the video in open water with a little swell. I agree with him too about practicing whatever setup you have.

I don't know if I'm any faster with a bent shaft paddle, but i'm a lot more comfortable, for longer. I think less lifting water is definitely part of it. It keeps the canoe from bouncing as much too.

I suspect a paddler's mechanics, muscles and habits influence paddle preference. The bent shaft is a massive improvement for me. Way more than 2.4%.

I've been using Rubbermade Roughneck bins as plastic wanigans. I nest a tall one inside a medium one to reinforce the sides. The lid flange has been lined with foam weather stripping. Next time I'll line the lid so the foam is better protected. Webbing straps are used to hold the lid...

I've learned not everybody enjoys rugged, difficult, scary sometimes painful adventures. Kids need easy trips where they feel safe and comfortable. Not everybody wants to be on the canoe camping trip. When they're younger, they had to go, but the oldest can opt out now. The struggle with...

I'd take my old fiberglass Mad River Explorer. The Explorer is adequate to do most canoe things. Bonus is the old Explorer isn't going to be hurt by a month in the elements. I'd lock it and wouldn't worry more about someone stealing it. I do worry that any gear like boats or bikes invites...

A few weeks ago I was at a 4H camp. There were canoes on a lake. There was a class where the kids where given boots, a gallon basin, and turned loose in the creek to catch aquatic critters. Image you had 15 kids catching crawfish and 30 seconds of warning to get them to safety. Or a half...

Very well done video showing the flash flood on the Guadalupe river. Hopefully, I found the original video. The river goes from nearly dry to impassable in thirty seconds. In a little over thirty minutes, the entire flood plane is full. I've been told this kind of thing can happen, but...

Has anyone ever put a wood insert in a cane seat frame before? I don't like cane seats. I put straight plywood in my Explorer and like it much better. The problem is plywood is ugly and normally associated with cheap or cheaply repaired canoes. I have 1/4 inch cherry and and several old ash...

The satellite maps show no less than a 0.8 mile crossing, and nearly two miles in most. That is no place for goofing around. They got lucky and help was nearby. Hopefully they learn and don't make the same mistakes in the wilderness. Unfortunately blaming the new canoe and lack of bailing...

Occasionally, fiberglass or other composite canoes are manufactured with center braces. Like a pair of aluminum tubes that go from the center of the hull to the gunnels. It might be worth checking if there's evidence of braces that are missing. However. My guess is boatman53 is correct, and...

On my most recent trip I realized how much I use my z rest sleeping pad. It goes on the floor of the canoe as knee pads, on the ground when we need to unpack gear, then serves it's intended use as a sleeping pad. We even used it to mend a broken seat on our last trip.

I know someone who's young son has a gluten problem. He mentioned this once.. So I can confirm this is a real thing that people worry about. The point wasnt he was worried about his young son making out with a cake-eater. The kiss is used as a example of how little gluten is needed to cause...

I was paddling this week in a big tandem loaded with two kids and camping gear. I was getting tired of sitting with my knees bent, but when I stretched out I felt more unstable. I even had a solid foot brace and it didn't help. I concluded sitting with my feet flat against the bottom near the...

It might be. I was thinking maybe just find a small box, fold the flaps in, then cut a hole in the bottom for the thermometer to look through. Basically like a shroud for a camera. That should at least prevent sunlight from interfering. i got in the habit of taking a few measurements of the...

That is an interesting conversation. I've always been paranoid about having my boats out in the hot southern sun. I'm not savvy about epoxy so I'll limit my comments to mentioning aging and degradation. It matters to the materials thermal characteristics, but predicting how would be tricky...

The C&O Canal Companion by Mike High. It includes lots of history. However, most of the canal is now dry, so it is better for cycling.

Paddling on a lake I saw a group of 4 or 5 hawks climbing to several hundred feet then diving to treetop level. They were in a line, and at least two re-climbed to take a second turn. Like kids on a water slide. Once saw a great blue heron calmly step on a 3 inch turtle. The heron continued...

I've drilled two vehicles now. In both cases I was far happier with the results than the factory racks, or aftermarket with those clips the tops of doors. The best part about drilling is you can get longer spread. The bad part is modern vehicles, with airbags and sunroofs require a little...

Last month I did a practice swim. I did it with just a baling scoop and swim trunks. The fiberglass Explorer is too heavy to toss. Bailing it out enough to climb in then bailing it empty was a cold chore. I normally carry flotation open water or white water. Ive wondered about side...