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Still couldn't afford it. ;)

It's hard to say. It will depend on how much canoeing experience/skill you have. It will also depend on how much work/effort you want to put into learning to paddle a new hull that might be different than what you currently have. I have no intention of being derogatory but I'm guessing if you're...

I've used a few pairs of RailRider pants and have been very happy with them. I have about 80 days of tripping on one pair and other than some ember burns around the ankles they're no worse for wear. I'm sure Patagonia makes a fine pant as well. Glad to hear the seat is working out so far! Alan

I've had a set of these for about 25 years. I don't know if I've ever actually used them. They're heavy for backpacking but would work fine for car camping. At 6' they might be a little short for the ends but would make cheap, short, poles for the corners. It looks like Campmor is sold out and a...

On my last big canoe trip I cut multiple sets of tarp poles from dead spruce saplings along the way. The final set I saved and brought home with me. I still have, and use, them 10 years later and they make me smile every time I see them. Alan

Looking great. I approve of your speediness :) As for the center line I shoot a laser down the center line, make a pencil mark every few feet, and then connect them with a straight edge. Alan

My rack has adjustable safety spotters. I can squat or bench without fear. I've relied on the spotters plenty of times. I don't think you need to worry about getting too bulky unless you're blessed with great genetics. Two years ago I was 6' 1" and 165 pounds. I've been lifting consistently and...

I use sil-nylon roll top bags. They're lightweight and take up virtually no space on their own. I only pack the things that need to stay waterproof in the roll top bags. Pretty much just the sleeping bag, clothes, and some electronics. I use lightweight stuff sacks for everything else. I use...

Looks great. You seem to have handled it just fine. It's such a weird thing the first time you do it. Alan

I haven't really been canoeing much in the last few years but I have, for the first time in my life (47), gotten serious about weight lifting. I'm no gym bro and you wouldn't know it to look at me but I've put on a fair bit of muscle in the last 2 years. I don't take it too seriously but I try...

I think the video looks like BS though. I think the only reason those people are blowing air under the ice is because it looks cool. Notice they all appear to be thin ice with no snow cover. Not what I would consider conditions for winter kill. Alan

It's pretty common for shallow lakes around here to have aerators installed. There is usually a motor installed in a small shed on shore that pumps air to the aerator somewhere in the middle of the lake. In mild years the DNR often doesn't run them but in hard winters they can prevent winter...

I've been eyeballing the NRS Big Water Guide. I like that it has a higher float rating than most PFDs and is longer in length, which hopefully reduces some of the bulk. Haven't seen one in person though. https://www.nrs.com/nrs-big-water-guide-pfd/ptiz Alan

To me installing something with nearly permanent epoxy would me more nerve racking. :) Alan

Rivets are so easy and reversible that they would be my main option unless it wasn't an option. Alan

I would guess that "optimum load range" is one of those specs that needs to be taken with a grain of salt and I can certainly see how it would muddy the waters. Here are the specs on the Raven. Maybe @memaquay could chime in as to how it performed at different loads and paddling conditions to...

Looks awesome!

How does the Raven shape up to your criteria? Never seen or paddled one, just curious. Alan

You deal with it. It's part of the allure. Alan

All depends on your usage. I haven't seen many failures due to foam cores. Alan