Packing alternatives.

[Idiot Savant]

When I bought my first canoe and started putting together my own trips, I often used a Rubbermaid Action Packer in my packing.
It, obviously, isn't waterproof, in a capsize situation, but it is rain proof and splash proof and is super convenient for packing things like stoves, pots and pans, tents, tarp poles, tripods etc.. When I started doing trips with a club, I got away from it, thinking it would be looked down on, till I recently went on a trip with a former club president and a super experienced canoe tripper and she used an Action Packer. I think, for class I rivers, I'm going to go back to using one. You can, of course, put things in dry bags before placing in the Action Packer.
I take an SLR type camera on river trips and on many trips, I put it in a bucket with Gamma seal lid, that I kept between my legs.
I've since moved on to Vittles Vaults. I've also been using one for my food and things like electronics, that need protection from impact and moisture or smaller items that might get lost in a big dry bag.
This is the larger of the two sizes I use:

Amazon.com

 

[Steve in Idaho]

I use the large Action Packers for general gear storage. I write the category of contents on the lid with a sharpie. I keep a small one in the truck with emergency gear, and a large one with cold weather gear in winter. I wouldn't trust one to keep its lid on in a capsize, and it's definitely not trash bandit resistant.

I like the blue barrels for trips with no long portages. They're water tight, and can be secured from anything short of a bear. For day trips, I just use drybags and a soft cooler. A bucket with Gamma seal lid serves as trash/wag bag container. If I bring my big camera, it's in a Pelican dry case. If I bring real food it's in a waterproof soft cooler.

I've done only one trip (BWCA) with long portages so far. Lightweight drybags in backpack, waterproof pocket camera in a pouch that attaches to my PFD shoulder strap. That worked well, and that's how I intend to do it in the future.

 

[ppine]

"Looked down upon?
Quit worrying about what other people think.
Action Packers are best for equipment that can stand getting a little wet.

 

[MrPoling]

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 tight.

This setup is adequate to keep splashes out and prevent it getting filled if we flip. The flat lid is large enough to hold the stove. In the canoe, it is a nice place for maps and water bottles.

I have a blue barrel that is large enough to fit the stove. However it has to rotated between laying on it's side in the canoe and being opened on shore. Careful packing is required to avoid crushing food. I really don't like the metal clamp rings that secure the lid, either.

Here is the Vittles Vault thread: Pets food containers as storage

i keep thinking about building a wood strip or carbon fiber wanigan, but that will probably never happen.

A suitably sized high quality cooler with a good seal would probably be a very good solution.

 

[Idiot Savant]

In all the years I've been paddling, I've only capsized once, though it was touch and go a few other times.
I figure the chances of me capsizing, on a class I river, are near zero. A strap around the Action Packer removes and chance of the lid coming off. I'm not a class III paddler. On class II, I might still use one for things that can get wet. I trust the Vittles Vaults to keep things dry more than I do dry bags. That's why I use them for camera gear.
I'm not suggesting using Action Packers or Vittles Vaults in the Boundary Waters. I suppose, if you put straps on them it might be possible, but I'm talking about river trips without portages, or something like Lake Powell. Most of my trips are in western Colorado and Utah. The only critters I'm worried about are mice and pack rats. I don't hang my food and only use bear cannisters for impact protection.