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Poll: What type of vehicle is your usual canoe vehicle currently?

What is your current usual canoe vehicle?

  • Car - 2 door coupe

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Car - 4 door sedan

    Votes: 4 3.9%
  • Car - small hatchback

    Votes: 5 4.9%
  • Car - convertible

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • SUV/station wagon

    Votes: 28 27.5%
  • Pickup truck with open bed

    Votes: 30 29.4%
  • Pickup truck with bed cap

    Votes: 20 19.6%
  • Minivan

    Votes: 7 6.9%
  • Full size van

    Votes: 5 4.9%
  • Other (what?)

    Votes: 3 2.9%

  • Total voters
    102

Glenn MacGrady

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The poll question is about the type of vehicle you currently use to cartop or trailer your canoe most of the time.

I pick currently because I've used just about all my vehicles over the past 40+ years to tote canoes at one time or another. But the primary vehicle for most of that time and currently has been a full sized van conversion. I sleep in it while traveling and car camping, and store most of my key canoeing and camping gear in it year round. From spring to fall I used to keep 1-3 paddle crafts permanently on the roof while I used another vehicle as a daily, non-canoeing driver.

This picture was from 2007, but I still have the same 1997 Dodge van conversion.

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My 2006 GMC a few years ago in the St. Regis canoe area. I’ve since replaced the transmission and welded on new rockers, but can’t justify replacing it yet. It mostly tows/hauls boats and picks up materials. The cap is nice for dry storage, but I usually don’t keep it on in the summer and use a rack for canoes/lumber. With the price of new trucks, when this goes I plan on getting something pre 1980s (no computers and fuel injection) that I will enjoy working on. A Chevy Apache/C50 etc.

Bob
 
C4 in my Forester, on the way across Canada from NY State to Whitehorse YT for the Yukon River Quest race.

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Here's my 2005 Jeep LJ...purchased as an insurance wreck in '09, I only take this when I'll be driving on extremely rough roads.


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And here's what was my main canoe transport vehicle, a 2008 Honda Element. I only recently sold it after driving it for 14 years. Replaced now with a 2015 insurance wrecked Honda CRV...much better on gas and waaaay more comfortable to drive.

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For years we had Honda Civics and they worked fine but my last three vehicles have been Toyota Tacomas with the access cab and a cap on the back. I like having the access cab because I can secure gear and lock it up while I'm away from the vehicle. And, since I'm only 5'8" tall, I always have an on-road reservation at the Hotel Tacoma if I need it since the covered bed is just over 6' long.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper
 
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Not what I responded with, but one of the few pics I have of one the canoes on top of a vehicle. And not my favorite way to transport them for long distance. Sidetrack…. We finally made it back to the Mackinac bridge this trip, it was a very windy evening, and it was snowing/raining/hailing… My heart was jolting every 3 seconds as my canoe would shift and I imagined seeing it take flight.. I’m particular on how I strap things down, but foam blocks were all we could do for my wife’s car at this time.
 
My favorite canoe - SR Tranquility - on car photo. Not current ride, which is a Subaru Outback.
 

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Although my 2017 Kia Optima SXL is a good ride, it prevents me from getting to some ADK locations so I am a bit jealous of all of you with AWD or 4WD high-clearance SUVs or pickups. That'll be the way I go next time around for sure.

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