Here is a first draft Mission Statement, for discussion purposes:
Canoetripping.net is a place to give and get information about canoes and canoe tripping, and to share one’s enthusiasm with like-minded folks. Canoetripping.net is defined by camaraderie and respect. Rude, inherently controversial, and commercial, postings, are rare, and not tolerated.
The topic of canoes covers building and repairing canoes, canoe components and accessories, and paddling/poling technique. The topic of canoetripping involves accessing a campsite by canoe for one night or more, and related activities such as training and preparation (safety, navigation, etc.), day tripping, natural history, destinations, fishing and hunting, and camping gear and technique. The rich history and tradition of canoes and canoe tripping is important.
Canoetripping .net is a unique repository of canoe and canoetripping knowledge. Our site typically comes up at the top of the google list when searching for canoe information. Other paddling sites focus on one geographic area, focus on kayaks and stand up paddle boards, include much repetitive and extraneous discussion, and/or include advertisements, sponsorships, and sell user data. Archived canoe information on facebook is not easily located or accessible, AFAIK.
Canoetripping.net is not for discussions of kayaks. There is, however, no precisely defined demarcation between a canoe and a kayak. A kayak is typically comprised of a closed deck craft with seating on the hull that provides a low center of gravity and thus prohibits the efficient use of a single blade paddle. Some latitude is necessarily allowed here, especially to regular posters who explain the relationship to canoes and canoetripping in the post.