What's changed for better or worse over your canoeing lifetime?

[Glenn MacGrady]

This is an interesting question.

Here is what Cliff Jacobson, now 84, says about his 72-year canoe career, about the same as mine.

Cliff Jacobson On Canoeing’s Past, Present And Future

The legendary paddler has retired from the stage, but his views on what’s changed in his 70 years on the water—for better and worse—remain as sharp as ever

paddlingmag.com

I'd say what what's changed for the better in my lifetime is the improvement in composite materials technology to make lightweight canoes and paddles. And, in general, I agree with this observation by Cliff:

DURABILITY: “Overrated. If you wrap the heaviest, most durable canoe, it’s a goner. It may fold back into shape and be ‘paddleable,’ but when you get home, you won’t want it. Better to buy a light canoe and take some lessons. Very good paddlers seldom seriously damage their canoes.”

 

[dutchlennart]

Clothing progressed.
Pfd comfort progressed.
Boat shapes seem to go in a to me wrong route.
Most interetations of the same boat get more stable. I wish stability kept the same , and boats get faster or easier to manouvre or both.

Finding good paddles seems getting more difficult. At least in europe.

 

[Mason]

What's gotten better? Having money and time. I bought my first solo canoe in 1983--even as a dealer getting it wholesale, I couldn't afford Kevlar. However, at 51 pounds, it's still useable and is a delight to paddle. I'd rather carry my current 36 pound Kevlar boat. Wood bent shaft paddles were replaced with carbon, but the wood still feels good. I've replaced my 73 pound glass tandem with a 51 pound Kevlar (which stays in the rafters--no partners). On the water, there's not much difference. I've spent a lot of time in the 73 pounder (which my daughter owns now). Being retired I can now take long trips in the middle of nowhere, which is what I've wanted to do since my first trip in 1977 (and probably before that as a Boy Scout getting my Canoeing merit badge). I've had outdoor gear since the 70s, and as I don't try to have the latest and greatest, gear evolution has had little effect (though I did replace wool with synthetics).

What's gotten worse? Getting older, and wondering how long my current lifestyle will last.