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#96319 - 05/15/08 09:03 PM So - do you canoe?
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
I'm wondering how many canoers we have here. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Count me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
been canoeing since I was a Boy Scout in Wisconsin.
I have a 34 pound Old Town "pack" a 12' solo canoe, and a MadRiver 16 foot river canoe.
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#96320 - 05/15/08 10:54 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
bmisf Offline
member

Registered: 09/15/03
Posts: 629
Been canoeing since I was a boy scout in upstate New York and in Quebec (with some long breaks here and there without paddling since then).

Currently have a Hornbeck "black jack" carbon fiber solo canoe (10.5', 12 pounds, plus a few pounds for a Werner Kalliste paddle). I've not gotten out nearly as much here in CA as I'd like - I'll have to remedy that!

Jim - any places near you that are good for canoeing? We have some pretty good rivers in the central valley and lower Sierra, plus Point Reyes and some tidal areas closer to home (though most people do the latter with Kayaks).

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#96321 - 05/15/08 11:21 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
Trailrunner Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 1835
Loc: Los Angeles
Used an Old Town 164 canoe when our kids were young. Wife in the bow, me in the stern and the kids in the middle. When they were big enough we bought them their own little paddles. Of course they were never in sync but they were having fun.

Eventually we outgrew the canoe and I got tired of J-stroking so I bought some kayaks. We have two doubles and three singles so everyone can paddle whatever they want. It's gonna be hot in SoCal this weekend so we'll be out in the local harbor.

And no matter what, the doggie always rides on one of the boat's bow.

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#96322 - 05/16/08 07:03 AM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
alanwenker Offline
member

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 812
Living in Minnesota canoeing is a must. Headed to the BWCA in June.

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#96323 - 05/16/08 07:22 AM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
gmagnes Offline
Moderator

Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 562
Loc: Upstate New York
I love to paddle and probably do even more paddling than hiking, although lightening my load has certainly helped to let me strike a good balance between the two.
Although I have a 16.5' touring kayak ( P&H Capella 166) and enjoy using it, I still prefer canoeing. I have a Bell Northstar 16.5' tandem( Kevlar, weighs about 48-49 lbs.), which I've also paddled quite a bit solo (leaning it and paddling on one side) and love this boat. Last November I picked up a second hand pack canoe, a Bell 12' Bucktail in a combination fiberglass/kevlar layup. It weighs about 28-29 lbs., which isn't as light as they're making these boats now, but still a big improvement over my Northstar for carrying. Just had it out for the first time on an overnight trip in the Adirondacks a week ago, and really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to getting out more with it. Am planning to do a through trip in the St. Regis canoe area (for those familiar with the Adk's) at the end of June with some others. If my wife decides not to come, I'll be in the Bucktail, which should be perfect for that area of small and medium sized lakes and ponds with lots of carries.

I do most of my wilderness paddling in the Adirondacks, but have done several 7-8 day trips in Algonquin and one last year in Temagami. This year we're planning a 7-8 day trip all in the Adirondacks, partially in areas newly acquired for the forest preserve by the state. We should have at least one 3 mile carry in there and several other pretty good sized ones. For those familiar with the Adk's, it looks like we'll be going from Lake Lilah to Lows Lake to the Oswegotchie and out to Inlet, with maybe some side hikes or other stuff thrown in.

Lightweight techniques have definitely helped me with making portages more manageable, especially on the longer trips.

Steve--I've noticed that you started out in the Dak's. Do you get back there much?

Gerry Magnes
Schenectady, NY

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#96324 - 05/16/08 10:54 AM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: gmagnes]
bmisf Offline
member

Registered: 09/15/03
Posts: 629
Quote:
Steve--I've noticed that you started out in the Dak's. Do you get back there much?


Hi Gerry -

I grew up in the Schenectady and Saratoga Springs areas, still have family in Niskayuna, and get back a couple of times a year.

I try to get into the Adirondacks at least once a year. Just did the Adirondak Loj - Indian Falls - Marcy - Feldspar - Colden - Avalanche loop this past October and am hoping to do a canoeing trip this year (in fact, if you're accepting extra people on the trip you describe, don't know if I can make the dates, but it sure sounds great!)

Did you grow up there as well? The Adirondacks and Quebec are definitely paddling paradises...

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#96325 - 05/16/08 04:11 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
We have two canoes in the yard. I have a Coleman boat and my daughter's fiance has a Clearwater Design. We might go on a float Sunday. The weather looks like it will be perfect and the water should be perfect too.

The Ozarks have some great places to canoe. Lot's of spring fed rivers and creeks. Sometimes I take the canoe out on the Lake and paddle around a bit and do some fishing.

Bill

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#96326 - 05/16/08 04:39 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
Bearpaw Offline
Moderator

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 1732
Loc: Tennessee
I canoe an overnight once or twice a year. I use the 18' Olde Towne Canoe that is the "staff canoe" at my REI. One of the perks of working there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
http://www.trailjournals.com/BearpawAT99/

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#96327 - 05/16/08 05:01 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: bmisf]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Hi Steve

Wow that sounds like an awesome canoe - probably cost more than your car. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />There is so much fine canoeing up here, on lakes. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> You don't enter our class 5 rapids that go through old lava beds in a canoe though. Over the ridge along Sisters Wilderness is a string of beautiful lakes. I used to drive up here from SF on vacation to canoe here. But you won't swim in our lakes without a wet suit, unless you're into cold water.

The south end of the wilderness has an area with literally thousands of small lakes. Even larger lakes with a dirt road leading to them may have only one canoe on them on a given weekend. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#96328 - 05/16/08 11:11 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
BpackerDon Offline
member

Registered: 10/05/07
Posts: 87
Loc: Northern Calif
Did quite a bit of canoe paddling when my son was active in scouts about 10 years ago. Mostly on the Klamath in Northern California, and also a 50 mile canoe camping trip on the Deschutes in Oregon.

Recently purchased a very used 2 person folding Kayak (no place to store a canoe or hardshell kayak), hope to use it for some kayak camping trips in Northern California, probably on inland waters- not sea kayaking yet--

Anyone have any good suggestions where to go for a 2-4 day kayak camping trip? Hopefully where there are trout???

Thanks!!
Don

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#96329 - 05/24/08 04:38 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
Rick Offline
member

Registered: 05/10/04
Posts: 708
Loc: Ontario, Canada
I've canoed for over forty years. Earned my 'C' canoeist at Camp Queen Elizabeth (YMCA) when I was 12. I currently own four canoes. One tandem (Mad River 16' Explorer - fully outfitted) and three solos

This year I'm paddling the de Pas and George Rivers in Quebec with a group of eight (four canoes). The trip starts in Schefferville and ends in Kangiqsuallujuaq on the coast of Ungava Bay. We'll be on the water for 25 days travelling about 600 km (375 m). There will be three or four days set aside for day hiking. Hopefully some time to scout out the George River Caribou herd if they are in the area. A 'down river' trip with lots of CII and CIII - we'll portage anything greater (if we can).

I'll be paddling bow in a 17' Pak Canoe complete with spray cover. First time in a canoe of this type. The group I'm travelling with are difinately not the light weight type. Hopefully they will take a page from my book - most of it learned from you folks here.

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#96330 - 05/31/08 11:50 AM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
300winmag Offline
member

Registered: 02/28/06
Posts: 1342
Loc: Nevada, USA
JIm,

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool canoeist. I've owned a 17' Grumman aluminum canoe and an 18 foot "downriver" Lincoln Kevlar canoe. Plus several bent shaft and straight shaft laminated wood paddles but NEVER a plastic/aluminum paddle.

I once was a certified American Canoe Association Moving Water instructor. The examiner told me to return the next month to get my Whitewater certification but I got into sea kayaking and never went back for the test. I'd say one of my best canoeing skills is a cross-river ferry, going straight across a river facing upstream at a slight angle.

I began canoeing on the Allegheny River at my hometown of Oil City Pennsylvania while training for an Explorer Scout canoe race (my buddy and I won!)

Years later I canoed in the Kipawa Game Preserve in Quebec, The Magnetawan and French rivers in Ontario and other eastern U. S. lakes and rivers.

I have quite a nice canoeing library with all the classic books from Mason and others. With no canoes now I ocassionally rent them . My last canoe trip was in a rented canoe on the Colorado River below Hoover Dam.

Eric B.
_________________________
"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."

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#96331 - 05/31/08 05:19 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: 300winmag]
northernbcr Offline
member

Registered: 05/26/08
Posts: 125
Loc: bc/yukon border area
jim you can add me to the list of conoe people, i love being on the water in my area we have many rivers to get dropped of on and picked up farther down the line it provides great wildlife viewing ,as well as many lakes that are canoe friendly most of these lakes hold rain bows up to10 lb and pike and lakers up to 20lb+ one of my favourite ways to relax is to prop rod up against carry yoke close my eyes and nap and when you get a bite on your fly the rod it comes down and hits your forehead waking you up not a care in the world...

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#96332 - 05/31/08 05:41 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Me! A 19' Grumman aluminum canoe with a 6 hp Mercury motor...or sail, or paddle power, which ever. Been canoing since scouts. We also have a 14ft touring kayak, and two 10.5' creek boats. Yes, I'd say we're paddlers here. Just started the kayak thing a little over a year ago and it's become quite the addiction. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Will probably be building a sea yak when it cools off here.


Edited by Dryer (05/31/08 05:43 PM)
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

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#96333 - 05/31/08 09:12 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
HIKNMIK Offline
member

Registered: 03/31/03
Posts: 53
Loc: illinois
Just started this year.
Bought a 16' Old Town Penobscot in Rx over the winter
(when on deep clearance)
Geesh, it's cost almost as much to out fit three
people (dad, mom, son) as the boat cost.
But love it so far.

Mike

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#96334 - 05/31/08 09:22 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Dryer]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Dryer, 300 win,, nthrnbc
Yo <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Years ago I went up to the headwaters of the Salmon River in northern Idaho with my girlfriend on a camping trip. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> We had a $25 "Orange torpedo" inflateable "kayak". There are major class 5 rapids there, where you are in the full on furry for about 2-3 miles at a time.

So anyway I get down a really viscious couple miles of class 5 and see a landing and shoot a ferry right across class 5 white water to the landing. As I'm sighing in relief a guy comes running up and says WOW thanks for stopping, I'm been trying to thumb a ride for a couple of days. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> (like what?) anyway I guess I had so much adrenalin in me that I popped my plastic two piece kayak paddle in two and handed him a piece and said "get in the front".

So we push off only now we are heavier and being dragged by the current. This guy is paddleing frantically pulling us right into the center of a big powerful river. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. Hes three feet from me and I'm screaming "STOP PADDLING" but he can't hear me over the roar of the river. Oh god then we're swept over a void and into a hole. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Now when I was alone the ends of the boat would fold up over me and touch above me and toss me right out of the river like a couple of feet and then I'd plop back down onto the river. Did I mention having my legs around the boat and clasping my feet togeteher for dear life? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Did I mention not having a life preserver? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> So anyway everytime we drop over a boulder and into a hole the bow would hit this guy in the face with 50 gallons of water in it. Finally we got out maybe a mile and a half down stream and he yells"That was fantastic lets walk up and do it again. Did I mention that he also did not have a life jacket? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I'm sure I didn't mention the three quarts of beer that helped me decide to finally push off - I was 24 then.
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#96335 - 06/01/08 05:16 AM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Yikes! I've never seen whitewater like you describe. I did have a rubber boat that we'd (as junior high kids) try and float our local creek after a rain. Life jackets were never a thought and the boat would fold as you describe if we didn't sit in it right. It usually got punctured along the way.
We have a 'white water' river or two here in Texas with the most used being the Guadalupe. I think it goes to class IV in some of the chutes and falls. Did it in a canoe a couple times and won a case of beer going over a falls and keeping the swamped boat upright, once. Kayaked part of it last year and got blown clear out of the boat going down a man made chute. All the true white water, sans a couple WW "park and play" parks, is a 4 hour drive for me, so we don't mess with it.
I mostly fish and paddle flat water. No gas, oil, registration, insurance, trailer, or licence fees. I can pile as many as 4 boats on top of the car. The only thing I miss is being able to blast across a lake to the hot fishing spots.
I've got a twin engine fast boat for that! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I do love the peace, quiet, grace, and portability of the kayaks/canoes though. The ability to 'stealth camp' out of one is amazing! Plus, if you use UL thinking when you pack, the water line doesn't change much compared to some of the other folks I've seen. Even though, you can bring just about anything you want!
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

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#96336 - 06/01/08 07:19 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Dryer]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Dryer
The best part of canoe camping is putting an icechest in the boat. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> And maybe an axe of chain saw. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#96337 - 08/14/08 04:56 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
Spock Offline
member

Registered: 01/10/06
Posts: 679
Loc: Central Texas
chain saw...
Yeah, but on most Texas rivers you have to stealth camp or carry heavy arms. The ice chest is OK though -- if you think you can shoot back accurately after a few beers.

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#96338 - 08/14/08 06:45 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Spock]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Spock, heck thats what the chain saw is fer - self defence. Also I can create a campin spot where ever I am. Seriously though - I am going canoeing on a very isolated lake with a beautiful island this weekend, its 50 miles from here at the sothern tip of Sisters wilderness (just outside the wilderness) and I'm taking a shovel and a chain saw and I'm gonna make a campin spot. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> ACtually it looks like theres a large bare area on the island that would not suffer from being leveled. DOn't you canoe with a chain saw? What do you do when you come to a snag across the river?
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#96339 - 08/15/08 06:27 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
Rick Offline
member

Registered: 05/10/04
Posts: 708
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Quote:
..... What do you do when you come to a snag across the river?
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />


Saw my way forward - with a bow saw. This little creek, the Petawa, that flows south from the Albany River, took me two days to travel about 14 km (9 mi). I must have cut 50 blowdowns by hand over those two days. Each one requires two cuts to clear a path.


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#96340 - 08/15/08 08:16 PM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Rick]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Rick,
Shoulda had a chain saw dude. My husky only weighs about 9 pounds, plus a can of gas, and bar oil. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

Top
#96341 - 08/16/08 07:01 AM Re: So - do you canoe? [Re: Jimshaw]
Rick Offline
member

Registered: 05/10/04
Posts: 708
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Quote:
..... only ....... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />


That's why I hang out here, to reduce some of those "only's" that I already have. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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