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).