Re: canoe choices - was N.Tier prep
Keith Wood (kwood@CJNETWORKS.COM)
Mon, 30 Aug 1999 09:48:43 -0500
Ralph makes some excellent points about canoes. I agree with him generally,
but thinking in terms of relatively inexperienced canoers on flat water
lakes, not rivers, and being aware of the equipment that Sommers offers, I
will stand by my comments.
The non-aluminum canoes at Sommers tend to be lighter and smaller and
tighter with gear. Unfortunately, they are not the 18 and half foot types.
The Grumman flat bottomed types have a good beam and I think they tend to
be more stable when loaded - more forgiving just because the load gives a
lower center of gravity than the narrower "plastic" canoes. (Though the
dunking I took this spring using an aluminum on a river in Missouri says
otherwise. ;-)
The rougher water at Sommers tends to be consistent wind generated waves.
Cross wise in those is a problem for any canoe.
The keel is handy in the open lakes of the the Boundary Waters, helping with
tracking and directional stability for the inexperienced. Underwater
hangups are not usually a problem there as with rivers.
Other issues like hot seats are a relatively small problem at Sommers. I
take along a piece of closed cell foam and duct tape it to the seat. Makes
it softer too.
Ralph's final comment about knowing what you need is key also. Packing
light makes a lot of difference in what you have to carry, stow, and handle.
Again, given a personal choice, I like Ralph would pick a different canoe
but for the inexperienced, I think these choices work. Like so many things
in the outdoors, what works for one may not be the best choice for anther.
Just offering my 2 cents to give the folks that requested advice some
choices.
--
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Keith Wood
Assistant Scoutmaster
High Adventure Leader
Troop 59, Venture Post 2159
Lawrence, KS
kwood@cjnetworks.com
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