Canada BS thread

Just me and the wife, kids just want to do young adult things, don't blame them.

I actually have never paddle before so I'm trying to understand as much as I can, I'm also leaning towards a square stern canoe so I can mount an electric trolling motor.

 

Paddling is easy, steering is just a roll of the wrist at the end of the stroke with a slight delay.
Sq stern is a nice option.

 

That looks nice. We'll have to make our way out there when the kids are older.

 

I grew up in a fiberglass Clipper canoe, and I plan to buy one at some point for my family now. As a kid, we did the Bowron Lakes chain and the Broken Islands on the west coast among dozens of other overnight and day trips. We took our Clipper down the Fraser, Harrison, Kettle, Similkameen and other rivers. Countless lakes paddled, hundreds of fish caught from that canoe. Dad still uses it occasionally.

Most family vacation pictures from my time as a baby to age 14 or so have that canoe somewhere in them.

 

I was gonna mention Clipper. Had my eye on a 16' sq stern when the big cedar Greenwood canoe showed up.
Should have got the Clipper. They are the best

 

Back in the '80's I had a 17' Chestnut Cruiser, OMG what a canoe. Best of the best for long trippers. I did some of what you
stated above, more lakes stuff. Tragedy struck, broke my heart. Never get over your first love!!

 

@Downytide I currently have a Swift, its my 2nd. I love it. I bought a fiberglass 16ft prospector and we paddles and camped in it (me and wife) car camping we paddled it with us kid and dog, no problems. But as kid grew and we still wanted to paddle together I sold it and got a 17 ft Kevlar with carbon fibre gunnals. Yes its $$ for a canoe, but weighed in about 40 lbs vs about 55 for the smaller boat. super easy for wife and daughter to load on the truck if they wanted to, and less body fatigue on a portage than the smaller heavier boat as I age.

No need to start with big $$, (havent looked at prices for yrs) but build quality and type/style of canoe should match your needs. Not all canoes hull are the same. Some will feel more tippy than others. It depends on what type of paddling you do. Flatwater, rivers, portaging solo paddling vs tandem paddling. Some can carry more weight than others if doing any back country paddling trips. It all depends on your use. Go in and speak to someone at a conoe shop - like Swift or other manufacturers and get some advice on type a canoe for your uses. I have always found the staff to be helpful and often you can do a test paddle to see what works ( Swift in Waubaushene ) not sure about the Gravenhurst store. It can be a rabbit hole for sure!

 

Does not get anymore Canadian then discussions about canoes, keep it up gang.

i admire canoes for what they can do, haul people and cargo. Paddling a canoe across a lake, into a stong wind, because you have to get there is nightmare fuel for me.

We bought a used zodiac and a used 55lb Minkota motor mostly due to space constraints when camping, canoes are so damn big. Zodiac is also fantastic for swimming from, stability is for sure its stength and it folds up reasonably small.
Paddling it is pretty much a disaster though…

 

I have a bunch of hunting buddies in Yukon. Matt bought a zodiac in the fleet of canoes they use.
We crossed a lake and the waves were getting a bit much but as he put it -'Like riding in a life preserver'.
Just not that same concern in 34F water as a canoe but it's a case of get back to camp alive, or flipping
in that water, or sleeping in the bush hardcore on the moss cause you can't get back to camp!
I always wanted a 22' Chestnut Freighter, the Tugboat of the North. Carry over a ton, literally and
you can hunt or square dance in it - but you aren't gonna paddle it! Not unless there are 8 of you.
Back to Clipper 16' or 18' square stern - very stable and massive load rating for a boat weighing less
than 60 lbs yet it can also be paddled, although small outboard is sure a help.

 

I doubt we'll go back country camping, I like my king size memory foam in the trailer lol.

tandem is the way and I'd like it to be stable since I'm not a good swimmer and will just canoe during good weather, good call on try them, the 17ft carbon Swift is now about $5-8k,

hence my thought of square stern and electric trolling motor, but wife is right that I should be less of a p*ssy.

 

I would go square back but I believe they are quite heavy.

 

Well, thats half your battle then! LOL, you already know your limitations and style of paddling. Definately sounds like the ultra light tripper (prospector) may not be needed, so it really depends on how heavy of a boat you want. Some are super stable (very nearly a flat bottom, rather than rounded) but made of royalex (I thnk still) for durability. They can be super stable but heavy. As mentioned the squarebacks can be heavy too, but are perfect if you are thinking of getting a little electric trolling motor.

The price, Damn inflation! I think I was just under $4K all in ( taxes and a few add ons) but that was I'm guessing 7-8 yrs ago.

 

Having owned an Osagian aluminum square stern, NEVER again. Build quality was amazing and I have nothing against aluminum, but the square stern for actually paddling was like paddling a bath tub.

The trolling motor was a pain in the ass to haul around, the battery weighed a ton, constantly needed charging. and steering was awkward at best and not comfortable to do so with it behind behind you.

I sold that and got into a Kevlar blend (Spectra) Nova Craft Pal. I can rooftop it myself (50lbs), it easily fits 2 or three with a drop in seat and I can solo it by paddling from the opposite seat.

It tracks like a champ and is a joy to paddle. We picked it up cheap at MEC. It had a pinhole repaired due to shipping, so was 1/2 price. We paid $1500 at the time. I touch up the wood every few years. It's coming up on 15y of summer use and zero repairs or damage. Paddling a lightweight canoe, double ender is effortless, can be fast and is super fun and rewarding when you overhear someone say "that guy has a nice paddling stroke". Learn the J-stroke for solo paddling.

Whatever you get add $150 for each paddling PFD (way better than a normal), $100-250 for a paddle (always carry 2), $50 for safety ropes, whistle, etc.

I would strongly suggest a traditional canoe, not square stern. Ask around shops and see if they have "trial days". I know MEC holds a few in our town at a local pond for $5 to test various canoes. You won't be able to rooftop a square stern canoe on a Tundra, they weigh a ton and if you can, you won't want to paddle it after the time and effort it takes to do so.



I hope this doesn't come across as crapping on anyone's decision to buy whatever boat they want or can afford. It's based on my own personal experience having owned a Fiberglass, Aluminum square stern and Kevlar. I have no experience with Poly canoes but we do own Sit on Top Poly kayaks. Anything the gets you out on the water gets my vote. It's my favorite summer activity, especially when you can add some fishing in at the same time. Canoe Fishing is a blast.

 

Next up we can discuss maple syrup making techniques and if we have time get into beaver trapping tips while lamenting the stagnation of fur prices.

 

really good info
Maked sense that a square back would track like crap.

 

Or we can just go full international and discuss charcoal vs propane vs natural gas.

 

Charcoal, obviously.

 

Lump or Kingsford???

 

Lump.

 

My vote would be for hardwood embers over either one! But a challenge on a suburban deck or balcony for sure!
My 1st night camping meal was always, steak, spuds & veggies all done on the fire! Just to let neighbours know we were there!

 

I agree. A nice hardwood is ideal but it’s so difficult in hectic city life. There is something to be said about the convenience of NG, even though it’s not as hot as propane.

 

Making me hungry for camping wings… i cooked these in a cast iron pan with some oil the finish on the fire with hawt sauce. So good

 

There really is nothing like meat over flame. From the humble hot dog to a T-bone steak, it's all better over a good fire.

 

Sustained, cooking over an actual fire is the way....unless its -35, then I like to drag my BBQ right by the back door and quickly get something cooked.

 

It was rhetorical...

 

Wow, this sure took a turn. Like paddling a sq stern without steering.......
The Clipper 16' sq stern is really light, and would paddle easily if so required. But sq stern is for a reason, buy a motor.
When I was half this age (omg, now I feel bad ) I could load my 17' Chestnut Cruiser 75 lbs, onto the top of my '87 F150 6" lift
on 35" and highrise canopy - I'm 5'5" so I can assure you it was technique. I'm not very bright but I could lift heavy
things. New fibre canoes are a dream in weight now.
Maple syrup is owned in Canada by the Quebec Mafia isn't it? What I heard.

 

Does your wife know you are in here trawling for hot Canadian babes?

 

There is nothing to discuss. None of the above.

All WOOD.

NO Pellets, that's not a smoker or a BBQ. I'm still trying to figure out what they are.

 

Hunting babes and nothing but wood, wow. This really did go sideways..

 

Of course...

I have no secrets