Codger_64
Moderator
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2004
- Messages
- 62,324
Cabin fever has set in again, normal for me at this season in recent years. I find myself haunting outdoor retailers' websites pouring over watersports equipment like a kid with a Sears wishbook before Christmas. Most of the canoe related magazines found here are whitewater related, no longer my main interest, so I don't usually buy them.
The weather and water are too cold for me to go canoeing since I do not have a drysuit or paddling companions to perform cold water rescue should I make a mistake and go in the drink (I have not done so in years, but we do try to plan for the possible, not just the probable). Water temps and air temps seldom make it above 48 degrees and this means only a few precious minutes to self-rescue and get dry and warm before physical and mental function reduce simple tasks to the impossible.
I envy friends who can hit the water year-round but their drysuits cost $700-1,000. And they have a very finite life even with the best of care. "Back in the day" when I did go on long solo winter canoe trips, I did not have that equipment either (and no one else did). I took huge risks that I am not willing to take any more. I have long since recognized my own mortalness and vulnerability to the consequences of risk-taking.
So I dream and scheme with early spring in mind. I'm satisfied with my two Old Town canoes, one long tandem Disco 169 and a small solo Disco 119, and am in the process of selling my smaller Dagger solo that sees little use now. Both Old Towns need new painter lines, bungee keepers and the solo needs the under-gunnel paddle park installed (only need a round "tuit").
I am good so far with the canoe tranport trailer I built last year. There are a few tweaks I would like to make to it, but nothing major or expensive. I do need to buy and install that Curt trailer hitch on the Impala so I can tow the trailer with more comfort and less expense than with my old service truck. And mount a spare wheel and tire on the trailer. I've been putting that off waiting for a good deal on used, rather than spend what a new complete unit costs.
I'd like to find a good deal on a second Mitchell Seneca paddle like the one I got last year. I am quite pleased with it but feel bad sticking my occasional canoe partner with one of the old Carslile black plastic and aluminum paddles, some of which date to the 1970's. Dang but I've gotten my money's worth out of those! I want to install some drip rings on my paddles too.
High on my list of wants is a better PFD. The two I have are the cheap box-store type of generic flat-foam fishing vests. They are adequate, but not very comfortable and often find themselves used as seat padding. So I am looking at better, more modern ones such as the Stohlquist and Kokatat type V PFDs. They allow more freedom of movement and better ventalation with slightly more bouyancy. I'll keep the older "Sterns" type PFDs for loaners. They are still better than those orange horse collars the liverys here provide.
I am good on my two drybags, but "want" to get a third, smaller bag. And I am always looking for an improvement over my aluminum drybox. A plastic Hardigg is a posibility if I can find one the right size, condition and price.
I am also good on my camp gear including Emberlit and cookware. Some folding camp chairs would be nice, something better than the box store offerings of sports sling chairs favored by soccer moms. And a good campsite tie-out trolly for Jake the wonderdog, my most frequent companion. He is a perpetual motion machine and needs to be able to run, yet be limited from running off. He is perfect on recall when not distracted. But easily distracted on the river by a bird, fish, butterfly or other critter.
My local outfitter/shuttle does not reopen until April, but will provide service any time with a phone call. I hope to hit the river in March, weather permitting. I will likely have the shuttle and river to myself.
Anyone else thinking ahead to spring canoeing? Have wish lists?
The weather and water are too cold for me to go canoeing since I do not have a drysuit or paddling companions to perform cold water rescue should I make a mistake and go in the drink (I have not done so in years, but we do try to plan for the possible, not just the probable). Water temps and air temps seldom make it above 48 degrees and this means only a few precious minutes to self-rescue and get dry and warm before physical and mental function reduce simple tasks to the impossible.
I envy friends who can hit the water year-round but their drysuits cost $700-1,000. And they have a very finite life even with the best of care. "Back in the day" when I did go on long solo winter canoe trips, I did not have that equipment either (and no one else did). I took huge risks that I am not willing to take any more. I have long since recognized my own mortalness and vulnerability to the consequences of risk-taking.
So I dream and scheme with early spring in mind. I'm satisfied with my two Old Town canoes, one long tandem Disco 169 and a small solo Disco 119, and am in the process of selling my smaller Dagger solo that sees little use now. Both Old Towns need new painter lines, bungee keepers and the solo needs the under-gunnel paddle park installed (only need a round "tuit").
I am good so far with the canoe tranport trailer I built last year. There are a few tweaks I would like to make to it, but nothing major or expensive. I do need to buy and install that Curt trailer hitch on the Impala so I can tow the trailer with more comfort and less expense than with my old service truck. And mount a spare wheel and tire on the trailer. I've been putting that off waiting for a good deal on used, rather than spend what a new complete unit costs.
I'd like to find a good deal on a second Mitchell Seneca paddle like the one I got last year. I am quite pleased with it but feel bad sticking my occasional canoe partner with one of the old Carslile black plastic and aluminum paddles, some of which date to the 1970's. Dang but I've gotten my money's worth out of those! I want to install some drip rings on my paddles too.
High on my list of wants is a better PFD. The two I have are the cheap box-store type of generic flat-foam fishing vests. They are adequate, but not very comfortable and often find themselves used as seat padding. So I am looking at better, more modern ones such as the Stohlquist and Kokatat type V PFDs. They allow more freedom of movement and better ventalation with slightly more bouyancy. I'll keep the older "Sterns" type PFDs for loaners. They are still better than those orange horse collars the liverys here provide.
I am good on my two drybags, but "want" to get a third, smaller bag. And I am always looking for an improvement over my aluminum drybox. A plastic Hardigg is a posibility if I can find one the right size, condition and price.
I am also good on my camp gear including Emberlit and cookware. Some folding camp chairs would be nice, something better than the box store offerings of sports sling chairs favored by soccer moms. And a good campsite tie-out trolly for Jake the wonderdog, my most frequent companion. He is a perpetual motion machine and needs to be able to run, yet be limited from running off. He is perfect on recall when not distracted. But easily distracted on the river by a bird, fish, butterfly or other critter.
My local outfitter/shuttle does not reopen until April, but will provide service any time with a phone call. I hope to hit the river in March, weather permitting. I will likely have the shuttle and river to myself.
Anyone else thinking ahead to spring canoeing? Have wish lists?
Not lookin to get any new gear, as my son has bought a ton over the last few months. Since he used all my stuff for years it's time to just pick over his.:thumbup:
