Codger_64
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Don't do like I did and forget your camera in your haste to get to the river. I still have not found the USB cable to download the pictures from my phone that I took last weekend.
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Paddling into 2014
- Thread starter Codger_64
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Don't do like I did and forget your camera in your haste to get to the river. I still have not found the USB cable to download the pictures from my phone that I took last weekend.
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The deal went thru. I got the boat on Sunday. There was some wear on the bow and stern that didn't show in the sellers pics, but it's an easy fix. The seats and and thwarts have a little bit of mildew, but will easy to clean up. It's sitting on saw horses in the garage for now. I'll try to get a pic or two later today. BTW, on the drive up to get it, I kept my speed at 60 MPH, and got 27.57 MPG (Honda Element.) On the way back, with the canoe on top, and again at 60 MPH, I got 27.11 MPH. I'd have thought I have gotten much lower mileage with that big ol' canoe up there.
As for yesterday, had it been sunny, I'd of been doing yard work. Instead it was cloudy, threatening rain and in the low 50's. So I went boating with some friends on a Class 1, five mile stretch of a small local creek. It was fast-ish, narrow and twisty. I took the (Royalex) Wildfire/Yellowstone Solo. There was one downed tree and four debris "dams." I'm almost always on bigger rivers, so this was the first time I've even had to deal with this. Lot's of acrobatics and balancing, and using both front and rear painters I was able to get over the obstructions without even getting my feet wet. We all carried around the downed tree. So far, I've been on the water three times this year.
If the weather is decent, my wife and I will be trying out the new (to me) Galyans boat this weekend.
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I'm new to the photo posting thing. Click or hover over the thumbnails to enlarge.
The fleet with the latest acquisition in front.
Outfitted Bell Royalex Wildfire/Yellowstone Solo
The paddles that actually get used.
The fleet with the latest acquisition in front.
Outfitted Bell Royalex Wildfire/Yellowstone Solo
The paddles that actually get used.
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Codger_64
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Nice "quiver" of canoes! And the new one does not look bad at all for the price!
I note that they opted for the Wenonah style metal seat drop plates instead of the Bell style walnut wood drops. I sorta wish my Bell had vinyl gunnels. The aluminum ones are being quickly marred by the metal racks on the outfitter trailers.
I note that they opted for the Wenonah style metal seat drop plates instead of the Bell style walnut wood drops. I sorta wish my Bell had vinyl gunnels. The aluminum ones are being quickly marred by the metal racks on the outfitter trailers.
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Could you put foam hot water pipe insulation over the gunnels while transporting it? It's a shame to mess up such a pretty boat.
Codger_64
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I thought of that and tried closed cell foam once. It was eaten up in short order. That is why my bars on the canoe trailer are covered in black polypipe. It doesn't hurt metal, vinyl or wood gunnels. Maybe I need to split some for the shuttle trailer bars. Problem there is that the poly is slick and a canoe will slide around. You see all the straps on my trailered canoes. They can't move.
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Codger, your problem with the aluminum gunnels made me think of that nice Mitchell paddle of yours. It doesn't show up well in the picture of my paddles but, if you look at the two wood paddles, there are two black bands at the bottoms of their shafts. Those are paracord wrappings. Some people use leather. You probably already know—but just in case, they are there to protect the paddle from the gunnel. Without them, you'll be varnishing or oiling pretty regularly. Or maybe your Mitchell is built to take it. (I don't ever remember seeing any whitewater paddlers using wraps on their wood paddles.) In any case, if I'm using my wood paddles, it's because I'm on still water. When I am, quietness is almost always important to me. That wrapping of paracord really quiets things down when you bump the gunnels.
Quietness brings something else to mind... I too have an Astral PFD. Mine is the vEIGHT http://www.astraldesigns.com/products/vEight.php
It's made to be cool and comfortable with lots of airflow. It does all these things very well. It's also made more for kayaks and is cut high in the back so it doesn't interfere with the back of a seat. I like it because it allows me to wear a waist pack full of get-warm-quick gear. To provide that extra space in the back though, more of the floatation is moved to the front. It's thicker in the front. This isn't a problem on fast moving water where I'm distracted by my surroundings. If I'm on still water though, and if its cool enough to wear a nylon jacket, the sound of my nylon sleeve repeatedly rubbing against the front of my thick nylon life jacket drives me crazy. When I bought the Yellowstone Solo, I told my wife it was a mental health expense. There are times that I like my quiet.
Quietness brings something else to mind... I too have an Astral PFD. Mine is the vEIGHT http://www.astraldesigns.com/products/vEight.php
It's made to be cool and comfortable with lots of airflow. It does all these things very well. It's also made more for kayaks and is cut high in the back so it doesn't interfere with the back of a seat. I like it because it allows me to wear a waist pack full of get-warm-quick gear. To provide that extra space in the back though, more of the floatation is moved to the front. It's thicker in the front. This isn't a problem on fast moving water where I'm distracted by my surroundings. If I'm on still water though, and if its cool enough to wear a nylon jacket, the sound of my nylon sleeve repeatedly rubbing against the front of my thick nylon life jacket drives me crazy. When I bought the Yellowstone Solo, I told my wife it was a mental health expense. There are times that I like my quiet.
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Codger_64
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I've actually toyed with the idea of heat forming poly tubing around the gunnels for the paddle rub. Though on my Morningstar it is narrow enough to not be a problem as I reach far enough over the sides to not strike the gunnels. And I am pretty much deaf so quiet is not a problem for me.
I really like my Astral. The venting is nice and the dual side strap adjustments and shoulder adjustments let me tailor the fit to what I am wearing under and the type of water I am in. I've only really given it a hard test once and it worked well for me. Last year when Jake and I piled the Sunburst ito a rock outcropping and rolled it. The vest had enough floatation to keep me high enough in the water to see to Jake, grab the canoe and swim it to shore, all the while picking up the flotsum that was unsecured gear. The comfort, fit and performance is so far above the old flat panel vest I had been using that there is really no comparison. I looked at the V-eight before I bought mine but found the Ronny on sale while the V-eight was thirty or forty dollars more. And they didn't have one in my size.
I really like my Astral. The venting is nice and the dual side strap adjustments and shoulder adjustments let me tailor the fit to what I am wearing under and the type of water I am in. I've only really given it a hard test once and it worked well for me. Last year when Jake and I piled the Sunburst ito a rock outcropping and rolled it. The vest had enough floatation to keep me high enough in the water to see to Jake, grab the canoe and swim it to shore, all the while picking up the flotsum that was unsecured gear. The comfort, fit and performance is so far above the old flat panel vest I had been using that there is really no comparison. I looked at the V-eight before I bought mine but found the Ronny on sale while the V-eight was thirty or forty dollars more. And they didn't have one in my size.
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Here's a good explanation (from someone else) about how I wrap my wood paddles. The only difference is, I soak the paracord in water before wrapping so that it stretches. As it dries, (and shrinks) it grips the paddle very tightly.
http://www.natrevga.com/2013/07/how-to-wrap-handle-with-paracord.html
http://www.natrevga.com/2013/07/how-to-wrap-handle-with-paracord.html
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That would protect the gunnels from the shuttle trailer, too.
Codger_64
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Do you have a spring outing planned yet?
My river stats are falling in line with my idea of optimal for tomorrow's trip. Flow is currently 1,180 cubic feet per second and the level has fallen to 4.34 feet on the gauge. Only the temperature of the water concerns me at this point. I know that Jake will want to swim as much as I will allow. We have been having chilly nights and overcast days. Current temperature recorded at the gaugeing station is about 59 degrees, fluctuating daily between that and an afternoon high of 62 since the rain stopped. But the air temp is forecast to hit 77 today and 85 tomorrow so it may rise significantly. I may plan on taking a pair of my hip waders though. At those water temps, dry feet are happy feet.
My river stats are falling in line with my idea of optimal for tomorrow's trip. Flow is currently 1,180 cubic feet per second and the level has fallen to 4.34 feet on the gauge. Only the temperature of the water concerns me at this point. I know that Jake will want to swim as much as I will allow. We have been having chilly nights and overcast days. Current temperature recorded at the gaugeing station is about 59 degrees, fluctuating daily between that and an afternoon high of 62 since the rain stopped. But the air temp is forecast to hit 77 today and 85 tomorrow so it may rise significantly. I may plan on taking a pair of my hip waders though. At those water temps, dry feet are happy feet.
Codger_64
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Jake and I went today. The river had subsided from it's extreme high from recent rains, the weather was warm even if the water was not and we did encounter winds. Managable but bothersome at times
The management and crew of the outfitters were friendly and glad to see us as usual. The owner even refused pay for the incidentals I piled on the counter when I paid for the shuttle, gum, snacks etc.
Jake and I were the only ones on the shuttle van and he took his accustomed double seat behind the driver and I rode shotgun up front. But before we could leave the headquarters, a gaggle of late arrivals showed up and we had to load more canoes on the trailer. And pack a lot of people in the van. I offered to sit with Jake or make him sit up front with me, but the driver wouldn't hear of it. He packed to people into the back, one sitting on their ice chest while Jake and I kept our seats. Suffice it to say that we seem to have gained perks from our "frequent flyer status".
Jake amused the driver and passengers when he began singing with excitement just before we reached the put-in site. He recognized the road from last year and the year before. Not so amusing to the other passengers was his flatulance.
I knew from past experience that I would need to let Jake swim for a while before we launched to work off some of his pent up energy. So per usual, I let the others unload and launch first while Jake swam and I arranged our gear in the Guide.
It didn't take him long to figure out why I had placed a new rubber door mat up front for him. It gave him much better footing on the slick hull bottom.
We pulled up on a newly scoured gravel bar for lunch. Jake swam and played while I dug in to some simple chow.
I had three knives with me but forgot to get out my PFD knife for show and tell. It is a Schrade SP-3 Lightweight, partially serrated for cutting rope.
The recent high water had downed a lot of trees along the way, though none were a problem for me to avoid. Gravel bars had moved, new channels opened and old channels closed. Fresh timber piles will provide campers with firewood well past July.
We got off the river at about 4:00. Jake waited at the canoe, guarding our gear, chasing swallows that nest under the highway bridge and minnows in the shallows. While I hiked up to the parking lot to retrieve the truck and trailer.
The trip home was uneventful but Jake was worn out. He revived somewhat whe nwe stopped at Sonic. I got a burger and he got a small order of fries and a large cup of water. He does well drinking out of a cup. We both took naps when we got home and unloading will wait til morning. A nice Sunday on the river.
The management and crew of the outfitters were friendly and glad to see us as usual. The owner even refused pay for the incidentals I piled on the counter when I paid for the shuttle, gum, snacks etc.
Jake and I were the only ones on the shuttle van and he took his accustomed double seat behind the driver and I rode shotgun up front. But before we could leave the headquarters, a gaggle of late arrivals showed up and we had to load more canoes on the trailer. And pack a lot of people in the van. I offered to sit with Jake or make him sit up front with me, but the driver wouldn't hear of it. He packed to people into the back, one sitting on their ice chest while Jake and I kept our seats. Suffice it to say that we seem to have gained perks from our "frequent flyer status".
Jake amused the driver and passengers when he began singing with excitement just before we reached the put-in site. He recognized the road from last year and the year before. Not so amusing to the other passengers was his flatulance.
I knew from past experience that I would need to let Jake swim for a while before we launched to work off some of his pent up energy. So per usual, I let the others unload and launch first while Jake swam and I arranged our gear in the Guide.
It didn't take him long to figure out why I had placed a new rubber door mat up front for him. It gave him much better footing on the slick hull bottom.
We pulled up on a newly scoured gravel bar for lunch. Jake swam and played while I dug in to some simple chow.
I had three knives with me but forgot to get out my PFD knife for show and tell. It is a Schrade SP-3 Lightweight, partially serrated for cutting rope.
The recent high water had downed a lot of trees along the way, though none were a problem for me to avoid. Gravel bars had moved, new channels opened and old channels closed. Fresh timber piles will provide campers with firewood well past July.
We got off the river at about 4:00. Jake waited at the canoe, guarding our gear, chasing swallows that nest under the highway bridge and minnows in the shallows. While I hiked up to the parking lot to retrieve the truck and trailer.
The trip home was uneventful but Jake was worn out. He revived somewhat whe nwe stopped at Sonic. I got a burger and he got a small order of fries and a large cup of water. He does well drinking out of a cup. We both took naps when we got home and unloading will wait til morning. A nice Sunday on the river.
Codger_64
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Single and all children and grandchildren moved away now, without the outfitter's shuttle I would find it difficult to go. My truck is loaded down with tool boxes and tools and I can't leave it just anywhere, even if I could hitch a ride back to it at the end of a trip. So far leaving it in the outfitter's parking lot I have never had anything stolen. And the outfitter will take me, my canoe and gear and Jake to any one of a half dozen put-ins for the same $20 bill, tax included. On some of my overnight trips, I couldn't drive my truck that far and back for that amount of gas. Plus I get a chance to jaw with the river rat drivers during the ride. And they help me load and unload. Pretty handy with the Guide, 16'9" long, three feet wide and bumping 87 pounds. And still appreciated with the lighter Morningstar.
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Well I managed to get the Old Town Yaks out of storage and hung them up for a good cleaning with the pressure washer. Benji's coming in this week and the plan is to get them in the water Wednesday. I have a new Sawyer paddle on order and will put the pics up when it gts here. Clear Creek temp is just at 45 degs and Lake Standley is running 59 deg so we are still a little cold to 'spill' into without a suit on. I want to do some paddle and floats before tackling white water right off the bat. One gets that way at 62, Ha! 
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Yes, but worse, they're 3/4 of an inch lower than Bell standard hangers. Neither of us can get our feet comfortably under the seats for kneeling. I just ordered 4" drops for EdsCanoe.com and will modify the seat height as needed. Those metal brackets are rivited horizontally into the gunnels. I'll have to remove them, and then drill down through the gunnels to hang the seats.
Codger_64
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The plates I bought for the Eds canoe seat I installed in the Blue Hole Sunburst were too long. I marked them and took them to a local fabricator and had them sheared shorter and with a slight rake. I liked the way they looked and worked. If you use the wood drops, be sure to get the special washers to spread the load on the gunnels.
These are the light duty dowel drops in my 119K
And these are the medium duty truss style in the Morningstar.
These are the light duty dowel drops in my 119K
And these are the medium duty truss style in the Morningstar.
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