101 Tips And Techniques For Living Comfortably In Or Out Of A Canoe

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(63 posts) (10 voices) Started 9 months ago by Dennis Latest reply from Dennis

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Dennis
Photographer

We have had a few great suggestions for canoe modifications and other DIY projects in the past. I'm wondering if anyone has any other home brewed solutions for making canoeing and camp living a bit more pleasant and that you could share with the group.

I'm sure that there is somebody somewhere who has perfected the installation of highway pegs on their canoe and are waiting egerly for an opportunity to share that knowlege with the world.

By the way, my DIY efforts are usually limited to things like making canoe bailers out of old plastic detergent bottles or scrounging up old refrigerator racks to use as camp grills (anything to save a buck). Those have turned out to be some pretty useful items so don't laugh. You don't always have to buy everything at fancy outddoor stores (just most of it).

Tips can be in the form of general useful advice or how to construct things like the perfect throw bag or seat cushion. I like pen and ink line drawings like the ones in my old shop tips books but feel free to submit regular old photos with your descriptions as well. Let's see if we can come up with 101 useable ideas.

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 9 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

1) Bring sunscreen and plenty of it.

Our family is decended from a mostly fair-skinned clan of savages who don't seem to be able to remember to bring anything to protect their precious pale skin from the sun. It's a wonder we have survived this long. Getting a bad burn on day one of a multi-day trip is no fun. Don't rely on somebody else to remember the sunscreen. Bring your own regardless of the season. Blisters and flaking skin are not attractive and we must somehow continue our lineage.

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 9 months ago #
crow
Member

Dennis - 8 hours ago »
I'm sure that there is somebody somewhere who has perfected the installation of highway pegs on their canoe and are waiting egerly for an opportunity to share that knowlege with the world.

What are highway pegs?

Thanks.

Posted 9 months ago #
MotoMike
Moderator

what are seat cushions?

thanks

Posted 9 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

Sorry Crow... Highway pegs are something you add to your Honda Rebel 250 Chopper so you can put your feet up and look cool as you tool down the interstate. They are most often seen being used by middle aged men who are also growing a ponytail out of their neck hair. ;-) I was sure that by now they would have been adapted to use as comfortable footrests for canoes. Well, at least by someone here in the Ozarks.

MM... Seat cushions were invented by lazy North Americans who never walk anywhere and have no ass-muscles to prevent them from bruising their tailbones on hard aluminum canoe seats. Luckily we don't need them for insulation from the cold.

Where are tips #2 and #3 ? Please make the text of the actual tip in bold type by highlighting it and clicking on the big B.

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 9 months ago #
MotoMike
Moderator

3) when paddling solo and finding it windy I sometimes fill a large dry bag with water and stuff it in the bow to help with trim. takes little space when not in use, and is quite heavy when filled.

Sorry Dennis, but Crow started it.

Mike

Posted 9 months ago #
Bryan Hansel
Member

4) Think like a kayaker: outfitter your thwarts with bungee cords.

Bungee cords on thwarts hold your maps, compass, and anything else you need to securely stash. Just drill a couple of holes in the thwart run a bungee out on to the other and knot their ends.

Nessmuking.com - Lightweight canoe and kayak travel: a philosophy and a way of life

On Twitter: @bryanhansel

Posted 9 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

Bryan,

I really liked your website a lot but I doubt that your are going to be able to convert some of the true blue river canoeists over here to your church of lightweight theology. They are just too easily tempted by the pleasures of the flesh provided by their walk-in ice chests, four burner gas ranges and reclining camp chairs with built in massagers.

I really want to see that movie "Paddle To Seattle."

Thanks for contributing to the forum.

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 9 months ago #
Bryan Hansel
Member

Funny, Dennis! It seems I already have you converted, because one of Nessmuking’s three goals is to “promote self-direction by emphasizing the do-it-yourself culture in the sport of paddling.” Isn’t that what this thread is about?

Even your true blue river canoeist—and I can relate from gaining my first experiences canoeing on Iowa rivers and on the
Mississippi—want to protect the waterways they travel. Nessmuking.com “believe[s] growing paddlesport participation advances wilderness protection.” I doubt they’d argue with Jacques Yves Cousteau sentiment: “People protect what they love.” This means that they probably already practice one of Nessmuking's goals.

As far as lightweight theology—which implies dogma, which Nessmuking doesn’t have; we're willing to question anything and everything—traveling light makes everything easier and more pleasant, which is what this thread is about. Seriously, if you have a choice between a tent that weighs 4 pounds and a tent that weighs 6 pounds and both provide the same level of comfort, why take the on-the-water resistance hit and extra weight on you back during a portage? Less resistance means the canoe is easier to paddle and not having to lug 60-pound packs on portages—if on rivers, around dams—means a more pleasant trip.

5) The weight of packaging adds up, so repackage all your food items. It’s really surprising how much packaging gets hauled into the woods and much of it doesn’t burn well, so it’s best to repackage your food into light plastic bags and leave the heavy store bought packaging at home. From 8 Easy Ways to Go Lighter.

Nessmuking.com - Lightweight canoe and kayak travel: a philosophy and a way of life

On Twitter: @bryanhansel

Posted 9 months ago #
crow
Member

What happened to tip #2?

OK, here's mine. Fairly obvious, but never mind...

2) Always take a small drybag with your car keys, mobile phone, wallet etc. in it. Or one of those little transparent ones you can hang round your neck. Keep it secured, and if anything happens, rescue that bag first. At least you'll get home.

Posted 9 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

I think it's also a good idea to take two sets of keys if you are planning to use a shuttle service. I'm happy to report that I finally shelled out the money for one of those transparent dry sacks for all of the junk from my pockets that usually makes my pants look so flattering.

I was having a little fun with Bryan before and indirectly poking fun at somebody I know who always thinks that more of everything is a good rule of thumb on a camping trip. Sometimes the best thing you can do to be comfortable and happy is to take less instead of more.

I'm also an avid repackager from my backpacking days and have often inadvertantly left the cooking directions for the camp dinner somewhere back at home. Things in bags all look pretty much the same when it's dark and you're really tired. This can lead to a few "surprise" style meals if you are not careful.

I never really thought of any of the things I do to prevent waste or pollution as a personal philosophy but rather just good old Midwestern common sense. The trouble is that common sense is not an easy thing to impress on people who are used to an endless supply of disposable products. I think it's something that deserves further discussion.

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 9 months ago #
natecanoes
Member

6) Always remember toilet paper.

Crow, I am with you on the ditch bag, but mine is a Pelican drybox about the size of a toaster. I put my wallet and ID, my keys, phone, water filter, stove and 1 fuel canister, a space blanket, tape, and about 10 lighters in it. Not only does it keep that stuff safe, but it has what I need to stay alive should the trip go haywire.

Bryans bungee tip brings to mind the late Verlen Krugers outfitting on one of his early canoes. He used bicycle baskets attached to the thwarts for holding the everyday items you don't want to have to dig out of a box or bag. (sunglasses, sunblock, water bottle, snack, etc) Better than just having that stuff rolling around the bottom of your boat.

Posted 9 months ago #
Dennis
Photographer

I was thinking of the toilet paper earlier and if I could amend your tip I would add, "and know how to use it."

It sounds goofy but some people require instructions on how to crap in the woods and what to do after the crap... I mean fact. ;-)

I'm dying to see your line drawing of a bicyle basket tied to a canoe thwart so feel free to add that.

Inside the Viewfinder - My photography blog

Posted 9 months ago #
crow
Member

I'd love to see the picture of the bike basket too.

But I don't want to see your diagram of how to use toilet paper thanks Dennis.

Posted 9 months ago #
natecanoes
Member

I have not seen the bicycle basket arrangement yet, just heard about it. I'm sure with a little ingenuity you could rig something similar up. I thought for the open boaters out there it might be a handy rigging tip to experiment with.

You are on your own with the TP too.

Posted 9 months ago #

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