Author Topic: Canoe Camping (Read 2829 times)

243dave · « **on:** March 27, 2009, 05:54:42 PM »

I've made up my mind to do it this May. Thought about it for years and now since I've been laid-off, I feel its time. I'm going solo for a week in my 12ft solo canoe on the yadkin river here in NC. According to my maps I'll be going about 135 miles, the river is large with nothing any bigger than class 1 rapids. I've got a book(about the river) and maps that is detailed and I feel confident with my paddling and outdoor skills. Besides the general safety and first-aid equipment, do you guys have any tips for a extended boat trip that is easily overlooked ? Don't worry, I won't forget an extra paddle and toilet paper !!!

Dave

bilmac · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2009, 06:41:48 PM »

12 feet is a pretty small canoe, I guess you are familiar with it but it seems to me that a boat that small wouldn't have the capacity for the gear for that long of a trip.

Put your gear in waterproof bags and tie anything you want to keep to the boat. I lost a handgun in a capsize, so after that this was a hard and fast rule for me. Years later I was starting on another trip, me in one boat and a couple of inexperienced kids in another. I had told them to tie their stuff to the boat, but noticed that as we pulled away from the launch point they hadn't done it yet, so I told them again to get their stuff tied down. Sure enough we hadn't gone a quarter mile when they hit a bridge abutment and rolled the boat, and their stuff went everywhere.

I float differently than almost anybody else. I keep my boat sideways to the current. I figure out where I want to go and a few flicks on the oars moves me back and forth across the river to where I want to be. If there is a chute or narrow spot, I can turn the boat fore and aft to the flow with a touch of the oars, but then I always turn sideways again when the river is wide.

Floating rivers is one of my favorite things in life, you've got me all enthused, I gotta do another one this summer.

243dave · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2009, 06:38:17 AM »

Thanks for the reply bilmac, I'll be sure to tie everything down and have my things in a waterproof bag. I agree, 12 foot is a small canoe but I think it'll be fine, I plan on going lite. I'm about 225lbs and I'd like to keep my gear close too 75lbs, we'll see how that goes. I believe my canoe is rated for 500lbs,I'll have to double check, it may not be that much. Just in the last year or so I've started floating down the river side-ways too but I do it so I can talk to the paddlers(wife, kids and brother) behind me. Can't wait for May!!! Dave

k. mccarthy · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2009, 11:07:35 AM »

Dave, sorry about ur layoff, good as time as any to go. Ive been canoe and kayak camping since the 70's. Good times, take a tarp for rainy nights. Don't know about the fishin in your part of the states (about 500 miles from Pittsburgh) but I take alot of floating Rapalas. If you fish alot you'll make about 10 miles a day. Simple meals make life alot easier. Oatmeal for breakfast, peanut butter and cheese for lunch, gorp for snacks, freeze dried or Dinty Moore and rice for dinner. Don't forget a .22 handgun and bug dope. Put everything in dry bags with fold down tops. Have a good time. Its a ball. Kevin

243dave · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2009, 06:54:49 PM »

Thanks K. Mc, I plan to do some fish'n so I might have to round up some of those rapalas. I like the food ideas especially the oatmeal. One thing I'll definately have is a handgun, either a 9mm or 22. Dave

deerhuntertyler · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2009, 12:07:38 PM »

Are you bringing a water filter or packing in water? either way I would recommend bringing an extra water filter with extra filter cartridges. A sleeping pad is a big bonus, Are you fishing on this trip? Man this is getting my blood pumping for the boundary waters!

burntmuch · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2009, 12:38:52 PM »

I do a four or five canoe trips a year. Nothing better We do 2 people in a 15 ft so you should be fine. A couple trips are for bowhunting, Those are even better, Thats when the 15 ft gets crowded. Sunscreen & a wide brimmed hat shoud be close to the top of your list. Enjoy sounds like a good time Jay

bilmac · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2009, 04:03:34 PM »

Something I like for suppers are the new microwave meals in the plastic dishes. can't heat them amongst he campfirecoals like a canned entrees but you can boil them in a pot of water for five or ten minutes. The chicken alfredo is my favorite. Since they are packed in plastic they are lighter than food in cans.

243dave · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2009, 06:40:39 PM »

I'll be pack'n my water cause I don't have a water filter. I've got a 5 gallon collapsable container I plan on using. Oh yeah!! I'm doing some fish'n, pretty good catfishing on the yadkin river. As far as the sunscreen and brimmed hat goes, thats something I've gotta have, I'm only about two shades darker than a albino. And I'm definately going to bring my sleeping pad, might even purchase a cot too.I've never thought about microwave meals, wouldn't you have to keep them cold ? I'm probably not going to bring a cooler. I checked my canoe and its capacity is 475lbs, I don't want to be near that, this boat is actually 11ft 9inches and only 32 inches wide and weighs about 45lbs. I decided to use it because I have two dams to portage and plus its my favorite canoe I own. Thanks for the tips fellas, don't know if I can wait till May, might have to move it up a couple weeks. Dave

bilmac · « **Reply #9 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:03:55 PM »

No you don't have to refrigerate the meals I'm talking about. I buy them at Walmart. Del monte is one brand and I think there is another brand.

I wouldn't take a cot, because it will be hard to use in a small shelter. I prefer a small tent that zips closed. This keeps the skeeters and snakes at bay, keeps you dry in a storm and keeps the dew off. There are sleeping pads available that are a kind of combination between a foam pad and air mattress. I find these to be much more comfortable than the alternatives when going light.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #10 on:** April 02, 2009, 01:05:42 AM »

Can you elaborate on the sideways to the current thing guys? Don't have a problem with it but just curios.

243dave · « **Reply #11 on:** April 02, 2009, 03:03:03 AM »

Bilmac, I'm going to look up those meals and give'em a try. As for a tent, I'm not sure I'm bringing one. I may just bring a tarp for some overhead cover but I have a gore-tex cover for a lite-weight sleeping bag. Hopefully the bugs won't be too bad at the beginning of May here in NC. The cot I'm thinking about purchasing is like the military type that folds up small, not the kind that folds in half and has its own matress but I admitt these are tempting because they seem real comfortable. OLDSHOOTER, I float down the river sideways so I can hold a conversation with people in boats behind me. Of course I don't do it in rough or shallow water where there is a chance of taking a swim or broaching my canoe. In my small canoe I do it all the time not only because of its size but because it turns on a dime. Plus I use a double bladed paddle with this little canoe giving me more control. Seems like Bilmac uses it as a technique(and it makes sence) to move his boat from side to side too avoid obsticles in the water. Me, I do it because I like to talk.

Dave

Oldshooter · « **Reply #12 on:** April 02, 2009, 03:21:43 AM »

Ok , thanks, I thought it was something like that but it had been a while since I paddled, was curios, I did some kayaking on the Nantahala, and Chatooga in the 70's and really enjoyed that but at times these days I like a lazy float down a clear stream in a canoe.

Good luck on the trip and enjoy the "vacation" !

squirrellluck · « **Reply #13 on:** April 02, 2009, 02:41:36 PM »

If you like your little canoe you oughta try a piroque

bilmac · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2009, 03:20:49 PM »

As I float through the flat water, I hold the boat crosswise to the current and watch ahead for the part of the channel that I want to be in. With just a flick of the oars I can move from one side of the channel to the other. If where I want to be is behind the boat I don't turn it around, I just back it.

As I enter chutes or shallows, I turn the boat bow downstream so the dangar of rolling it is minimized, but as soon as I am back in calmer water, I am sidways again.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #15 on:** April 02, 2009, 04:40:21 PM »

That sounds good bilmac, I thought that was what you were talking about but just wanted to make sure, I didn't really think you took the white water sideways!

We did something like that with the big grain tows on the River, in a sharp bend you slow to just slower than current speed and "flank" your stern toward the point and let the current take the bow around the bend, never quite getting cross-ways but close.

squirrellluck,

Quote

If you like your little canoe you oughta try a piroque

I grew up in a pirogue, You dont wanna be in much current in a pirogue, and no white water at all.

243dave · « **Reply #16 on:** April 02, 2009, 07:02:11 PM »

The piroque is a neat boat but for the creeks I've been paddling a canoe would be better. If a fellow paddled shallow swamps you couldn't find a boat better than a piroque(at least thats what I've read). The short sidewalls(gunwales I believe they're called) on them would make me a little nervous in whitewater. But I would still like to paddle one just to say I've done it. Dave

squirrellluck · « **Reply #17 on:** April 03, 2009, 04:16:12 PM »

Even I'm not crazy enough to put 1 in whitewater! Had 1 in some rain swollen creeks in Indiana but nothing like you're talking about. Enjoy your float.

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #18 on:** April 07, 2009, 05:41:06 AM »

I'd suggest following one of the major rules of paddling safety. Although Bill Mason travelled the bush for years alone, he had acquired many skills over those years yet could have just as easily met his demise on some of those trips. I'd take a partner.

243dave · « **Reply #19 on:** April 07, 2009, 07:11:25 PM »

The river I'll be on is pretty tame, a cellphone tower isn't ever too far away, the water is not terribly cold, and a road is always within walking distance. Of course this doesn't mean something unexpected can't happen but sometimes its easier to take care of yourself than yourself and a buddy. I'm no survival expert or no whitewater gooroo, thats why I decided on the river I did. Most of the time when I'm on the water or in the woods its the peace and quiet and the time alone that I enjoy the most. Taking a buddy is always good advice, this time I think I'm doing it alone. Dave

Oldshooter · « **Reply #20 on:** April 08, 2009, 03:09:31 AM »

I totaly understand where you are coming from on this Pardner, good luck and if you take any pictues let us see um!

outdoorlover · « **Reply #21 on:** April 10, 2009, 11:21:49 PM »

Ferrying, or moving from one side of the stream to the other without losing much ground, can be very challenging if the current is strong. Getting an overview of how to ferry a canoe in from free online white water canoeing maneuvers lesson on video is always helpful. Here's a link that you may find useful for preparation: http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/1492_canoe-maneuvers.htm

243dave · « **Reply #22 on:** April 11, 2009, 05:06:18 PM »

Thanks outdoorlover !! When I get a little more time I'll out all of the video clips. I love watch'n stuff like this, it gets me fired up to get on the water. Dave

dean51 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 11, 2009, 05:38:54 PM »

LL Bean makes a nice bag that attaches to the bottom of your seat and stays with the boat,its handy and inexpensive for a storage area that is always with you.have a good time.

243dave · « **Reply #24 on:** April 11, 2009, 06:57:17 PM »

I lowered my seat to where its only about 3 inches off the floor. My little canoe was a little tippy and this mod helped out a good bit. But some type of handy storage is a must, just not sure how to yet, it definately won't be under the seat. At times I carry a 5 gallon bucket with a lid to keep things dry and clean, I'm not sure if I'll have room this time. It works well but something a little smaller and much handier would be nice. Dave

dean51 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 14, 2009, 05:23:10 PM »

That seat bag should fit 3 x12x18 or so holds lots of stuff put a 2 gallon freezer bag in it and you are all set.yrs ago I bought a plastic and foam strip about 1/2 inch thick and 8in. or so long to mount on the inside gunnel to hold your lures,they dry and dont rust. and are handy. Also carried a short single shot shotgun with a piece of bungy cord tied around the pistol grip area of the stock and tied to the canoe.It acounted for several ducks and was handy for grouse on the bank. That was pretty remote in the Allagash yrs ago.

243dave · « **Reply #26 on:** April 15, 2009, 05:17:15 PM »

Dean, I'm gonna steal your idea about the foam strip to hold lures---great idea. I've been kicking around the idea of taking a single shot 20ga but I'm not sure, maybe a 9mm pistol. I need to start getting everything together to go !!!

dean51 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 16, 2009, 07:16:03 PM »

That made me remember one night we traveled late and had to share a campsite with another group,I went out with the shotgun and one of the other group went out with a 38 snubnose hunting ,I kind of smiled to myself when I saw that.When I came back with a grouse and saw he had gotten two rabbits with the snubbie and wadcutters I had much more respect .. I wish I could remember who sold that foam and plastic holder for the lures.

lakota · « **Reply #28 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:33:47 PM »

Quote from: 243dave on April 11, 2009, 06:57:17 PM

I lowered my seat to where its only about 3 inches off the floor. My little canoe was a little tippy and this mod helped out a good bit. But some type of handy storage is a must, just not sure how to yet, it definately won't be under the seat. At times I carry a 5 gallon bucket with a lid to keep things dry and clean, I'm not sure if I'll have room this time. It works well but something a little smaller and much handier would be nice. Dave

Sounds like my 11' 9" solo canoe. It had a plastic folding kayak seat in it when I got it. Real tippy and I thought the seat was uncomfortable. I boat a webbed canoe bench seat and lowered it pretty much to the floor. I love that boat now.

Have fun on your trip.

243dave · « **Reply #29 on:** May 15, 2009, 03:24:05 AM »

Lakota, yeah, mine has the folding plastic seat but I glued a cheap foam stadium seat(cut to fit) to the bottom. Its much better now. Also since I lowered the seat It seems like a kayak(plus I use a double bladed paddle) so I got the idea to put in adjustable foot rest just like a kayak. I installed them but I haven't had it on the water since the installation. I think I'll like the footbraces if not I'll take them out or just slide them up and out of the way. I bought a little solo canoe now I got a open deck kayak !!

Dave