Canoe wanted

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 2:08 pm

Not really for sale, but wanted to buy. Am looking for a used canoe, even roughly used canoe, that owner is willing to let go for use as starter. Checked with rental places and pawn shops; want nearly what a new would cost. Looking for much less. Got one you wanna let go? email me and we'll chat. Thanks!

Joined: 2003-09-10 Posts: 1263 Location: Bristol WI

There is a great canoe/kayak club right in Eau Claire that you should look into. Several watercraft for sale at any given time via their web site-
http://purewaterpaddlers.com/

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:39 am

There is a pawn shop that takes canoes???

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:07 pm

Thanks for the tip about Pure Water Paddlers. Keep my eye on em. Still looking for other ideas.

And yes, three pawn shops here had em. But all were beat to crud and they wanted 450 or 550. Yikes.

Joined: 2003-09-10 Posts: 1263 Location: Bristol WI

Do your research- there is a whole lot more to paddle craft than there was 10 years ago. Solo/Tandem, Whitewater/flat water, royalex/kevlar/carbon/fiberglass, capacities, portage weight, rocker, etc, etc.

Like a car- find something you will enjoy driving or there will be no purpose in owning it.

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:43 pm

quote:
Originally posted by Cathunter:
Do your research- there is a whole lot more to paddle craft than there was 10 years ago.

I think the basics are still there.

1. Must float.

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 10:14 am

quote:
Originally posted by pcfrog:
1. Must float.

If you can find one that floats upstream let me know...I want one of those!

Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 6:18 pm

I think Cathunter was sharing good advice. Just about any canoe will float empty in still water. The real question is: will it float under the conditions you want to use it for: whitewater (rocks), fishing, racing, camping (how much freeboard), big open water (what about wind), kids on board who like to reach over the side, etc. There's a lot to consider, even if you think your needs are basic.

[This message has been edited by kbraband (edited 05-05-2006).]

Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 5:19 am

Remember the issue of stability versus speed. I've got a few canoes for a variety of uses. Beautiful, light, but expensive Kevlar canoes are fantastic, but I wouldn't dare float one in a river with a single submerged rock in it. Howvever, there are large, sturdy, "beat-em-up" canoes that I've almost killed myself trying to portage across miles of Boundary Waters wilderness portage trails...

Heck - you wouldn't believe the options available for canoe paddles nowadays... Single bladed, double bladed, straight shaft, bent shaft, etc... There is a lot to process.

If you're truly looking at investing a few bucks into this venture, go to a place who knows what they're talking about. Also, PLEASE make sure you get fitted for your paddles... I canoed 150 miles of the Wisconsin River a few years ago and had shoulder problems for a year afterwards because the paddle I used wasn't the correct length. Have a pro measure it for you...

The Ducks Unlimited Show in Oshkosh at the end of August has a great variety of canoes/kayaks that you can try out. The reps from the various companies are there for questions. This is a nice opportunity to test drive your new ride!

Best of luck,

Your friendly Green Bay Paddler

Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 9:25 pm

Somehow I think Louis and Clark never got "fitted" for thier paddles...

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Team GeoPink - Co-conspirators to make the world a better place...
- Jeff Rahmlow
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geopink at wi dash geocaching dit com

The comments and opinions above are those solely of Team GeoPink (arcangl7) and are not those of the WGA, the WGA board, or its other fine members.

Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:43 pm

quote:
Originally posted by arcangl7:
Somehow I think Louis and Clark never got "fitted" for thier paddles...

They may have been. All paddles were custom-made in those days.

But even if they weren't, they were professional explorers whose bodies were conditioned by years of paddling. Weekend recreational paddlers need equipment that fits because our bodies are not conditioned for that kind of repetitive use with ill-fitting equipment.

Can we stop the pot shots at people who try to offer helpful advice about paddling?

Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:59 pm

Take no offense...

To myself who has canoed occasionally, getting "fitted" for a paddle sounded like a bit of excessive advice to give a beginner. But I suppose canoeing has changed since I last dipped a paddle...

------------------
Team GeoPink - Co-conspirators to make the world a better place...
- Jeff Rahmlow
WGA President
geopink at wi dash geocaching dit com

The comments and opinions above are those solely of Team GeoPink (arcangl7) and are not those of the WGA, the WGA board, or its other fine members.

Joined: 2003-09-10 Posts: 1263 Location: Bristol WI

quote:
Originally posted by arcangl7:
Take no offense...

To myself who has canoed occasionally, getting "fitted" for a paddle sounded like a bit of excessive advice to give a beginner.

Looking at it from a different angle, having a well suited paddle (and boat) can make all the difference in the world. Because someone is a beginner is all the better reason to do it right the first time. Anything less risks unhappiness, injury, or worse. It's more about technique, but technique comes best with gear that suits the paddler. (ask my rotator cuff).