Tips
one thing comes to mind, i have a sitin that i have installed a drain plug in the rear transom. well the other day i got the yak out and scrubbed it down good so i open the drain plug which has clips to keep it from coming completely out ( yes it's plastic) well i stood it up on end and hosed to suds out and bent the pllastic handle off, needless to say had to order another so this one i cut clips off and can remove it completely to keep from damaging it. of for a sit in a drain plug is a nessessity there is no way to slosh all that water out.
need some good ideas how to enter a sit in yak - especially for us oldsters, last year i rolled mine at the ramp - how embarassing- i was thankful to be wearing a t-shirt and bathing suit - can you imagine how funny a naked guy would look rolling a yak with feet and buttflying in the air. i do the keel on land thing it kinda works.
i haven't paddled a sit on yet but now that i have a canoe i can apperciate how much more stable my old town vapor sit in is compare to the canoe and i'm sure a sit on, i now can see that each boat has a purpose and depending on the task one is better than the other.
john i have seen numberous canoer's on the lakes with big dogs and i wonder if they ever overturn, you tube is also a great place to view canoe in action. i feel confident in my canoe not as much as the sit in kayak but i've been out about a half dozen times since getting the canoe and everytime i discover something different, i still don't understand why more folks don't use a kayak paddle over a single blade it is so much easier.
The kayak paddle is only easier until you learn how to paddle a canoe. I watch noobs trying to paddle a canoe and it is funny to watch. They fill the canoe with water taking the paddle from side to side trying to steer the canoe. Over time I think most people could figure out how to paddle a canoe but some instructions would probably shorten the learning curve. The "J" stroke at first thought seems like it would be inefficient but when done properly it is very efficient. One nice thing about canoeing is most of the time nobody is watching so have fun and try different strokes and styles.
When I was teaching canoeing, I showed the kids how to switch sides without getting water in the canoe. It's obvious once you've seen it, but not so much if you havent. If you are sitting in front, swing the paddle vigorously out in front of the canoe. Any water gets slung off outside the boat. If you are in back, swing the paddle vigorously BEHIND the canoe. This is a sort-of over the head manuever which may sound tricky until you try it.
I recently paddled behind a monstrously large group of canoers. I stopped long enough to let them get way ahead so I could have some peace and quiet (and of course canude). As I neared a bridge at the end of the run, I stopped and dressed. When I got to the bridge, most of the group were on the bridge looking down. As I paddled under, several of them asked "why is your canoe dry?" It hadn't occured to me that it would seem unusual. I replied to them "Why wouldn't it be dry?"
There are a big group of us sea kayakers that often times find ourselves paddling nude, but not really.
Because many of us are certified ACA or BCU instructors we have to wear a PFD when we paddle. We have to set a good example.And because of the nature of sea kayaking, you wear a spray skirt so you can go through waves and sometimes upside down without water getting in.
The female paddlers discovered the joy of nude kayaking when they realized that they could wear nothing but the PFD and sprayskirt and paddle without anyone knowing they were nude underneath.
Now when we relax and have a few drinks in us, we'll often go for late night nude paddles and rolling practice:-)
Little off the beaten path. I would like to suggest using a wide mouth plastic jug of the cheap kind you can get at Walmart and the like. Some have a sipper spout but some don't. These make excellent storage for your wallet, cellphone, and car keys. They usually have a handle or a strap so you can attach them to the craft. With the lid screwed down they are waterproof and float. They are easily opened and are hard enough to provide protection. Dry bags are fine for other things but these work well for the essentials.
TIP: DO NOT STAND UP IN A CANOE!!!{Unless it is laying on the ground....} ;~)
why not? i use my canoe primarily for fishing in the marsh along the gulf coast and i stand and cast quite often to stretch my legs and look for signs of fish. if you have a good sense of balance and don't put all your weight on one side, there's no reason that you cannot stand in a canoe.
TIP: DO NOT STAND UP IN A CANOE!!!{Unless it is laying on the ground....} ;~)
ESPECIALLY when it is laying on the ground. Canoes get structural strength from the water uniformly supporting it. Laying on the ground, there will be gaps of unsupported flooring that may crack under your weight.
Some canoes like the Mohawk Guide 17 footer are plenty stable enough to stand up in while on the water, as long as you keep your weight centered.
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