Recent content by Mason

The optimal is going to be the least amount you can put in it. Wenonah doesn't list maximums. I remember the Old Town Tripper (17'2") listed at 1100 pounds, which, I think was based on a 6" freeboard. To me, a 6" freeboard in roughish waters is pretty spooky. The 3" and 4" waterlines pertain...

This is a fun read. Zones and ergs and stuff (and the common knowledge of such) were unknown for recreational racers when I was doing it 45 years ago (egad!!!). We'd just get out and paddle hard, trying to effect a pace that we could sustain for the length of the race. (We were consistently...

Corbin is in the stern. Fellow seems to have a pretty wide catch.

Large head pop rivets would be a low profile option. I've used regular pop rivets for 40+ years, and they've held up nicely.

Many thousands of miles like that (hell, it's over 2200 RT for this one, and that was my 5th trip). No trip report--lots of lakes, lots of portages, mostly good weather, some not so good. A good time regardless. This was my (expedition) partner's first time in a fast solo. Most of his last...

I have a yellow and red jacket I used to wear for backcountry skiing. I called it my "dig here" jacket.

As a follow-up, 43 years of canoe design changes! Slabsides and bubbles.

Headed home after 10 days in Quetico. Only 750 miles to go! 2017 Tacoma, 2017 Wenonah Voyager, 1983 Wenonah WWC1.

Same here--43 days. Lots of portages, so weight was important. Worked out, so another 42 day trip a few years later (and another 30 day wet trip). The last couple of trips I had a very light pair of pants for flying commercially back, with no use on the trips. Oh, and I did a fair bit of...

@tomo is looking for one Looking for Monarch

Here ya go! Monarch

Or you could avoid the wife part altogether and stay single. A man's gotta know his priorities (said in a Clint Eastwood voice).

No bending needed--each one has only two attachment points. And it'd be a chore bending that thick extruded aluminum.

I don't wet foot. My kevlar Voyager has scratches. I don't baby it, but I don't abuse it either. I either come ashore abeam with care on nice landings, or beach very gently bow first and step out to the side if there are rocks to step on. Sometimes I'll scoot forward in the canoe if the...

What's your traditional method? For me, I've found that even with heavy packs, if I balance it on both thighs, and then slip into it works the best. It's critical to grab the straps about midway up to provide enough space for your arm to slip through, and balance it on your thighs for a brief...