Recent content by yknpdlr

Is that not the definition of a ruddered kayak? A properly accomplished forward power stroke, with prehaps a litle pitch or C thrown in (no need for a maximal "J" or other control mode) will maximize the forward stroke efficiency of the canoe without the need to frequently switch sides for...

Get a canoe that naturally performs in the way you want, or just go get a d...mn kayak with a double paddle and rudder if you can't control your craft on the water. I take pride and enjoyment in the ability to single blade single side paddle, rarely switching sides only for muscle relief, not...

We have a similar problem in the Adirondacks. Everyone wants to enjoy their own sport, especially the lazy redneck motorized kind. Lobbyists for 4 wheelers in summer, snowmobiles in winter. The claim, especially in the more isolated rural towns is that they are practically the sole support the...

It never gets any better from the old traditional BSA. I have been a permanent instructor for the annual BSA National Camping school for 30 years, Adirondack Division. We trained High Adventure trek leader guides (the "Voyageur" program as we called it). It is an annual 8-day training program...

I have recently acquired a used composite carbon hull Savage River Saranac C4 canoe outfitted for racing. It had obviously been stored outdoors for a time, as it had a white chalky oxidation on the exterior. I buffed and polished it with a quality buffing compound and restored the original...

In my experience, the only time I might enjoye a rudder with my Blackwater is when paddling downwind in a brisk wind. Like most of my canoes, it wants to weathercock into the wind, regardless of my seat postion trim, but I have always been very lightly loaded when that has happened. In a...

I have a 15.8 Cruiser and a 17' Blackwater. Comparison with a Placidboat Rapidffire and a PB Shadow on a no wind course with a GPS, there is little practical diference in sustained speed between all of them, but I feel the Blackwater squeeks it out by a tiny amount, maybe .2mph. The BW is...

Growing up in rural clear sky northern NYState, I was always amazed at how dark our sky was. So much so that I inteded to study astronomy and get a degree in astrophysics. That led me to work for the Air Force Research Laboratory which got me into the heart of advanced research at a number of...

Every day I like my Blackwater more and more. Lately at camp, weather permitting, I have been going out to race train as much as 3 times a day to put on 4-5 miles each around the perimeter of my smallish lake. The lake is perfectly oriented with the prevailing wind, so at times, I haven't gone...

Or what we know in North America as a Moose, the same animal in Europe is called an Elk. Names for completely different species in the Western hemisphere.

Bill, with that workout you shoule be ready to take on the "Cannonball 90" next.

This has long been the bane, especially of heavier canoes during the Adirondack 90 mile race. The ancestor of the suspenz type cart was called the 'Canadian Walker', with somewhat larger bicycle type wheels and no straight through axle to catch on high obstacles. I have three of them. When...

those old Sears Roebuck catalog glossy pages were rather waterproof. :cautious:

In the early 1980s, I wanted to make the trip from my home, not far west of the Blue Line, on a NE diagonal route across the Adirondacks to my daughter's then home, beyond Plattsburgh across a northern bay of Lake Champlain to near the ferry launch. I knew I would have many miles of carries, so...

Thank you. There are lots of those there.