Hello there, I'm very excited to join your forum. I'm currently located in Southwest Idaho and have just acquired my first canoe of my very own. She is a Mad River Freedom and I am over the moon to have found a boat in such excellent condition. While this is the first canoe I have owned myself, I am not new to the world of canoe tripping and basic boat repair, but there is always so many new things to learn. I'm likely on the younger end of the canoeing community and am excited to learn more from those who have paddled before me.
I was a trip head last summer on two 16-day trips from Red Lake to Lake Winnipeg on the Bloodvein River, and have done trips on the Fond-du-Lac, English, and throughout Voyagers and the Quetico in the past, as well as many others. I have also been keeping myself with a few rafting and backpacking trips in the absence of a canoe.
I have a great deal of love for Mad River Canoes, the Explorer in particular, but this Freedom was too good of an opportunity to turn down. Since we have a raft for bigger whitewater, my canoe will mostly be used for lake trips, small streams, and trips with a mix of water types badly suited for rafting. She will also see plenty of fishing and hunting action.
While in excellent condition, there are a few fixes and shine-ups that need to be done. The cane seats are old and starting tear at the edges. They can support my weight just fine (5'6, 130 lbs) but are already showing wear from a few hours out with my 6'2 paddling companion. I'm hoping to DIY some webbing or sinew seats. The ash on the yoke and thwarts could use to be sanded and resealed as well, although mostly for fun. At some point I intend to add kneeling pads for whitewater. I'm very impressed with some of the DIYs I've seen in this community and look forward to learning from you all.
I hope to find some new routes in my area and explore all that is offered here.
Thank you!
I was a trip head last summer on two 16-day trips from Red Lake to Lake Winnipeg on the Bloodvein River, and have done trips on the Fond-du-Lac, English, and throughout Voyagers and the Quetico in the past, as well as many others. I have also been keeping myself with a few rafting and backpacking trips in the absence of a canoe.
I have a great deal of love for Mad River Canoes, the Explorer in particular, but this Freedom was too good of an opportunity to turn down. Since we have a raft for bigger whitewater, my canoe will mostly be used for lake trips, small streams, and trips with a mix of water types badly suited for rafting. She will also see plenty of fishing and hunting action.
While in excellent condition, there are a few fixes and shine-ups that need to be done. The cane seats are old and starting tear at the edges. They can support my weight just fine (5'6, 130 lbs) but are already showing wear from a few hours out with my 6'2 paddling companion. I'm hoping to DIY some webbing or sinew seats. The ash on the yoke and thwarts could use to be sanded and resealed as well, although mostly for fun. At some point I intend to add kneeling pads for whitewater. I'm very impressed with some of the DIYs I've seen in this community and look forward to learning from you all.
I hope to find some new routes in my area and explore all that is offered here.
Thank you!
