Other forum reviewers seem to put the max around 21".
It's designed to carry either a duffel/dry bag or bulky odd items - anything from firewood to a chainsaw to an elk quarter. You could certainly carry a spotting scope but the frame may be overkill for that.
Just saw you are in Rochester. Do I know you ?
Probably not - Chick and I pretty much stick to ourselves. No affiliation to any organizations or anything. We retired a couple of years ago and since we have been traveling, skiing, and biking, all the while enjoying retirement. As I tell Chick, if I knew how much fun retirement was going to be I would have done it years ago. Been in Webster 25 years or so. I don't canoe here at all, unless I take the old Grumman out with a trolling motor. Covered a great deal of the ADK'S, but still have several trips I want to do there. Went canoeing on the Ozwegatchi the last week in October and will continue pushing further into the winter. I don't know why. As I am in my 60's I am pushing to get as many trips in as I can so slowly working my way north into Canada with 1 provincial park and 1 northern river under my belt.
