canoe carrier

[redhawk]

I like the boat carrier rig. Did you make that yourself?

[Wldrns]

I like the boat carrier rig. Did you make that yourself?

Yup, a piece of straight aluminum tubing from the bottom of the Knupac to the stern area, and a bent piece for a "center thwart" support. Held in with brass thumbscrews. I'm working on a better (quick installation) design. This rigid configuration allows totally hands free bushwhacking, very necessary to get very far safely and comfortably.

[redhawk]

Yup, a piece of straight aluminum tubing from the bottom of the Knupac to the stern area, and a bent piece for a "center thwart" support. Held in with brass thumbscrews. I'm working on a better (quick installation) design. This rigid configuration allows totally hands free bushwhacking, very necessary to get very far safely and comfortably.

Any chance of getting some drawings or photos and actual directions? Soon as I get an external frame pack I want to make a rig for the Hornbeck. Maybe I'll just pay thm the $50 to custom make it but I'd like to see some options.

Plus I'm sure that others are interested.

PS I split this off the "tell us a little about yourself" thread and moved it were where it's more appropiate.

[lumberzac]

I am also very interested. I’m planning on making something to carry my Radisson.

[Wldrns]

Any chance of getting some drawings or photos and actual directions? Soon as I get an external frame pack I want to make a rig for the Hornbeck. Maybe I'll just pay thm the $50 to custom make it but I'd like to see some options.

I could post some pics but for the next few days I'm out of touch with my equipment. It's really quite simple though, no pics should be necessary once you have a Knupac (www.knupac.com) in mind. Eric Knudsen makes a high quality external frame with a tough waterproof backpack, or you can just buy the frame and use your own bag. The lightweight carry yokes on top of the frame are key. You could probably make something similar on any external frame pack if you are handy.

What follows is a lot of text for a very simple process:
My mounting method is similar to one you can buy from Pete Hornbeck. You can make your own for a couple of bucks worth of lightweight tubing and bolts.

Unfortunately the Hornbeck backrest thwart is not located near the center balance point of the canoe, so a temporary carry thwart must be inserted when converting from paddling to backpacking mode. I simply used a one-inch diameter piece of aluminum tubing, length cut to the width of the canoe at its balance point. I then flattened the ends of the tubing. Drill a hole through the flattened ends and the wood gunwales where they overlap and that's it. Attach with a brass bolt and thumb nut vertically through the gunwale. I had the original knupac, which sat a little low on my back, so I also put a curve in the middle of the tubing so that my head would not hit it. That is not necessary with my current (3rd generation) knupac which has a much improved suspension system. A design following Eric's wooden Universal Thwart idea may be quicker to install if you can find the large knobs.

Next I cut a half-inch diameter piece of tubing, about 40 inches long, ends flattened. Attach it with another bolt to the existing bottom hole in the pack frame on one side of the pack. Have an assistant balance the canoe on the knupac's carry yokes and center thwart tubing, with you wearing a fully loaded knupac. Have your assistant hold the canoe at the right pitch (bow slightly upward, which is why you must have a fully weighted pack because your stance is different with the weight). Mark where the other end of the long tubing meets the gunwale near the stern, drill a horizontal hole and fasten.

To mount the pack to the rightsideup canoe, place the upsidedown pack's carry yokes on the tubing thwart. Fasten the rear tubing to both pack and canoe. The next part is CRITICAL - use two short lengths of parachute cord to TIGHTLY tie the knupac to the tubing. A trucker's hitch is ideal for this. Now the canoe and pack are one single rigid unit. It can be rolled over, resting on the pack and tipped back on the stern. I put it on by sitting on the ground, slip on and tighten the shoulder straps, and go through a sort of rotating gyration to get to one knee and stand up before buckling the hip belt. Doing it on a slope is easier. I carry my paddle inside the canoe held in place with lengths of velcro.

I can post photos next week.
Eric Knudsen is always at Paddlefest in Inlet every spring if you want to see his system.

[redhawk]

Thanks for all the info. I looked at those Knudsens before but it's a little too dear for my blood. It's worth every cent I'm sure, just beyond my budget. I was able to splurge on the Hornbeck because of a one time windfall which we decided to use to get some things we would not normally be able to purchase.

Of course, if you have an early generation Knupac for sale cheap, then maybe there is hope!!!

[Wldrns]

Of course, if you have an early generation Knupac for sale cheap, then maybe there is hope!!!

A month or so ago, Mountainman in Inlet had one for $100 off regular price.

[redhawk]

A month or so ago, Mountainman in Inlet had one for $100 off regular price.

I see that Sacandaga Dog supply also carries them. perhaps I will call ad if they have any in stock peruse one for if I jet luck!