I'm Getting a Free Canoe!

[MattC]

That's right, a shameless peakbagger is posting in the paddlin' forum. On the way home from the Sewards yesterday, I stopped in Troy for a brief visit w/ dear old Dad. The guy offers to give me his canoe! I guess he hasn't used it much of late, and he figures I will, so there it is. I don't have it yet, but will once we figure out how to get it down here. I live right across and slightly down the road from a DEC access site on the Wallkill River, so I'm looking forward to getting it down here. It's an Old Town and it's fairly big I guess. I don't know much more, and in fact don't know much about canoes. Should I get a roof rack, or can you just bungee it to the car roof or what?

Matt

[Buckethead]

A roof rack is probably the safest option. If you plan on transporting the canoe by car a lot, I would go this way. A trailer may also be an option, depending on what kind of car you have.

But (As i did once) you can buy some foam pieces for the canoe from your local shop, and use them in combination with lots of rope to get the canoe to your house. I unfortunately had the cane start slipping off of the car this way a couple times when travelling with it.

[Wldrns]

That's right, a shameless peakbagger is posting in the paddlin' forum. On the way home from the Sewards yesterday, I stopped in Troy for a brief visit w/ dear old Dad. The guy offers to give me his canoe! I guess he hasn't used it much of late, and he figures I will, so there it is. I don't have it yet, but will once we figure out how to get it down here. I live right across and slightly down the road from a DEC access site on the Wallkill River, so I'm looking forward to getting it down here. It's an Old Town and it's fairly big I guess. I don't know much more, and in fact don't know much about canoes. Should I get a roof rack, or can you just bungee it to the car roof or what?

Matt

Congratulations, welcome to the paddling world!
Before you even think about loading your car with canoe, get yourself a good comfortable personal floatation device (PFD). Get one comfortable enough that you will wear, all the time.

Yes, a roof rack is best, but rack systems are very expensive (may be worth it to save both car and canoe). Depending on what kind of car you have, you may get by with foam blocks especially made for the job, they are about $5 each (you'll need 4 of them). You also will need a good tie down method. Never never never use bungee cords!!!

Cinch buckle type webbing straps (made for the job) are the best choice. Don't trust your knot tying skills if you don't know what a trucker's hitch is, or similar tie down method (get the webbing straps). REI has the whole package, EMS has something similar, any other shop that sells canoes or kayaks will have the same thing. Two straps will go around the canoe and (if your car does not have a preexisting roof rack) through your open car doors. Adjust the blocks to evenly place the canoe on the roof before cinching down tight. You are not done yet... fasten one rope from the bow to your bumper (again using a tightening knot such as a trucker's hitch and an S hook) and another from the stern to the rear bumper. Learn the trucker's hitch, it is also called the "canoer's knot" because it is so useful for many things.

Then get some lessons. Learn what other gear you will need (such as a quality paddle), and how to use it. Learning the proper strokes to make your paddling easy and fun. Going paddling without knowing at least 4 basic strokes is like driving a car without using a steering wheel. Having a good paddle and knowing how to use it is far and away more important than what kind of canoe you have. Time spent learning here will pay off hugely over a lifetime of canoeing.

Here are a few sources among thousands available for getting acquainted with paddling:

http://www.redcanoes.ca/becky/canoe/strokes.html

http://www.canoeaugusta.org/fjstroke.htm

http://www.paddling.net/sameboat/archives/sameboat43.html

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/1066/528canoeskills.html

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showCategory.html?category=11

http://www.wcha.org/wcj/v21_n3/paddle.html

http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~burchil...ddle_size.html
http://www.redtailpaddle.com/paddling_tips.htm

[MattC]

Wow, Wldrns, thanks for the tips. I'll probably just start w/ the foam blocks set-up for the time being. My first use of this boat will just be in the quiet waters of the Wallkill, across from my house. This will be a good place to practice. I have some friends that are avid paddlers who can show me the basics. As a matter of fact I may borrow a kayak this weekend and go out for a bit.

Matt

[alistair]

I just got myself a kayak, and want to get it wet.
Living in South NY (Orange County), can anyone recommend a good paddle?

[Adk Keith]

Those are the best kind of canoes, FREE!

Take it from me though, Once you start collecting boats it's tough to stop!

[Grandpa Paddler]

Welcome to the world of paddling. It's just another addiction . Check out www.paddling.net , it's a great place to learn about paddlesports from those with years of various types of experience.

a free canoe, and an Old Town to boot, life just doesn't get much better

[RiseAboveHiker]

If you are by the Walkill you cannot be far from Black Creek and Chodikee Lake (just outside New Paltz). Both are nice paddles. PM me if you want more info on either.

[MattC]

Thanks for the reponses all. I have taken it out on the Wallkill the last two Sundays w/ friends. Good times, but more strenuous than I anticipated. I have a lot to learn in terms of good paddling technique, the proper strokes, etc. I am an absolute beginner here. Fortunately I have lots of resources. I just took out several good books from the library, and I have several friends that paddle. I intend to also go out w/ some more experienced paddlers through the ADK chapter I belong to. I can't wait to get the boat up to the Daks, but I feel I should learn more and get in better paddling shape first.

I bought the AMC New York Quiet Water Guide and it is just amazing how much is out there-and that book is hardly exhaustive, although it's a good survey of our whole state. RiseAbove, I believe both the places you mention are in there. I know where they are in any case-I'll have to check 'em out.

Alistair, there's quite a bit of good paddling over in Sullivan County-the Basha Kill and the reservoirs on the Mongaup River. And then of course the lakes in Harriman, although they requite a special permit, and they will likely be crowded during the summer. Terri lives in Sullivan County and she would likely be up for some local paddling some time-if we can get her out of the mountains that is (I should talk). Anyway, I'll keep you in the loop.

Matt