Archive for category Canoes
An Open Letter to Pat Sutcliffe at MissouriCanoe.org
Posted by Will Hanke in Canoes, Float Trips on April 2nd, 2013
Name: Pat Sutcliffe
Email: pat@canoemissouri.com
Customer Comments:
As an advertiser on Float Missouri I was wondering if you might consider asking the people who maintain the site to put a retraction on the “real funny joke” they posted yesterday? It is causing tremendous problems.
It didn’t end up being very funny for the canoeing industry in Missouri.
Thanks!
Pat Sutcliffe
This letter was sent to one of our advertisers after our New Alcohol Law Targets Floaters April Fools post gained, let’s just say, a little attention. Below is my response to Mr./Mrs. Sutcliffe. Read the rest of this entry »
Paddling a Canoe – The Importance of Learning Your Canoe Strokes Part 3
Posted by Will Hanke in Canoes, Tips & Tricks on March 7th, 2013
This is part three of a three part series on paddling a canoe. Part One | Part Two
Once you understand the phases of canoe strokes and the proper form for executing the forward stroke and J-stroke, you’re ready to learn the proper form and execution for the draw stroke. Here are some guidelines.
Like the J-stroke, the draw stroke is also used to correct a canoe’s direction while it is moving. The J-stroke can be executed by the paddler in the bow or stern of the canoe as a way to correct or compensate for the direction of the canoe. Also, the draw stroke is one of the most important strokes to know and ironically one that many recreational canoeists don’t use because they’ve never heard of it. You can tell the canoeists who don’t know about the draw stroke’s existence because they’re the ones who keep switching from side to side as they paddle. If they knew about they draw stroke, they wouldn’t have to keep switching sides in order to keep their canoe moving straight and forward. With the draw stroke, you begin by pulling the canoe to the side and as your paddle gets close to the canoe you rotate it into a forward stroke. Read the rest of this entry »
Paddling a Canoe – The Importance of Learning Your Canoe Strokes Part 2
Posted by Will Hanke in Canoes, Tips & Tricks on February 27th, 2013
Continued from Part One
While there are a variety of paddle strokes you can employ on your next float trip, the forward stroke, J-stroke and draw stroke are the most commonly used. Here are some guidelines for using these three strokes.
The forward stroke is the primary stroke used by the person sitting at the bow of a canoe. While the forward stroke is viewed by many as the simplest and most straight forward of strokes, proper form is essential and it’s not always as easy as it looks. Proper form includes sitting up straight and proper torso rotation. Read the rest of this entry »
Storing Your Canoe & Kayak for the Winter
Posted by Will Hanke in Canoes, Tips & Tricks on November 12th, 2012
Missouri is blessed to have four seasons but with shorter days and cooler temperatures, there’s no denying the time has come to store your boat for the winter. Each spring many boat owners find their kayak or canoe doesn’t perform as well as it did in years past. This can happen when a canoe or kayak sits improperly stored for 5-6 months of the year. Properly storing your boat is important and you’ll be glad you spent the extra time figuring out the storage method that works best for you when it comes time to take your boat on the next float trip in the spring. Here are some tips for storing your boat for the winter. Read the rest of this entry »
Writing a Canoe Float Trip Plan
Posted by Will Hanke in Canoes, Float Trips on July 9th, 2012
There are many reasons to take a canoe float trip. A canoe float trip gets you out onto the water, allows you to explore the shores and wilderness surrounding rivers, creeks and streams. While many who take float trips go with a large youth group or group of friends, some choose to take a float trip with just their partner or spouse. Certainly there’s safety in numbers, but it’s a smart idea to file a plan with a friend who’s staying behind or a local outfitter. You’ll also want to keep a copy of the plan with you to help you stay on course, on schedule and as a means to prevent you and your party from getting lost. There’s no rule book for making a float plan but there are pieces of information you should include. To create an effective canoe float trip plan you’ll need maps, GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) coordinates for the trip, paper and pen or a computer and printer. Read the rest of this entry »
How to Steer a Canoe
Posted by Will Hanke in Canoes, Float Trips on November 22nd, 2010
When you are taking a trip in a canoe there are a few basic requirements you must know to have a good time in your canoe. It does not matter if you are going on a wide, calm lake, a meandering river or in a white knuckle rapids knowing how to guide a canoe to the destination you want is needed. For the beginner, this can be a very slow and delicate process. You must give yourself enough time to be sure you know exactly what to do once in the water. You will find with practice and proper mechanics that steering your canoe will be as easy to you as steering your car. There are a few different strokes that you will need to learn.
Read the rest of this entry »
Canoes & Life Jackets for Larger People
Posted by Will Hanke in Canoes, Safety on September 27th, 2010
The average person would not have a hard time finding a canoe that would fit them. When you are a larger person you have to think ahead about these things. There are many types of canoes out there it is just a matter of doing your homework.
One popular choice for a two person canoe is the ten feet nine inch inflatable Colorado canoe. They have freshened up the look and made some valve changes as well. They have also added large motor mount grommets. The weight limit on this is five hundred pounds. This model comes in blue and hunter green. The Rio one person inflatable canoe features the same new look and is nine feet ten inches long and has a weight limit of three hundred fifty. The double person pointer K2 series also can be paddled solo with an optional spray skirt and spray deck attachment system. This canoe is fourteen feet two inches long and has a weight limit of 600 pounds.
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