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.

Hi Pat,

I think you’d have to be in a pretty big hole in the ground to not realize how much publicity the canoeing industry got yesterday.  More people were talking about floating yesterday than probably any other day this year or last, I’m sure.  We had calls from several outfitters, as well as comments left on our Facebook page about how funny they found it, and the fact that they were receiving calls was a nice way to jump-start their season.

Several radio stations throughout the state were talking about floating yesterday and today.  Many websites around the nation posted about the April Fools joke, citing the floating industry in Missouri as a great tourism draw.

FloatMissouri.com is Missouri’s number one floating site, and this year we’ll have over 200,000 visitors that are interested in canoeing, kayaking, camping and more in our magnificent state.  We have over 15,000 fans of floating on our Facebook page, and it’s growing every day.

I personally do not appreciate you contacting my advertisers about my site, I don’t see the point, either.  Their phones were ringing off the hooks yesterday.  Perhaps you and the folks at CanoeMissouri should reconsider your ways and embrace the opportunity to shine in front of a few MILLION people that were talking about floating yesterday.

Will Hanke

FloatMissouri.com

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.

Good form means you are sitting up straight and correctly holding your canoe paddle. Raise your paddle up with your top hand at about head level while keeping the shaft of the paddle out to the side. As you bring the paddle up and out of the water, rotate the paddle’s blade parallel to the canoe as you are going to try to pull the paddle toward the canoe. During the draw stroke’s catch phase push your lower hand further out to the side and front of your position, reaching your paddle’s blade as far away from the canoe as you can while maintaining a good upright position. Then place the blade into the water parallel to the boat.

The next phase of the draw stroke is the draw phase. Just as its name implies, you are drawing the paddle toward the canoe. With your paddle close to the canoe twist it so that the paddle’s blade is perpendicular to the canoe. Now you’re set up for the power phase of the draw stroke which entails pushing your paddle’s blade back like you would on a forward stroke. Be sure to use your torso and upper body rotation to power your stroke. Remove the paddle and start the same process again. It’s important to remember that the draw phase and power phase of the draw stroke should flow as though they are one stroke. If you were viewing this stroke from above, it would look like the opposite of the J-stroke.

What many recreational canoeists find most difficult about canoeing is paddling in tandem. The paddler in the stern is the one who controls your canoe’s direction. This is why the more experienced paddler should be in the stern. Good communication and good form is required for the bow and stern paddlers to move their canoe forward and in a straight path with each paddler paddling on opposite sides of the canoe. When both paddlers understand and can properly execute the forward stroke, J-stroke and draw stroke, they’ll alleviate the need to switch sides so often.

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. Seated at the bow of your canoe, raise the paddle out of the water and bring your top hand up high. Depending on your height, the top of your paddle should be at or above your head. The canoe paddle’s shaft should be vertical to the water. Next, push your lower hand forward as you reach the paddle blade as far as you can toward the front of the canoe while continuing to sit up straight. Place the paddle’s blade into the water ahead of your body with the blade’s face perpendicular to the direction of the stroke. This is the catch phase of the forward stroke.

For the power phase of the forward stroke, pull the paddle alongside the canoe in a straight line, allowing the top hand to push forward and down as your bottom hand pulls the paddle back and through the water. The power phase of the forward stroke requires you to use your torso and rotate your upper body as a means of giving maximum power to support your stroke. You should use the rotation of your body more than you should use your arms for this phase of the stroke. Once your paddle’s blade is past your body, bring the paddle’s blade out of the water (recovery phase) and go back to the first step.

As you are paddling it’s a good idea to switch sides frequently to prevent putting too much stress on one arm. If you are right-handed and executing the forward stroke, you’ll have your right hand as the top hand when you are paddling on the canoe’s left side whereas your left hand will be the top hand when you are paddling the canoe on the right side. Switching sides gives your body an even workout.
Now you’re ready to learn the J-stroke. The J-stroke is used by the person sitting in the stern of the canoe as a way to correct or compensate for the direction of the canoe. The more you paddle on one side at the front of the canoe, the more the canoe turns to the opposite side. The J-stroke corrects this turning while keeping the canoe moving forward.

To execute the J-stroke, make sure you up sitting up straight. Raise the paddle with your top hand at head level, keeping the shaft of the paddle vertical and out to the side. Push your lower hand forward and reach the paddle’s blade toward the front of the canoe as far as you can while maintaining good upright posture. During the J-stroke’s catch phase you’ll place the paddle’s blade into the water ahead of your body with the face of the blade perpendicular to the direction of the stroke. During the J-stroke’s power phase you’ll pull the paddle alongside the canoe in a straight line with your top hand pushing forward and down while your bottom hand pulls back. Just as you would with a forward stroke, use your torso and upper body rotation to power the stroke.

What distinguishes a forward stroke from the J-stroke is what happens at the end of the stroke. At the end of the stroke you’ll rotate your paddle’s blade into a ruddering position by twisting your top hand down so your thumb on your top hand is facing downward. At this point your bottom hand should be pushing the paddle out from the canoe. If you were watching this stroke from above, it would look like a “J.” Remove the paddle from the water and repeat another J-stroke from the beginning until your canoe is headed in the right direction. The “J” portion of this stroke may need to be pushed out from the canoe more or less in order to keep your canoe moving straight. The person sitting in the canoe’s stern should use the J-stroke on the opposite side of the canoe from the one the person in the bow of the canoe is paddling on.

Read Part Three

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.

If possible, you should store your canoe or kayak inside in a garage, boat house or basement.  Some have gone to the extreme of keeping their boat next to their bed or used it as a couch in their living rooms.  Don’t know how well that would go over with the wife, but some wives are more tolerant than others.  If you don’t have any indoor storage available and have no other choice but to store your boat outside, make sure you don’t allow snow to pile on top of it and you should also keep your boat away from trees that may fall on it during a heavy wind storm.

The biggest problem with storing your boat outside over winter is exposure to the sun’s UV rays which degrade and discolor your boat’s material over time.  Many boat owners resort to covering their boats with a blue tarp.  But strong winds can shred even the toughest of blue tarps.  It’s better to use Danuu covers which are made for storage outdoors.  Whether you use a blue tarp or Danuu cover, be sure to tie it down securely to your boat, leaving an end open for air circulation as built up moisture can cause discoloration too.

Warm storage is ideal for boats as cold temperatures cause plastics to become brittle.  Storing your boat outside isn’t the end of the world as long as you take necessary precautions.  If you have a Royalex canoe with wood trim, it’s a good idea to loosen the screws on the gunwales before storing it for winter.  By loosening the screws you’ll prevent severe cracks in the hull as Royalex contracts at a different rate than the wood trim.

Here are a few things you must do if you are storing your boat outside in the winter.  First, store your boat off the ground.  Many boat owners use saw horses or blocks for canoes and two Universal Foam kayak blocks spaced 6-8 feet apart for kayaks.  Second, polyethylene or plastic kayaks should be stored on their sides while composite kayaks should be stored with their hull up or on their sides.  Third, hatch covers and neoprene covers should be removed and hatches should be open to the air.  If you’re worried about mice, you can use a cockpit cover to keep mice, leaves and dirt out.  Cockpit covers that are half mesh and nylon work well because they aren’t air tight but keep the mice, leaves and dirt out.  Fourth, canoes should be stored upside down and you should remove any float tank plugs from the bow and stern.

If you are fortunate enough to have indoor storage space for your boat, here are some suggestions.  Many boat owners like to hang their kayaks or canoes from the roof in their garage to keep them out of the way.  You should avoid hanging your boat from grab loops or carry thwarts as they are not structural handles.  Using a strap or sling under the hull is the best way to hang your kayak or canoe and then attaching it to a hanger on the roof.

Some like to hang their kayaks or canoes on the wall using L shaped wooden racks.  Using foam padding on the straight arms to cushion your boat, store canoes upside down on the gunwales and kayaks on their side.  These L shaped racks should be positioned under your kayak’s bulkheads to prevent any deformation of plastics.

Using these boat storage tips for winter will keep your boat in the best shape possible so you’re ready to go on your next float trip in the spring.

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.

First, gather maps of the area where you plan to take your canoe float trip so you can determine your camping areas and your departure and take-out points. If you have a GPS, you can write down the geographic coordinates for these locations. But if it’s easier for you and the friend keeping the plan, you can write down the names of the areas. You can provide this information on your float plan with the headers “Departure Point, Take-Out Point and Proposed Camping Areas.”

Second, you’ll need to provide the proposed dates and times for each of these. If you plan to depart from the Meramec River on 7/7/12, you’ll want to provide this information under the “Departure Point” heading. Do the same for each of the campsite areas, providing the estimated dates of arrival and departure. Under the “Take-out Point” heading, provide either the geographic coordinates or name of the area and the date and time you plan to return.

Third, you should also provide the name of every person in your party along with the names and phone numbers to contact in the event of an emergency. And don’t forget to include information about any pets that will be along on the float trip as well, providing the dog’s name and breed.

Fourth, include a list of all the gear and food you plan to bring on your float trip. Make a photo copy of the map of your trip, marking your departure point, camping areas and take-out points to coincide with your written float trip plan.

Fifth, once you arrive at your departure point, provide the outfitter or land management agency with a copy of your float trip plan. Let them know when you plan to return from your trip. Arrange a preset time to call the outfitter to inform them of your safe arrival as well as a time for the outfitter to contact emergency personnel should you fail to call or respond. If you plan to return by noon on 7/10/12, the outfitter knows they should contact emergency personnel if they don’t hear from you within a 24 hour grace period.

Finally, if something happens to the outfitter or the friend who stayed behind, it’s good to also leave a copy of your float plan on the dashboard of a trip member’s car that’s parked at the departure point and take-out point. Be sure to mark the envelope “Float Trip Plan” so others can easily see it and find you sooner if there’s a disaster. Failure to plan is a plan for failure. When you file a float trip plan you ensure you and your party’s safety. Be safe and have fun.

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.

The forward stroke is the simplest stroke that is used to propel the canoe forward through the water. If you are with a partner and in a two person canoe this will be the only stroke the person in the front of the canoe will ever have to use. All the steering should be done by the person in the back of the canoe. This forward stroke should follow an imaginary straight line through the water, not the curve side of the canoe. If you would follow the curvature of the canoe it will send the canoe slightly off course with every stroke. The stroke that goes along with this one is the back stroke. The back stroke is used to slow and stop the canoe.

The draw stroke can be done by reaching out away from the canoe with the paddle and pulling it back towards the canoe through the water. Be sure not to go to far or you will probably get soaked.
If both people in the canoe do this at the same time and on the same side this will cause the canoe to move laterally through the water. It is possible to steer with this stroke but it is not efficient or recommended. The only time this stroke can be used with efficiency is while in shooting rapids. This means while in any kind of shooting rapids the bow partner can use this stroke to quickly steer the canoe out of the way of any obstacles.

The “J” stroke is a stroke that is used by the stern (back) person to affect the forward path of the canoe through the water. To perform this stroke, begin using the forward stroke, but push the paddle away from the canoe about half way through the stroke. If this is done correctly this will push the rear of the canoe in the opposite direction of the stroke. The best way to explain this is that if the stroke is done on the right side of the canoe, the rear will be pushed left.

The “C” stroke is this sort of combination between the forward stroke and the draw. You will begin the forward stroke with your paddle as far away as you can reach. At about the halfway point of this stroke, curve your paddle back towards your canoe. If you preform this stroke on the right side of the canoe, this will draw the rear of the canoe to the right.

You want to be sure that you and your partner are paddling with equal energy on opposite sides of the canoe. If one person is paddling harder than the other, this will cause the canoe to drift off course. Be sure to work together and everyone will have a safe and fun time.

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.

Feather Canoes has come up with what they call the big mac. This is a light weight canoe to be enjoyed by someone who could not use the Wee lassie or wee lassie two because of their size. Most of the people who built this boat just wanted a good stable canoe to fish out of, and were not interested in speed. They were only wanting a lightweight boat that could handle the weight and not be so heavy to carry. This boat is asymmetrical because the stern section of the canoe are fuller then the bow. This is a good looking little canoe that is versatile enough to carry a heavier paddler. This means definitely over two hundred pounds. These are just a few to be listed. Just so you know even if you are bigger there are options and you are not restricted to land.

The offshore life jacket type one can be at times hot and bulky but this one will provide the most floatation. This jacket type will also keep most adults face up even if they are unconscious. This will be the best type of life jacket for a larger person. To be sure that this is the right jacket for you and it fits properly follow these steps.

1. Put the life jacket on and be sure all of the zippers, ties or straps are adjusted right and fastened firmly.
2. Raise your arms and have someone else pull on your shoulders.
3. If this jacket does not stay in place and rises above your mouth or nose try to adjust it better or you may need to find another model that suits you better.

You will always want to make sure you wear your life jacket just to be safe. Even the most experienced people on canoes can have problems so it is better to be safe.

There are many canoe styles for larger people available so be sure to get the one that suits you and your size.