My Winter Project - Restoring a Canadian Canoe

[Dowser]

Thank you Mourneman, Kayak Girl, WhoRya, Redleader, Rumblebum and Wolf_Larson for your kind words.

Weather permitting, Redleader and I are taking her for another spin this evening so hopefully I'll have a few action photos/videos to post tomorrow.

If anybody fancies a paddle around Strangford then drop me a pm and you would be more than welcome to join me and we can get something organised.

[Kayakgirl]

Keep me in mind when i get back from the states as I will need to lose a few pounds from all this eating I'm doing!

[Dowser]

Keep me in mind when i get back from the states as I will need to lose a few pounds from all this eating I'm doing!

Definitely, I'll be looking for a few paddling tips.  I've been following your American dining on Facebook and the food looks awesome...

I couldn't believe the size of that Pork Chop 



I hope you hadn't finished... Those left overs would have fed me for a week!!!

Have a great time Shamara 

[Kayakgirl]

My friend and I shared it although we couldn't finish it. The bone and meat would have made a nice soup but my friend's bro polished them off.

[Dowser]

Here's a few pictures and videos of the canoe in action last night.  Nothing too exciting yet... Really just to prove she floats and sails for now. 

My first island camp will be arranged for sometime over the next few weeks.  Details/Location will be posted for those who want to join in.

Photographs



























Videos - Click on the image to view video 

[LandyLiam]

great to see it alive again    is it just me or does anyone else think the front is a bit higher when redleader is in the back of the boat 

[RedLeader]

I was leaning back 

great to see it alive again    is it just me or does anyone else think the front is a bit higher when redleader is in the back of the boat 

[Kayakgirl]

I was going to say the trim was a tad off lol

[MG1]

Looks good mate. You've done a great job. I'd be up for some island camping this summer.

[Oisín]

So how do you approach travelling in it?

Do you use it as a canoe or more as a sailing boat? Or a bit of both?

[Dowser]

So how do you approach travelling in it?

Do you use it as a canoe or more as a sailing boat? Or a bit of both?

Bit of both to be honest... The sailing rig can be dropped or raised in less than a minute and sits neatly in the bottom of the boat. If you get tired paddling you pop the sail up and sit back and relax.

The sail was originally intended to be a bit of fun but I can see a 50:50 split between sailing and paddling.

I also think that sailing in heavier winds, when I get used to the handling, could become a sort of extreme sport lol

With plenty of buoyancy bags the odd capsize shouldn't be an issue and will just add to the fun 

[RedLeader]

Define fun again? 

With plenty of buoyancy bags the odd capsize shouldn't be an issue and will just add to the fun 

[Wolf_Larson]

Thanks for the pictures, looked like real fun. Did you catch anything ?

[Dowser]

Thanks for the pictures, looked like real fun. Did you catch anything ?

We didn't fish for long... Spent more time paddling about.  There were quite strong onshore winds when we first went out and if we stopped paddling for any length of time we were carried inshore to shallow waters very quickly, so conditions weren't ideal.

Next time I go fishing in the canoe I will be using hand lines instead of rods.  The rods are too much hassle and not really necessary because you don't need to cast for mackerel.  So, decent hand lines with a trace of feathers is all I will be using going forward for sea fishing.

[Wolf_Larson]

Thats a good idea, fishing rodes are a pain. Better fishing the bear grylls way