To canoe or not to knu

[Minno]

It clamps on, so we take the whole thing off when not in use, except the horizontal rails attached to the truck bed. Those are attached permanently and do not interfere with the tonneau cover we have.
We went with this set up since usually when we use the canoes we are also using the truck bed and want what's in it to remain covered. Anything else we came up with needed the tonneau cover to come off which would expose the truck bed to weather.
I gotta say that it was not a cheap set up, but it works very well, and enables 4 not-so-young and spry women to do Boundary Waters wilderness canoe trips by ourselves. We can even refuse the young men who offer to help load our canoes (although usually they only offer to load the Kevlar one!).


Kay

[traveluminum]

I have always wanted to canoe in the boundary waters. We are planning to spend a lot of next summer in the north woods. Looks like a beautiful area.

[Minno]

BW is very beautiful, Shelly and Richard. It can also be treacherous to be in the wilderness like that, even if you are not very far in. We always go very prepared for every kind of weather. You can get day permits to go for just the day, or overnight paddle permits. My BGFs and I go in early August, and have hit 40 degree weather. We love it though. It is a very peaceful place! Chris and I used to take our church youth group in every year.


Kay

[traveluminum]

I just finished our canoe rack

[Minno]

NICE!


Kay

[HiHoAgRV]

I just installed a Rhino Rack to haul our 14' Tupperware canoe.

[A W Warn]

Since my last post, I ran across this 52 year old Grumman canoe in our local Craigslist. Since I am partial to almost indestructible things, I decided to buy it. I'll pass it on to my daughters in a few years. I know it's not as slick and light weight as the newer canoes, but it suits me. It weighs a bit over 80 lbs. I can maneuver it, lift it, hoist it onto and carry it on my back, then load it pretty easily by myself.

I loaded it and strapped it on top of the truck by myself to bring it home, using the ratchet straps I already had. This week I bought a longer bow strap. I also made two straps that bolt to the fenders to connect the bow strap, in order to keep it off of my bug shield. I think I'm good to go. Any comment or suggestions toward tie down improvement would be appreciated!

I'm going to be crossing ND, MN, WI, and MI on US-2 as I travel west. Can anyone suggest some must see spots along the way? I would like to canoe at least a few times. But, canoeing will be limited calm water lakes, a few hours at a time, without any portage.

[Len n Jeanne]

A. W. Warn, here is some more Airstream/canoe eye candy for you!

[mopariac]

30 year old Alumicraft...42 year old Airstream

[Minno]

WOW! I've never seen an Alumacraft shined up like that! Beautiful!

Kay

[A W Warn]

"here is some more Airstream/canoe eye candy for you!"
"30 year old Alumicraft...42 year old Airstream"

Thanks for sharing the photos.

[Len n Jeanne]

This one's better. But I admit, an aluminum canoe sort of goes with an Airstream. Ours is a kevlar "Kootenay" model made by Hellman canoes of Nelson, BC.

[Nuvite-F]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

I want to carry along a boat. It would be used for site seeing for my wife and I together, and fishing for me alone. I'm considering a johnboat, canoe, or kayak. I'm also considering a small trolling motor to propel it, but not sure I need or want that?? What ever I choose, it has to accept two people, though DW will not be able to help lift or paddle due to medical issues. So comments on your boat preference would help too.

Alan,

I realize I am coming rather late to this thread, but wanted to make you aware of a boat that might be a good choice for you.

The Grumman Sport Boat is a very nice aluminum rowboat--that is, the hull is optimized for rowing or paddling rather than high-speed planing with an outboard motor.

Marathon Boat Group

It's heavier than a canoe at 120 pounds, but one reasonably strong person can put it on a cartop because you only have to pick up one end at a time. In the water it's way better than a jonboat.

I don't have a Grumman sport boat, rather a "tupperware" Old Town Sport Boat, which they don't make any more. It's the same idea as the Grumman only bigger (18 feet). I can row it a steady 4 miles per hour with very little effort, or paddle it 2 or 3 miles an hour if I want to sit looking forward.

For light weight you can't beat a canoe or kayak, but I prefer the transverse stability of a boat.
.

[A W Warn]

Nuvite-F,
Thank you for the advice. I looked at those Grumman sport boats online, but I was looking for something used. Canoes were definitely more available. I bought a 15' double end Grumman canoe. I took it out on a local lake for the first time last weekend. I was impressed with the stability and maneuverability. After paddling about an hour against the wind I was feeling my age ;-0. My wife and I had a good time though, and we are looking forward to our next trip.

[twoshotc]

I have a Old Town sport boat---13ft square stern if you are interested
charles

[Britbat]

Hi All, we are new to Airstreams and RV camping in general but we have a Klepper folding kayak that we have taken on camping trips for years. We are planning to keep on with it as it allows you to transport it out of the wind plus portage between lakes as well so you won't miss out on all the delights of the water. Enjoy.

[SchuHouse]

Just came back from our first long trip with our airstream to Lake George NY in the Adarondack Mountains. After long debates and research on a boat we choose two inflatable kayaks, an Advanced Element Expedition for me and an Advanced Element Advanced Fram for her. Easy to pack and incredibly responsive in the water. Couldn't be happier.