Appreciate suggestions for what canoe/kayak to get.

Sandy, I won't attempt to answer all your questions, but I haul
canoes on the roof of my slide-in camper. If the camper already has
some sort of rack, you may be able to utilize those by bolting 2x4's
to them, and if necessary build up a few inches so you can straddle
some of that hardware that is on the roof. This is what I did. If
there is no other choice, then build a T-bar on the roof, (or a
slope-bar over the air conditioner) like you see on kayak carriers,
and carry the canoe on its side. As for loading/unloading onto
the roof, put two rollers made from 2 inch PVC pipe as far to the
rear as possible. Carry the canoe up to the rear of the camper, and
place the point on a roller. Climb up the ladder and stand on the
roof. Grab the point and pull the canoe up over the rollers and
position it for tie-down. I don't know a better way.
For you and your dog, a canoe of 15 feet or thereabouts is
adequate. If you are really concerned about weight, that limits your
choices to kevlar or carbon fiber boats, and both are expensive. A
side-mount motor bracket is available, and a very small motor is
really all you will need.
It can be done, not overnight. Good Luck. Tom McCloud.


On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:53:24 -0800 (PST), sandy <fossilnut DeleteThis @isp.com>
wrote:

>I want to buy either a canoe or a kayak and I'm hoping you can help me
>make a decision. My needs are:
>
>1. It must be able to accommodate me and my (65 lb.) dog Princess.
>(Hubby recently passed away and Princess and I want to go travelling/
>fishing/messing around.)
>
>2. It must be fairly light and portable. I'm 63 and have noticed
>that canoes that we had a few years ago kept getting heavier & heavier
>as the years went by!!! I'd really LIKE to be able to carry it
>somehow on my slide-in camper but can't quite picture how that would
>work (the roof has AC & 2 solar panels, etc. Not sure how well an
>inflatable would work with Princess. Haven't looked much at folding
>canoes but the ones I've seen on the web didn't look that impressive.
>I might tow a car that I could put the boat on or get a small boat
>trailer.
>
>3. It would be nice to be able to put a small outboard on it (for
>those times when I'm too exhausted/lazy or just want to troll)
>
>I want to use it mostly for fishing/exploring on lakes but I'd also
>take it down to Baja (Bahia de Conception).
>
>Right now I've got a Windrider 17 sailboat that I LOVE but it's pretty
>impossible for me to rig by myself and I'd like to be able to easily
>launch a boat by myself.
>
>Really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!
>
>Sandy
 >> Stay informed about: Appreciate suggestions for what canoe/kayak to get. 

Thanks for your suggestions. I don't think I could readily put the
canoe inside the camper and still be able to use the camper.

As to putting it on the roof...that is a real possibility. Right now
the camper has a few inches of snow on the roof...but come Springtime,
I'll be up on the roof checking the feasibility. Another thing I
might consider is that I have an electric winch sitting in our shed.
I'm wondering if I might somehow use it to help me pull the canoe up
there. Not sure where I'd mount it though or how I'd route the
cable. I'm thinking that maybe spending more to get a lighter canoe
might be my best option. I'm normally on the cheap side of
frugal....but if a canoe is so heavy that I shy away from offloading
it and using it, I think it might be smart to spend the extra $$$ and
get something I'll get more fun out of.

Sandy
 >> Stay informed about: Appreciate suggestions for what canoe/kayak to get. 

"sandy" <fossilnut.DeleteThis@isp.com> wrote in message
news:4827ef90-dfa4-40d0-938e-9f26377cad70@v29g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks for your suggestions. I don't think I could readily put the
> canoe inside the camper and still be able to use the camper.
>
> As to putting it on the roof...that is a real possibility. Right now
> the camper has a few inches of snow on the roof...but come Springtime,
> I'll be up on the roof checking the feasibility. Another thing I
> might consider is that I have an electric winch sitting in our shed.
> I'm wondering if I might somehow use it to help me pull the canoe up
> there. Not sure where I'd mount it though or how I'd route the
> cable. I'm thinking that maybe spending more to get a lighter canoe
> might be my best option. I'm normally on the cheap side of
> frugal....but if a canoe is so heavy that I shy away from offloading
> it and using it, I think it might be smart to spend the extra $$$ and
> get something I'll get more fun out of.
>
> Sandy
>

Oh, no - you don't try to use it with the canoe inside...you take it out and
lay it against the side when you're actually using the camper...inside is
just for on the road.

It's just so much easier to put one inside (if it fits) than on top, that I
find it worth the little extra trouble when you get into camp...but that
depends a lot on the shape and size of the camper.

Cricket
 >> Stay informed about: Appreciate suggestions for what canoe/kayak to get. 

Watch the racks on top. I tore one off on a tree branch.

What about that sailboat? Does it have a trailer? could you use one
trailer for both? Or switch off- some days tailer the canoe, some days
the sailboat? I had a trailer that could take three sea kayaks plus a
sunfish. Upstairs / downstairs. Even had a place for the sail and mast
and stuff. Want a photo? I can dig one up.

A trailer is easier to load- the boat doesn't have to get lifted up so
high. And then you also have a place for firewood, wet clothes, etc.

Are you sure you want to take the dog? Is she used to small boats?


-Dan


sandy <fossilnut.DeleteThis@isp.com> wrote in news:100f0554-6aac-4192-9f1e-
23a9a51dbb9f.DeleteThis@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com:

> I want to buy either a canoe or a kayak and I'm hoping you can help me
> make a decision. My needs are:
>
> 1. It must be able to accommodate me and my (65 lb.) dog Princess.
> (Hubby recently passed away and Princess and I want to go travelling/
> fishing/messing around.)
>
> 2. It must be fairly light and portable. I'm 63 and have noticed
> that canoes that we had a few years ago kept getting heavier & heavier
> as the years went by!!! I'd really LIKE to be able to carry it
> somehow on my slide-in camper but can't quite picture how that would
> work (the roof has AC & 2 solar panels, etc. Not sure how well an
> inflatable would work with Princess. Haven't looked much at folding
> canoes but the ones I've seen on the web didn't look that impressive.
> I might tow a car that I could put the boat on or get a small boat
> trailer.
>
> 3. It would be nice to be able to put a small outboard on it (for
> those times when I'm too exhausted/lazy or just want to troll)
>
> I want to use it mostly for fishing/exploring on lakes but I'd also
> take it down to Baja (Bahia de Conception).
>
> Right now I've got a Windrider 17 sailboat that I LOVE but it's pretty
> impossible for me to rig by myself and I'd like to be able to easily
> launch a boat by myself.
>
> Really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!
>
> Sandy
 >> Stay informed about: Appreciate suggestions for what canoe/kayak to get. 

"sandy"
Sandy
Try Wenonah canoes web site they have a lot of useful info. Here a website
where users have reviewed canoes.

Good Luck




http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/Canoes.html
<fossilnut.DeleteThis@isp.com> wrote in message
news:100f0554-6aac-4192-9f1e-23a9a51dbb9f@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>I want to buy either a canoe or a kayak and I'm hoping you can help me
> make a decision. My needs are:
>
> 1. It must be able to accommodate me and my (65 lb.) dog Princess.
> (Hubby recently passed away and Princess and I want to go travelling/
> fishing/messing around.)
>
> 2. It must be fairly light and portable. I'm 63 and have noticed
> that canoes that we had a few years ago kept getting heavier & heavier
> as the years went by!!! I'd really LIKE to be able to carry it
> somehow on my slide-in camper but can't quite picture how that would
> work (the roof has AC & 2 solar panels, etc. Not sure how well an
> inflatable would work with Princess. Haven't looked much at folding
> canoes but the ones I've seen on the web didn't look that impressive.
> I might tow a car that I could put the boat on or get a small boat
> trailer.
>
> 3. It would be nice to be able to put a small outboard on it (for
> those times when I'm too exhausted/lazy or just want to troll)
>
> I want to use it mostly for fishing/exploring on lakes but I'd also
> take it down to Baja (Bahia de Conception).
>
> Right now I've got a Windrider 17 sailboat that I LOVE but it's pretty
> impossible for me to rig by myself and I'd like to be able to easily
> launch a boat by myself.
>
> Really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!
>
> Sandy
>
 >> Stay informed about: Appreciate suggestions for what canoe/kayak to get. 

Here's the paddlers review website
http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/Canoes.html
for some reason, probably my fault, it didn't copl the last time I sent
this.

"sandy" <fossilnut.DeleteThis@isp.com> wrote in message
news:100f0554-6aac-4192-9f1e-23a9a51dbb9f@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>I want to buy either a canoe or a kayak and I'm hoping you can help me
> make a decision. My needs are:
>
> 1. It must be able to accommodate me and my (65 lb.) dog Princess.
> (Hubby recently passed away and Princess and I want to go travelling/
> fishing/messing around.)
>
> 2. It must be fairly light and portable. I'm 63 and have noticed
> that canoes that we had a few years ago kept getting heavier & heavier
> as the years went by!!! I'd really LIKE to be able to carry it
> somehow on my slide-in camper but can't quite picture how that would
> work (the roof has AC & 2 solar panels, etc. Not sure how well an
> inflatable would work with Princess. Haven't looked much at folding
> canoes but the ones I've seen on the web didn't look that impressive.
> I might tow a car that I could put the boat on or get a small boat
> trailer.
>
> 3. It would be nice to be able to put a small outboard on it (for
> those times when I'm too exhausted/lazy or just want to troll)
>
> I want to use it mostly for fishing/exploring on lakes but I'd also
> take it down to Baja (Bahia de Conception).
>
> Right now I've got a Windrider 17 sailboat that I LOVE but it's pretty
> impossible for me to rig by myself and I'd like to be able to easily
> launch a boat by myself.
>
> Really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!
>
> Sandy
>
 >> Stay informed about: Appreciate suggestions for what canoe/kayak to get. 

On Jan 26, 2:25 am, "RR" <zippidy....DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Here's the paddlers review websitehttp://www.paddling.net/Reviews/Canoes.html
> for some reason, probably my fault, it didn't copl the last time I sent
> this.
>
> "sandy" <fossil....DeleteThis@isp.com> wrote in message
>
> news:100f0554-6aac-4192-9f1e-23a9a51dbb9f@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>
> >I want to buy either a canoe or a kayak and I'm hoping you can help me
> > make a decision. My needs are:
>
> > 1. It must be able to accommodate me and my (65 lb.) dog Princess.
> > (Hubby recently passed away and Princess and I want to go travelling/
> > fishing/messing around.)
>
> > 2. It must be fairly light and portable. I'm 63 and have noticed
> > that canoes that we had a few years ago kept getting heavier & heavier
> > as the years went by!!! I'd really LIKE to be able to carry it
> > somehow on my slide-in camper but can't quite picture how that would
> > work (the roof has AC & 2 solar panels, etc. Not sure how well an
> > inflatable would work with Princess. Haven't looked much at folding
> > canoes but the ones I've seen on the web didn't look that impressive.
> > I might tow a car that I could put the boat on or get a small boat
> > trailer.
>
> > 3. It would be nice to be able to put a small outboard on it (for
> > those times when I'm too exhausted/lazy or just want to troll)
>
> > I want to use it mostly for fishing/exploring on lakes but I'd also
> > take it down to Baja (Bahia de Conception).
>
> > Right now I've got a Windrider 17 sailboat that I LOVE but it's pretty
> > impossible for me to rig by myself and I'd like to be able to easily
> > launch a boat by myself.
>
> > Really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!
>
> > Sandy

Sandy, I think that Wenonah canoes or another brand of light weight
canoe might be your answer. They make canoes that weigh as little as
30 lbs., however, the lighter the more expensive. I am would guess
from $1000 to $2000.
You might consider their 14' fisherman in kevlar ultralight at 36#
and $1999 or their Wee Lassie at12' 6" at 24# and $1199. Also the
Vagabond (one that I am considering) at14 feet 6 inchs, in royalex 43#
and $999. In kevlar ultra light it weighs 30# but costs $1899. One
thing to keep in mind is the longer the canoe the harder to move
around. Most of the older canoes (aluminum like the Gruman or plastic
like the Colman) will probably weigh at least 70#. Keep in mind that
the lighter the canoe, the easier it is to paddle. I am an older
paddler also (I have only a few months left in the sixtys left) and
weight is my main concern now. I like the Royalex best since it is
flexable and tough if you think you might be bouncing off rocks and
things.
Your camper is probably about 10 to 12 feet long but you can porabably
get a longer canoe inside if you can fasten the door open and let a
few feet stick out. That shouldn't be a problem. Good luck and happy
paddling. Jim
 >> Stay informed about: Appreciate suggestions for what canoe/kayak to get. 

jim.schopp.DeleteThis@gmail.com wrote:
> On Jan 26, 2:25 am, "RR" <zippidy....DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Here's the paddlers review websitehttp://www.paddling.net/Reviews/Canoes.html
>> for some reason, probably my fault, it didn't copl the last time I sent
>> this.
>>
>> "sandy" <fossil....DeleteThis@isp.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:100f0554-6aac-4192-9f1e-23a9a51dbb9f@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>> I want to buy either a canoe or a kayak and I'm hoping you can help me
>>> make a decision. My needs are:
>>> 1. It must be able to accommodate me and my (65 lb.) dog Princess.
>>> (Hubby recently passed away and Princess and I want to go travelling/
>>> fishing/messing around.)
>>> 2. It must be fairly light and portable. I'm 63 and have noticed
>>> that canoes that we had a few years ago kept getting heavier & heavier
>>> as the years went by!!! I'd really LIKE to be able to carry it
>>> somehow on my slide-in camper but can't quite picture how that would
>>> work (the roof has AC & 2 solar panels, etc. Not sure how well an
>>> inflatable would work with Princess. Haven't looked much at folding
>>> canoes but the ones I've seen on the web didn't look that impressive.
>>> I might tow a car that I could put the boat on or get a small boat
>>> trailer.
>>> 3. It would be nice to be able to put a small outboard on it (for
>>> those times when I'm too exhausted/lazy or just want to troll)
>>> I want to use it mostly for fishing/exploring on lakes but I'd also
>>> take it down to Baja (Bahia de Conception).
>>> Right now I've got a Windrider 17 sailboat that I LOVE but it's pretty
>>> impossible for me to rig by myself and I'd like to be able to easily
>>> launch a boat by myself.
>>> Really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!
>>> Sandy
>
> Sandy, I think that Wenonah canoes or another brand of light weight
> canoe might be your answer. They make canoes that weigh as little as
> 30 lbs., however, the lighter the more expensive. I am would guess
> from $1000 to $2000.
> You might consider their 14' fisherman in kevlar ultralight at 36#
> and $1999 or their Wee Lassie at12' 6" at 24# and $1199. Also the
> Vagabond (one that I am considering) at14 feet 6 inchs, in royalex 43#
> and $999. In kevlar ultra light it weighs 30# but costs $1899. One
> thing to keep in mind is the longer the canoe the harder to move
> around. Most of the older canoes (aluminum like the Gruman or plastic
> like the Colman) will probably weigh at least 70#. Keep in mind that
> the lighter the canoe, the easier it is to paddle. I am an older
> paddler also (I have only a few months left in the sixtys left) and
> weight is my main concern now. I like the Royalex best since it is
> flexable and tough if you think you might be bouncing off rocks and
> things.
> Your camper is probably about 10 to 12 feet long but you can porabably
> get a longer canoe inside if you can fasten the door open and let a
> few feet stick out. That shouldn't be a problem. Good luck and happy
> paddling.

Actually I am told the folding canoes work pretty well they Folks use
them on fly in trips. http://www.piragis.com/pakcanoe.html

Cliff jacobson is a well known canoeist and author in Minnesota.
 >> Stay informed about: Appreciate suggestions for what canoe/kayak to get. 

Not quite what you are asking but raising the mast on the sailboat can
be made a lot easier using the mainsheet and pulley, if you're not
already doing so. A query on a sailing newsgroup will likely result in
photos or diagrams.

As for canoes, manufacturers offer the same model in different
materials, epxoy reinforced with kevlar and carbon being the lightest
weight and highest cost. A 14 ft "solo" canoe would do for day trips
with your dog and weigh under 50 lb. Expect to pay over $1200. For
week long camping trips with the dog count on a 16 ft canoe.

I'd agree with the suggestion to slide the canoe into the camper while
under way, removing it at night. Of course, take the camper when you
go shopping to see if the canoe fits and if you can slide it in.

Good luck and happy paddling.
 >> Stay informed about: Appreciate suggestions for what canoe/kayak to get.