Canoes once again...

[Classic Finn]

I just happened to find this here in Finndian Land...They sell the Mad River Canoes.. Go To

http://www.bearwater.fi/

and click on "AVOKANOOTIT" there you will see the Mad River Canoes..
Anyone own this Brand of Canoe..

My question is which model would you suggest for an all around canoe that is stable for fishing, photography and just a good family canoe..Of the Models sold here..

The site is only in Finnish however I think the Model Numbers are International...

Here is the English Site

http://www.madrivercanoe.com/

The canoe we have now just isnt so stable to take the family into and with a 2 year old..even with a good life vest...unless the buoys or stabilizers are installed to the sides.. (My opinion anyway)..

Here is our... handmade ... one of a kind ...its quick.. Dean might remember the story on this one as well as Madjack.. Of how I came about finding this canoe.. And I know I,ll never sell it..



Classic Finn

[Arne]

c/f, short and wide is stable and slow.... narrow and long is fast and tippy...

Watch out for weight... they get pretty porky (heavy) depending on material.

Also, heavy can be good if you don't want to go fast, but hard to get on your car... A light-weight canoe can be faster, but more tippy..... see if they will let you try them out (after the ice melts).

Do a search on 'how to buy a canoe'

http://www.ehow.com/how_11372_buy-canoe.html

[Miriam C.]

The Uk edition
http://www.canoekayak.co.uk/main.html

The online English edition
http://www.canoekayak.com/
Canoe and Kayak Mag. does an equipment issue every year. If you are planning a madriver canoe this is the first place I would check out.

They also have great articles on paddling with children, and other things of interest. Maybe they put out one for your part of the world.

The type of canoe you buy to play in depends on what kind of paddling you are going to do...

[Steve_Cox]

Heikki,

Since you already have the "ultimate" classic wooden conoe, would you consider a canoe that has some high tech Southern engineering. Here's the Gheenoe. Gheenoes were designed and are built by Harley Gheen a former NASA engineer that wanted a canoe that was more stable to fish from.

[Classic Finn]

c/f, short and wide is stable and slow.... narrow and long is fast and tippy...

Watch out for weight... they get pretty porky (heavy) depending on material.

Also, heavy can be good if you don't want to go fast, but hard to get on your car... A light-weight canoe can be faster, but more tippy..... see if they will let you try them out (after the ice melts).

Do a search on 'how to buy a canoe'

http://www.ehow.com/how_11372_buy-canoe.html

Yup Arne you are quite right ... the one we have is fast and tippy... Ive just started to get use to it last summer... So Im not too sure to take out the lil ones in it as of yet...

If the wife and I go with it ... its quite nice but to be able to get the lil one
and the older to enjoy canoeing with us it certainly should be another model.. Ive just seen the MadRiver canoes at this shop not far away and wanted to get opinions about this special brand or make..

But ok that tells me then it should be wider than the one we have for certain... and of course slower...

Thank You

Classic Finn

[Classic Finn]

Heikki,

Since you already have the "ultimate" classic wooden conoe, would you consider a canoe that has some high tech Southern engineering. Here's the Gheenoe. Gheenoes were designed and are built by Harley Gheen a former NASA engineer that wanted a canoe that was more stable to fish from.

Hi Steve... Now thats an interesting canoe.. Thats also what I mean about the kids doing... especially the 14 year old... the 2 year old well... But yes stability is number 1 for sure...But yet light enough to be able to stay within the weight limit of the Car we have..
unless its allowed to be placed on the tear? That Id have to check...

Yup the one we have now is our pride and joy and also since no others to be found in our small but comfy lil land...Its rare. And it gets looks as we go... or is it the Mrs. that gets the looks...

Fishing, photography and being able to standup while enjoying both...and not having to worry immediately about tipping it..

I do enjoy all things Suthern

Heikki

[Classic Finn]

The Uk edition
http://www.canoekayak.co.uk/main.html

The online English edition
http://www.canoekayak.com/
Canoe and Kayak Mag. does an equipment issue every year. If you are planning a madriver canoe this is the first place I would check out.

They also have great articles on paddling with children, and other things of interest. Maybe they put out one for your part of the world.

The type of canoe you buy to play in depends on what kind of paddling you are going to do...

Good Info there .. I,ll check that out...mainly just calm lakes and slow rivers. Short trips.. Evening of fishing or Early morning. Some photography or...

Heikki

[Miriam C.]

Heikki,
Mad River makes a Horizon 17 IQ2:
16ft.9inches, with the IQ system (lets you add stuff), for touring, cruising and wilderness tripping. It is made of Royalex, and is 35 1/2 inches wide. It has a straight shape with a rise at the ends so should keep you dry. It is asymetrical with a shallow arch and flared at the topsides.

That might be your best over all. If you can't get that one try one similar. Can't translate the details.

Children quickly learn to stay seated in a boat, especially if it tips a bit. I taught the grandkids in shallow water so they got the idea fast.

PS the Canoe & Kayak buyers guide should be out for this year.

[Classic Finn]

Heikki,
Mad River makes a Horizon 17 IQ2:
16ft.9inches, with the IQ system (lets you add stuff), for touring, cruising and wilderness tripping. It is made of Royalex, and is 35 1/2 inches wide. It has a straight shape with a rise at the ends so should keep you dry. It is asymetrical with a shallow arch and flared at the topsides.

That might be your best over all. If you can't get that one try one similar. Can't translate the details.

Children quickly learn to stay seated in a boat, especially if it tips a bit. I taught the grandkids in shallow water so they got the idea fast.

PS the Canoe & Kayak buyers guide should be out for this year.

Miriam
Thats what I was planning on doing this summer ... taking our canoe to the nearby shallow lakes and teach the oldest boy to use the canoe..
And there are also beginners classes here for folks so that may be a good thing to give as a Birthday gift...

I,ll check out the Horizon 17 IQ2: as well...

Heikki

[Bigwoods]

I paddles a MALECITE and at first it felt a little tippy, but after we got used to it and when we get it moving, I thought it was a great canoe. The weight is good for portageing.

The Mad River canoe are very good and stand up well Many are rented in the Boundary Water Canoe Area.

[Juneaudave]

You know...canoe stability is a funny thing, especially for folks just beginning to paddle. Most of the time as one gains experience, that feeling goes away. But saying that and assuming you have good technique (sit correctly, use the right length paddle, etc), some canoes by virtue of their shape feel "tippy" in the upright position...but as they keel over, while it may feel uncomfortable, gain stability. The opposite can be true...some canoes feel really stable upright...but once they start to keel over, flip.

Mad River canoes have a really good reputation and they cater to the intermediate paddler. I think they are an excellent choice. But I wouldn't give up just yet on your stripper...that is a beauty!!! My suggestion is to keep your stripper and try to rent the Mad River model your interested in, load it up, and see how it feels. I think you will find intial stability to much better...but you may not feel comfortable enough to take that little one out in cold water. Being in Alaska, but having lived in much warmer climates, I can say with some certainty that the fear of getting dunked in a cold lake is definately different from getting dunked in a warm pond!!!

[Miriam C.]

Good point Dave. If I took a kid to a cold water area I would try to find a good dry suit... There are also canoes that float when full of water. That is what I was looking for. If you get in trouble all you do is tip it back up. The water comes out. Much safer on a lake, especially if you may need to get them out of cold water fast.

Yes I swam in the Fjord---but only once.

[Micro469]

Here's a neat site.. build your own canoe.... Very liteweight.
http://www.gaboats.com/

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

I'm with Dave on this one...
What do you want?
Something that feels comfortable now, then like a barge later on, or something that feels a little bit tippy now, then like a dream later on???

[Classic Finn]

I'm with Dave on this one...
What do you want?
Something that feels comfortable now, then like a barge later on, or something that feels a little bit tippy now, then like a dream later on???

I like my RedBird or is it Bluebird Much.. And sure dont ever want to sell it. Fast and in my opinion a nice looker.. I was just thinking of the kids ...but I guess it will be that I need to feel comfy with it 1st and the wife... then We,ll feel comfy for the kids.. Ive only used it a couple of times last summer...and by god it was a lot of fun.. just skimmin across the water...

But ok Dave and Dean .... D and D You are correct . Now how do you determine the correct length of paddle and I suppose the weight is also important.. since there are sooooooo many out there... to choose from. Just dont have any paddles to use onboard ship...

Heikki