[Micmac]

Can not positively identify the manufacturer from the photos— it could be a Mad River canoe. But can tell you the hull of this canoe is fiberglass and it looks like it does need some repairs. Start here: https://canoeing.com/canoes/canoerepair/

And you may want to contact Northwest Canoe in St Paul, http://www.northwestcanoe.com
they may be able to identify the manufacturer.

[Micmac]

I suggest you contact NorthWest Canoe. They will be able to answer your questions, concerns and help you with this repair. Email dennis@northwestcanoe.com

[Micmac]

Mike, my suggestion is to locate a local dealer to see if they have an identical Mad River canoe that you can measure for the seat placement distance and height for each seat. I’d also take along a digital camera for reference when you get back to your shop.

Stability on the water- I’d be leery of adding the third seat. But if you d, don’t mount it high where a yoke would be placed because the canoe will be even more unstable.

Consider using a Crazy-creek seat on the floor of the canoe for the duffer (third person).

You might also check the Mad River web site to see if the canoe is still in stock. Their info @ email may answer your questions. But the surest way is to do it yourself if you have access to another Freedom.

[Micmac]

There are manufactures who specialize in fishing canoes/kayaks. Here is one to check out–
Native Watercraft

http://www.nativewatercraft.com

[Micmac]

I have these concerns in adding the two seats at the back thwart and center thwart (yoke) positions— space, center of gravity, bow-to-stern balance and esthetics. Before doing this I would consider old fashion boat custions for the kinds to sit or knee on or the folding wooden seats that are positioned on the floor of the canoe.

Replacement seats are available and can be cut to length and bolted in as you suggest, but adding two seats to a 17′ canoe is not recommended. I would consult with a Lincoln canoe dealer/retailer.

We tripped with our two kids, dog, and packs throught those (4-14 year) age peroids using a 17′ canoe. I always liked the fact that the kids were in the bottom of the canoe rather than higher up when the weather turned bad or the dog leaped to shore 6′ before the canoe arrived.

[Micmac]

Jerry, Thanks. I plan to stop in the MNR on the 31st and will ask her in person.

[Micmac]

Yours last press was a GSI Lexan Java Press # 20289. I peronally like the one cup gold fiters better.

[Micmac]

I recently read to move (position yourself) forward of the center thwart when paddling into those strong head winds. The forward position forces the bow down and the stren up making it possible to control the canoe.

[Micmac]

I like to bring 6 or 8 of the old fashion wooden close pins with the wire-o-springs. With that 100′ of cord you can string up close lines for drying out most anything. Or, if you’re handy with a knife, carve your own from a small dead branch-no springs attached. I understand you can a find real nice, hand made knives, from Dan in Sunburg.

[Micmac]

Paddling a solo canoe is different because you paddle sitting or kneeling in the middle of the canoe. The canoes are typically shorter 11-15 feet and narrow in midsection. By design, solo canoes most often have the seat positioned in the in the middle of the canoe with the idea that you can paddle on either side of the canoe simply by switch from side-to-side. And, in the States we call this freestyle paddling; but not in Canada. Traditionally, and it Canada, freestyle paddling in carried out from a kneeing position at the center thwart with all the paddle stokes made from one side of the canoe only; the starboard or port side. Very rarely do you switch sides when making strokes. Canadian freestyle paddling is a real art and beautiful to watch; the canoe is leaned over on one side. From another vantage point, it looks as if the canoe is going to flip over but it doesn’t. The reason to ‘heel-it-over’ is to make the canoe shorter. When the canoe is on its side both the bow and the stern ends are lifted out of the water, the canoe is shorter which makes it more maneuverable.

I learned to paddled solo in a 17’ tandem canoe on a wilderness trip into the Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in Ontario. On my way out of town I purchased Cliff Jacobson’s book, Canoeing, which has all the basic essential paddle strokes. I took the book with me into the bush and I taught myself ‘how-to’ freestyle paddle over the course of 10 days. It doesn’t seem to matter if the canoe is 20’ or 10’ as long as you know the freestyle strokes, how, and when to apply each one, you can paddle almost any canoes solo. But the key is to know the paddle strokes and the best way to learn this is with an instructor.

After that solo trip I sought out a certified freestyle-paddling instructor to help me correct the bad habits I created by doing-it-on-my-own. My mentor and instructor is Sue Plankis who was mentored by Omer Stringer in Canada. Now, whenever I have the chance I take a lesson or paddle with an experienced paddler to learn more and to learn the proper way. What I came to learn was that the Canadian freestyle approach requires less energy, you learn to paddle slower, with more proficiency and control. You can actually learn how to make the canoe come to your paddle. Sounds crazy but its very cool. Taking the lesson from those who know is everything. I once attended a North House Folk School (located on Lake Superior in Grand Marais, Minnesota) event just to take a 2 hour group freestyle lesson from Becky Mason. Wow was that an experience, and another story– while taking the lesson I swamped (Lake Superior – cold)! Becky and her husband rescued me, everyone in the group benefited from seeing the classic ‘how-to-rescue’ and upright a swamped canoe. I know how to get the most out of a lesson! Well, Cliff’s book will get you started but I highly recommend lessons or joining a group of freestyle paddlers.

This summer, I have started paddling with Sue and her friends who are all very accomplished paddlers and instructors. The group includes: Bob Brown, Dan Cooke and Rob Kesselring. Our group paddles and practices in the Minneapolis area.

[Micmac]

I think you would like the packs designed and manufactured by Frost River

[Author]

Posts