On Fri, 02 Jun 2006 21:49:12 GMT, Mys Terry
wrote:

I don't think I've encountered any canoes much less than about 14 feet. For two
people and gear, 14 feet would not be big enough. There is an 8.5 foot portabote
that would fit all of your criteria except cost. It's about $1200 new. That's
about half the cost of a comparable inflatable. It folds up to about the size of
a 9 foot surfboard and weighs about 50 pounds. MUCH tougher than an inflatable,
too.

Yes, I can see the attraction of those. The expense is a problem
though.

I do like the idea of a canoe, because these trips, for me, are mainly
about getting back to nature. When I reach the otehr side of the
estuary, I walk as far as I comfortably can into the wilds and camp
out, just to get close to nature. So using something like a canoe
might harmonise with the spirit of these trips better than a
motor-powered boat would. But safety, is of course, a prime concern. I
want to enjoy these trips, but don't want to drown in the process..
(-;

I guess I could store a 14-foot canoe in my back yard. It's more prone
to theft, but perhaps I can devise a way of chaining it to the
ground... The other snag is that 14 ft seems a little long for
carrying on the roof rack of a car. Perhaps I'm wrong. I'd like to
hear opinions on this.

There is a guy selling a 14-ft canoe locally, actually. The trouble
is, I don't feel I know enough to be able to judge whether it is of
suitable design and construction. I could pay my money and take a
chance, I suppose.

Thanks again,

Al D