Al Deveron wrote:
On Wed, 05 Jul 2006 15:14:04 -0500, dt wrote:


I do have a kayak, but only ever used it once. I
seem to remember not being able to get out of the thing because my leg
muscles had gone to sleep. The lateral instability is what scared me
the most. I couldn't help but be worried about the idea of capsizing
and not being able to get free of the boat in time to avoid drowning,
etc.

Al, if you're comfortable in your canoe, see if
you can't make or have made a spray skirt for the
thing. Attach it with snaps, you'll be surprised
what you can just plow through and keep on going.

DT


Yes - thanks for the input. I have been thinking about making a spray
deck for the canoe (made from a tarpaulin, or sail material, fixed
down with press studs or something). I guess it would reduce the
chances of becoming waterlogged by large waves.

The flat bottom is still a bit of an issue though. When I meet a
series of waves head-on, there is a lot of belly-flopping going on. I
see the bottom of the boat flexing considerably when that happens.
That may or may not be a problem, I suppose.

Al D

Flexing shouldn't be a problem. Rather than tarp,
which would be pretty heavy, see if you can find
"coated ripstop nylon"; it's used in a lot of
outdoor gear. Check out the guys in the middle
photo: http://www.texaswatersafari.org/gear_goynes.htm

Good luck, man!

DT