Boater wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
I agree with HK that strip canoes are very pretty. I disagree over
practicality. OTOH, I have seen several boats that in the end were
not really meant to ever be used, One was a variation on the
Stevenson projects "Weekender" that was astonishing to look at with
varnish so clear and deep it looked like a hologram. Every detail was
done right with cabinetry of such high quality that it was exquisite.
She was on display as an example of the boatmakers art and had never
seen water and probably wouldn'. Many strip canoes are like that,
once built, they are too perfect to be used. Would you really want to
be on a canoe trip with one, the obsession over not scratching it
would make you nutso.
Around here, in summer, the river banks are lined with hornet nests
every 3' and you get into one you have a choice of paddling like hell
and running yer boat over logs or jumping out into the gator infested
water or running into the weeds where the snakes drop into the boat.
A strip canoe will not stay pristine for more than an hour.
I believe a well used boat is a happy boat that inspires memories.


Strip or canvas over strip canoes are practical in the appropriate
waters. There are many lakes where using one can be a real pleasure.
I never recommended one for general use in areas where it might be
subject to being banged up.

The problem, of course, is that this newsgroup is infested with assholes
who look for something, anything, even in possibly interested on topic
subjects, they can use to post their usual lowbrow insults.

I don't mean you, not in this instance.

We used to canoe when I was a kid on a couple of really nice Connecticut
lakes. Lake Zoar was one of them. I have no recollection of banging up
the Old Town cedar and canvas canoes we were using. This was well before
the days of plastic canoes. There were plenty of aluminum canoes, of
course, but jesus they were ugly. And noisy.

Those stripper canoes are more of a furniture item than a practical
boat. One would look nice on Wayne's lawn but still would need
maintenance to keep it looking good.