BNick wrote:

Kids are new to me. I've been a pro guide over 25 years, but it's
always been 12-16' paddle or gear boats. We have 3 kids now (8, 4, 1)
and have taken the older ones on several Class II trips. Next year we
want to do some overnighters on rivers like the East Carson, SF
American, Lower NF&MF American, Putah Ck, and 4-8 day expeditions on
the Rogue, Yampa, John Day, Eel in the next couple years.

We did fine on an overnigther (2 adults/1 kid )with a 14' oar rig, but
it's gonna be getting tighter. Especially the boys want to bring
friends.

Thinking about adding a larger boat to the fleet, just wonder how
others have done with 16' SB's or 16-18' cats. I'm imagining
(dreading?) carrying 2 adults, 4 kids under 10, a 120 qt cooler, dry
box, and 6-8 med-lg drybags. I'm leaning towards a cat, but not sure
which combination of frame modules would be best. What are your
suggestions?


As a scout leader I take kids aged 8-12 on canoe trips. Kids in the
10-12 range can be taught to use a small canoe, and can easily do
overnight trips. For example, our group does a yearly canoe trip down
one of the local rivers. With some training all of the scouts can do an
overnight trip (~60km total) on a relatively placid river (only two
short & simple "rapids"). The older youth, with 2 or so years of
experience, easily handle a basic white water trip. So my suggestion
would be to give the older kids their own boat, and let the younger
ones. Occasionally we "raft" canoes (connect them into catamarans),
usually with 2x4's and rope. IMO, this is not ideal with kids - they
often lack the discipline required to navigate rafted canoes. A proper
kit may work better, but I'd imagine that you still need a great deal of
co-ordination b/w boats.

Bryan