On 15 Nov 2006 10:22:47 -0800, "donquijote1954"
wrote:



You mean to scoop water out? But didn't get the last part about ballast
bottles.


Since at least half my canoeing is downstream (more if I can talk
someone into a shuttle), if I put more weight in the canoe, it sinks
farther down into the river and the current takes it better. This is
a very good thing when your favorite river runs to the south and the
wind comes from the south and you're headed south.

So when the wind is against by enough to make the paddling hard, I
pull up on shore, fill up with water the bunch of old plastic milk
jugs I keep tied together in the bow, cap them up and the bow lowers,
offering less wind resistance and more current pull. Ballast at about
10 pounds per jug. Easily dumped when I land.

When it's really bad, it's hot out, and I want a swim anyway, I get
out and let my body in deeper current pull the canoe along behind me.
I am aware I could get hurt that way, btw. I know there's junk in
there, like dead sunken trees. I stay in the boat channel where it's
almost entirely safe. I don't do it in backwaters where things can
get really ugly on top of the water and worse under.

Naturally, I leave them empty when going upstream with a south wind.

But, filled and hung from a rope from the stern, they make a good
drogue when I don't want to go anywhere quickly. Especially if I'm
going downstream and there's a strong north wind behind me. But
that's so rare that I can only recall about 3 occasions. More often
just because I want to do a slow float and enjoy. Sometimes they're an
anchor, if the water is shallow and I want to stop.

And I do know about turning the canoe around and paddling from the bow
seat facing the stern, which is then leading. I had to explain it at
least once to a ranger who thought I'd put my stickers on the wrong
end of the canoe. A wonderful piece of advice I got on one of these
paddling forums.
--

r.bc: vixen
Speaker to squirrels, willow watcher, etc..
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless. Really.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli