A bit of clarification perhaps.
Does your reference to the wolf refer to the popular white water stretch near White Lake ?
How big is your dog ?
Hi, Guideboatguy
I commented on “the whitewater sections of the Wolf”. I think Dan is smart enough to do a bit more checking on the Wolf if necessary and go from there. Sorry if I touched a nerve. See you at the fall rendivous.
No problem
Since your post dealt with preparing for whitewater when preparing for the Wolf, and since the original post “seemed” to be focused on quiet water and tight quarters (and the need for a short boat), I thought I’d point out that “the Wolf” is more than whitewater. It’s not that you “touched a nerve”. It’s just that the Wolf is so well-known in the midwest as a whitewater river that plenty of people would have said what you did without even knowing that much of the river meanders slowly through bottomland. For all I know, you might have said what I did if you had felt like writing more, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to make the distinction between the two availaible extremes on the Wolf River in any case.
My mid-sized River Boat
– Last Updated: May-15-12 7:46 PM EST –
is the Yost designed Bell YellowStone. ORC has finally come down off the cross and is dumping their remainder stock. At ~15.5' with substantial rocker at both ends, 3" bow, 2" stern and max beam 35" it's a fun boat. The OP may need a paddling lesson to keep it rolling in a straight line, but length, weight and now price are reasonable.
My personal choice would be a Colden StarFire, or better, a used Bell one considering potential wear.
I kind of agree w/ Nermal, if someone is asking, they're probably better off in rubber the first time around. Still, it doesn't need be a pig.
Another ABS consideration might be the Steve Scarborough Dagger/MRC Legend. Also available used.
Dagger Caption
If you are going to get into moving water with a tandem canoe you might as well get a Dagger Caption - it is no longer made but there are a lot of used ones around. The Caption is 14 feet long and weighs 58 pounds. It is build for whitewater rivers, we paddle ours on Class 1-3 rivers and have a blast.
Suggestion: Take a class on tandem canoeing, it saves a lot of start up time and teaches you some safety tips along the way. I’ll give you one for the road, paddle in unison and your tandem canoe will move through the water faster. Tandem paddling is an art form when you get some experience in the boat.
Wolf River/Dog/More advice
Thanks everyone.
I’m sure this topic has been beaten to death, maybe a thread can be marked and posted at the top? I’m sure this is a question asked all the time.
Also, don’t ever worry about touching a nerve with your comments on the Wolf River. I haven’t done too much studying of/on that river, but it is nearby. I’m not the type of guy to just go out without any research and drop in and go. I spent years in the Virgin Islands and did many trips sea kayaking to islands where we would have to wait 2-3 days for the currents to be right before we get back. I take research and safety seriously.
You can paddle the Plover but water levels are crucial in our section (Bentley Road to Jordan Park). I’ve reached out to a blogger who has posted a bunch of information on it for kayakers and canoers.
Our dog is a blue-merle aussie. She’ll grow to about 20 lbs. She’s 1.5 years old right now. She goes everywhere with me.
Paddling in rhythm is the key to tandem kayaking and my wife and I have this down in a kayak. We do plan on taking a course since canoes will likely handle differently and we want to stay safe.
I passed on the mohawk and I am going to keep searching for an Aurora or a Dagger – We used daggers for sea kayaking and I remember them being heavy but VERY well built. I guess that’s Mad River now.
One model I do see that are coming up for sale used is the spirit.
Once again, thanks for all your help and the great conversation. There is a lot of knowledge on this board that has been really helpful.
Dan
Mad River Slickryder?
– Last Updated: May-19-12 9:15 AM EST –
Would this be a good fit? This just popped up...
Mad River 14" Explorer...tandem.
Dan