oldognewtrick
In memory of
Heading to the lake in the morning, maiden voyage of my new yak.
I also bought a used kayak... Ummm, actually, I think that is a canoe I bought.
That's a great idea. I haven't come across that one yet. I also like how you made your cart and the bike wheels are a good idea light weight and large enough to get over a bumpy path.I also bought a used kayak (Coleman) that is way to heavy to lift on my own - and my wife's back won't let her help - so I built a canoe loader, based on a youtube video, that uses "stairs" and carrier on top of our van. I just roll it off of the cart onto the lowest plastic pegs then, going back and forth, walk it to the top. When the center of gravity passes the pivot point, the stairs rotate up and I just push it to the center of the carrier and remove the stairs. I also built outriggers that make it so stable I can stand to cast. The system works great!
I saw that cooler setup a few times along with a few similar ones. I don't think I will need outriggers yet but we will see. Our French Creek is all flat water as are all the inland lakes that are no wake lakes at least the ones I will be in at first. It wont be seeing Lake Erie and likely not even the bay.
Oh man that looks good. It is 30 degrees here this morning and the water is moving and ice cold and those flip-flops would have to be arctic boots.View attachment 25356
On the lake at sunrise.
Water temp was 56. Toes got a wee bit chilly, but better than sitting on the couch watching useless crap on tv.Oh man that looks good. It is 30 degrees here this morning and the water is moving and ice cold and those flip-flops would have to be arctic boots.
What do you do at the other end though when it's time to get the canoe off the van and into the water, or out of the water and back on the van? The loader looks too big to take with you.I also bought a used kayak (Coleman) that is way to heavy to lift on my own - and my wife's back won't let her help - so I built a canoe loader, based on a youtube video, that uses "stairs" and carrier on top of our van. I just roll it off of the cart onto the lowest plastic pegs then, going back and forth, walk it to the top. When the center of gravity passes the pivot point, the stairs rotate up and I just push it to the center of the carrier and remove the stairs. I also built outriggers that make it so stable I can stand to cast. The system works great!
I’m not sure how Tom handles it. My plan is to follow his suggestion only make the ladder pin to carrier and not extend above. Doing that I could unplug the two rails and strap them on the carrier next to the canoe and take them with me. I think if I design them correctly I could maybe flip them over so the pins were on the backside when taking it off and just let it slide down.What do you do at the other end though when it's time to get the canoe off the van and into the water, or out of the water and back on the van? The loader looks too big to take with you.
We also have been having really cold nights and by 10:00 it is pretty nice being out as the sun feels warm, by noon I’m in a tee shirt.32 out this morning when we put in. Warmed up as soon as the sun came up, caught a couple little small mouths. Beautiful spring day here today.
View attachment 25467View attachment 25468
We had a Folbot kit build my father in law built years ago. It was a nice little boat and it lasted a dozen years but poor storage caused it to go back to nature.When I took canoeing at BSA camp we were taught that the proper position was to kneel with one's butt gainst the brace that most call a seat. I know I couldn't handle kneeling now. I built a kayak from a Folbot kit years ago, it had low seats with backs. I gave it to my son.
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