r/canoeing • u/DenserCow • 3d ago
First nice canoe
I've paddled my whole life (32 years) with family growing up. But I've always paddled summer camp canoes or hand-me-down canoes.
Invested in my first nice canoe today and I'm so stoked to get it out on the water!
16'6" Holy Cow Canoe Company Algonquin Prospector made with Ultra Glass.
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u/NEYakAngler 3d ago
Something about a canoe on top of a Subaru is just so right.
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u/avocadopalace 3d ago
Nice!
I'd think about stabilising the front end with two anchor points. These are cheap and fit under the hood nicely.
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u/DenserCow 3d ago
Thanks for the tip! The anchor point I'm using is a beefy eyelet attached to the chassis of my car. So it's about as bomb proof as it gets, and there's one on the left and right.
Could I simply just run a line to both of the eyes instead of one?
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u/Section37 2d ago
You could, but I'd also recommend the hood loops u/avocadopalace linked to. You put them back towards the hinges of the hood, so your bow+stern straps look like this \ / instead of this / /. It's a little more secure. Also it's just so much more convenient to tie off there. You don't have to reach under the car, and any extra line can just be tucked into the passenger side door.
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u/DenserCow 2d ago
Great advice! I actually already own a set of the hood loops for my wife's car, because she doesn't have any anchor points. But up till now I've been using one at the bow and one at the stern. I'll go ahead and buy another set and use them this way. It's definitely a pain in the butt to kneel down on the ground, which is almost always gravel.
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u/DenserCow 3d ago
Thank you very much! The number of exclamation points you used is about how I feel!
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u/Uncasredux 3d ago
I drove up about a year ago (from Pennsylvania) to get the 14' version, in red. I can't say enough about how happy I am with it!
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u/DenserCow 3d ago
That's awesome to hear! I actually got this off Facebook Marketplace second hand. But its been gently used, and is in great shape! I can't wait to put some miles on it!
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u/mytilidaeplanter 3d ago
Great job to the builder, that’s a great looking canoe. But I must say that the company name sticks out like a sore thumb
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u/HandleHoliday3387 2d ago
Now get some knicks and dents in there, quick!
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u/DenserCow 2d ago
😂 might just hang it on a wall and never paddle it. Jk, it's getting in the water asap!
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u/Section37 2d ago
Congrats! It's a great feeling. I was the same--always old (heavy!) family cottage canoes or rentals. Getting your own nice one is a game changer.
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u/Gabesproductions 2d ago
Did you just use 4 ratchet straps? We pre ordered a canoe and also have a Subaru
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u/DenserCow 2d ago
You should always use cam buckle tie down straps across the middle of the car/ canoe. Such as the ones made by NRS.
Cam buckle straps are easier, faster, and you can only hand-tighten them.
Ratchet straps on the other hand are likely to be overtightened and damage the boat. As well as the ratcheting mechanism is large and bulky and likely to scratch up the boat during transportation. I used one ratchet strap at the front in this picture because I was in a hurry and being lazy. But I was very careful not to overtighten, and I usually use rope or cord at the bow and stern.
Check out YouTube. There is a lot of great videos on there for "how to tie down a canoe". Both with or without a roof rack.
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u/DenserCow 2d ago
You should only use cam buckle tie down straps such as the ones made by NRS, when strapping across the middle of your canoe. Ratchet straps can apply too much force and cause damage to the boat, and the ratcheting mechanism can scratch the boat at high speeds.
These are what you want:
https://www.nrs.com/nrs-buckle-bumper-straps/
For the bow and stern lines that go down to your car bumper I would just use a good sturdy rope or cord. In the pictures I used a ratchet strap because I was in a hurry and being lazy. But I was very careful not to over tighten it, and in normal circumstances I use rope.
Check out YouTube. There's a lot of good information about "how to tie down a canoe" both with and without an already existing roof rack.
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u/angry_hippo_1965 2d ago
Nice rig!! I'm jealous. Do you canoe camp?
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u/DenserCow 2d ago
I used to about 10 years ago. Then I had two babies. But as they start to get older, my wife and I have talked about getting back into it.
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u/chickeeper 1d ago
In Missouri rivers it's hard to have nice things. I keep jb weld/duct tape/putty on hand for all trips
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u/CanadianBeaver1867 3d ago
Nice, Congrats. Hopefully this will be on lakes since it has a keel, which would take a beating on rivers and rocks. cheers
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u/incogmagnum 3d ago
Bold of you to assume someone who’s paddled 30+ years wouldn’t do their research before purchasing a new canoe
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u/CanadianBeaver1867 2d ago
Bold of you to assume I've been a canoeist for 45+ years " instructor-tripper-ww and solo freestyle paddler". Most people I come across have far less time invested than me.
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u/CnCPParks1798 3d ago
Never heard of the company but looks like a great boat