Best products from r/canoeing

Saco is a great river to get started on if you are interested in starting canoe camping:

https://www.reddit.com/r/canoecamping/comments/845z33/advice_for_saco_river_nhme/


Saco is SUPER easy. Great introduction to canoe camping.


Also, Lake Umbagog (one of my favs)
https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/umbagog-lake-state-park.aspx


I live on the seacoast side of NH so these are easier access for me. Not sure about Western NH.


In VT:
https://vtstateparks.com/assets/pdf/grr.pdf


Also might suggest grabbing a used copy of this (short money):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934028053/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Happy paddling!

I always take a bow saw, mine is quite similar to this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Filzer-Buckster-Bow-Saw-BBS-1/dp/B01A7GLFO6/ref=sr_1_38?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1496270925&sr=1-38

Haven't used it while paddling, but I have used it for walking and skiing trails.

It is very lightweight, packs and unpacks quickly once you figure it out. It is has sharp huge teeth that will cut through 4-8" trees with ease. On all my backpacking and canoeing camping trips this saw takes priority over any ax or hatchet. I can cut down a dry tree and have 15 rounds cut in 30 minutes or less. I've had mine for ~18 years now and it is still in great shape with regular use.

Some of the folding saws are great, but they are a bit more pricey. I quite like the bow saw, partially because of the strong structure.

A friend of mine has a similar canoe with the molded seats. I've found the standard seats like this one work perfectly fine. And by fine I mean I've been comfortable after paddling up to 5 hours straight.

https://www.amazon.com/GCI-Outdoor-SitBacker-Canoe-Seat/dp/B0042WZ77I

I love carrying a small collapsable grappling anchor. Cup holders are always welcome. Also, this style of back rest is a nice thing to have. Anything to make the canoe more comfortable will let you stay out for longer stretches.

I have a Mazda 3 as well! it is a different generation than yours though. i just remembered the key to what makes my system work. I have a hitch on the back for a bike rack. so I would also use a canoe loader bar like this one. It worked for me because i already had the canoe loader bar thing from using it with a previous truck, and the hitch was there for the bike rack. so that wasn't an up front cost to me. but really, i suggest it. the hitch is useful to have and easy to install yourself. and this bar is cheap. Look at the pictures of cars using it on the amazon link.

Get yourself some wheels. That dude will be heavy at the put-in. Something like this. http://www.amazon.com/TMS-CART-CANOE-KAYAK-KY001-Carrier-Trolley/dp/B0082365AQ

That dude will ride like a tank through whitewater. You got yourself a good deal on a solid boat. Have fun.

Check out Laurel Archer's books. Tonnes of great stuff in there.

The Stikine or Gataca/Kechika are amazing trips I can personally attest to if you have the time. The Kootenay is nicknamed the "weekend Nahanni" for good reason. I have not done any trips around Vancouver or in the interior really though.

Here's a wonderful book that covers all of the Potomac (North Branch) that you'd be interested in. Maryland and Delaware Canoe Trails I've canoed a lot in the Cumberland to Harper's Ferry area and there's not a lot to know, it's a relatively chill stretch of water with lots of places to camp and fish. I'd be happy to answer specific questions... Here's a tip : Bring Beer.

A used wenonah, old town or mad river royalex / kevlar 16-17+ footer would be super nice if you're just buying the hull for $500. Craigslist is your friend.

If you need to buy paddles(2, plus spare(s)) and life vests (do NOT skip the life vests) you'll probably have to hunt around for an old fiberglass boat. Aluminum could also do, as they last forever. Just make sure you check that the rivets aren't leaking before you buy it. (ask to run a hose or a few buckets of water into the hull)

(examples) -
http://ithaca.craigslist.org/boa/4391854201.html

http://utica.craigslist.org/boa/4379838084.html

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/spo/4396214019.html

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/boa/4299777345.html

http://binghamton.craigslist.org/boa/4388766860.html

Edit: Transport? What kind of car do you have? Do you have racks? You will need ratchet straps and a bow / stern tie rope

It is a yearly thing. If you're thinking about trying I would recommend "Missouri River 340: First Time Finisher" https://www.amazon.com/Missouri-River-First-Time-Finisher-ebook/dp/B00DKALJXO . I'm considering doing it next year and am reading the book now. It's a good read about a guy and his 3 daughters that do it. Lots of great info.

Canoeing and Kayaking Florida is a great resource. The Alafia is really great.

I have a couple of these seats. They work pretty well for short day trips. The main benefit for me is that it relieves some of the lower back strain that I feel sitting in the canoe.

Full set of dry warm clothes, towel, and blanket in a dry bag that is quickly accessible.

Stay close to shore.

Be prepared to change your plans if the weather is not co-operative.

Also - no personal experience with this or recommendation, but this might be interesting for you to consider/look into:

https://www.amazon.com/Knee-High-Surf-Co-Wetsuit/dp/B075SWKC2B/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Depends on the weather, might be too warm for the kiddo?

Old town Next. I have one and it's really comfortable but I honestly prefer the old town discovery.

Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Canoe, Red, 11 Feet 9 Inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QIM5EDM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_2.0QCb6PZ50C5

If you're just doing day paddles you can get by without one... I picked up a mini dry bag for my phone from the army navy surplus store. Which is great for keeping your phone/ wallet stuff dry and on your person if you tip.

I tried to find it but actually just found a 15 dollar dry bag. Check this out, hope it helps!

https://colemans.com/shop/pouches-bags/u-s-g-i-dry-bag-waterproof/

This is similar to the one I have https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0142J43FM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_hkZHwb6X35JJB

R.M. Patterson's Dangerous River.

Man what a great book.

Honestly, if you are wanting something under $20 it's going to be hard to find. You can you use a simple hand chain saw like the one in the link to get the job done. It will be a bit awkward to do in a canoe but, I can see it getting the job done.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GPOO8U2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bp5lzb02CJ9JC

Check this out. Comfortable and straps to the bench.

I have a marine battery from Home Depot
The Minn Kota battery box is nice too
I stripped the alligator clips off a jumper cable and use that to position the battery in the bow.
I have one of these mounted on the bottom of the back seat to connect the cables from the motor to the jumper cables, which are attached to the gunwales and stay in the boat. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016HTX9K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_l7aZCbN1MG1M2
I replaced the nuts with wing nuts for quick set up and tear down.

I have this charger. It's great.
Schumacher XCS15 SpeedCharge 15... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EIDCFO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share