Rob Stevens - Paddles & W/C Canoe Restoration

addling friend Rob Stevens sent in some pics of his recent paddle creations...

• 2 American Chestnut
• 2 Sassafras, including a northwoods style with notched handle
• 2 black cherry

 Notched Northwoods Grips

In addition to being busy with paddles, Rob also organizes the annual WCHA Wooden Canoe Assembly in New York State. He's also found the time to restore an old canoe for his daughter. The boat is a 14 footer from the 1960s, believed to be a Chestnut Fox or Peterborough Mermaid. 

A few years back at the annual Killbear Paddlers Rendevous, Andre Cloutier of Ravenwood Canoes brought it to showcase its original condition. In order to get it into the water, the weakened canvas was temporarily sealed with loads of duct tape. 

The magic of duct tape

Photo Credit: Andre Cloutier

Source Link

Andre padding

Photo Credit: Andre Cloutier

Source Link

Being a smaller guy, I'm partial to 14 footers for solo canoeing. Although my own cottage garage is getting cluttered with canoe gear, I'd be interested in acquiring another 14' vintage canoe eventually.

Old Photo - East Coast Canoe with Interesting Guide Grip

An Ebay seller is a photo featuring an interesting paddle grip design. Sadly no details about the origin or date, but the seller is from Nova Scotia and the long canoes and grip shapes are consistent with the East Coast paddling tradition.

Original Ebay link

Paddle Grip Closeup

Another photo featuring the same party has showcases the grip from a different angle...

Original Ebay Link

Paddle Grip Closeup

Algonquin Outfitters - Opinions on tripping paddle designs

Been away for quite some time and will have new content soon. In the meantime, here is a quick paddle related video sent my way by friend Rob Stevens...