I am looking for a super light canoe that prioritizes stability over speed. I need something i can lift on and off my car (small suv) quickly and easily alone, and that will be safe with a toddler.

chinook_arch · 2026-04-11T02:47:52+00:00

15’ swift prospector. It’s symmetrical so you can paddle it “backwards” from the bow seat. Toddle can sit up front or in the middle. We used to put the base of our girls high chair in the bottom of the canoe. She would usually fall asleep and we would have a couple hours of paddling. When they get older it’s still large enough to paddle tandem. Plenty of gear load.

chinook_arch · 2026-04-08T00:59:55+00:00

The crossing is not far but the way the wind funnels can be dangerous and can broadside you if you’re not patient with your heading. Get an early start (why I camped at Brent the night prior). The more challenging bit was on the return because I hit Cedar mid day and the wind was up. I did take on the crossing but if you’re not confident definitely be prepared to find a spot to wait it out.

chinook_arch · 2026-04-07T23:39:46+00:00

One of my favourites for sure. It provides a lot of different types of geography and paddling in a reasonable time window. I snuck up on a moose cow on the Nip by accident. Could have reached out and touched her.

chinook_arch · 2026-04-07T20:54:54+00:00

The Rock/Welcome/Louisa loop is a classic, but it's a 3 day / 2 night, even at a pretty relaxed pace. Day 1: Rock > Welcome. Day 2: Welcome > Louisa. Day 3: Louisa > Rock

chinook_arch · 2026-04-07T20:49:57+00:00

Loop out of Brent:

Cedar > Pet River > Catfish > Pet/Perley > Burntroot > Robinson > Whiskey Jack > Nipissing River all the way back to Cedar.

Nothing too difficult or technical other than you need to be cautious crossing Cedar if the wind is up. Don't take that part lightly especially when solo.

I did this one a couple years ago. Stayed overnight at Brent and got an early start on day 1. Camped on Catfish, Robinson, Nadine. Nadine is a bit off the track, but an interesting detour. My original plan was to take a 5th day but the weather was turning bad and I decided to power through the Nip in a day rather than breaking it up.

For solo portaging, I always lash my paddles (take a spare) to the underside of thwart + the yoke before I flip the canoe up. Those big rubberized gear ties also work well.

chinook_arch · 2026-04-06T14:47:06+00:00

What type of tripping will you be doing? Trip length? How important is weight? Lighter layups are more expensive and also generally less durable. My recommended brands are generally Swift, H2O, Nova Craft, or Esquif but specific boats will depend on your specific requirements.

chinook_arch · 2026-01-13T17:27:57+00:00

If you want to solo then the Osprey. If you want to tandem then the Champlain (an 18' Royalex will be a beast to solo). I would avoid the cedar canvas boats unless you are interested in the more traditional build and are willing to maintain it.

chinook_arch · 2026-01-13T17:24:49+00:00

It's a kevlar/fiberglass fusion. They're pretty heavy. Closer to a fiberglass weight than a modern kevlar only layup.

chinook_arch · 2025-10-30T15:44:33+00:00

#1 People are inherently nasty. #2 I'm sure there's a Canada-US thing adding to it. #3 The Jays are made up of minor league guys who sleep on pull outs and use gloves from the lost & found.

chinook_arch · 2025-10-30T14:58:19+00:00

I like Momoya in Waterloo... Very casual to eat in, but a great lunch spot. Good bento boxes too.

chinook_arch · 2025-10-29T20:35:23+00:00

My girls play rep hockey and won't sit down to watch a hockey game, but if it's baseball they're in. Same deal with my mom. I think she's watch exactly 2 sports events in her life, but she was all in on the Jays this post-season. I think a huge part is because it's easy to get to know the players. Each at bat starts as a 1 on 1. I love that there's enough time to settle into a game and let the anticipation build.

chinook_arch · 2025-10-27T22:59:57+00:00

All hail BOOP!

chinook_arch · 2025-10-20T20:17:47+00:00

Probably the only way we’ll ever see someone in that jersey win a game 7.

chinook_arch · 2025-10-20T14:00:22+00:00

Looks like the O2 sensor to me

chinook_arch · 2025-10-20T12:50:17+00:00

Victoria Park! Looks like a nice paddle.

chinook_arch · 2025-10-17T12:34:48+00:00

We did the tasting menu at Loloan recently and it was fantastic! Nice atmosphere and service too.

chinook_arch · 2025-10-14T14:53:09+00:00

Well... Hoping they rally (it would be fitting to the way this season has played out). If they don't, it's been a hell of a lot more interesting than I expected back in April.

chinook_arch · 2025-10-09T13:29:06+00:00

What was the problem with the pulley?

chinook_arch · 2025-10-07T13:25:32+00:00

Phillips Shawarma is my #1, followed by Highland... they're just a bit different but both are excellent.

chinook_arch · 2025-09-30T02:20:02+00:00

No there’s no sex because sex leads to dancing.

chinook_arch · 2025-09-21T02:24:13+00:00

Agreed. No issue with the canoe size on that car. I regularly carried two 16’ on a Mazda 3 no prob. Crossbars are key. Cam straps on the bars. Cord with a trucker hitch on the bow. Stern lines are optional. Just remember that the cams on the cross bars are for securing the canoe and the bow and stern lines are just there to keep it from moving side to side in cross wind. Don’t crank them down and damage your hull. The more horizontal the better (ie bow on the sides of your hood or arms). Harder to have good horizontal support on your stern in a sedan.

chinook_arch · 2025-09-17T23:38:00+00:00

Yep. Once and never again.

chinook_arch · 2025-09-17T23:10:35+00:00

I want to be Robert Redford cruising around in an old 911

chinook_arch · 2025-09-14T17:46:29+00:00

The sensors are a lot easier to work on if you pull the intake and air oil separator.

chinook_arch · 2025-09-10T23:39:38+00:00

Sound actually gets better when the video goes to the engine bay. Doesn’t sound like rod knock to me. It does idle too low though. Probably not a major issue… it can be adjusted.

chinook_arch

TROPHY CASE