{"id":908,"date":"2009-06-07T12:26:34","date_gmt":"2009-06-07T17:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moshannonfalls.com\/101-canoe-camping-tips-for-beginners\/"},"modified":"2009-06-08T10:16:24","modified_gmt":"2009-06-08T15:16:24","slug":"101-canoe-camping-tips-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moshannonfalls.com\/101-canoe-camping-tips-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"101 Canoe Camping Tips For Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"
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  1. Try before you buy. <\/span>If you intend to be serious about canoeing you need to have a boat that you will not grow out of in one season.\u00a0Just because a boat feels extremely stable and comfortable doesn’t mean it’s the right boat for your type of paddling. Try paddling an array of boat types so you know the difference.<\/li>\n
  2. Learn about boat designs.<\/span>This tip is a corollary to the above tip. If you understand canoe<\/strong> designs you will make a smarter decision when you make your purchase. Not all, but many salesman do not understand boat design and if you follow their advice you could purchase the wrong boat.<\/li>\n
  3. Learn about paddle designs<\/span>.Selecting a paddle may not seem that important but you do need to ensure that you select a paddle that is appropriate for the type of paddling you are doing.<\/li>\n
  4. Take an extra paddle on your trips.<\/span>Paddles can be lost, stolen and broken. Take along an extra because there is nothing worse than being up a creek without a paddle.<\/li>\n
  5. Attend boat shows.<\/span>Many outfitters and
    \ndealers have a demo day throughout the summer. By attending one of these events you could discover a boatload of information about paddling.<\/li>\n
  6. Select the right length canoe<\/strong>.<\/span>A 15ft boat is a great choice if you intend to paddle solo on narrow creeks and rivers. A longer boat is desirable is you intend to paddle on wider rivers and lakes or want to paddle with partners.<\/li>\n
  7. Buy a blem.<\/span>This is where your research and model testing will come in handy. There is a tremendous difference in glide and handling between cheap boats and good quality boats. Good canoes generally start at around $700.00. You can often save some money by buying blems.<\/li>\n
  8. Buy used.<\/span>Buying used can save you money. A great place to search for used canoes is on Craigslist, EBAY, and canoe<\/strong> rental and guide liveries. Be sure to inspect the boat before buying. If you can’t paddle it fill it with water to check for leaks. Also check composite boats for cracks around bolts, screws and other high stress areas.<\/li>\n
  9. Shop around for your canoe<\/strong>. <\/span>Dealers will compete for your business because they know you will come back. Check out several dealers and don’t be afraid to ask for a discount.<\/li>\n
  10. Buy a canoe<\/strong> rack for your vehicle.<\/span>There could be nothing worse than having your new boat fly off your vehicle while driving down the highway, except having your boat fly off your vehicle and into the car behind you. You will appreciate the security a canoe<\/strong> rack provides. A good rack also provides protection for your vehicle.<\/li>\n
  11. Take a paddling course<\/span>.You don’t have to become a certified paddler but taking paddling and rescue lessons will increase your confidence and elevate your enjoyment of the sport. Also teaching your children to swim will increase their confidence in the boat and yours. Enroll them in lessons if possible.<\/li>\n
  12. Understand water classification.<\/span>Class one and two rivers are navigable for most canoe<\/strong> camping<\/strong> groups. Class three
    \nbecomes more risky and requires some whitewater experience. Avoid class three water with small children.<\/li>\n
  13. Wear your life jacket.<\/span>The majority of boating fatalities occur to people not wearing life jackets.<\/li>\n
  14. Try out your life jackets.<\/span>Having the children try out the life jackets in a swimming pool will increase their confidence on the water.<\/li>\n
  15. Paddle on a lake before the river.<\/span>If you are taking children canoe<\/strong> camping<\/strong> for their first time take them on a lake for a few hours to acclimate them to the movement of the boat.<\/li>\n
  16. Inform others of your trip.<\/span>Plan your trip and
    \ngive the information to someone who isn’t going on the trip with you. Be sure to contact that person when you return.<\/li>\n
  17. Hold on to your boat when capsized.<\/span>If you capsize use your boat as a life preserver by holding on to your boat. If you are in current stay upstream side of the boat so you don’t get pinned between the boat and an obstacle in the river.<\/li>\n
  18. Be aware of strainers.<\/span>Strainers are obstacles such as trees or fences that allow water to flow through but traps boats and paddlers. Strainers are common on small streams and can be deadly in fast current. Always investigate and scout the area you are paddling.<\/li>\n
  19. Be aware of cold water dangers.<\/span>Immersion in very cold water can cause you to lose your breath and cause cardiac arrest. Cold water can numb your extremities making it impossible to hold onto a rope or side of a boat. Hypothermia causes the body’s core temperature to drop and needs to be treated. Change from cold wet clothes to dry clothes immediately. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.*Cotton is a poor insulator when wet.<\/li>\n
  20. Avoid foot entrapment.<\/span>If you capsize your boat do not try to stand in swift current – instead float downstream with your feet up and feet first. Getting your foot trapped in rocks or debris could result in swift current forcing your entire body underwater.<\/li>\n
  21. Reach for a victim.<\/span>Avoid endangering yourself in a rescue situation. Use an oar, rescue bag or whatever else might be available to reach a victim when possible. Rescue bags should be kept on every boat.<\/li>\n
  22. Row to a victim.<\/span>Row to a victim and allow him to hang on to the stern of the boat while you paddle back to shore or wait for help. It is difficult to bring a victim into a canoe<\/strong> or kayak and could result in capsizing the boat.<\/li>\n
  23. Swimming to victims.<\/span>Swimming rescues are risky, require training, and should not be attempted unless all other methods have failed. If you are forced to swim to a victim take a floatable object with you to extend to them once you reach them.<\/li>\n
  24. Scout ahead.<\/span>When paddling unfamiliar waters be sure to take time to scout rapids before descending into something you aren’t prepared for.<\/li>\n
  25. Portage around low-head dams.<\/span>Novice and expert paddlers get themselves in trouble by underestimating river current and undertow. Always portage around low-head dams.<\/li>\n
  26. Wear paddling shoes.<\/span>They allow your feet to dry quickly, prevent chafing, and provide secure footing. Most paddling shoes are made of polypropylene.<\/li>\n
  27. Don’t boat alone.<\/span>There is safety in numbers.<\/li>\n
  28. Designate a lead boat.<\/span>The lead boat should be the most experienced paddler for the conditions. This person should make decisions and communicate to the group to follow.<\/li>\n
  29. Designate a sweep boat.<\/span>The sweep boat should be experienced boater who is familiar with rescue and emergency procedures. This person stays at the back of the pack and helps to maintain the group.<\/li>\n
  30. Set a pace.<\/span>The lead boat should set and maintain a pace all boaters in the group are capable of maintaining.<\/li>\n
  31. Maintain group order.<\/span>All boats should stay between the lead and sweep boats. If any boat get ahead of the lead boat they should wait for the group.<\/li>\n
  32. Keep all boats in sight<\/span>.Maintain enough space between boats to avoid collisions and wait in turn before approaching rapids.<\/li>\n
  33. Give right of way.<\/span>To avoid collisions descending boats should always have the right of way.<\/li>\n
  34. Kneel in the boat.<\/span>Kneeling in the canoe<\/strong> before a rapid lowers your center of gravity and increases your stability.<\/li>\n
  35. Lean towards obstructions.<\/span>If you collide with a rock or other obstacle leaning towards it will decrease your chances of capsizing.<\/li>\n
  36. Use lights at night.<\/span>In Pennsylvania all boats must display lights between sunset and sunrise.
    \nUnpowered boats such as canoes must display a hand-held or mounted light in time to avoid a collision or at all times when anchored.<\/li>\n
  37. Buy a cushion for your canoe<\/strong> seat.<\/span>You’ll need it for long days of paddling. Don’t use your life jacket as a cushion.<\/li>\n
  38. Buy plenty of waterproof containers.<\/span>It doesn’t matter if you use plastic containers or dry bags, just have plenty of them because you’ll eventually need them in to protect from rain or whitewater. And don’t be afraid to pay more for dry bags; cheap bags often fall apart after several uses.<\/li>\n
  39. Balance the boat load and secure your gear. <\/span>While loading the boat, distributing the weight properly will enable better handling of the boat and reduce the chance of capsizing. You should secure all gear into the boat with rope. Be sure to secure all lids on the coolers.<\/li>\n
  40. Buy a good waterproof camera. <\/span>You’ll have plenty of photo opportunities on the water and while camping<\/strong>, so don’t waste lose precious moments because you were without a camera. There are plenty of quality waterproof and shockproof cameras available.<\/li>\n
  41. Buy a good hat and use sun block.<\/span>It’s very easy to get sunburned on the water. A good hat and waterproof lotion keeps the sun exposure to a minimum.<\/li>\n
  42. Use bug repellent.<\/span>You don’t have to spray it directly to your skin, if you are afraid of deet then try applying it to your clothes and hat. When paddling in some areas like the Adirondacks keeping the mosquito’s and flies away is essential to the enjoyment of your trip. Other locations like Assateague are infested with deer ticks. There are natural repellents as an alternative.<\/li>\n
  43. Be prepared for the weather and water conditions.<\/span>Don’t get caught on a canoe<\/strong> camping<\/strong> trip in the rain. A good poncho or rain suit is essential to comfortable canoe<\/strong> camping<\/strong>. If you think you will never paddle in the rain you are incorrect. Also, getting splashed by whitewater or rained on isn’t so bad in the summer months – in fact you might welcome it. But in the cooler months you will need protection. A good paddling suit will help keep you dry and warm during the cooler seasons.<\/li>\n
  44. Get yourself a rugged pair of sunglasses.By the time the trip ends you’ll sit on them, smash them while carrying camping<\/strong> equipment, drop them on rocks and anything else that can happen in the outdoors.\u00a0\u00a0\n

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  45. You need a sound producing device – buy a whistle<\/span>.In Pennsylvania all unpowered vessels are required to have some means of making an efficient oral or mechanical sound that could be heard by another vessel operator in time to avoid collision.<\/li>\n
  46. Spend some money on new properly fitted life jackets.<\/span>Don’t risk yours or your child’s life by using old life jackets. U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are required when boating. Life jackets hold your head above water so don’t try to save a few dollars by buying a larger one for your child to grow into. A properly fitted life jacket could mean the difference between life and death of you or your child.<\/li>\n
  47. Take along a bilge pump or bailer and a sponge.<\/span>One small rapid, an afternoon of rain, or a near mishap could result in a canoe<\/strong> full of water. Take a bailer along to help keep things dry. And when camping<\/strong>, completely unload the boat and flip it over to dry until morning.<\/li>\n
  48. Subscribe to a few canoeing magazines. <\/span>They keep you up to date on equipment, locations and fresh paddling ideas. They are just fun to read and will really get your paddling juices flowing in the late winter. Come spring, you’ll be ready to hit the river hard.<\/li>\n
  49. Have plenty of rope.<\/span>When camping<\/strong> rope makes a great clothesline and comes in handy for creating additional shelter in bad weather. It’s just handy. Don’t forget the pocket knife. Bungee cords work well too.<\/li>\n
  50. Have a rescue rope or throw bag.<\/span>Throw bags are an essential rescue device and you should carry several within your group. When canoeing do not tie a rope to yourself or another paddler.<\/li>\n
  51. Buy a compact high quality tent.<\/span>A good three season dome tent is usually the easiest and quickest tent to set up. Also seal and assemble your tent before going camping<\/strong>.