Time to start floating!

Nick

Nick

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Aug 9, 2007
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I've been tossing around buying a canoe or similar for years, but after seeing Udink's new canoe and looking at gnwatts' trip reports, I've decided the time has come. By next spring, I aim to be ready to float some rivers.

A couple of questions…

1. I assume I should go for a larger canoe because of my larger size/weight? Like 17-18' perhaps?

2. Is there a specific style I should go for for floating mellow rivers? I'd like maximum stability so I can potentially have a pup in there with me.

3. Aluminum vs. other materials?

4. What's typically the best time of year to float the Green & Colorado? Spring with high water or fall with low water?
 
I got the Old Town Discovery 158 because it seemed like a good compromise for my planned usage. It's not ideal for either perfectly flat water or moderate whitewater, but it should do well enough for easy family trips on a lake or solo/tandem trips loaded with gear on the river.

I don't think you necessarily need a longer canoe--that will probably only give you a heavier canoe that tracks a little straighter. Even the 158 can hold a maximum of 1,150 pounds of people and gear, but two guys your size and enough gear for a three or four day float would take up a little more than half that (depending on how much beer you bring :D).

From what little I've read, floating during spring runoff will be faster and there'll be fewer rapids, but you'll have fewer campsites available due to the higher water. I'm thinking August-October will be perfect for me, but I don't think I can wait that long before my first trip on the Green. :)
 
dude, just get a raft, then you can run real rivers, as well as the mellow stuff, plus fish from it easily standing up...
 
2013? let's do a ruby-horsethief float over thanksgiving. we'll bring the big boat with coolers and turkeys. :)
 
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