 Buying a canoe or kayak is a big decision and choosing the right one for you is not always straightforward. Whether you are completely new to paddling or a lifelong paddler it can be all too easy to make the wrong choice and then be stuck with a boat that isn’t ideal for you.
Because it’s a significant purchase many people do their research, exploring models that they think will suit their needs and often draw some early conclusions about what they think will be a good fit. There’s lots of compelling information on the internet (web sites, YouTube etc.) that can all be very useful in helping to lead you to the right boat. However, what we often encounter is gap between what this research may suggest and what is, in fact, the best boat for someone. We have already covered some of the specific things to consider when selecting a boat in another post (SIX KEY QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU SELECT THE RIGHT SOLO CANOE OR A KAYAK). What we will focus on here are some of the finer points that only test paddling a boat will bring to light.  If you’re thinking about trying paddling for the first time there is no better place to do it than Saranac Lake and the surrounding area. We have some of the best paddling in the Adirondacks and much of it is on beginner friendly lakes, ponds, creeks and rivers. It’s one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the Adirondacks and unlocks access to areas that cannot be reached by foot or on a bike.
The stakes are a little higher when traveling on water but with a little preparation and guidance it’s surprisingly easy to get started. Many of our customers are new to paddling and we have lots of experience introducing people to the sport and getting you comfortable on the water.  Author- Danny Mongno of NRS
A note from the author: "So many “educational” reads end up really being an opinion piece. So, I wanted to be up front, yes… this is another opinion piece. Many paddlers have a system that works for them and they are entitled to their opinion as well. There is no FACT that one method works better than another. This piece will draw from my lengthy, 30 year experience in the paddle sports industry and as a paddler. So, I feel there is some good stuff in here to make you a more informed paddler, on this topic." Cold water paddling, Safety first. What to know before we go So, to start this piece, we must first identify the primary purpose. Staying alive when you are exposed to cold water. Certainly, discussions roll on about performance wear and sun wear and they are also important. But at the end of the day hypothermia can set in within 5 minutes in the water temps we see in the Northeast in Spring, Fall and Winter. Along with the medical challenges of hypothermia alone, its biggest threat is that it greatly increases your chance of drowning. We realize who the audience of this piece will be, good natured, outdoors people who want to enjoy the quiet of nature in the offseason or perhaps to stretch their training season. So yes, there are points on how different clothing options perform. But as a community, we must address the very serious risks that we face paddling in cold temps. So, before we get too deep into apparel options, let’s look at some easy things we can add to our cold weather paddling routine to decrease the likely hood of getting in danger. In this post we explore the common themes that arise when we are helping customers select the right boat for them. To newer paddlers it often seems like canoes and kayaks perform a similar purpose and that either one could be suitable for a paddling trip. In some ways this is true but there are many important differences and it’s likely you will have a preference for one or the other, depending on what you are planning. Let’s explore this and other considerations a bit further to help you get to the right decision. There’s a vast selection of solo canoes and kayaks available but for this article we are focused on flatwater paddling craft (rather than whitewater, fishing etc.).
Lower Saranac Lake is our most popular paddling destination. Paddle to small islands with rock outcroppings where open views and some great swimming await you. Visit Bluff Island and take a short walk to the top of the dramatic 65 foot cliff to get a spectacular view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Enjoy paddling through the scenic islands as you make your way towards your final destination at Ampersand Bay. Pack a lunch and spend a leisurely day on the water, or discover the back bays and secret spots along the Lower Saranac Lake's miles of shoreline. A great paddling trip for the entire family. Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters offer this trip as either a guided or self-guided paddling trip. Contact us today to book. Distance: around 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate with some open water Type: Point A to B Duration: Typically around 3 hours paddling time Cost: Self-guided from $90 | Guided from $285 See our Trip FAQ for more info This paddle is a customer favorite and often repeated, once discovered. Maybe it is the stillness and natural beauty of the surroundings or the mesmerizing reeds that flow in the gentle current beneath you. Whatever it is, you will enjoy an easy and unforgettable trip down this beautiful creek. Both Stoney Creek and the Raquette River have a gentle flow that can be paddled both directions with ease, upstream or down. The Raquette wanders through mixed hardwood forests bordered by the Western High Peaks Wilderness Area. Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters offer this trip as either a guided or self-guided paddling trip. Contact us today to book. Distance: around 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy Type: Point A to B Duration: Typically around 2 hours paddling time Cost: Self-guided from $175 | Guided from $355 See our Trip FAQ for more info  The Swift Cruiser 14.8 is their best selling Pack Canoe. It does a great job of balancing stability and performance as well as generally doing a lot of things better than it has any right to! Selecting a boat is usually fraught with trade-offs but the Cruiser tries to minimize these and largely succeeds. Sat in the middle of the range (12.8, 14.8, 15.8 and 16.8), it offers average to larger sized paddlers the perfect combination of space, performance and maneuverability.   Pack Canoes originated in the Adirondacks around 1880. An intrepid explorer named George Washington Sears (aka Nessmuk!) commissioned Rushton Boat Works of Canton to create a lightweight solo canoe for a trip in the area. His accounts of his epic adventures were chronicled in Forest and Stream magazine and inspired a new way of exploring the wilderness. The Pack Canoe was born!
Paddling a Pack Canoe is similar to kayaking but there are some important differences. Our customers love these wonderful boats, and for good reason. Well, seven of them actually! |
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