Canoe Outfitting – A Guide

canoe outfitting

If you’ve never outfitted a canoe before, then we’ve got a quick guide to get you through all the basics. Simply, what it means to outfit a canoe, is to get it ready for the water. Remember, if you’re going to go on a canoe trip, you need to pack everything neatly and functionally in the canoe so you can balance the canoe correctly. Initially outfitting a canoe can seem tricky and almost impossible at times, but as the old adage goes “practice makes perfect”. Soon, depending on your canoe, you’ll be able outfit quickly and efficiently. After all, if you realize you’ve over packed, you can always change how you outfit your canoe in a later stage.

Canoe Outfitting – What You Need

When you outfit your canoe, you’ll need all of your supplies packed and ready to go. Which means, all of your food should be packed, any clothes you need. Additional supplies that NEED to be packed are the following: an extra paddle, lashings, a float bag, knee pads, rope or lashings are just a few. The extra paddle is essential. Just like you wouldn’t drive around with a spare tyre, you don’t want to paddle around without a spare paddle. A float bag is to make sure your canoe doesn’t sink horribly if it overfills with water.

Canoe Outfitting – How to do It

The float bag should be put in the front of your canoe, simply out: where the pointy part is. A float bag will ensure that if your canoe becomes filled with water, it won’t sink. These days canoes are built with floating modules built in but you always need the extra support. Use the knee-pads to protect your knees. And the rope should be used to tie down every single thing you have in the canoe. At any time your canoe could capsize and you might end up losing everything inside.

Canoe Outfitting – Should you do it yourself?

The greatest question to ask yourself is am I able to do this? If you think no. Take your canoe, take it to a professional outfitters and ask them to do it for you. However, if you ever intend on taking on canoeing as a serious sport or hobby, then you need to learn how to do it yourself. Ask a more experienced friend to show you the ropes, or go to a canoe outfitters, pay for the service but watch them and ask questions. If the canoe outfitters are professional and love the sport, they won’t mind answering any of your questions.

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