One man canoe loader

[cyclops2]

Re: One man canoe loader

Hi Smoke

I am taking the 75th ..............

Thanks Rich

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: One man canoe loader

Cyclops2,

Flemington I see, so you know the waters I'm dealing with: Round Valley and Spruce Run (boy is the run low, the Gov had it dumped before Hurricane Sandy hit, then, no real rain came). The small lake is Furnace (Oxford NJ) and a smaller lake/pond Amwell. Only the last, Amwell has no ramp.

I always use my trailer when launching my fishing boat, I don't have a trailer for the canoe, it is 17' long so my utility trailer is way too short. I need to put a full vehicle under it to manage the length. Yes, I had considered driving down to the ramp, or other launch area and taking the canoe off the top there, but looking at the wheels one can put mid-ship, I see a chance to take the boat off the truck and put it on wheels, then load it with poles, maybe a battery and sonar and tackle box - each with a tie line. and then roll the whole thing to the water. At the water I can fold the wheels up and put them in the boat too, add a little blast to the front.

I do not play to use my canoe on Round Valley or Spruce Run (unless I put it in just around the launch area of SR). I will either repair my fishing boat or just not fish there any more. The days of me venturing out on a easily wind swept large lake in a canoe are past. I even wear a life vest now when on the water, even in my fishing boat.

I just checked my homeowner insurance which provides coverage for personal property, i.e., my fishing boat and a lost yard tractor, and sadly learned besides my $1,000 deductible I have a 2% deductible for hurricane related claims. That is 2% of the house coverage part of my policy, this adds several thousand in deductibles... so it looks like I am on my own. I've got every discount, no claims other policies and still my homeowner policy is sky high, in my view. Being out in the country and no fire plug (water) near by adds to my cost for fire, I believe. There is a nearby pond, that may help but it would take at least 30 minutes to get a line from the pond to the house, goodby house if on fire. I fish that pond too, for bass. But, only from the shore as no boats are allowed, it isn't much bigger than a couple of acres.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: One man canoe loader

Here are some clever solutions. I used to have a 17' aluminum canoe that was a beast to load and unload.

1 Man Cartop Gheenoe or Canoe Carrier - YouTube

Canoe Loader Demo - YouTube

Canoe Loader - YouTube

Rhino Rack T Loader demo with Hobie Pro Angler by Scott Lovig Hobie - YouTube

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: One man canoe loader

if you are putting all those batteries in the canoe, put them in the front (i didn't say bow b/c you are going backwards) and forget the ballast idea.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: One man canoe loader

Is your boat trailer long enough after you loosen the winch clamping bolts & slide the winch assembly foward to what you need ? You can & should bolt 2 on edge 2 x 4" to the trailer cross pieces to provide full canoe stern support. I can see a hefty trolling motor battery WAY UP FRONT permanantly for getting the keel back into the water to improve straight running in winds. that would allow a automatic bilge pump in the stern. Also a trolling motor bracket for a beefy trolling motor or a short shaft +- 3 hp gas motor to power back as the wind picks up. You could then sit & fish in the center / widest / most stabile part of the canoe. Remote steering & throttle is easy with cable controls from the center. Been there & done that sooo long ago. I used to paddle up & down the Cranford N J river. Start up the river. Come down when tired. Always worked.

WE could set your 17' canoe as both Canoe & a power boat...........It is big enough to have both the gas motor & the electric motor for a ALL WEATHER BOAT.

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: One man canoe loader

Thanks, good old Youtube.... the series even showed the use of what I have called a dolly, and I am considering ordering one of those too. The last one looked like the the deluxe version $$$ and the boat in the example looked to be a bit heavier than an empty canoe. It also was shown to mount to the "ball" of the trailer hitch...I think I'd prefer one that goes directly into the sleeve receiver. I'm not sure what the one I listed in the opening post does, but I think it goes into the receiver, I will double check.

When I was a young man and father I used to handle the old Grumman canoe with my 10 year old son or 135 pound wife handling the other end. I am sure I am still stronger, and a heck of a lot taller, than either of them were, so the "T" loader should make the loading/unloading a snap.

The Reese loader is only $100 delivered from Amazon, so it isn't a big risk investment if it doesn't work out. With a dolly, which has a shipping charge, the total would be under $150, so not much of an incentive to make something out of wheels and plastic pipe - but I'm still thinking of using plastic pipe to make an outrigger.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: One man canoe loader

You could put the complete electric trolling motor & battery setup in the very bow. Have the complete gas set up in the stern. You in the wide comfortable stabile center......I like that

Flip the trolling motor up on the front bracket & power drive onto the trailer with the gas O B motor.
4 vertical guide on poles. It is a VERY SAFE setup in wind or current. I have it for my small 16 ' fish boat

You can make the canoe all that you need & love safely.

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: One man canoe loader

cyclops2,

Well, I expect "big ideas" from a commissioned officer : ) I was in the Navy and then Reserves many years ago, making it to Chief Petty Office at the age of 25 - Aviation Electrician's Mate - so I know all about Navy commissioned officers.

I hope to get my 15' fishing boat back into service, I have seen days on RV and SR when all I could do was make a run for shore when a strong wind came up. One time at RV I roared (9,9 hp) past a small sail boat on my way to shore and when the wind blew past, perhaps only 10 minutes, I could see the sail boat was no longer visible. I went out looking and found it upside down with three people in the water. I took two of them to the boat ramp (before cell phone days) so they could call for help. The third stayed with the boat which was floating upside down. I then returned to the area and saw the Ranger boat (at least 75 hp) heading to the sail boat. Funny, I got on the water with my 9.9 hp before the Ranger got out on his much larger boat.

Once at SR on my run for shore I came by a rental 14' boat under paddle power, I was able to tow that boat to shore. I take wind warning very seriously - and see my fishing boat about as small as I care to be on for any cross lake travel.

I am looking for a sheet metal shop in the Flemington area that might be interested in looking at a repair on the gunwale and sheet metal of my fishing boat. I sent Manny, the NJ fishing expert, an email to see if he can offer any repair suggestions - maybe one of his buddies in the RV Fishing club has some ideas.

Then too, at my age, it is about time to watch fishing on TV.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: One man canoe loader

There is a old machine shop in Flemington. Was EXCELLENT on odd jobs. Located right across from the old Agway place & the mower repair place.

RV & SR can jump up fast & high in a hurry

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: One man canoe loader

Thanks, I'll check it out, and I miss the "Old Agway" sorry they are gone...guess I should have given them more business.

Manny responded to an email I sent this morning, he had a recommendation to for a sheet metal guy on Rout 22 East of the Flemington circle.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: One man canoe loader

Route 202.

 

[lncoop]

Re: One man canoe loader

Paddling from the bow seat only works on canoes with symmetrical hulls, which that beast probably has, but be sure to confirm it at home before you plan a day around that strategy. I've used that very loader and it was okay. It was indeed wobbly but that was easily fixed with judicious strapology. I recall wishing it had been wider so I could slide the canoe farther back on it, but that was just a matter of personal preference. If you have an Academy in your neck of the woods check there first. I believe I got one there for seventy bucks a year or so ago.

Now, here's something else to consider. There are LOTS of great canoes in the fourteen to sixteen foot range to be had used for $600 or less in most parts of the country. If you could find a Royalex or Kevlar boat (probably ten Royalex for every one Kevlar around, but one never knows) you would no longer need your Grumman or your yak because the new to you canoe would meet every demand you seem to have and do so in a hull that's about half the weight of the Grumman, doesn't get hot in the summer or cold in the winter, and is much quieter as you likely know from paddling your kayak. Plus, it would have a nice portage yoke which is mighty handy for loading and unloading. You could probably cover the cost of one by selling the Grumman and yak and be in the ham fat. Unless you tell me to I won't get into the specific pros and cons of aluminum vs other materials because I've already opened the worm can far enough by answering questions you didn't ask and I don't want to be responsible for starting an argument (not that ever happens here) or providing the impetus for a threadjacking (not that those ever happen here either).

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: One man canoe loader

Thanks, I always thought the "plastic" boats were heavier than an equivalent size aluminum... surely fiberglass is. Taking a foot or two off would undoubtedly help reduce the weight. The one problem aluminum doesn't have is sun and general weather exposure damage. Mine is unpainted and sits outside for the last 20 years, still looks about the same. My Yak has to be protected from prolonged exposure to the sun.

I am working in parallel the repair/replacement of my 15' Grumman out board motor fishing boat, set up like a bass boat. It got some tree damage from Hurricane Sandy that hit NJ last month. My homeowner agent tells me this morning Sandy was not a hurricane - that means my 2% of home coverage is not applied as a deductible on damage to personal property or anything else. I have talked with a aluminum fabricator this morning and will send him some pictures to see if he thinks the boat is repairable for less than it replacement cost on the used market. I have found several candidates on the used market here in NJ. Yes, aluminum again : )

 

[lncoop]

Re: One man canoe loader

Thanks, I always thought the "plastic" boats were heavier than an equivalent size aluminum...

Depends on the plastic. My sixteen foot Mad River is Royalex and weighs 68 pounds with ash gunwales, thwarts, yoke and deck. I absolutely LOVE that canoe. I'm still pretty young, but I can easily throw it up on my shoulders and carry it anywhere, and it's a joy to paddle. Unbelievably stable. My sixteen foot aluminum flatback not so much; on either point. Now, if you're talking about polyethylene, that's a different story. Most of the Old Towns are polyethylene, which is very heavy.

 

[drrpm]

Re: One man canoe loader

Wehnonah, Mad River and Old Town make a variety of Royalex and Kevlar canoes that are much lighter and handle so much better than that Grumman beast that you would wonder why you had not upgraded years ago. The lightest boats will weigh around 40 lbs for a 15 footer and cost in the 2K range. Heavier options are less expensive. The only disadvantage is than these boats will need to be stored out of the sun. If you have a garage its pretty easy to rig a harness to suspend them out of the way. I used to paddle a Mad River Royalex Explorer and that was a very nice canoe.

 

[lncoop]

Re: One man canoe loader

Wehnonah, Mad River and Old Town make a variety of Royalex and Kevlar canoes that are much lighter and handle so much better than that Grumman beast that you would wonder why you had not upgraded years ago. The lightest boats will weigh around 40 lbs for a 15 footer and cost in the 2K range. Heavier options are less expensive. The only disadvantage is than these boats will need to be stored out of the sun. If you have a garage its pretty easy to rig a harness to suspend them out of the way. I used to paddle a Mad River Royalex Explorer and that was a very nice canoe.

I love my Mad River Explorer. I really think of all the vessels in the fleet (and there are plenty) it's my favorite. For an all around hull design that comes really close to "doing it all" it's hard to beat. You're correct that Old Town makes plenty of Royalex boats. I should have been more specific about what's mostly out there used, which when it comes to Old Town is the Discovery, at least around here.

 

[drrpm]

Re: One man canoe loader

There was a time when I felt that if I could only have one boat it would be the Explorer. I had a Discovery 158 first and the Explorer was a tremendous improvement. Since then my paddling focus has shifted to hard core whitewater kayaking and I rarely paddle a canoe anymore.

 

[lncoop]

Re: One man canoe loader

There was a time when I felt that if I could only have one boat it would be the Explorer. I had a Discovery 158 first and the Explorer was a tremendous improvement. Since then my paddling focus has shifted to hard core whitewater kayaking and I rarely paddle a canoe anymore.

Aha! Went to the dark side, eh? We have a vibrant paddling community here that includes lots of yakers. Many of them love to go east any time they can. I'm more of a down river guy, but I can understand the appeal. Even aceing a class II rapid gets the blood pumping. I'm working up the nerve to ask the admiral and vice admiral for a yard pass to take a whitewater rafting class at OARS. The vice admiral would be the toughest sell because she'd want to go but doesn't meet the age requirement. Jerry, I'm sorry.:embarassed:

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: One man canoe loader

Well yes, this thread has morphed into a life of its own, I'm okay with that as I think I got the answers I was looking for. I have not yet ordered a "loader". To complicate matters I went today a looked at a used 14' fishing boat to replace the one I have had for 25 years that got hit by a White Pine blown down by "Hurricane" Sandy in late October (New Jersey). I'm 40 miles form the shore so the horrible storm surge didn't hit my property... and my insurance company tells me the storm wasn't even an official hurricane, that's why I put that word in quotes. This means my homeowner policy doesn't have to eat the hurricane deductible of 2% of the amount my house is insured for.

I have another current post about the fishing boat, so I'll not say more here.