BOATS
THE CANOES AND KAYAKS I USE ON MY TRIPS
H2O Prolite 14′ 6″ Solo Canoe – Carbon Kevlar – I received this canoe from H2O in the Spring of 2023 at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show to test out on my trips for the season. Jeff created this canoe especially for me. The bottom (yellow section) is made of kevlar and is light but very strong. The top half is black with metallic flecks in it and is made of carbon, which is not quite as strong as kevlar and bit lighter. The skid plates are extra thick to accommodate the rough terrain I travel in. This canoe weighs 27lbs and is a gorgeous vessel. I can not wait to spend more time in it. Huge thank you to Jeff at H2O Paddlesports for creating this beautiful canoe for me to paddle in 2023! To check out the youtube video I create on this canoe, click here.
H2O Prolite 14′ 6″ Solo Canoe – Carbon Kevlar – I received this canoe from H2O in the Spring of 2022 to test out on my trips for the season. It weighs 28lbs and has a really cool colour and pattern in it. I had the pleasure of paddling this canoe in 2022. It is light and bright, but super strong and it took good care of me throughout the season. During a huge wind storm in Temagami on Colin Scott Lake, the canoe was picked up, thrown 180 degrees and onto a tree root sticking up, wounding the canoe with a small puncture. It was tied to a tree, but clearly it should’ve been secured at both ends, not just the front thwart. I applied 3 pieces of duck tape on each side of the small crack, and paddled 15kms out without issue. The canoe will be repaired by H2O and I truly believe if it wasn’t as strong, it would’ve incurred far more serious repercussions.
H2O Prolite 14’6″ Solo Canoe: This is the canoe I used to trip with for most of 2020 along with 2 other H2O canoes. Like the canoe I paddled from H2O/Frontenac Outfitters last year, this canoe weighs in at 30lbs, but this one is made of kevlar, whereas the other is made of innegra bassalt. Even though there is colour on this one, it doesn’t add much to the weight, thankfully, but it sure does add to it’s beauty. Not only is it Camper Christina green, but it has vertical stripes in it (the ribs showing through the paint) and it looks amazing on the water. This boat has been on lots of adventures with me and is now a permanent part of my fleet. Huge thank you to H2O and Frontenac Outfitters for their sponsorship. To check out this canoe further, click here.
H2O Prolite 14’6″ Solo Canoe: This canoe went on all my big adventures with me in 2019 and has now been returned to Frontenac Outfitters. It is a super light canoe (30lbs) and extremely tough. I know, because I put it through a lot. For more information on this canoe, please click the photos or the link to be taken to Frontenac Outfitters page, who I am an ambassador for. They loaned me this canoe for my 2019 adventures. Check out the video I made on this canoe here. I will be using some newer canoes from H2O for the 2020 season. Click here to see the video on which ones.
H2O Pack 12 Solo Pack Boat Canoe: In the summer of 2021, I was lent the H2O Pack 12 to test out. I have taken it on a few trips and it’s a great little canoe. It has a kayak seat in it and the seat sits on top of a plastic mold that sits on the floor of the canoe. The seat is very comfortable and I like being so close to the water when paddling. It makes it more similar to a kayak and I find more comfortable to paddle than the ones with a raised seat. This pack boat is only 12 feet long and can vary in weight between 17-27lbs, with this one at 27lbs. It is tough and durable and I really enjoy taking this canoe out on shorter, easier trips where I don’t have a lot of gear, although it can fit my normal large pack and small backpack in it. (pictured.). For more information regarding this pack boat, it is best to contact Jeff Hill at H2O directly as this isn’t a regular model that has been officially launched. Just tell him you are looking for information on the pack canoe Camper Christina used in 2021.
Delta 15S Kayak: In 2016 after living in Muskoka for a year, I decided it was time to purchase a kayak. Yes, i already had one, but I was taking courses with Ontario Sea Kayak Center and needed the proper boat with 2 bulkheads in order to do rescues and the Perception didn’t have that. I also wanted a bigger kayak to be able to bring more gear with me on trips and go out longer and in more challenging areas. This kayak weighs 44lbs and is 15 feet long and has 3 storage compartments. I wrote a post about my kayak purchase and you can find it by clicking here.
Perception Tribute Airalite 12.0: In 2013, I purchased my very first kayak from Outdoors Oriented. The Perception Tribute 12 was a good deal and a kayak I thought would be great for day tripping. The model has changed a bit since I bought mine, but most of the stats are similar. This kayak is 12 feet long and weighs 42lbs. At the time, I hadn’t done any solo backcountry camping, but I took this kayak on my first solo trip in September of 2015. I couldn’t believe how much gear I could get onto it and thought I would tip over, but I didn’t and made it in and out of the site safely. To check out my first solo trip, click here. I still use this kayak when I am doing trips with small easy portages as it is easier to carry than the Delta due to the length. This was a great first kayak as it is wider and more stable than other kayaks, but that also makes it a bit slower. Thankfully, I’m not into speed on the water, so this boat worked out perfectly for me. NOTE: As of October 2021, the Perception is residing at her new home in Toronto. I hadn’t taken her out for a few years and thought someone else should put her to good use. I hope my friend Michelle enjoys her new toy! Thanks for making the transition easy for me.
Aqua Bound Sting Ray Fiberglass Paddle: Whether paddling one of my kayaks or a canoe solo, I always use a double blade. I do own a canoe paddle, but rarely use it. This makes some people upset, but this is the safest option that works best for me, and that is what is most important. I have far more training using a double bladed paddle and I have much more control over my vessel when using one, especially alone. I will continue to use one as long as it is the best piece of gear for me. As I do use my double blade for a solo canoeing, it is a bit longer (220cm), than the paddle I use for my kayaks, as the boat is wider and this makes it easier to paddle with it in the canoe. A 230cm or 240cm would work even better, I believe, but do not have one at this time.
Fox 40 Telescopic Mini Paddle – It is a good idea to always carry a spare paddle. I located this telescopic mini paddle at Canadian Tire for about $20.00 and store it under my seat with a few pieces of paracord. I hardly notice it there, but if I need it, I will be grateful to have it there.