@@paddlejamproductions I get that but it’s no issues with me. I’m thinking this canoe is narrow enough to be functional using kayak paddles. Greenland paddles are bad for water drips but good standard paddles have rings so it’s not bad. Swift canoe makes a nice solo pack canoe like the clipper as well. Beauty!
Did you install the rudder? If so, where did you order it from? How difficult would the install be? I'm thinking that this is the canoe form me an d like the idea of a rudder.
I installed a smart track rudder on it. I bought it separate from the controls and made my own pedal controls by copying a friend’s. I took some pictures and video of the install but haven’t gotten around to posting them. Basically, it just takes time and a little ingenuity. Here is the link to the Smart Track rudder housing, and the second link is the cable fairings. topkayaker.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=623 topkayaker.com/index.php?main_page=product_reviews&products_id=1925
Just my opinion. Cold Alaska water, riptide, dog. You might want to zip and buckle your life jacket! You will have your hands full if you flip. Looks like fun!
Sorry thee was no O’ring rubber band in the box. It should have been there. The Mavic 2 can lift well over 2 lbs but safe flying in just over a pound. The light sensor does auto calibrate every time you turn it on, so turn it on with the drone right side up and out in the same light as you would be flying in. So do not turn it on in the shade and then go fly in sunlight. Once calibrated (few seconds after power on) you can handle the drone as you like but load the release right way up and fly from there. That should solve all your issues.
The o-ring issue wasn’t a big deal, it probably fell out at customs, and I don’t doubt you would have remedied the issue. I just figured it was too much trouble to bother you about it when I had something that would work. The sensor didn’t seem to calibrate for me. At first, I put my finger over the sensor before switching it on and held it there while it calibrated. It would stay open after calibration (this was in full daylight and not on the drone). Mainly, I was trying to get the weight set right. Once on the drone, it would open and close when I rotated the drone to put my line in the release. So, it might have stayed closed while upside right, but I didn’t try flying it before putting the foam in because of the previous issue with my finger not being enough to actuate it. Overall, I’m happy with device and would recommend it. The fact that it will release when there is too much drag is a good thing.
I use a wireless bicycle cadence sensor taped to the paddle shaft up near the grip. Moofit is the brand I was using but its connection was in and out so I’ve switched to Garmin
How does this canoe handle without being loaded in your experience? I’m 5’11 and 185 I am considering an Encounter. However. I read that they are a little too much boat for solo paddling without large amounts of weight/gear in the boat.
I’m 5’7 and 165 The Pros: its stable and easy to get your paddle in the water. The Cons: its doesn’t necessarily track that well so without a rudder I was switching sides every three to four strokes. It doesn’t respond to the J-stroke at all. It also doesn’t turn well without the rudder. Now to be honest, my experience in solo canoes adds up to this wenonah encounter and a clipper freedom. The Freedom is more enjoyable to paddle without a rudder, but is a bit more tippy, especially in waves.
It is a Wenonah Encounter canoe. 17' solo canoe with a Smart Track rudder that I installed. The rudder makes the wave surfing a lot more safe, but there were some sketchy moments.
I was a little concerned. The reason the waves were there was because of a rip tide going around a point and if I'd have flipped it would have taken me out to sea.
I don’t think I had known about the concept2 before I came up with the original idea for the Padleton. It started out as a rope through a pulley hanging from the ceiling with a weight on one side and paddle on the other.
NIce vid. I'm shopping for a solo myself. Have always wanted a Blackwater but the cost is prohibitive for a delivery to a remote location in Canada. How did you settle on the Freedom, when compared to say, a Prism, Advantage, or Blackwater? It's the most available and cost effective boat for me to purchase.
I found it on CL for a decent price and in new condition. I’d seen them used in the Yukon River Quest race so I figured it was probably a good design for what I was looking for. Its not the fastest or the lightest solo, but its easy and fun to paddle.
As a casual paddler I have no need for this level of efficiency - but I'm really curious what you changed to so dramatically impact the sub-surface bubbles and their associated drag. I'm not discerning much from the above water comparison.
Making sure the blade is fully submerged before putting force against it, is probably the biggest thing. One thing that will help is to make sure you're not reaching too far forward with your paddle. You shouldn't have to reach any further than where the blade can be fully submerged. For me, its about mid to lower shin if my feet are out in front on a foot brace.
Yes, its difficult to maintain for more than a few minutes. I can maintain 5.5 for at least 30 minutes though. I’ve got a smart watch and a handheld gps that agree on the speed.
I am planning a trip from Northway to Manley Hot Springs, in part thanks to this video. In doing so, I recently came across Karen Jettmar's review of the river, which describes it as swift current, in a large, silty glacial river. She mentions concerns over sweepers, and calls the Tanana "huge, unruly, and sweeper filled". Was that your experience at all?
I can't speak for the section upriver from Fairbanks, but the section from Fairbanks to the Yukon is pretty tame. About the only thing that could catch you off guard is the boils and whirlpools. If you're ready for them, they just push you around a little. The water level was pretty high when we did it, which can play apart on conditions, but we didn't have any issues avoiding sweepers. It is a big river, so be on the side of the river you want to land on long before you get there. From what I've seen of the river near Tok, I don't think it is anything I wouldn't try. I have heard the Tanana is full of sweepers as well. I just didn't see it where we were. Maybe its an issue if all you want to do is dose off while the river takes you, which isn't smart in any river.
The stern paddle is an Alaska Paddle Co. paddle. The bow paddle is a Whiskey Jack, I think Whiskey River. The guy who made it is sadly no longer in business.
Ya, it seems like that is the case. A lot of the water comes from the outflow of a power plant which is supplied by a hole drilled through the mountain to the bottom of Eklutna lake. Water temp stays around 40 degrees. The air temp was 30+ degrees and we were working hard enough that it really doesn’t feel that cold.
@@paddlejamproductions Nice. I've only recently discovered the trail race through photography circles - didn't realize we had an open water source like that nearby in southcentral. I grew up in Fairbanks, and there the power plant has a similar effect leaving a long stretch of open water in the winter.
Thinking of doing a Tofty to Galena trip in late June, but we have a SOAR canoe, should be a little slower than yours. Any idea what the average speed of the Yukon is? We did Nenana to Manley last September and were averaging 4-5mph, but not paddling too much.
3 to 4 is probably a safe estimate for the Yukon. Now staying in the current is another question. The water level was high so camping spots were difficult to find. Ben and I floated from Eagle to the Dalton Hwy in 2006 with his SOAR and my Old Town Guide. Just drifting, the SOAR was still slower, which surprised me. Hope it works out for you, it ought to be a fun one.
I’m sorry I hadn’t seen your question earlier. It was just a bracket that clamped to the gunnel. It put the gopro about 10” out and down. If you haven’t figured something out yet, I can send you a picture. Its kinda crappy but it worked.
How did you get those under water shots? Was it jus a gopro attached to something? I'd like to do a shot like this with a variety of paddlers to compare differences in slippage
