Maine Island Trail Paddling (July 2015) 

MrMCBvideo In my opinion, loading and unloading a canoe is always easier and I would have to say my canoe is more comfortable to paddle all day than my kayak in the right environment. With that said, I prefer paddling my canoe on almost all flat water trips, especially any involving portaging and even a few more sheltered ocean environments. But, for almost all ocean paddling, you can't beat a sea kayak for dealing with exposed conditions: wind, swells, tidal currents, etc. It takes a little more planning where to place everything in the kayak, but knowing it will stay put and be dry in the event of a capsize, as well as being able to roll and or re-enter in rough conditions is piece of mind . With experience and skill, there's not much a sea kayak can't handle when it comes to ocean paddling. Keep in mind that the rapid fire is not a typical canoe. I'm able to do so much more in that boat than I ever could in my Wenonah Prism or Nova Craft Prospector (with the exception of white water rivers for the prospector). I'm often amazed how well the Rapid Fire handles with a 70lb dog in the bow and a full pack in the stern. Every boat has limitations, but the Rapid Fire has less than most. If I weren't paddling with a dog and outfitted my canoe with spray decks and flotation, it would be able to handle some pretty rough conditions. Sorry to sound like a salesman but I couldn't help myself. I'm glad you enjoy the videos. Happy Paddling!

Thanks So Much for your in-depth reply. No need to feel that you were selling us on the Rapid Fire. Having watched your many trips using that unique canoe design, we are sold on its impressive performance capabilities. Our Very Best Wishes to the three of you on your many expected trips going forward!

MrMCBvideo Thank You! Best to you as well!

South of Deer Isle, ocean. It’s in description 😉 I’m staying there in July this summer, looking forward to doing the same🙌

Gene G Thank you Gene! It's hard not to get good pictures and or video footage in such a beautiful place. My wife brings along her kindle and likes to read when we are in camp. I on the other hand can't sit still, and enjoy exploring the area taking pictures and videos and recording memories. I'm so glad you enjoy them!

You told me back along the type of canoe and length but I forget. Could you please remind me as I think I would like to head out to the Adirondacks this summer.....

MrMCBvideo We usually launch from Old Quarry Ocean Adventures. They run a really nice service as well as being a beautiful spot to launch from. A short paddle puts you right out amongst the islands. The only downside to launching there is it can get pretty busy on summer weekends. But during the week, which is the only time I've launched from there, it is fairly quiet. I've camped on almost all the islands out there. My favorites are Steves Island (which is not labeled on a nautical chart but is shown in the MITA guidebook), Russ Island, Wheat Island, Shivers Island, Rock Island. Harbor Island is absolutely gorgeous, but unfortunately it is extremely buggy in the summer. Hells half acre is another pretty spot not labeled on a chart but it is one of the more popular islands for day and overnight use. For this trip we spent the first night on Rock Island which is a very short paddle from Stonington which came in handy because of all the fog our first day. The second night we stayed on Shivers Island which is fairly new on the Maine Island Trail. Another option is to camp at Duck Harbor on Isle Au Haut. There are a half dozen or so campsites there that have lean-to's. You have to reserve these sites through Acadia National Park (for about $30 per night). I've camped out there once and it was really cool. There is a phenomenal coastal trail at the southern end of Isle Au Haut which starts from Duck Harbor. You can also paddle out to Duck harbor for the day and hike the trail which is better to do if you are camped on Harbor or Wheat Islands due to the fact that in the afternoon you will have to paddle back across Merchants Row which can get a little whipped up when the Southwesterly winds kick up in the afternoon. Another less adventurous option is to stay at Old Quarry and just do day trips around the islands. They have some really nice semi-private campsites, a store, and hot showers. And you have the option to go into Stonington for dinner if you want. Old Quarry OA also rents out a bunk house. Or if you wanted to stay in Stonington even if it's only for a night after a long drive up at the beginning of your trip or after a few nights of camping, I would highly recommend Boyce's Motel right in downtown Stonington. The fisherman's friend is a great place for dinner as well. Just thought I'd throw out a few options. Hope the info is helpful. Have fun!

Mike,Thank you! I cannot write that large enough or enough times to accurately convey just how much my wife and I appreciate this exceptional reply. You have provided more detail and insights than we would have discerned from hours of map reading and online reading. Our Sincere Thanks!!!MC and KABTW, we have decided to plan ahead / budget / for the purchase of two Rapid Fire canoes for next year. We own two sea kayaks that we use regularly. However, we want to begin to explore the many fresh water camping trips that include portages, and the Rapid Fire looks ideal as a carry boat given their impressively light hull weight. Might you have a recommendation on which seat height to select with the Rapid Fire?

MrMCBvideo I have the middle one which works well for me. I tested the highest one with my dog on board and felt it lessened the stability of the boat slightly. I know Joe Moore from Placid Boatworks likes the highest seat height and feels it puts him in a more aggressive forward leaning position and also allows you the ability to better use a single blade paddle if you so choose. I plan on trying the higher seat without my dog in the boat sometime and maybe purchasing the other seat which are made to stack perfectly on the lower one if you want to switch it up. That way if I'm out paddling on our local river by myself on a day trip which I do often, I have the option. I didn't like the lowest seat height much at all. It would be best to try them out if you can at their factory which they just rebuilt. The place is beautiful from what I've seen from pictures. You will definitely not regret purchasing these boats if you go through with it. When we bought ours, I really hadn't planned on buying 2 solo canoes at the time but happened to rent one for a couple days in the St. Regis Area and was kind of blown away. We went straight to the factory on our way home to get more information and try out the different seat heights. I was further blown away by what a first class operation they run and knew it would be a good investment. It is one of the better purchases I've ever made. You definitely won't regret it.

Wonderful. Thank you! We will be certain to visit their business so we can demo the boat and test the various seating options. I suspect we'll opt for the middle height as we, too, expect to have dogs in the future which is the motivation behind this purchase. Having watched how easily and comfortably your dog travels in the Rapid Fire, we knew this was the long term solution.

September is THE best time to find a good used kayak Ray. It doesn't take a fortune to get a million dollar experience. In Aug I found a nice older Valley Skerray 17' for $200. Even after buying new hatch covers (the old ones were MIA) and new deck rigging I still have less than $350 in it. And I just scored a sweet Aquatera (Perception) Chinook 16' for my wife for $300 and its ready to go. That's TWO boats for $550! Craig's (wike's Chinook), Uncle Henry's (if you're in Maine/NH) or FB Marketplace (my Valley) are all great hunting grounds.

Spooky Skeleton , Samoyeds are very pretty. And the few I have ever come into contact with have had very sweet dispositions also