"Michael Daly" wrote in message
...
On 30-Jun-2004, "Mike Hackett" wrote:


I do have to try the ballast technique, [...]
I don't want to transport it or hump it on my shoulder with that extra
weight in there.

Get some big bottles from the recycling bin and fill them with water when
you get to the launch. Dump the water when you're done.

I'm also wondering what detriment paddling that extra weight around is
when
you don't really need it. And exactly how much it changes the attitude
of
the boat, does it assume a goofy bow up/stern down angle.

It'll change your trim a bit but whether it adds significant drag is
another
story. If it's really significant, you've got way too much ballast. I
seem
to remember folks suggesting about 20 lb (ten liters of water) in the rear
compartment. YMMV

The extra water will also increase the stability a tad.

I've read those bladders from 5-liter wine boxes work well. Although not
easy to fill without a faucet handy. Anyway, whatever is involved is the
hassle I was talking about. After three years of rigging rudder and seats
and other stuff for my Folbot on-site, I'm really enjoying carrying this
boat to the water, plopping it in, plopping my butt in the seat, and
paddling away.

Well anyway, got a few things to try on my next voyages, keeps things
interesting. Thanks for the info, everyone.

Mike

On Fri, 02 Jul 2004 04:35:05 GMT, "Mike Hackett"
wrote:



I've read those bladders from 5-liter wine boxes work well. Although not
easy to fill without a faucet handy. Anyway, whatever is involved is the
hassle I was talking about. After three years of rigging rudder and seats
and other stuff for my Folbot on-site, I'm really enjoying carrying this
boat to the water, plopping it in, plopping my butt in the seat, and
paddling away.

Gallon water jugs worked wonders for me in solo canoeing downstream
upwind. That can really suck. It only takes a minute or two at the
putin and takeout to fill and empty them. You might be okay with just
one gallon. Nothing like trying to put together a Folbot. Nothing
like even going and getting the second bag of stuff for the Folbot
down to join the first one by the putin.
--
rbc: vixen Fairly harmless

Hit reply to email. But strip out the 'invalid.'
Though I'm very slow to respond.
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wrote in message
...
On Fri, 02 Jul 2004 04:35:05 GMT, "Mike Hackett"




Gallon water jugs worked wonders for me in solo canoeing downstream
upwind. That can really suck. It only takes a minute or two at the
putin and takeout to fill and empty them. You might be okay with just
one gallon. Nothing like trying to put together a Folbot. Nothing
like even going and getting the second bag of stuff for the Folbot
down to join the first one by the putin.
--

The Caribou won't hold anything like that in the rear hatch, at least not
far back where it ought to go on either side of the skeg housing. The 2-3
liter soft drink bottles might do the job.

I progressed from assembling the Folbot onsite, to assembling at home and
cartopping, to leaving assembled strung up in the garage all in one season.
Still, there are things like seats and rudder to fumble with at the site.

Mike