Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

Hi all

Just found this forum and thought I would say hello and also ask for advice.

I used to canoe a lot, I was in the RAF canoe team and raced K1s and K2s in the UK in the 80s. I also paddled Canadian canoes in Canada many years ago.
I live close to the Chelmer and Blackwater navigation.

The last few years I have suffered heart trouble including a heart I am now on the mend and have a hankering to get back on the water, my daughter would also like to join me. Being self employed and unable to work for most of last year my finances are truly aweful.

So any suggestions for getting back to canoeing at the absolute minimum cost would be gratefully accepted.

Best wishes
Mark

Hi Mark, welcome again to the forum.
I personally think that getting out in an open canoe is the best stress relief activity there is, but then again, I may be a little bias. Certainly from a none adrenaline seeking point of view, taking up open canoeing now may be the tonic you need.

I do wish you luck in finding a canoe, they are out there. A few do pop up on here on occassions so keep an eye on the "Members: Sales & Swaps" section.
There will be others along I'm sure with helpful tips on how best to get back on the water shortly, in the meantime enjoy the forum.

PS. I've moved this thread to the "Say hello" section as its likely to gain more exposure as things tend to drop down the boards very quickly!

Hi Baggy and welcome aboard The real price for getting on the water cheaply is around £300 for a new canoe, Costco Pelican or Apache I am sure one of our Apache owners will be along soon.
E- bay is another option One of my ex canoes came back up for sale the other day complete with buoyancy aid and paddles I put it on here for £200 so the bargains are out there its just a matter of tracking them down.
Anyway I wish you luck with your quest and hope you enjoy the forum

Hi Mark and a warm welcome to the forum, What has already been said about finding a cheap canoe is right, so sorry I cant add to that, but do wish you the very best of luck and may your health stay good do stay in touch there are a few ex-service men on the forum,.
Best Regards Bill

Hi Baggy and welcome to the forum. As Bill says there are a few ex servicemen on the site although only Bill can lay claim to pledging allegiance to Ceasar himself

Bargain canoes do come up from time to time so it is worth keeping your eyes open.

Hi Baggy and Welcome to this motley crew
Don't tell anybody because I haven't but I paddled K2's back in the mid 70's

As a starter boat you can't beat the apache as it doesn't have the weight constaints in the same second hand price band. This time last year I picked one up for £250.
Stick an add in the wanted section and see what happens

Sean

Thanks all for the welcome.

I will look the Apache up.

best wishes
Mark

Hi Mark

Welcome to the forum

Cheers Graeme