Been up to the QE2 lake near Ashington to test out the canoe, and it's great. Everything we expected and more probably. We thought it would be much easier to paddle than the inflateable but this was a dream, considering the Old Town Discovery is an entry level canoe it shows just how much better the real deal is!!
Got it off the car and the few bits we'd brough along in the canoe (basically a JetBoil Stove for a cuppa, and I brought a seat although Michael forgot his!). It's only about half a mile across the lake but it really didn't take us long at all and neither of us felt even the slight bit tired by it.
Had a nice cup of coffee even after it boiled out the top of the JetBoil because somebody didn't keep an eye on it.. I'm looking at you Michael! Went out for a little solo paddle to test that out as well and I think you could cover the same distance solo as we were together in the inflateable. Don't get me wrong, the little Stearns Backcounty has certainly done it's job and has been great. But we're ready for the proper thing now.
Anyway.. Finished off the coffee and got back in the canoe to head back over to the car. No hassles at all, canoe lifted out and back on top of the car. Perfect! Sat for a few minutes while my feet dried off a bit watching a bunch of youngsters in one man kayaks and thought about how much better a Canadian Canoe is!
Got it stowed away nicely in the unit ready for more adventures to come... can't wait!
Sounds as though this summer is going to be great with the new canoe.
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