Hello all this is my first attempt at a write up so please go easy on me.
I have been looking at getting into open canoeing for a while and was initially looking at the Costco special- the pelican explorer dlx. Then after chatting with Singeblister and Andywinkk I was directed over to apache canoes ( http://www.apachecanoes.co.uk/ ) to have a look at theirs.
Now they look great on the website but being honest they looked a lot better than I needed or could manage, but they was very pretty and I had to have a closer look. So I rang Stu at apache for a chat and some advice as all the piccys on his website looked like the guys knew what they was doing. After a long phone call where I probably asked a load of silly questions we had arranged to meet up and have a paddle.
This was more than I had ever expected as I was just enquiring about the boats and how they would be for beginners. As neither Lin or myself have done any paddling really. My last go in a canoe was in my teens on an adventure weekend and that was eons ago.
So it was with a certain amount of trepidation that we set off on a wet cold Sunday morning to meet up at the lock side. I had visions of falling straight in and sinking the canoe just trying to get in. Arriving at the waterside and meeting Stu and Helen we was immediately put at ease and Stu was sharing his knowledge before we even got into the water.
This was the moment of truth into the water
The canoe wobbled a bit when I got in and my nerves got back up so Stu grabbed the side of the canoe and told me how far over it would go and still be stable at the same time rocking the canoe with his hand. When I finally got over my heart attack I had complete confidence in the canoe and set off.
Full of confidence I came back and got out so Lin could have a go.
So far so good. Nobody has fallen in yet and both of us are starting to find our canal legs. So we both get in and set off for a paddle down the canal. Fully expecting to tip it and fall in. Not to worry really with Stu paddling along beside us.
Well no worries on that front we just set off and in a few minutes we had worked out a few of our wobbles. Our fault not the canoes it must be said.
Feeling like old hands at this point
The canoe performed great and was really and I mean really easy to paddle even though we dont know what we were doing. When Stu got in it to show us what it was capable of he had it tipping right over with the gunnels (I thinks thats what they call wooden bits on the side) very nearly in the water and it was still stable, doing turns and paddling hard down the canal.
All in all the canoe sold its self and we have ordered one. The biggest problem we had was deciding on colour. As a starting point the customer service is second to none and I fully expect the same level to continue as the purchase progresses. I will post up any updates as we go along and some piccys of my canoe when I get it.
So if you are after a canoe, have a look at apache canoes I dont think you will go far wrong.
Greg
as usual no connection with the seller just becoming a very happy customer.
I have been looking at getting into open canoeing for a while and was initially looking at the Costco special- the pelican explorer dlx. Then after chatting with Singeblister and Andywinkk I was directed over to apache canoes ( http://www.apachecanoes.co.uk/ ) to have a look at theirs.
Now they look great on the website but being honest they looked a lot better than I needed or could manage, but they was very pretty and I had to have a closer look. So I rang Stu at apache for a chat and some advice as all the piccys on his website looked like the guys knew what they was doing. After a long phone call where I probably asked a load of silly questions we had arranged to meet up and have a paddle.
This was more than I had ever expected as I was just enquiring about the boats and how they would be for beginners. As neither Lin or myself have done any paddling really. My last go in a canoe was in my teens on an adventure weekend and that was eons ago.
So it was with a certain amount of trepidation that we set off on a wet cold Sunday morning to meet up at the lock side. I had visions of falling straight in and sinking the canoe just trying to get in. Arriving at the waterside and meeting Stu and Helen we was immediately put at ease and Stu was sharing his knowledge before we even got into the water.
This was the moment of truth into the water
The canoe wobbled a bit when I got in and my nerves got back up so Stu grabbed the side of the canoe and told me how far over it would go and still be stable at the same time rocking the canoe with his hand. When I finally got over my heart attack I had complete confidence in the canoe and set off.
Full of confidence I came back and got out so Lin could have a go.
So far so good. Nobody has fallen in yet and both of us are starting to find our canal legs. So we both get in and set off for a paddle down the canal. Fully expecting to tip it and fall in. Not to worry really with Stu paddling along beside us.
Well no worries on that front we just set off and in a few minutes we had worked out a few of our wobbles. Our fault not the canoes it must be said.
Feeling like old hands at this point
The canoe performed great and was really and I mean really easy to paddle even though we dont know what we were doing. When Stu got in it to show us what it was capable of he had it tipping right over with the gunnels (I thinks thats what they call wooden bits on the side) very nearly in the water and it was still stable, doing turns and paddling hard down the canal.
All in all the canoe sold its self and we have ordered one. The biggest problem we had was deciding on colour. As a starting point the customer service is second to none and I fully expect the same level to continue as the purchase progresses. I will post up any updates as we go along and some piccys of my canoe when I get it.
So if you are after a canoe, have a look at apache canoes I dont think you will go far wrong.
Greg
as usual no connection with the seller just becoming a very happy customer.
When I get it I will drop you a Pm and see if we can get a trip sorted out the more help and advice i can get the better.
