I took my new (well new to me) canoe out today for the first time. I purchased a second hand Pelican as I didn't want to spend a huge amount on a first canoe, and I also wanted something that could be bashed around whilst we learnt the finer points of canoeing and also car topping! I am really pleased with the canoe, I have nothing to compare it to, and it seems to do all that I want in the short term. I will no doubt buy another canoe in a year or so, but this will do just fine to learn the ropes.
I went on my own for the first outing as I wanted to get a feel for it before I added the kids to the front Plus their PFD's had not yet turned up, so they will have to wait another week!
Barley the Labrador didn't want to be left out and had followed me!
It was my first ever time in a canoe and I have to say that it was extremely relaxing to glide along, I will have to master steering, I found that I had to keep swapping the paddle from side to side after every three - four strokes, whereas videos I have watched show people only having to put strokes down one side of the canoe, but generally I had no problem in stopping, moving backwards or turning.
It's safe to say that I am hooked, and looking forward to spending a summer afloat. For a budget canoe the Pelican seems to be a great starting place, and something that I will be able to pass onto the kids once I get 'my' canoe
I went on my own for the first outing as I wanted to get a feel for it before I added the kids to the front Plus their PFD's had not yet turned up, so they will have to wait another week!
Barley the Labrador didn't want to be left out and had followed me!
It was my first ever time in a canoe and I have to say that it was extremely relaxing to glide along, I will have to master steering, I found that I had to keep swapping the paddle from side to side after every three - four strokes, whereas videos I have watched show people only having to put strokes down one side of the canoe, but generally I had no problem in stopping, moving backwards or turning.
It's safe to say that I am hooked, and looking forward to spending a summer afloat. For a budget canoe the Pelican seems to be a great starting place, and something that I will be able to pass onto the kids once I get 'my' canoe