Chapter IX—Canoeing THE LIGHT CANOE AND DOUBLE BLADE—VARIOUS CANOES FOR VARIOUS CANOEISTS—REASONS FOR PREFERRING THE CLINKER-BUILT CEDAR
There's a lot here about the best kind of canoe, how to build them, etc. I'm not sure how valid that was even back then (I don't think most of his readers were building their own, or even taking detailed specs to a boatsmith). What was more interesting is how little the weight of a canoe seems to have changed in 150 years. They still weight ~50 pounds on average, same as back then. I'd think new materials and what not would've had more of an impact. Maybe 50ish is optimal for other reasons (stability in the water or something) and hasn't been changed on purpose.
Also interesting, Nessmuk notes that he prefers a two bladed paddle to a single (though he brings a single as well for careful maneuvers). Today, we mostly think of a double as a kayak paddle, though they are used by canoes.
And a great pull quote, without comment:
in spite of the disparaging remark that "a canoe is a poor man's yacht." The canoe editor of Forest and Stream pertinently says, "we may as properly call a bicycle 'the poor man's express train.'" But, suppose it is the poor man's yacht? Are we to be debarred from aquatic sports because we are not rich? And are we such weak flunkies as to be ashamed of poverty? Or to attempt shams and subterfuges to hide it?
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