Spring Creek canoe yoke

re: Chosen Valley- I question the competence of any "gear expert" that would put 8 people (and a dog) in a Kevlar while on dry land (see photo on website)...kept looking for the link to "Used canoe for sale- slight cracking in the hull"

I'll 2nd the Bourquin pads. Theyre not the cheapest but I wouldn't scrimp on portage pads. Your shoulders will thank you.

These are very well made and should last for many years.

Chosen Valley extra thick - Family business - great construction and clever engineering.

I'm a big fan of Chosen Valley Canoe Accessories (CVCA). I have CVCA pads on all three of my canoes. I prefer the thicker pad option.

I'll also suggest the Bourquin pads. I had the CVCA slings (not the extra thick) previously but could never get them to be comfortable when carrying a pack in addition to the canoe.

I had the same problem as outdoors4me with the CVGA slings. With a pack on along with a canoe the yokes were very uncomfortable....

One note of caution about the Spring Creek yoke. I carry a pretty big pack when portaging the canoe and used this yoke on one trip. The pack pushed up on the stern of the canoe forcing me to lift with my outstretched arms. It was not a good system for me. If you are carrying a small pack (or none) I am sure you will have better success than I did with this system.

TB

If you Google "portage pad instructions" you get this web site:

Portage Pads

I made these last summer and they worked out just fine. They cost less than $20. The biggest expense is the foam and materials.

troutbreath, I agree that is a problem but I had packed my pack to accommodate that. The pack was low enough that the yoke sat on top of the pack. MAde it nice because i didn't always have to be holding onto the canoe since it was resting on the pack....

Gutmon -

I've removed the offending photo from our website. If you'd like the complete story about the canoe we took the photo in, it was a "sign canoe" that I got from the factory (meaning it had a fatal defect). Half of those kids have grown & left home, most of my hair has fallen out (and what is left is going gray)and the dog takes a bit longer to bring the frisbee back. I don't claim to be an "expert", and I try to take all feedback seriously - which is why I just took down one of our favorite family photos of all time. Now, if you still want to question my competence, I'd welcome your e-mail anytime.

Thanks to everyone else for the kind words - they are always appreciated.

Kevin

I really liked that picture. Maybe you could put it back with a prominent disclaimer:

"No functional canoes were actually harmed in the making of this photograph".

CVCA- I apologize for my cutting remarks. I must learn to more closely follow Bogwalker's QOD from 1/15/09-
"Choose being kind over being right, and you'll be right every time."

Richard Carlson

Please repost your photo and I'll continue to work on thinking more about the person on the receiving end of my comments. Again, I apologize.

You know what, Unc? You're right, and my wife agrees (her comment went along the lines of "You're kidding me, right??"). Photo is back, complete with disclaimer. Think you could Photoshop some water in under it? :)

Not a problem, Ron. Thanks for the post. I've got friends in Baccus - maybe we'll get a chance to paddle together sometime. THEN you can call me incompetent.

:)

I have a small hobby business building portage pads and some other canoe camping equipment (it is how I finance my BWCA trips!)....you can check out my yoke pads on ebay...
ChippewaCanoe

"* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed."

bwca.com rule......

I understand and apologize.