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V. CANOE RACING.
"The race is not always to the swift."
Paddling Races.
The course for a paddling race is usually one mile; half a mile to turn, and
back. The turn is the key note of the
race; a moment lost or saved there may
decide it in favor or against you. If
there are several competitors and but one stake or
flag at the turn, get to it first, even if you have to
strain a point, for you then have clear way round the
stake, and the others have to keep away from you
when they turn. You thus get a good lead for the
second half of the race. If the canoe has any keel,
heeling her over on the bilge when turning often
helps to get round in a shorter distance than is possible when she is turned on an even keel. Keep a
true course from the starting line to the turning
flag, since the shortest distance between two points
is a straight line. Know the rules governing the
race by heart, to be prepared to do the right thing,
no matter what turns up. A triangular course is
better than a straight one with a full turn, as it
makes a fairer race for all hands. Every man except
the leader in a one-turn course is apt to lose time at
the turn by trying to avoid fouling with the canoe
ahead of him. A perfectly fair race with turn can
only be had when there is a stake for each canoe to
go round at the half-mile flag. Know the course
and character of water from your own experience
on it before you enter the race.
It is well at the start to take a couple of short,
quick strokes, to get way on the canoe before the
regular mile stroke is dropped into. If a backboard
is used, the work of paddling is made easier by
moving forward at the dip for a while now and then
to bring a new set of muscles into play. Some
canoeists thus reach forward at every stroke; others
never leave the backboard. When a high seat is
used the backboard is dispensed with. Look to the
foot-brace, and if you find in practice that your feet
slip off of it, run a strap across over the toes to hold
the foot firm.
Paddling races are less likely to do harm than
rowing or running races to the individual who has
not properly trained himself, as most of the work
results in tiring the muscles and not over-exerting
the lungs and heart, though these organs are called
on to do their full share. It is foolhardy to enter
any race requiring muscular action without careful
training of the muscles brought into play. Constant
paddling not only perfects the skill of the paddler,
but also builds up his muscles to accomplish more
work.
In a long race, over two miles, it is well to follow
behind the leader, to push him all the time and yet
not have to set the pace yourself. He is where you
can see him, and he cannot see you. The leader is
apt to attempt too great a pace at the start to keep
up all through a race. In a short race it is well to
get the lead as soon as possible. Leading inspires
confidence; following is discouraging and tends to
result in loss of nerve.
To do fast paddling requires study in the direction
of making every pound tell, reducing the lost motion
and wasting of power to the minimum. Watch the
objective point and not the canoes, except out of the
very corners of your eyes.
An upset race is a paddling race of about a quarter
mile, the canoes all being turned completely over at
a given signal, righted, and paddled across the finish
line. The signal is given by the judge when he
pleases, the paddlers not knowing when it is to be
given. By upsetting the canoe some water is sure to
get inboard. A light canoe is easier to paddle than
when it has water in it. Therefore, at the starting
signal, put in all your power and get just as near as
possible to the finish line before the upset comes, in
order that only a short distance will have to be traveled with a water-logged canoe. At the signal, stand
up and roll the canoe bottom side up, as you go into
the water; then reach over and turn the canoe right
side up as skillfully as you can, to get in the least
water; crawl in over the side, and paddle over the
line. As the canoe upsets be very careful not to
lose the paddle; hold it in one hand, or attach it to
a line fastened to your body in such a way that it
will not hamper you in getting into the canoe again,
or twist up as you go over and thus cause trouble.
Turning the canoe over without shipping much
water, and getting in her quickly from the water, are
the two points to be practiced in preparing for an
upset race. Everything but the paddle should be
securely fastened in the canoe, in order that nothing
can get out of place when the canoe is turned over,
seat, foot-brace, bottom-board, backboard, etc. No
rudder is needed in such a race.
Canoe Gymnastics.
Canoe tricks are very amusing often at regattas
and helpful to the skipper in that acquiring them
affords interest to the difficult work of getting perfect balance and a knowledge of what can be done
in a canoe. Walking the decks (barefooted so as not
to injure the planking) from end to end; turning
round while standing on deck; sailing while standing
or sitting on deck; walking out to and standing on
the rudder head; crawling round a mast in the for-
ward step, feet first, head first; standing on one's
own head in the bottom, same on deck; paddling
while standing on deck; turning the canoe completely over, remaining inside the while; upsetting
the canoe so she floats on the deck, then diving
under her and coming up inside, where the head can
get out of water in the well and a breath of air can
be taken; getting on deck at any point from the
water; turning a somersault from deck into the well -
also one backward from the well overboard - these
are a few of the tricks that have been done; many
more will no doubt suggest themselves to the reader.
An open Canadian canoe floating full of water can
be shaken dry by an expert while he remains in the
water; he then gets in over the end or side and paddles on naturally.
Read the Association rules governing races; know
them and what they mean, especially those referring
to fouls. Did all canoeists who enter races know the
rules thoroughly, much unnecessary talk and often
slight "unpleasantnesses" would be avoided at
regattas. The tendency to build sailing and paddling "machines" - which would naturally be induced
by the desire to win in the races - is vigorously discouraged by the Association. The highest honors
are to be won by the best combined sailing and
paddling canoes - the Record prizes, the combined
race, and many other minor events likewise.
Sailing Races.
Sail to win by skill in handling and judgment;
not by tricks or special sailing appliances to the
canoe, useless except for races. The nearer equal
two canoes are the more interesting will be the race.
In canoe sailing it is not the canoe that wins, it is
the man. Canoes are such small boats that a slight
difference in size does not necessarily give one an
advantage over another. The skill of the skipper,
trim, sail balance and perfectly working gear will
overcome great differences in hull if they are not
shared equally by two canoes. Fourteen-foot (30-
inch beam) canoes have often beaten sixteen-footers
of same beam. The wide canoes have likewise been
beaten many times by those having two or three
inches less beam to the same length. Canoes with
no ballast have won races in which were heavy-
ballasted canoes carrying much more sail. Model
is something, yes, a large factor; but a greater is the
skill of the canoeist in sailing, and the care he bestows on his canoe and rig, his understanding of
them, their possibilities and limitations.
A comparative test of the sailing qualities of two
canoes and the skill of their owners can be made by
instituting a series of, say, ten races over the same
course, on different days. Five of the races to be
sailed with the skippers in their own canoes, and five
with each canoeist in the other's canoe. The sailor
winning most races is pretty sure to be the better of
the two - and the same applies to the canoe. By
keeping a careful log of each canoe in every race,
their relative qualities on the wind and with a free
wind will also be settled. If you beat a canoe, and
her owner intimates that it is on account of the superior qualities of your canoe, offer to exchange boats
and - after you have had time to inspect his gear
and trim, and make such modifications as your experience dictates - arrange to race him. If you lose
a race, find out why you lost it, what points you or
your canoe are inferior in, and keep your mouth
shut. It is of no interest to others to know why you
lost, and any attempted explanation reflects on yourself - not on the canoeist you are trying to take part
of the credit from for winning. Know your canoe
perfectly, how much sail she needs and can carry to
advantage, how much ballast and where it should be
placed. Know the course and every part of it, cur-
rents, depth of water, probable direction of wind
the character of the water likely to be encountered
with any wind, the ranges for each buoy and their
exact positions. Study your opponents' canoes and
the manner in which they handle them. Get all the
sailing rules by heart, and know how and when they
are applied. Know the signals for getting ready and
starting, and cross the line as few seconds after the
gun is fired as it is possible to. The leading canoe
has the advantage, and therefore it is well to get the
lead by a well-timed flying start.
It is taken for granted that you have, shortly
before the race, inspected every line, block, lashing,
cleat, mast and sail, and know all to be in perfect
condition and in good working order. Many a canoe
has lost races simply by the parting of a line or a
jam in the running rigging at a critical moment.
Everything must go like clock-work; no hurry, no
chance movements, everything systematic.
The best sailing races are sailed over triangular
courses, giving each canoe an equal amount of running free, beam wind, and beating to windward, to
test all their points. In point of time the windward
leg of the triangle is the longest. A half minute
gained running free will not make up for a minute
lost on the wind. The best canoe, therefore, for
windward work will usually win. Look to this matter and sacrifice a little on your free sailing perhaps
for better windward work. Trim the canoe for close-
hauled sailing, and get the best sails for this work,
unless at great sacrifice on all other points.
Reefing, in point of time, is a most important
matter. It often happens that the wind freshens or
dies down during a race, and this must be provided
for by the reef - taking one in or shaking it out. Be
able by perfected gear to do this with the minimum
amount of lost time, and see to it by trial that the sit
of the sail reefed is as perfect as that of the full sail.
Have the spars sufficiently strong to keep rigid even
under strong wind pressure, since any buckling on
their part destroys flatness and the perfect sit of a
sail. This is a point often neglected. Lighter spars
can be carried on a reached sail than on one having
a straight head and foot.
When passing an opponent, go to windward of
him if you can. Do not try to retard him by get-
ting directly to windward of him, though, and thus
taking the wind out of his sails. It is allowable to do
this, but there is less satisfaction in beating a man
when you have hampered him in his sailing. For
this reason do not blanket the canoe ahead of you
running free - that is, steering directly behind him
and covering his sails with your own, and taking the
wind from them till you get up to him, when you
must steer out. Blanketing is not against the rules
but it is jockeying, and jockeying is demoralizing in
canoeing, just as it is in horse racing. Sail a fair
even, generous race, and have the satisfaction when
you finish of knowing that you won fairly, if you
have made no errors, or of having lost honorably by
some error in judgment you can correct the next
time. Train judgment down so it will not make
errors. There is great pleasure to be derived from
knowing that you have been able to sail a long race
without a single fluke, error or miscalculation, even
if you lose. If you do lose in such a case, some
one else must have a better sailing canoe than your
own, in which case there is only one thing to do -
build.
Little difficulty is experienced in keeping out of
the way of other canoes when there are few competitors in a race, but at the Association meets, where
twenty or thirty canoes enter and start in a single
event, often great trouble is experienced in keeping
clear of other craft - especially in light winds - and
avoiding fouls. Keep as clear of the fleet as possible to avoid being penned in by canoes on both
sides and thus getting badly blanketed and prevented
from shaking them off. Sail slightly off the course,
if necessary, to keep clear of a bunch of slower craft
than your own. Steer neatly round all buoys, going
as close to them as you dare without running any
risk of fouling. Touching a buoy disqualifies a
canoe. Rounding a buoy necessitates changing the
course and therefore retrimming the sails. Do this
with the utmost dispatch. As you approach a buoy,
and just before reaching it, trim the mizzen for the
new tack; then steer round, and at the same time
trim the mainsail so not an ounce of wind pressure
is lost on it during the turn. If you are running
free to a buoy (centerboard up) round which you
have to jibe and at once start to windward, steer well
clear of the buoy, jibe the mizzen over before reaching it, and trim down for closehauled work (drop
the board); then jibe the mainsail over just as you
get even with the buoy, turning the canoe round
quickly so as not to go one foot beyond the flag and
consequently to leeward, trim in and shoot off on
the windward tack. If sailing to windward, and
you have to tack round a buoy, give yourself room
enough to clear it should the canoe miss stays or
hang long enough to make leeway. When the turn
is complicated by the presence of other canoes, judgment alone can dictate the best course to pursue to
get round with least chances of fouls and lost
time. Take no chances in such cases, unless at the
very end of a race where everything depends on
risking something. Rule XV., A. C. A. (see Yearbook), says the leading canoe has the right of way,
and any canoe overtaking it must get out of its way,
except at the turning buoy, when the following canoe
is not clear of the leader - that is, so close that it
cannot steer on either side of the leader - in which
case room must be given by either canoe to the other
that is in danger of fouling the buoy. The second
canoe, to be entitled to recognition from the leader,
must have established an overlap before the leader
has actually changed his helm for rounding. It is a
very nice question to decide just when a canoe does
establish an overlap on another, especially by the
leader, as he is looking ahead and the approaching
canoe may be hidden behind his mizzen. It is
therefore well for the following canoe not to try to
get too fine a point in this matter, and thus provoke
discussion and trouble in case of a foul. If the
second canoe clearly has the right of way, and the
leader is not likely to recognize it, the skipper
should request the leader to give him room, and
thus notify him that it is expected.
The rule that canoes sailing free must get out of
the way of those on the wind should be always
borne in mind. A canoe sailing free can easily shift
her course in either direction to clear a canoe approaching on
the wind. Not so the canoe closehauled. She could either
bear away, in which case
she loses ground greatly, or luff up, and therefore
come to a standstill. The canoe sailing free but
changes her course slightly and loses no headway.
This rule is logical, therefore.
If two canoes approach each other on opposite
tacks, the canoe on the port tack must give way,
the canoe on the starboard tack keeping directly
on her course. This is an arbitrary rule instituted
to avoid trouble and misunderstanding. There is
no reason why a canoe should give way on one tack
more than on another, except that, for the sake of a
general understanding, the port tack has been decided on. When on the port tack, therefore, keep
a sharp lockout under your boom for approaching
canoes on the other tack, and do not try to run
across their bows, unless well ahead, so all chance
of a foul is avoided. If you are on the starboard
tack, and a canoe on the port tack, through ignorance on the part of her skipper, is likely to run you
down if you keep on, then luff and come about; do
not cause a foul by keeping on, he will be ruled out
of the race in any event, and if you get about and
avoid him you sustain no damage and probably will
lose no time. In general, keep to the right.
If any part of your canoe or person touches
another canoe or buoy it constitutes a foul. Be
careful at all times to avoid fouls; look ahead, behind
and all around, and know well beforehand what is
likely to happen, and provide for it.
If the course is affected by tides, study how the
current can help you, and take every advantage you
can get of it. Light winds on regatta day may result
in the honors being carried off by the man best acquainted with the tides, even though he be not the
best sailor present. Calculate, when tacking, to get
the tide to carry you to windward, if it is possible
to so arrange it. Sometimes it will carry you to
windward on one tack and to leeward on the other;
hold on to the windward tack, then, as long as you
can without getting too far off the course. When
beating it is well not to get too far away from the
true course - though you do happen to be getting
well to windward, almost to the point, perhaps, from
which you can lay a course round the buoy (without
a tack) - for a sudden shift of the wind may leave
you clear down to leeward. As an example, suppose that you are at one buoy and the next one is
dead to windward. You start off on the starboard
tack, and after sailing for a time you bring the
finishing buoy off directly at a right angle to the
keel of the canoe. At this point you are as near to
it as you can get on this tack. If you keep on the
same tack you are getting further away from the
buoy all the time, but more to windward. You will
soon reach a point at which if you come about you
can clear the buoy on the port tack, unless the wind
shifts. Now, if you had come about at the right-
angle point or a trifle beyond it, you would all the
time have been getting nearer the finishing buoy,
but you would have had to make another tack to
get round it. If your canoe does not come about
easily, and loses time and headway when she does
come about, it is perhaps best to do all the windward work in two tacks. But if you do not lose
much by coming about, you will run less risk of getting left way off nowhere if a shift of wind occurs
by making several tacks, for you have been getting
nearer the buoy all the time.
The rules governing rounding a buoy should be
clearly understood, practically as well as theoretically, for herein lies the most fertile cause of fouls,
errors and annoyances. Knowing a rule or custom
theoretically is very different from knowing it practically. Theoretical knowledge is apt to be imperfect and improperly applied.
Practical experience
of the workings of rules leaves a picture on the mind
which will lead you to do the right thing in a similar
case a second time more from instinct than from
elaborate thought and a working out of the problem
just at the moment when things are complicated and
your thoughts all afield with a dozen things to do.
A peculiar case in point, and one generally misunderstood, occurs when two canoes closehauled are
approaching a buoy on opposite tacks. Suppose the
canoe on the starboard tack to be able to make the
buoy and turn it by falling off from the wind just as
she is rounding it. Suppose the canoe on the port
tack to be a little ahead, but obliged to tack to get
round the buoy, it being necessary by the sailing
directions to leave the buoy on the port hand (keeping the port side of the canoe toward the buoy in
rounding). The port tack canoe is far enough
ahead to come about just at the buoy and get off
on the starboard tack, rounding the buoy at the
same time without detaining the starboard tack
canoe. The starboard tack canoe certainly has the
right of way round the buoy, and should not be
detained an instant. The port tack canoe, therefore,
has no right to cross her bow and come about directly in front of her, if by so doing she detains in
the least the starboard tack canoe. She does this at
her own risk, and if overtaken at the turn by the
starboard tack canoe she should be ruled out. If
she can cross the bow of the starboard tack canoe,
come about before reaching the buoy and get headway on before an overlap is established, then she has
the right of way, since she is on the starboard tack
and leading, but not otherwise.
The windward canoe has a right to lay a course
dictated by the best judgment of her shipper, and if
kept to, no leeward canoe approaching him has the
right to make him change it to avoid a foul, though
in the judgment of the leeward skipper the windward man is not sailing a good course. The lee
canoe must get out of the way unless he gets the
lead. The windward canoe cannot, however, change
his course and bear away, though at all times he has
a right to luff. The lee canoe, if leading, has no
right to come about directly in front of a windward
canoe, closely following him without giving due
notice of his intention, as he could thus cause a foul
at almost any moment with a good breeze blowing,
by not giving the windward canoe room to either
come about or bear away clear of him.
By constant practice learn just what angle you can
count on for your canoe in windward work; how
much leeway she makes, so you can calculate to a
dot just how far you must go on your last tack to
clear a buoy. Allowing too much may result in a
serious loss of time; while an underestimate of her
capabilities results in an extra tack, perhaps two, and
still greater loss of time. Figure to be just a little
on the safe side always, to allow for a slight shift of
wind or extra leeway from current or other cause.
Keep clear of the shore, bluffs especially, and out in
the open water, where the wind is steady and more
constantly from exactly the same quarter. Keep
well out of the lee of other canoes also, or you
may meet a fellow who delights in blanketing you.
When sailing a long race, a mile or more to each
leg of the triangular course, it is well to carry a
spinnaker. The spinnaker is an extra sail which can
be easily set on the mainmast for running down the
wind and boomed out on the opposite side to the
mainsail. It is usually triangular in shape, with
a boom along its base or foot. The pointed head
of the sail is run up to the very top of the mast by
an extra halliard. There must be a sheet on the
boom, of course, to trim the sail properly. This sail
is a great help often in light winds, especially if the
wind and tide are opposed to each other, making the
running free occupy some considerable time. The
extra surface thus spread does good work. A spinnaker is a useless appliance for a short course; the
time occupied in setting it and getting it in may
more than compensate for its advantages. The
paddle may be used in a very light wind to keep the
boom in position. In a stiff breeze the spinnaker
halliard can be carried aft to the skipper's seat in the
canoe, fastened to a cleat, and thus serve as a backstay
to help support the mast with the greatly augmented weight upon it.
The sailing rules may perhaps seem unnecessarily
long, or complicated, at the first blush. They are,
however, nothing more than the usual rules that
govern all sailing races, but modified to apply to
canoes, and changed where experience has shown it
to be necessary. After having entered a race or two
- even if with your friend and canoeing companion
only - you will likely see the reason for having rules,
and just such rules as the Association has. It is not
necessary to have a complicated rig, a measured
course, and all the rules at the fingers' ends to enjoy
racing. Get up a scrub match with some other fellow in the club - or in the same town, if you do not
live where there is a club. A couple of races may
teach more than a month of ordinary sailing about
as to the handling of the canoe.
The new devices that appear and many of the fittings that have come into almost universal use are the
result of racing, and the desire on the part of canoeists
to get the best and most perfect gear therefor. Have
no fear that racing may become the prime object of
canoeing. A canoeist who cares for racing only is a
sorry fellow and not likely long to remain a canoeist;
too many forces are working against him. Canoeing
is just beginning to make itself seriously felt as
a manly sport in the United States, and its field is
such a large one that racing can never expect to
occupy more than a small corner lot.
In England canoeing has suffered in popular favor
by reason of a few men building special racing
canoes with most perfect gear and quietly sweeping
the field at every opportunity. Many have been discouraged from it by the idea of its being a most
complicated and intricate science to master, as it is
when looked at through a modern Pearl or Nautilus
canoe. In this country, with its endless water ways
of great variety of character, canoeing takes on too
many pleasing and simple forms to be neglected
from the fear of too great complexity.
If the reader of these pages carries away with him
the idea that canoeing is too much for him to master,
then the object for which the book was written will
not have been accomplished - namely, the giving an
idea of what the canoe is, in how many ways it can
afford pleasure and profit, how simple and again
how complex it may be made, according to the whim
of the party interested.
The simpler canoes and limited uses to which they
are put need but little explanation to make them
clear, and therefore this part of the subject does not
occupy as much space as the description of the managing of more complex varieties and their gears.
The majority of the present canoe owners want to
know something more about sailing - if they do not
already feel that they know it all. It is not because
the larger canoes and sailing are more important or
should be taken up to the exclusion of paddling and
cruising that they are described at some length, but
because it takes more space to illustrate their points.
The handling of a canoe on a cruise is simple in
theory. Decision and judgment are needed to cruise
successfully, and these qualities can be acquired by
experience in great measure. The numerous accounts of cruises available to every reader will give
good ideas of the obstacles likely to be met with and
the methods employed to make cruising pleasurable
and healthful. The best methods of camping out can
also be got at from cruising records and such excellent
works as "Woodcraft." Every well-organized canoeist
should know something about camping out, and especially cooking. Macgregor, in his records of the Rob
Roy, gives lists of the things he carries with him on
a cruise, as do most canoeing authors who have
written up accounts of their voyages. Your cargo
for cruising depends very largely upon the country
you are cruising through and the climate; the distance between supply stations, and whether the canoe
is likely to be portaged or not.
Dress.
Knickerbockers are now much worn for walking
and bicycling tours, and are very convenient and
comfortable for canoeing. Slippers or very light
shoes should be worn when in the canoe, so as not
to injure the light planking when moving about.
Canvas slippers with rubber soles have proved serviceable; though perhaps a good broad-soled leather
shoe, with low heels, or none at all, cannot be improved upon. The flannel shirt is so universally
worn for all kinds of outings that perhaps it is unnecessary to mention it. Use woollen garments next
the skin, not cotton; they are more comfortable and
safe, when you are likely to get wet at any time, and
it is impossible to be constantly changing one's
clothing. When cruising, always carry one complete
extra set of clothing, so that you can put on dry
things when it is necessary.
A suit of oilskins such as sailors wear are useful
for rainy weather cruising and for rough water rapid
running. They occupy some room when not in use,
and for this reason are frequently omitted from the
canoeist's list. The long cruisers are about equally
divided as to their usefulness. A soft hat is desirable,
made as light as possible. A sort of helmet hat without stiffening is quite popular. It should be ventilated by a false rim around the head, allowing a free
circulation of air, or by holes in the sides or top.
Black is warmer than any other color. A light
colored hat soon gets soiled. A neutral color is best.
The soft hammock hats now made, gray in color, are
very good for ordinary wear. They are perhaps as
good as any for both canoe and shore wear. Two
hats are unnecessary.
Most of the canoe clubs have designed and the
members now wear a club uniform on all state
occasions, at regattas, the annual and local meets,
etc. It is desirable that the uniform should be quiet
enough in color and design to be worn on shore,
even away from the canoe. The Norfolk jacket,
knickerbockers, dirk stockings and low shoes make
up the dress now pretty widely considered the most
available, with any quiet, neat hat that may be
chosen.
The End of the Rope.
Mr. C. H. Farnham is a veteran cruising canoeist, the inventor of many devices for economizing
space and giving comfort, and one who has made a
special study of every part of the canoe and her
cargo from a cruising point of view. The following
extract is from a short magazine article by him giving the history of his canoe Allegro - the original
Alden-Everson Shadow, in which he cruised every
summer for six years before he parted with her for a
canoe better meeting his educated requirements -
and one that he designed and superintended the
building of himself.
" * * * The keel and stern-post were soon cut
off to make the Allegro manageable on the rapids
and she was henceforth steered with the paddle.
These paddles have increased gradually in length
from seven feet to eleven-the one now used.
"During two or three years she served as a bed;
but a small muslin tent, oiled, now gives me more
comfortable quarters during her cruises, lasting from
three to five months each. The clothes, provisions,
photographic apparatus, etc., have always been
carried in oiled-canvas bags.
"The cushion-mattress-life preserver has been
described in the Canoeist, also the down bed, shaped,
when buttoned up, like a bag, and the telescoping
apron. These three articles are the only parts of the
kit that give me perfect satisfaction.
"Experience leads me more and more to seek
lightness, compactness and simplicity in everything
connected with canoeing; but the necessity of safety
and comfort also increases.
"When you travel all of every summer, your living
must be made comfortable and be enjoyable; and
when you make and break camp, 'carry,' and handle
over and over your entire outfit, every article is
weighed over and over again, and many are found
wanting on the next cruise. I have thus reached a
pretty satisfactory understanding with my outfit.
"But the sail, keel (the Allegro is built with a flat
keel, and has a deep adjustable keel which is held in
place by screws through the keelson), rudder, and such
appurtenances are still the most annoying features of
my cruise. These bulky and heavy articles irritate
me; their weight and the drag of the keel and rudder
retard the boat very perceptibly, and they fail to give
any help on very many days of a cruise, even in large
waters. I am generally more light-hearted when free
from their burden. But, on the other hand, they do
give great enjoyment, and even increase the ability
of the canoe to escape in a storm.
"I find but one satisfactory solution - to follow the
charming inland routes, where, on lakes, rivers and
rapids, you have all needed variety of scenery and
activity, where you enjoy a compact outfit and a
light, easy-going canoe, and where you are perfectly
satisfied with the paddle alone."
Some of us like the keel and sail, and prefer the
open waters of the bay and sound to the "charming
inland routes." Thus it is that
"Talents differ,
All is well and wisely put.
If I cannot carry canoes on my back,
Neither can you sail the Dot."
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," so saith
the seer. Had he been a canoeist he might truly have
said that it is the price of safety in a canoe. Perhaps
the slight flavor of risk attendant on canoeing is an
added charm. The Saxon race has always had the
reputation of enjoying sports with some slight danger
in them. This factor is no greater in canoeing than
in rowing, bicycling and yachting, and therefore
should deter no one who can swim. Fool-hardy trips
and exploits are possible of course; but moderate
canoeing done intelligently is so nearly free from risk
that it may well be considered one of the safest, as it
is one of the most enjoyable sports yet devised by the
fertile brain of man. Try it!

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