Channel 9 News

Chattanoogan Article

Towing Rig

"Knot So Fast" and the towing rig.

"Knot So Fast"

Yep. I named my canoe. Seems appropriate.
Also I have completed the splash aprons. The splash aprons serve several functions:
1. Helps keep the inside of the canoe dry
2. Reduces the surface area of the canoe so the wind catches less surface
3. If I roll the canoe it will retain all of my gear inside the canoe instead of dispersing it all down river
4. Prevents the canoe from getting swamped by a wave
5. Theft deterrent.
6. Looks good
I'm having fun.

Fabricating a Splash Apron

Today I am fabricating a splash apron...the canoe's equivalent of a tonneau cover for a pick up truck bed. Visited the sign shop to order a vinyl name on the bow of the canoe. Will keep working tomorrow morning.

First Float Test

I finally got the canoe wet for the first time. Even though this canoe is decades old, this is one of the few times it has been on the water. It didn't sink. I was happy about that.

The canoe is a two seater. I have decided to sit backwards in the front seat and paddle the canoe in reverse. Since I will be traveling in the canoe alone, I wanted my body closer to the center of the canoe to distribute the weight more evenly. One of my goals in taking the canoe to the water today was to be sure the canoe sat level in the water with my body in this new position and my gear distributed in the general location of where it will be placed during the trip. I like it. I think this will work fine.

Also I have added outrigger flotation stabilizers today. Since I will be sleeping in a tent on top of my canoe, I needed a method of preventing rollover. These stabilizers and perfect for the task. I can retract them during the day when I am traveling and deploy them at night. I will post more information about these stabilizers soon in another post.

Tomorrow I will be measuring, cutting and installing material to make a splash apron for the canoe. Also I will be installing a 12 volt battery and wiring to recharge electronics and will be wiring in a photovoltaic solar panel to recharge the battery.

Making Progress

I'm making progress with my preperation. I had the canoe polished, I am fitting the tent into position now. I have ordered material and hardware the fabricate a splash apron over most of the top of the canoe. The outrigger stabilizers are made and being shipped today from Florida. Today I am doing some shopping at Academy Outdoors and Sportsman Unlimited for a few small items I will need. I have a 12 volt battery selected. I will pick it up today and do some wiring for running lights and recharging of phones and radios. In about a week I will be ready to go out into the Tennessee River Blueway for a few days to test my designs and systems. The launch date is approaching quickly. September 6.

River Navigation

People are asking me how I will be navigating the river as there are many coves and tributaries that can cause me to loose my way. I thought about just following the barges or stopping other boats to ask directions, but then I discovered this Tennessee River app for my iPhone and thought I would use it. I went down to the river to check and that red dotted line through the middle of the river channel doesn't exist. I guess I will have to use the GPS navigation features of this navigation app. Isn't technology amazing? More importantly, I also have an app that will locate the closest Dominoe's Pizza.