This canoeing expert tip column was first published in the Early Summer 2014 issue of Canoeroots.
To tie or not tie—that is the question. When, why and how to tie your gear into your canoe is a hotly debated topic amongst paddlers. The truth is, your skills, the nature of your route, your support team and whether or not you have a covered canoe should determine your decision to tie in your packs.
Some paddlers believe that packs should never be tied into a canoe, but should be free to float out in the event of a capsize—it’s certainly much easier to right an overturned empty boat rather than a gear-laden one.
Lake country, like the Boundary Waters and Quetico, demands a no-tie-in approach. Thanks to the many relatively small lakes, there’s often a portage every hour. It’s a hassle to tie and untie packs at every stop, even if doing so offers some security afloat as tightly-secured, waterproof packs act as giant float bags in an upset.
Continue reading this article in the digital edition of Canoeroots and Family Camping, Early Summer 2014, on our free iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch App or Android App or read it on your desktop here.
