With Gun &> Rod in Canada 



luck), but it is not a comfortable nor safe craft for really 

 rough water. If you have to paddle against rough water, 

 get your load well aft, carry a handy bailing dipper, 

 two paddles, and, unless you are a strong swimmer, 

 a good air-cushion or some other life-preserver. If 

 you tip over, hang on to the canoe as long as possible. 

 The wind will eventually blow you ashore. The best 

 way to fight a heavy sea and wind with a loaded canoe 

 is to get everything ready to go, wait until the wind 

 and sea die down, then start out. 



An experienced swimmer and canoeman can perform 

 all sorts of wonderful feats with a canoe. For instance, 

 he can tip over and swamp his craft, and then by rocking 

 her sideways and pushing her quickly away from him 

 each time her near side comes down, he can splash or 

 rock the water out of her. This can be done only with 

 a canoe that has no inside rail and no " tumble home " 

 or " curve in," to her top sides. Either the rail or the 

 *' tumble home " will have a tendency to throw the 

 water back in the boat instead of over the side. 



If you intend to cruise in deep water, it is best to 

 carry a bailer tied to a thwart; then if you tip over you 

 can rock out some of the water and bail out the rest. 

 After your canoe is unwatered you can (if you know how) 

 climb in over one end. It takes practice, but can be 

 done. 



If you have a loaded canoe and wish to save the stuff, 

 and find that you are shipping so much water that cap- 

 sizing or swamping is imminent, it is better to slip over 

 the end, if you have time, and into the water. Then, 

 untie your bailer and hold the canoe by the heavy end 

 with one hand while you bail with the other. If you 

 think that the load is so heavy that it will sink the canoe 

 as it gets water-soaked, and you are a long way from 

 shore — a matter of life or death — throw your load 



1 66 



