Historical Trekking by Boat. Lessons Learned!

I have been making some improvements to my boat. Many years ago there was another boat just like this one only slightly smaller. It was equiped with a sail and a detachable mast which was carried in the boat. This craft when sail rigged flew like the wind, fastest I have ever been on the water.
However, on one such trek we were hit by a storm. We got the sail down but were still swamped and we had to get out and swim the boat to shore. This was in winter on the Great Lakes.
I almost lost my water bottle as it kept getting washed away.
On another trip my canoe tipped over in crock infested waters! I lost my new 74 calibre buffalo gun that day. I was lucky to make the river bank alive, and I was not about to go diving for my gun!

I have augered holes in the cargo hold stern board for threading rope through.

Also augered holes in the back of the new seat I added at the bow. The threaded rope will form a sort of net that will keep the cargo in the hold should the boat capsize.

I made a removable raised floor for the cargo hold to help keep things dry if water gets into the boat.

These rope holes will also be used to secure guns and anything else that might get lost in a capsize. The water canteen for instance is kept close at hand.

As you can see in this image, there was no forward seating, and I had to sit on Arthur's large bedroll.

The Hudson Bay Company.

More Boat Images, past & present.

Arthur in the boat prior to leaving on our journey on the Great Lakes.

Myself and my wife in Wychwood Forest. This image was taken for a group publicity article in a magazine.

An encounter with river pirates left some damage!

My Boat.

I have finally got my boat out for repair. It has been stored down at the old fort for far too long. This boat was built many years ago by the late Arthur William Baker, a very close personal friend and family friend. It was built to explore the Great Lakes, and every winter Arthur and I would make the run down to the Lakes and spend a week or two travelling and camping.
The boat needs more work than I anticipated, so it will keep me busy for a while. Rains stopped work yesterday, and it is overcast today. I need some good sunshine for a change, something I am normally not fond of.
This boat was built to a period style, though the exact name escapes me for present. It handled well on the Great Lakes taking us far up little tributaries that only a canoe could possibly navigate. This boat is about 16 feet long, and a dream to handle by one or two persons loaded or unloaded. I am looking forward to getting it back in the water again.

How To Make A Wira.

Grimbo's "Mastery Of Trapping"

An excellent explanation and description of trapping methods by someone who actually does it. Thanks Grimbo, well done. 

If you are interested in seeing more videos and articles on woodscraft by Grimbo, please visit his blog at:
http://wolfbushcraft.blogspot.com/2010/10/grimbos-mastery-of-trapping.html

Outdoor Blogger Network gives me a plug!

Joe on the Outdoor Blogger Network http://www.outdoorbloggernetwork.com/2010/10/22/discovering-new-reading-material-on-obn/   sais:

"I would be remiss if I didn’t bring A Woodrunner’s Diary to everyone’s attention. I knew I wanted this unique blog in the OBN, but wasn’t sure where it fit. Naturally, it ended up in “General Outdoors” . This blog is educational and fascinating, and if you haven’t done so, I’d encourage you to check it out. It makes learning fun".

Thanks Joe, much appreciated.