Dust off your boat for the season

Dust off that canoe or kayak and clean it ready for paddling

By Allen Macartney

It happened last spring. I dug my canoe out of the garage (we call it a boathouse because it sounds more romantic), strapped it onto the car roof, arrived at the lake and discovered a crack in the portaging yoke. Not to mention the mouse nest inside. Other seasons, I’ve discovered a broken rudder and jammed cables while easing my kayak into the water. Not nice.

So blow the dust off that canoe or kayak in the garage where it sat all winter and do a spring checkup. It guarantees enjoyable paddling and many more years on your boat.

Start with a quick visual inspection. Check the hull for cracks, deep scrapes or gouges. If it’s an aluminum canoe, check the rivets for tightness and replace if needed.

Tighten loose screws or bolts. Really. My seat collapsed once in a nasty stretch of racing water on a remote river. A rusted bolt had escaped my attention and worked itself loose. I can still feel the adrenaline spike when I lurched over and the gunnel suddenly tipped close to the water.

In kayaks check all moving parts (rudder, pulleys, cables, sliding seat) as well as bulkheads and deck rigging. Make sure foot supports and thigh braces operate correctly. A bit of oil works wonders. Make sure hatches have not been nibbled by mice but form watertight seals.

Then take on the safety gear – life jackets, bilge pump, spray skirt – out of the basement and check for damage. Is your kayak compass working properly? Has a wooden paddle split

in the dry winter basement air? Do safety snaps open and close easily? Duct tape could solve some problems quickly.

Next, think about the sun. Ultraviolet rays can kill a canoe or kayak in a few years if it’s stored unprotected outside. Each spring I apply Nu Finish Polish to all my boats. It gives outstanding UV protection, makes a boat look almost new and helps it glide smoothly through the water. Wash your craft with soapy water, rinse, then apply Nu Finish sparingly with a cloth. Let it dry to a haze, then gently buff. Your boat will gleam! Do it again in a month.

Inspecting boats and polishing them to a glistening sheen isn’t just work. It pumps anyone up for great outdoor adventures on the water. 

From mid-Mai to mid-Sept. (819) 435-2331 - 1-888-435-2331 From mid-Sept. to mid-Mai (514) 252-3001 info@canot-camping.ca www.canot-camping.ca

Introduction to canoe-camping Learn the basics and the joys of canoe-camping with a passionate, qualified guide. All the food, a fully equipped canoe and most of the camping gear are included. Accessible by bus. English: July 11-12 • French: July 18-19 199 $

Per person for the week-end