I am going to try using a more traditional pack this year with waterproof liners as opposed to Sealline Dry Bags.

I was working on the issue of the packs getting wet from water in the bottom of the canoe.

Has anyone thought of cutting those kids toy "noodles" that they use in pools to the width of the canoe and tie them to the bottom of the packs? Would keep them out of the water. When portaging, just flip them out of the way to the front of the pack.

Going to give it a try.

We used to just use a couple of hiking sticks that we find laying around. My wife likes to use them on the portages. So they do double duty.

For years, I have taken a Sealline pack. Not very comfortable on the portage and everything just in one big area gets jumbled up. This year I wanted to try some Maxpedition packs that have separate compartments. Will put the sleeping bag and clothes in water tight compression sacks into the pack. Using a waterproof pack cover on the pack when raining or in the canoe.

The only issue was the bottom of the pack getting wet in the canoe from water brought in from our feet. That's where I go the idea of a couple of cut off sections of "noodles" that could be carabinered to the back of the packs, letting me lay them flat in the canoe and not getting wet, with the pack cover covering the rest.

You can limit the amount of water brought into the boat by shaking each foot prior to putting it inside the canoe. Also, when changing paddling sides, you can lessen the amount of water dripping off your paddles simply by a quick shake before flipping sides. You can virtually do it in sync with your paddling. None of this helps if you're paddling in the rain, but you can eliminate a lot of bilge water simply by taking a few corrective actions.

My point is, I wouldn't mess with something to set your packs on. Yes, they'll get a little wet on the bottom, but with liner bags, everything else will be dry. Is it a big deal that the packs themselves get a little wet? I don't think so. Not to mention the hassle of dealing with the cut foam things if they should blow out of the boat or if you forget them at the portage. Kind of like a solution looking for a problem.

Creative enough an idea, but I sure wouldn't fool with the noodles. We just put contractor bags inside the CCS packs, and are yet to have anything inside get wet. As insurance though, we do put sleeping gear and personal stuff (clothes) in e-Vent bags.

I've never done other than the heavy clear plastic liners in basic postage packs, top folded, clothes and sleeping bag in basic stuff sacks that I'm sure are not waterproof and never any wet contents. Pack is wet sitting in water sometimes which is only an issue when portaging - the classic straps up or down debate - but packs get wet when it rains. I dumped once and was 30-45 minutes in rough water till we got to shore and all in packs was bone dry.

I have the sleeping bag and clothes both in small waterproof dry sacks. I have used the Sealline Boundary packs for 15 years. Never worried about rain or water, but hated how everything got jumbled up and I could not find the thing I was looking for.

This year going to try a Maxpedition pack (see link). VERY tough pack and lays flat opening up to three compartment areas. Sleeping bag goes in one, clothes in the middle, rain gear on the third side compartment. You can open the side compartments without opening up the rest of the bag. . .for getting out the rain gear. You can use it with the backpack straps, or as a sling bag.

Will use the rain cover when raining while in the canoe. Have all my "camp" stuff in another pack (Maxpetition Condor III) and Daypack is a smaller pack that has bottle holders on each side.

After doing canoe/wilderness trips for over 15 years I would like to try a more organized approach for gear. . .and more comfortable on protages. Maxpedition pack

You'll probably have to try it to see whether you like it better or not. I wasn't really sure whether you were trying to keep the pack itself dry or the contents.

Like many others, I use the single compartment packs and liners. I just keep my stuff organized in separate stuff sacks in the big compartment, so it's not that difficult to find things. I do not take as many things as many others though and lighter packs are not as uncomfortable to carry. I also travel and dislike fiddling around with things at portages, so probably wouldn't like what you are trying, although YMMV. I find it easier to do at camp.

Small stuff I might need during the day is in my PFD and clothing pockets, or on top inside the pack. Stuff in the pack is organized into stuff sacks and not that hard to sort through at camp.

Yeah, I get a little water in the canoe, which comes out each time I portage. I also strap a bilge sponge in there if needed.

Let us know how it works out for you.

Just an experiment this year. Like I said, for 15 years I have brought Sealline packs. . .in every size. As I have grown older, I am moving to smaller packs rather then one large pack. The biggest issue is that I have to dig through the whole pack to find what I am looking for. The thing I like about the Maxpedition is that the whole side comes open and you can get to everything at once.

Like others, everything is in small waterproof bags in the pack. Keeping the contents dry is not a problem. Just didn't want to dry out the pack itself is it gets wet.

Probably will take everyone's advice and not worry about it. Will spray the pack with waterproofing spray as well.

This year I wanted to try to go for organization and comfort. Will let you know how it goes.

Another thing to keep the bilge water to a minimum is to carry a sponge. Mine is on a cord long enough so it's binneered to a thwart and still lays in the bottom of the canoe. A quick couple of wipes after getting in after wet footing and we're good to go.

Good ideas here. Like mentioned, I like separate stuff bags of different sizes. The ccs bags are very good for that. You can color code them and CCS has different sizes. I use even smaller light ones just right for cooking and eating utensils. The custom roll up utensil holder is way too big for one or even two guys. Piragis and I'm sure REI and others would carry these bags. Also ziplock can organize inside larger stuff bags. Being organized is key to soloing where you have to do everything. Having to search and search for something necessary takes away precious time.

I have waterproofed my packs and also bring along a lightweight pack cover that bungees tightly around the pack. I try and find a couple larger sticks (maybe 1" diameter) around the portage area which I will crack down to 18-24" lengths and place in bottom of canoe (spanning the width of the pack). I then set the packs on top of the sticks. Can always be replaced if left behind or used as firewood at campsite. Not perfect, but unless you're paddling in a steady rain, this usually works out OK.
AdamX

I do the same thing I've done while backpacking. Anything that needs to stay dry gets stuffed into a trash compactor bag. The top of the bag gets rolled up and it's waterproof.

I like the noodles, but only for protecting my knees.. 2 12 inch pieces with a slit to pop over the gunwale when paddling...

I checked out those Maxpedition packs. They look like they've got a lot of straps, snaps and buckles to break. I'd stick to a portage pack made for canoe camping - CCS, GG, Duluth Pack, etc. and put your stuff inside a waterproof liner (inside the pack). I use GG liners. Others use plastic construction bags. Either works. Like others have stated, I also place gear inside organizing bags inside the liner. And for double duty, my clothes, sleeping bag, and other things I really don't want wet, go inside individual waterproof bags. The outside of my portage pack may get a little wet, but usually not too bad unless it's raining out.

What about treating the bags with this stuff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvTkefJHfC0
Ultra-Ever Dry

I don't have a problem with Molle webbing or straps on packs in canoes. My thinking is:

While in the canoe, they are not moving around and as such are not getting hung up on anything. On portages, they are on the ground waiting to be put on and carried.

What I have not liked the last 15 years with traditional canoe packs and Sealline style packs is that they are simply tubes. . . no organization to them.

My "day pack" has a knife strapped to the outside of it in the molle webbing as well as the bear spray. Also has webbing for the water bottle. I don't have to open the pack to get these. My pack in camp opens up completely on the top so I can see at a glance everything in it.

Lastly, I have a pack for cooking gear and one for first aid and emergencies. The stuff in them stays in them even at the house. I don't repack everything on each trip andnothing gets jumbled about.

I might change my mind as this is a test year.

As a shake down cruise. .. .I am paddling a 50 mile stretch in the Adirondicks this weekend with a friends. We are using both Sealline packs and Maxpedition packs. Several long portages. Should give me an idea before we go to BWCA this September.

quote zski: "What about treating the bags with this stuff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvTkefJHfC0
Ultra-Ever Dry "

zski... don't forget to use the Add a Link to this Message function. Pretty easy to use, but if you need help, just ask.

quote hooky: "I do the same thing I've done while backpacking. Anything that needs to stay dry gets stuffed into a trash compactor bag. The top of the bag gets rolled up and it's waterproof."

It is this simple. If you want to put the very important things like cloths and sleeping bag into a dry sack or zip lock, go for it. A plastic liner is all you need. I have nice pack liners for backpacking, but nothing works as good and fits into a canoe pack like the heavy duty bags. I get mine at Midwest Mountaineering.

I walk up to a portage, place the canoe in the water and swing the pack into it, straps up is easy and keeps that dry (unless its raining). Makes it easy to unload and pack right on the shoulders and hoist the canoe. Efficient. Why do straps down, so you have to move things around more?

I have had a good amount of rain dump on us many times and water in the canoe, never had the contents of my pack been compromised. I have had the pack (not contents) get wet through when on a heavy down-pore, but ALL packs will get wet with the exception of a sea line and I am not a fan for several reasons.Trying to keep packs off the bottom of the canoe sounds like a wasted effort when I think of the conditions at times. But we travel in any safe weather condition.


John

All we ever use is contractor grade trash bags. I think they are 2 mill plastic. I have had the outsides get drenched but the inside stayed dry. I do put the important stuff in dry bags though just as an added precaution.

Mike