So I've always rented canoes because I figured then I'm putting wear on somebody else's boat, I don't have to store it, I don't have to drive as far, etc. But now I'm thinking it's time to buy my own, and so this summer I'm going to be renting specific canoes as a final check, but I think I want to get a Northwind 17 when the prices drop at the end of this season. But this question isn't *really* about buying a canoe - it's about portaging.

Long ago I learned to lift a canoe by grabbing the gunwales behind the yoke and flipping the canoe over my head, while keeping the bow planted on the ground, then lifting the canoe up to walk under the yoke, set it down, then lift the bow. Until I was looking at a gorgeous Northwind 17 with wood gunwales at Midwest, I'd literally never thought about there being a downside to the way I do that. But looking at that wood, I realized wow, that bow deck is going to get torn up the way I lift canoes.

So the question is, do I go with aluminum gunwales, or do I learn some other technique, or is the way I do it going to be okay with the wood on a Northwind?

If it matters, I'm a distance runner so my legs are super strong and my arms are not. Which is probably the reason I learned to lift the canoes that way, as I first learned with aluminum and royalex canoes that I'm sure I couldn't get onto my shoulders by more elegant methods.

I'm resorting to less graceful means of hoisting my boats than I did. If your getting something you want to really take care of you need to keep your ends off the turf. It really isn't that hard. I pull mine up on my thighs, reach across and flip it on. Two things... get a boat you can handle and don't strap needless stuff on it to make it hard to get up. And yes, if you do plan to plant that bow, aluminum gunnels for sure... and be prepared to replace end caps and such.

I'm getting older and it's not done quite as smoothly or easily anymore, but there still never seems to be reason to do a lift any other way than this:
Lift and Portage Your Canoe

Spend some time practicing it this way on the lawn and you may find that it is actually easier than the grinding the tip into the ground method.

42 pounds for a Northwind 17 in Blacklite layup. It's not so much about strength but more about technique. Your neighbors will have fun watching you in the backyard learning the quick flip.

I have never been able to lift a canoe like Nctry described - though he is giving a good lesson and described what many call the proper technique. I have to leave the bow on the ground, flip and walk into it.
Thus - I have made a bow protective cover that is padded, breathable and covers the snazzy wood on my Bell. On for the trip - off at home.

quote schweady: "I'm getting older and it's not done quite as smoothly or easily anymore, but there still never seems to be reason to do a lift any other way than this:
Lift and Portage Your Canoe

Spend some time practicing it this way on the lawn and you may find that it is actually easier than the grinding the tip into the ground method.
"

Thanks Schweady, I'll practice doing it that way this year. If I can master it, I'll go with wood gunwales. If not, aluminum it is! And cowdoc, you're right that the Northwind 17 in blacklite is pretty darned light so even a runner ought to be able to do it :-P

I use Schweady's method as well. Red Rock Outfitters had a video up on their site that was nearly identical to the Temagami Outfitter's video. The concept is balance and sliding the boat slowly off the ground onto your thighs (knees bent). Grasping the thwart and in a fluid motion, pivoting the boat over your shoulder and head while "stepping under" the boat. If done correctly, it's not difficult and saves a lot of wear and tear on your body. It especially comes in handy at the end of a multiple-portage day when your energy levels are waning.

I am an aging guy with bad hips and knees that need a tune up. That said, I always lift my boats in the water, and that saves on the wear and tear. Plus, it makes me look tough!

Tom-

I use the same classic technique as Schweady and others. I'm neither young nor strong and I can do it; so can you with a little work and practice.

that's a great video, Schweady! thanks for sharing it. one thing i'd add is once you get it up on your shoulders put your hands on the inside of the gunwales so they don't get all beat up by branches as you portage.

Yeah, if your canoe is light that works fine. My stripper is a little heavier. I roll the bow and walk up. A scratch here or there adds character.

Yea get it up on your thigh with your knee slightly bent.

Never thought I would be one of those old guys talking about how to get it up. I leave the stern on the ground till the pads hit my shoulders. There is little weight on the end of the canoe so the scratches are minimum.

I like what cowdoc said as well as the video from schweady - it is all about technique.

Also, to some the canoe is more than a tool. I love wood gunnels ... even though it is more maintenance, composite or wood canvas boats with wood (to me) just have a warmer "charm" ... more soul I guess. It is purely aesthetic but it matters to me so wood gunnels it is.

It is always exciting dreaming of new canoes ... good luck with your search and ultimate purchase.

Bob.

quote Grandma L: "I have never been able to lift a canoe like Nctry described - though he is giving a good lesson and described what many call the proper technique. I have to leave the bow on the ground, flip and walk into it.
Thus - I have made a bow protective cover that is padded, breathable and covers the snazzy wood on my Bell. On for the trip - off at home. "

Grandma L, I missed your post initially. Do you have a picture of the protective cover you've made? That may be a good backup idea.

quote nctry: "I'm resorting to less graceful means of hoisting my boats than I did. If your getting something you want to really take care of you need to keep your ends off the turf. It really isn't that hard. I pull mine up on my thighs, reach across and flip it on. Two things... get a boat you can handle and don't strap needless stuff on it to make it hard to get up. And yes, if you do plan to plant that bow, aluminum gunnels for sure... and be prepared to replace end caps and such."

+1 the only method I was ever taught was to pull the boat up to your thighs first, then reach across and bend/flip the boat onto your shoulders

the video shows the correct way to do this. it's not a matter of strength. my 120 pound daughter can lift my 65 pound wood/canvas canoe with no problem.

I lift like the video Schweady posted and the only thing I'll add is the importance of practice to build up the muscles and muscle memory. Working at it will make you better at it. I've noticed I can snap my boat up quite easily when pulling it up over my right shoulder, but struggle a fair bit when I try over my left - like Im new to paddling. I think its just that I've done it for years almost always over my right shoulder.

The problem with me is I can flip the bugger over and on the shoulders at the beginning of the day...but as I get tired during the day the bow is dug into the ground...but the old SR doesn't care any more and neither do I.

dr bob

quote Jaywalker: "I lift like the video Schweady posted and the only thing I'll add is the importance of practice to build up the muscles and muscle memory. Working at it will make you better at it. I've noticed I can snap my boat up quite easily when pulling it up over my right shoulder, but struggle a fair bit when I try over my left - like Im new to paddling. I think its just that I've done it for years almost always over my right shoulder. "

almost the same, up over the right side, down over the left side. i could switch it up but it ain't pretty!

Here's the way you do it

quote boonie: " Here's the way you do it "

Impressive, those little girls just showed me up. Sounds like I have no excuse, better change my method.

quote boonie: " Here's the way you do it "

Good one. How many times am I standing there before the trip's first lift, wondering, "Which hand do I reach across again??"

quote TominMpls: "

quote boonie: " Here's the way you do it "

Impressive, those little girls just showed me up. Sounds like I have no excuse, better change my method."

I think it helps to be short . . . and maybe a sneaky helping hand from dad ? :)

Hey Tom,

I know what you mean. I'm a distance runner that has lifted canoes your way for years because I had a hard time just throwing a heavy aluminum over my shoulders. I own a Northwind 17 with aluminum gunwales and I have zero problems lifting that boat right up and over without burying the bow in the dirt. I still have a 65 pound aluminum that I bury the bow to portage. Just FYI, I bought mine last year in March at Joe's Sporting Goods on Hwy 36 for the cheapest price I've ever seen. I had been shopping them for two years and Joe's price was the best and I had my boat on the water a few weeks later. Now it's got two Bdub trips under its belt with another two coming this year.