I ordered a new canoe that will be ready to pick up soon. I’m worried about transporting it on snotty, salty roads. Is there a good cover out there that will hold up to the wind of transporting it for about an hour and a half at highway speeds?

Just wash it or wait until Spring.

I wouldn't bother, but some 3mil plastic from big box and some duck tape would probably work, put plastic on and wrap tape all the way around on itself.

I agree with not bothering, but if it still concerns you maybe contact Northstar or some other canoe company. I think they put covers on their canoes when transporting. Or take it to a boat storage and have shrink wrap put on it. But really don't worry about it. I had a uncovered canoe transported from Ely to my home in North East IL last winter and it was fine

Unless you are going to shrink wrap it, i dont think plastic and tape or straps will hold up to highway speeds.

I agree with the probably do nothing and when you get home consider a local car wash, if needed.
I think it is cool you care so much...and congrats on your new boat.

Bag Lady Cover
Is a source I have seen at canoe races if you absolutely have to.
You will not have a problem hauling it exposed. If that's worrying you what will you sweat about first time you put it on water?

Better off concerning yourself with tying it down for transport!

butthead

Probably do more damage from flopping plastic than from yucky road salt. I say why bother.

Reminds me of a story I heard when I bought my Mad River canoe.

A fellow had just bought a new canoe and the dealer asked "Would you like some help carrying your canoe out to your vehicle?"

The buyer responded "No, I can get it."

The transaction was completed and the proud new owner carried the new canoe out the door and set it down on the pavement. Then he dragged the canoe across the parking lot to his vehicle.

The astounded seller ran out to ask, "What's wrong? I could have helped."

The buyer replied, "Now I know where the first scratch came from."

I can help you out there. Doesn’t your manufacturer wrap it for you? Toss me an email...

nctry: "I can help you out there. Doesn’t your manufacturer wrap it for you? Toss me an email..."

Thank you, everyone for the suggestions. While I realize I could just wash it, I don’t really want salt on it to begin with. Maybe I’m just too fussy, but I’m paying a sizable amount of money for it and would rather have it protected. It’s a Merrimack Osprey with some custom upgrades. Yes, it will see a lot of use, but I just was hoping to avoid salt.

Nctry, I’m not sure if they wrap it or not. I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe they do! I know they sell a cover for canoes, but wasn’t sure if that’s just for dust as it’s being stored or if it’s road worthy. I’ll shoot you an email.

Nice boat! Merry Christmas!

What about this shrink wrap ? In stock at Home Depot.

Might be for peace of mind and quality maintenence for your canoe. Rent the appropriate size truck and go get it. A one day rental should cover the time required for that. Take blankets and secure it within too.

Merrimack isn’t that far from you. But traditionally they wrap their canoes better than anyone I know. The last ones I hauled were still wrapped the same way.

awbrown: "Probably do more damage from flopping plastic than from yucky road salt. I say why bother."

There is a sock of sorts that I put over the plastic when I use plastic. It keeps everything in place and from flopping. Merrimack may have originated it’s design as it is made in that same area in Tennessee where they were first made. Merrimack has a cool history of late. Randy who owned the company (started by his grandfather) sold it to a guy who thought dollar signs I think... fast money. He had guys trained by Randy... they did a good job and I hope in the end they were paid. So from Tennessee to South Carolina and low and behold our friends at Sanborn Canoes bought them out. Can you believe it? They are in the canoe business! I believe Merrimack is in the hands of equally gifted craftsman as Randy was. I’m very impressed... I always said after first meeting Randy you can tell what a manufacturer thinks of their canoes by how well they wrap them. Someone mentioned Northstar... I changed my way of thinking after hauling them. Now if I was to buy a Northstar with those concerns, I’d be concerned! Haha! I’m hoping things have changed. Wenonah, has always wrapped theirs well also. Last I saw they shrink wrapped theirs...

Check with them to see if will be wrapped already or whether they offer to do it. Otherwise stop at any UHaul or Home Depot and pick up a roll of the shrink wrap. It is amazing stuff. We used to ship racing kayaks and C2 around the world by just wrapping them in that stuff.

butthead: " Bag Lady Cover
Is a source I have seen at canoe races if you absolutely have to.
You will not have a problem hauling it exposed. If that's worrying you what will you sweat about first time you put it on water?


Better off concerning yourself with tying it down for transport!


butthead"

I'd be more concerned about protecting the Bag Lady cover than I would the canoe

Maybe contact these guys Canoe cover They do racing canoes but may be able to work with you on yours

Still too much worry about a non-problem. Hauled my freshly unwrapped (I got to do that), custom ordered Advantage back from Copia in a snow fall, salt trucks and all.
Took it off at home and took this photo.

Collected nothing on the trip.

I'm careful with it but each trip adds more marks when paddling than all the transporting done.

butthead

Cheapest and easiest would be to get a large sheet of plastic and cover the canoe and then get a big roll of shrink wrap and wrap the canoe up with that. I worked in a furniture warehouse in college and people would spend $2000 on a new couch but then cheap out on the $50 delivery and want to haul it home on a trailer through slushy roads. After having them sign the waiver I'd throw a large plastic bag over it and then shrink wrap it tight. Too my knowledge never had one get dirty doing it that way.

butthead: "Still too much worry about a non-problem. Hauled my freshly unwrapped (I got to do that), custom ordered Advantage back from Copia in a snow fall, salt trucks and all.
Took it off at home and took this photo.

Collected nothing on the trip.


I'm careful with it but each trip adds more marks when paddling than all the transporting done.


butthead"

Yup, one day in the BW will add more to the hull's character than a roof top cross country trip in the middle of winter. I love my Advantage btw. I'm on my 3rd one

butthead: "Still too much worry about a non-problem.

"

I agree, but mainly I responded because brilliant minds think alike, love your self made garage storage, I did the same although I'm not posting a picture because mine is in more of a state of mess right now (as it is every winter)

mine is done completely in 2x4 and 3/4" plywood, I applied poly to the top of the plywood, I wish I had done the same to the 2x4, I certainly have enough poly laying around to have done it, but I guess I was in a rush to use it

ZSpOOk, "brilliant minds" is a bit much! More like convoluted minds, or seriously bent (as in out of shape)!

butthead

I talked to Greg, he said he’s walked away (retired) from day to day operations but as far as he knows they are wrapped. He told me he’d let them know your concerns.

I’ve hauled canoes coast to coast and had little trouble with unwrapped vs wrapped. But something like a well crafted Merrimack I would take every precaution myself.

I have a Bag Lady, Sue Audette, bag. A very nice fit. It's a more important option for a carbon boat, to protect it from ultra violet light. She is coauthor, with Dave Baker, on the book, "The History of Old Town Canoes". I added an autographed book to my order.

voyager: "I have a Bag Lady, Sue Audette, bag. A very nice fit. It's a more important option for a carbon boat, to protect it from ultra violet light."

exactly, and kevlar too, one of her fine bags being exposed to salt from the road ... I shudder at the thought

if you must cover the canoe, shrink wrap it

... or just wash it afterwards

Got her home tonight. They put a couple sleeves of cheese cloth like material on it to protect it for the ride. Now I just need soft water.

Well. I understand your original question now that I see your beautiful canoe! Congratulations. It will seem like a long winter for you

Absolutely stunning canoe. I would certainly have protected the wood from salt as well. Love the compass inlay you chose.

That is a gorgeous canoe.

So does it have really heavy magnets under the floor to make it work as a compass?

I love compass roses. We have one in our living room floor that is aligned with true north. Which isn’t easy indoors with wiring and plumbing and a carpenter that only navigates his sailboat based on magnetic bearings.

Thank you, everyone.

andym: "That is a gorgeous canoe.


So does it have really heavy magnets under the floor to make it work as a compass?


I love compass roses. We have one in our living room floor that is aligned with true north. Which isn’t easy indoors with wiring and plumbing and a carpenter that only navigates his sailboat based on magnetic bearings. "

The downside is that I’ll never be able to paddle any direction but north. But maybe that’s not a problem at all...

I love compass roses as well. The paw print in the middle was taken from a photo I had of my old dog, Badger’s, print in the snow. He’s gone now, so it’s extra special.

I’m getting a concrete patio put in by my house in the spring. There will be a compass rose put into it.

I feel bad... that’s what that other one looked look like before I left the shore...? Sure looked different when I got it to ya. Haha!
Did they quit putting plastic between the socks? I’m disappointed! I hope their craftsmanship doesn’t go south too...

Very cool about the paw print.

Make sure to get the concrete stamp or inlay well ahead of time. We were going to do one in our sunroom during a major remodel but the concrete work happened sooner than expected and we couldn’t get it in time. But we’re really happy with the wood inlay.

If it is a symmetric hull you can also paddle south.

That is a beauty!! Now I understand about the cover issue.

nctry: "I feel bad... that’s what that other one looked look like before I left the shore...? Sure looked different when I got it to ya. Haha!
Did they quit putting plastic between the socks? I’m disappointed! I hope their craftsmanship doesn’t go south too..."

The roads were pretty dry, so plastic wasn’t a huge need. Just mainly that dry road salt dust. The cloth covers worked perfectly.

They’re craftsmanship is amazing. The young gentleman that is the main builder is very passionate about build quality. Stop in sometime and visit them. They’ll give you a tour of the entire operation.

andym: "Very cool about the paw print.


Make sure to get the concrete stamp or inlay well ahead of time. We were going to do one in our sunroom during a major remodel but the concrete work happened sooner than expected and we couldn’t get it in time. But we’re really happy with the wood inlay.


If it is a symmetric hull you can also paddle south. "

I could go south!

The company doing the concrete work does the stamping and it’s in the order. I’m pretty excited about it!

Goldenbadger: "

nctry: "I feel bad... that’s what that other one looked look like before I left the shore...? Sure looked different when I got it to ya. Haha!
Did they quit putting plastic between the socks? I’m disappointed! I hope their craftsmanship doesn’t go south too..."

The roads were pretty dry, so plastic wasn’t a huge need. Just mainly that dry road salt dust. The cloth covers worked perfectly.


They’re craftsmanship is amazing. The young gentleman that is the main builder is very passionate about build quality. Stop in sometime and visit them. They’ll give you a tour of the entire operation. "

Oh I’ve been there a few times. I’ve delivered a number of those well crafted canoes. And they’ve enjoyed a few packages of bacon from my local meat shop. Haha!
But yours is probably the prettiest of them all. (Btw: I delivered a Sanborn canoe to the price is right movie set). Haha!

nctry: "

Goldenbadger: "

nctry: "I feel bad... that’s what that other one looked look like before I left the shore...? Sure looked different when I got it to ya. Haha!
Did they quit putting plastic between the socks? I’m disappointed! I hope their craftsmanship doesn’t go south too..."

The roads were pretty dry, so plastic wasn’t a huge need. Just mainly that dry road salt dust. The cloth covers worked perfectly.



They’re craftsmanship is amazing. The young gentleman that is the main builder is very passionate about build quality. Stop in sometime and visit them. They’ll give you a tour of the entire operation. "

Oh I’ve been there a few times. I’ve delivered a number of those well crafted canoes. And they’ve enjoyed a few packages of bacon from my local meat shop. Haha!
But yours is probably the prettiest of them all. (Btw: I delivered a Sanborn canoe to the price is right movie set). Haha!"

I made several custom changes and upgrades to the original design. So it is really one of a kind. I was able to select specific pieces of wood for the decks. I wanted a lot of gnarly grain. The decks, carrying thwarts, and outwales are walnut. The inwale is specially chosen ash with dark grain to go with the walnut. And the ribs, seats, and yoke are cherry. The guys in the shop were pretty excited about how it turned out.

Truly beautiful boat you got there

Ragged: "Truly beautiful boat you got there"

Thank you, Ragged.