Customer Reviews (2)

Valuable information.
Gil Gilpatrick's Canoe Guide's Handbook is a "musthave" for anyone interested in canoe trips.It's not just for people who want to become canoe guides.My wife and I regularly canoe the waters of SoutheastAlaska.We have found Gil's book to be as useful and practical in Alaskaas it is in Gil's home state of Maine. I've used this easy to read anddown-to-earth book to help plan several canoe camping trips. Theinformation and techniques presented are simple and effective.

The best advice on canoe tripping I,ve read.
This book gives the best advice for wilderness canoeists that I,ve read inmy 28 yrs. of paddling.I.ve just met the author on a wilderness canoetrip in Maine and he mentioned wishing to make a few revisions and updatesconcerning environmental pollution.It's great to know that he and hiswife are still running canoe trips in Maine.I recommend all his books toanyone interestedin outdoor woodcraft, and the history of the MaineWoods. ... Read more

Product Description
Explore 37 of the best paddling routes found from the Atlantic to Pacific to Arctic. Some of Canada's finest canoeists relate first-hand accounts of their favorite canoe trips - lake and river, freshwater and saltwater, wild and urban, peaceful and harrowing. This unprecedented collection also features 24 profiles of such paddling luminaries as James Raffan, the legendary Mason family, Gary and Joanie McGuffin, Kevin Callan, Hap Wilson, Kirk Wipper, and others. In addition, three noted conservationists outline plans for protecting North America's wild waterways. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An interesting place to start learning about Canadian canoeing routes and people.
Like its sequel, this book details various routes inCanada to canoe. While it's certainly an interesting place to learn that these routes exist, there isn't that much technical information on them. The second section seems a bit more informative, detailingthe brief biographies of Canadians who have helped promote and maintain the Canadian canoeing tradition. Certainly worth reading, on a winter afternoon or two. Your bet bet is to take it out of the local libray, if they have a copy or try to find it cheap...A solid addition to a canoe literature collection, if you're into that sort of thing, but there are definitely other books in the genre that I'd be more willing to pay for first. ... Read more

Product Description
In this groundbreaking book, David Gidmark reviews the early history of bark canoes, providing readers with an overview of construction methods and featuring the individual techniques of four traditional 20th-century Algonquin craftsmen and their assistants. Detailed descriptions of their step-by-step construction methods are included, and the adoption of tools and methods from non-Indian culture as shortcuts are noted (such as the use of canvas and roofing tar, duct tape and C-clamps). A chapter on paddlemaking in the native tradition completes the book.

Building a Birchbark Canoe: The Algonquin Wâbanäki Tcîmân is one of the most significant studies of Algonquin birchbark canoes and their construction. The author is one of the few outsiders to have learned the ancient craft of birchbark canoe making from the Algonquins, and in Building a Birchbark Canoe, he not only shares this skill but invites readers to appreciate the cultural significance of an elegant and practical craft that might otherwise be lost to history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great book
Great book, packed with information: historical, and the building approaches of a variety of expert Native canoe builders.All is well-written, and loads of pictures.I love it.
Is there enough here to actually build a canoe from scratch?Hard to say: there are many aspects that, while covered, don't have enough detail (e.g. how to get the right consistency of spruce pitch to seal the sides. The process is described, but not in a cookbook style.Same is true of choosing good bark: described, but I think one has to go out into the field with an expert builder to really understand it).
Nevertheless, I plan to try by starting with a model...

Awesome book - informative plus interesting!!!!
I was asked to give a talk on birch bark canoes (I weave with birch bark)but didn't really know the first thing about them.This book was very helpful!!I did make a 3 ft birch bark canoe but also learned a lot about the people and their ways which really made my talk much more interesting.They were awe struck with my canoe.Would suggest this book to anyone interested in learn about canoes!!!!

The discovery
This book has been a discovery.Gidmark, indeed, made me discover the passion of birchbark canoe building.He also made me discover the great canoe builders who live in my own country!This book helped me to build on my own my first birchbark canoe.The review of different builders, craftmen and the numerous photos helped me to understand, step by step, all the building process.
For all future birchbark canoe builders, this is the basic book to buy! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Overview of Paddle Opportunities
I have used this guide since published and it is an accurate overview of the many paddling opportunities in the Inland Northwest - Eastern Washington, North Idaho, Western Montana and even Canada. I had already tried many of the lakes and rivers but more were identified including some that I had never even considered in my 25 years in Spokane. Most of the paddles are appropriate for families. Put-ins and take-outs are well described. Great value that will save you time and money - even for the experienced paddler.

Sets the standard for Canoe guide books.
This was a refreshing change from the majority of canoe guide books. No class V in this one, just fun floats for everyone, and all close to Spokane.Kudos to the Authors. ... Read more

Product Description
The canoe was essential to the early exploration of North America. Today, it is a vital link to the natural environment and vast wilderness, still widely used for recreation, transportation and sport.

The Canoe is the definitive history of the construction and use of the canoe, kayak, dugout and umiak in North America. The book covers the canoe's origins among Native peoples, its quick adoption by European settlers, its development from a working vessel to a recreational craft.

Rare archival images, maps, artwork and stunning photographs of vintage canoes are included. Produced with the support and collaboration of scholars and museums throughout the world, The Canoe also features:- High-tech sport canoes and kayaks used in contemporary Olympic Games- 400 beautiful images of canoe craftsmanship- Step-by-step photos and explanations for building a traditional bark canoe- Profile of the famous model-builder, Tappan Adney- Detailed maps, glossary, source list and index. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Canoe: A Living Tradition
The Book Came Fast And In Good Condition And I Am Happy With This Buy

Canoe History
A fascinating look at the history and tradition of the canoe and its importance in transportation and exploration. Well written and informative, it is easy to read and a treasury of great photos. Any avid canoe or kayak fan will love spending time with this book. ... Read more

Product Description
At-a-glance information for each river section helps paddlers determine the river that's right for them. Stream overviews, gauge and shuttle information, names of rapids and suggestions on how to run them, along with a little history, make this guide not only an interesting read, but a must for every boater hitting the Kentucky streams.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Kayaking
Good book, but not very detailed for put in/out of rivers. I wished it had GPS coordinates.

A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Kentucky, 5th
This guide is pretty accurate. I just went on a kayaking trip this past weekend. This was my second time kayaking so I depended on this guide, it was a perfect trip.

A Midwest Paddler's Dream
Technically accurate and informationally superb!This guide is THE ONLY guide to buy for midwest paddlers interested in the rivers and streams of the Bluegrass State.There is more information in this guide than most paddlers are likely to digest in a lifetime.It is an easy read and as hard to put down as a good novel.Each page is packed with details that drive the "home stranded" paddler to the next page.It will make you crave the flowing waters of Kentucky.A MUST OWN!!!

Sweet book.
If you live in Kentucky and do any kayaking or canoeing, you need this book.If there is a more comprehensive guide to the waterways of Kentucky, I'd like to see it. ... Read more

Product Description
The definitive reference to indigenous peoples' watercraft around the world.

Tappan Adney (1868-1950) was an artist, writer, ethnographer, historian and modelmaker of unparalleled ability. He tirelessly documented the cultures and languages of vanishing native cultures. His most enduring legacy is the extraordinary 110 birchbark canoe models he handbuilt to exacting standards. The models, now held at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia, were built to ensure future canoe builders had exact reproductions for reference.

These historically accurate, 1:5 scale models were meticulously researched, and traditionally constructed using the identical materials of the originals. Many are based on canoes that were the last example of their type. Before such a canoe disintegrated, Adney measured and recorded its dimensions, consulted with native builders and studied historical photographs and paintings.

The canoe models are organized into eight distinct groups:- Maritimes- Eastern Woodland- Northwest- Lower British Columbia- Fur Trade- Amur Valley- Asia- South America

Each canoe model is beautifully photographed and accompanied by captions that outline the craft's origins, uses and technical details. Adney's amazing technical drawings for the models are also included.

An extensive introduction covers Adney's life and provides information about native model builders, canoe decoration and fur trade heraldry.

Bark Canoes is the definitive reference to indigenous -- and ingenious -- watercraft used around the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A lifelong obsession revealed
What a beautiful book this is - I saw it in a museum shop in Calgary while on holiday and I just had to have it. This is a celebration of the canoe-builders' art that almost never materialsed. Adney's notes and models could well have disappeared had it not been for some timely intervention by far-sighted individuals to preserve the collection and organise his notes into this and other books.
But surely a canoe is a canoe is a canoe... not after reading this! Such wonderfully crisp photos, taken from all angles with great depth of field, give a complete idea of each craft. The subtleties of design, use of materials and construction techniques leave one in no doubt as to the differences in ethnic origins beween canoes that at first glance look more or less similar.
The quality and detail of the notes that Adney made for each drawing is a lesson for all would-be modellers ... nothing seems to have been left out; insets have minute details highlighted; there are cross-sections of ordinary-looking bits of wood; and stages in construction and building techniques are shown.Adney's models are a testament - both to human ingenuity in the use of available materials, and to one man's lifelong devotion to preserving a dying craft (in both senses).
His contribution to art, ethnology and archaeology cannot be overstated.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Mostly river trips of Northern Minnesota
This is the best book that I know of covering paddling (canoe and kayak) in Northern Minnesota. Mostly these are down river journeys, including nine sequential routes on the headwaters of the Mississippi River well north of the Twin Cities, but also a couple of sea kayak trips along the Lake Superior coast, a short upriver trip near Duluth, and a couple of sample trips in Voyageurs' Park and in the Boundary Waters. The great canoe areas are better covered by books specific to them, but the other trips are well described and each has a useful map presented alongside. I have great respect for these books (northern & southern Minnesota & Wisconsin) and have never had an issues with the trips that the authors suggest. ... Read more

Product Description
Canoe Poling is a challenge which paddlers can enjoy as an alternative to traditional canoe propulsion.Discover a dynamic way of using a pole to explore waterways inaccessible due to limited upstream river access.An important skill for wilderness canoe campers as well as river guides conduction river rescues.Canoe Poling provides total independence for the recreational canoeist by removing the need for car shuttles and additional people to coordinate river use.Poling is an excellent way to extend the canoeing season during low water conditions when the paddle becomes useless.Race your canoe in poling events around the country.Travel upstream and downstream employing expert techniques. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Get ready to pole!
This insightful book launched me into the exciting and efficient world of canoe poling.Techniques are well explained and a joy to practice.I highly recommend this if you have a canoe and want to try something different. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
This is a book for beginners going out on the water for the first time. It includes practical advice on where and when to paddle, clothing and equipment needed for safety and comfort, and how to prepare the body with fitness training. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A good primer for those wanting to get on the water
My wife and I are just getting started in this sport and this was a great primer.
Gave us useful information in way we could understand, and the pictures are great and show us as well as tell us. A very good buy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Highly recommend for virgins to the Boundary Waters
I bought this book when my brother and I first started discussing a trip to the BWCA.This will be my first "real" camping trip, until now I've only been "car camping".I'm glad that I bought and read this book, the author recommends specifics where his experience has determined that one specific piece of equipment works best, but also explains why and tells you the features to look for as you purchase gear for your trip.The book also covers other basics and tips to keep in mind while on your trip.I learned a lot and now feel much more comfortable in the decisions for gear and our plans.I know that lots of people go to the BWCA completely unprepared and don't listen to even the advice of their outfitters, myself, I would rather educate myself before going so that I've done all I can to make the trip a pleasurable one.Learning good habits from the start is better than changing bad ones after learning the hard way.

So if you appreciate the advice of a well experienced camper then this is the one book I would recommend to read before you go.

Change the way canoe
This book changed the way I canoe in the BWCA.The author gives you the exact information you need to plan and pack for a wilderness trip.More specifically, he clearly explains how to single portage on overnight canoe trips.Single portaging has become my preferred way to go on trips less than 8 days.

Some canoeist and authors subscribe to the "I want maximum creature comforts", which is fine, except that means carrying more gear/weight between lakes or rivers.

I have read over 15 canoeing books by other authors, most of which were very good.This book should not be look at as a complete encyclopedia addressing every aspect of paddling, portaging, and camping.This is one the few books though, that clearly illustrates how you actually pack the essential items into a canoe pack and in what order.

If you you are going on a Boundary Waters trip, this is a great resource to help build up your canoe camping skills.

Furtman is right on the money!
Having read lots of other books on this subject, I have to say that this title is the only one that meshes with my experience. His recommendations are absolutely on the money due to a paring away of hype surrounding thegear you should use when canoe camping. A great book for the novicecanoe-camper and one with opinions which happen to be borne out by theexperience of others.

Good for the complete novice
I found that the book was directed more toward complete novices. The book was overly detailed for a person with even limited experience. The book also addressed specific types and brand names of equipment that the authorused, while only brielfy touching on other options available. A novicewishing to follow the equipment recommendations to the letter should beaware that his choices were also very expensive, particularly for peoplewho may only make one trip a summer. I much preferred Cliff Jacobson's"Boundary Waters, Canoe Camping with Style". Jacobson offersroute recommendations, excellent illustrations, recipes and a miriad ofequipment choices. He also provides a list of manufacturers in theappendix.

Entertaining and educational; well worth the read.
Furtman has vast experience in the canoe country of northern Minnesota and southern Canada.Through his writing he empowers the reader to make wise choices with regards to trip planing, packing, camping, canoeing and cooking.The book is well worth reading for anyone contemplating a trip to Canoe Country in the future.It even makes great reading for those of us who have experienced this great adventure.I found myself saying, "why didn't I think of that", time and time again. ... Read more

Product Description
The inflatable kayak's design and light weight make it an advanced and practical watercraft. This guide introduces ways of finding, buying, customizing, manoeuvring and caring for the inflatable kayak. It covers basic paddling strokes, and reading and understanding whitewater. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book for less-experienced "duckiers"
This book really gives a good overview of basic safety and skills on the river.Gives people with little river experience the confidence to go out in the Ducky and have fun. ... Read more

Product Description
AMC NATURE WALKS:NJ

Customer Reviews (3)

Get ready for some lovely canoe and kayaking
This has plenty of detailed information that even locals don't necessarily know about. It doesn't list or describe every single waterway, of course, but you can pencil in your latest and greatest favorites. We've been using this for nearly 7 years, as we plan day trips or longer excursions.

Unspoiled Waters of New York
An immense compendium of the pristine paddling spots left in New YorkState.The authors looked for lakes with one goal in mind: find placeswhere the water has not been spoiled by development, pollution, orpowerboats.Unquestionably, they succeeded.The book describes over 100trips across the state, with an expectedly high concentration in theAdirondack Mountains. For each trip, the authors describe launch locations,scenery, notable areas on the lake, and any interesting wildlife seenduring their paddle.Many of the lakes are a bit small for a full daytrip, but if one only has a few hours to paddle, these are certainly placesto go.The authors did a good job of including sites from across theentire state, and tried to include a number of lakes near New York City. Unfortunately, the authors almost ignored flat river paddling, but a fewcalm rivers and streams did make their way into the book.Overall, if youare a New Yorker who loves getting away from it all, this is one book tohave.

Good general review of the NY region
For the novice, such as myself, this is a good book to get you started on exploring the canoeing areas of New York.They review the area, the water,and the wildlife.It is not an exhaustive list and many areas we foundwere seasonal, but that wasn't mentioned in the book.I hope they writeanother updated and more exhaustive review in the future. ... Read more

Product Description
Volume 1 of the Up the Lake with a Paddle series is the primary guidebook for paddlers looking for places to paddle within the Sierra Foothills and the Sacramento Region. The regions covered in this book are a paddler's paradise with spectacular lakes and scenic, quiet rivers. For those looking to plan a weekend getaway for two or a fun-filled family paddle this book is a must. The second edition now includes more information on the history, geology, plants, birds and animals of each region. Including GPS waypoints for paddle locations and more "In the Eddy" and "Paddle Notes," all the items the fans of this popular series enjoy. ... Read more

Product Description
A beautifully illustrated history of one of North America's most enduring cultural symbols and recreational pastimes. There is hardly a river or lake in North America that was not first seen from the gunwale of a canoe. Centuries before the invention of the train and the motorboat, canoes were used for exploration, trade, war, and the hunt. Indians crafted canoes out of dugout logs, birch bark, and animal hides; French colonists employed courier canoes; and the Spanish explorers brought cane and woodcrafts with them to new lands. The canoe has brought together Native Americans and European colonists, promoted exploration, and changed the economy forever with the onset of the fur trade. Hundreds of years later, it continues to hold practical, ceremonial, and totemic significance for many North Americans. The Canoe: An Illustrated History explores the role of this elegantly simple craft in history and modern culture. With accounts of historic canoe trips and infamous battles, detailed explanations of Native American canoe-building techniques, and more than 80 photographs, The Canoe is a must-read for paddlers and history buffs alike. A beautiful package. 45 color photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

History, craft,wonderful illustrations - and much more
This is a beautifully illustrated book supported by a text that is informative, well-organized - and wholly satisfying. The many photographs, engravings, historic and relevant photographs, beautiful paintings, and good nature photography- are first-rate.

Jim Poling, Sr. begins at the beginning with "The First Canoeists." Christopher Columbus writes of his astonishment at seeing canoes in action: "They are not so wide because they are made of a single log of timber, but a galley could not keep up with them in rowingfor their motion is a thing beyond belief."

Pacific Coast canoes were made of cedar;northern inland canoes, of bark ( most often elm, hickory, spruce, and cedar).The "perfect material," birch, plentiful and remarkable, was used in the canoes of what would become the Canadian Maritime Provinces, northern New England, and Quebec, Ontario, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. In addition birch (or its bark)providedthe material of choice for Indians' toboggans, snowshoes, utensils, children's toys - pluswinter covers for wigwams, food wrapping, animal calls, arrows and quivers, among other things. Finally, there were skin canoes.

Poling describes the building of the various types of canoes. The initial contact between Europeans and the indigenous people of the North American continent is the focus of the second chapter. The canoe enabled access to inlands- and the ensuing frenzy of fur trading - that would otherwise have been impossible to accomplish on anything but waterways.

Poling describes in good detail various components of historic canoe culture among the sixteenth and seventeenth century European settlers, paying close attention to the New France coureurs de bois - " runners of the woods." These were physically sturdy young men employed to fan out into the deep north woods, make contact with Indians, and facilitate the fur trade. But once set free, these fellows almost to a man dropped out of the repressive seventeenth-century French culture they had known. They embraced the woods and the physically taxing but otherwise rather freewheeling nonChristian life to be lived there - to the utter dismay ofthe colonists back at the settlements. The coureurs comprised"a distinct social class in the new land [...] neither liked nor accepted by the establishment [...] disrespectful of authority, irreverent, and violent..."Their occasional temporaryre-entry into the precarious settlements was always problematic. They openly patronized prostitutes and rejected conventional European customs and manners.The problem became so severe that "the matter was brought to Louis XIV, who issued a 1681 decree limiting the number of coureurs du bois. Those who ignored it were branded with the fleur-de-lis, the symbol of France, and third offenders got life on the galley ships." Poling adds: "The decree didn't work."

The beaver - mainstay of indigenous culture - is given good treatment in this book, and interesting tidbits are supplied - such as the fact that the French settlers enjoyedbeaver meat to such an extent that "in an odd twist of logic someone persuaded the Roman Catholic Church to allow beaver consumption during Lent, when meat was forbidden. The argument was that the beaver spent most of its time in water and therefore was more fish than animal."

Additional chapters detail among other things the horrors of the various skirmishes and all-out wars between Europeans and Indians (no detail spared), the role of the canoe in war (transportation only, too tippy to be battleships)the canoe routes, freight, trade, and changes in canoe design and function. Finally, there is information on the modern face of canoeing, building your own, and resources for canoeists. This book lacks an index and a bibliography, but is otherwise a great read (and would be great read aloud) - and thoroughly worthwhile. ... Read more

Product Description
30 pencil drawings7 x 9 Concise, illustrated guides to specific canoe and kayak techniquesStep-by-step descriptions of paddle strokes and maneuversTips for packing and loading boats, rescuing, portaging, reading waterThe three books in this new series are concise, crisply illustrated guides to paddling techniques compiled from the pages of Canoe & Kayak magazine. Each book contains some 30 articles on specific maneuvers written by top competitors and instructors, and each article is illustrated by Bruce Morser, an award-winning artist and regular contributor to Canoe & Kayak. The books also contain sections on packing and outfitting boats, executing rescue techniques, and using paddling games to develop skills. Explains and illustrates correct form for a variety of paddle strokes, rolls, ferries, and eddy turns. Includes everything from the basic forward stroke to the open canoe roll and the Capistrano flip. With information on reading water, rescuing, portaging, and playing developmental games. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

For Canoeing only.
Bought this book with the misplaced enthusiam of the thought of learning some neat techniques on Kayaking, How to turn over from 180 degrees, Ridethe ocean surf.. none of these were in this book, only canoe techniqueswhich for the most part im familiar. Am returning the book, maybe I didntread the description enough. Oh well ... Read more

Product Description
Enjoy days of pleasure exploring the flatwater lakes and ponds of New Hampshire and Vermont. Great for paddlers of all ages and abilities, this updated and expanded guide offers detailed descriptions of more than 90 scenic destinations - including 55 new paddles.

Special features include: detailed descriptions of each lake and pond, with paddling routes, local flora and fauna, and seasonal highlights; driving, parking, and put-in instructions; safety tips; local picnicking and camping spots; equipment choices; advice for padding with children; low-impact travel tips; illustrated sidebars on New England's fascinating waterside wildlife. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

book review
Item was in as good condition or better than advertized.I have several of the Quiet Water guides, and they are very informative and interesting for calm kayaking.Shipping was quick.THANKS.

More, please!
As a canoeist I can only pray for titles similar to this series to span the continent. These guides offer listings by region and alphabetical indices, area maps, launch site directions and parking advice. Wilson mentions special points of interest -- geologic formations, settlements, graveyards, and odd indigenous species -- with sidebars covering nature lore. A super gift for the New England canoodler in your life.

There are others........
I purchased this book as a guide book for kayaking lakes that I may have not known about. I found the book lacking on listing ALL the possible lakes not just some the author knew. I was looking for a lake guide book that list every lake, pond, maybe river not just a few. I had the older book and that listed even less. This also concentrates on the wildlife and plant life rather than describing the actual lake. This could be a really good guide book if it were done better...........

Amc Quiet Water Canoe Guide
Excellent book, I recommend this to anyone.I use this book for canoe trip planning with my family.Detailed information is given here.As usual it is another fine book by AMC. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Don't waste your money on this piece of garbage
Tim Ingram is an individual who has single handedly destroyed a few of the most prolific paddling newsgroups by posting basically the same message hundreds of times to every post he could find. Anyone posting a message about anything immediately got a Tim Ingram message as a reply. He failed to respond to any reason and his tenacity to post to each and every message (including often his own messages) has driven away most of the newsgroup's regular posters. Tim Ingram has tried to do the same with several paddling related forums, but moderators there knew him for what he was, and made sure that he could not lay waste to those forums as well. He is worse than a spammer, because spammers try to sell their products. This guy seems to really believe in his product, but he will destroy anything in his path to force everyone to buy his product.

You might wonder what is so disturbing about someone trying to post something paddling related to a paddling related forum. Tim Ingram has come up with the crazy notion that attaching his faulty product to all kayaks, canoes and rowing boats is the only way to save the lives of everyone on this planet. He will pull in 9/11, the invasion of Iraq, the torture of prisoners and lots of other deaths which have nothing whatsoever to do with paddling, and then go on accusing most of the paddling community of being engaged in a conspiracy to kill everyone who gets into a kayak or canoe.

Facts don't bother Tim Ingram. He has an axe to grind, and he will use anyone's words to support his ideas, no matter how much he needs to butcher those words to do so. His product will turn any white water kayak in a virtual death trap, which, when overturned will be impossible to eskimo roll back up. Still, he continues to accuse anyone who does not want to see his crappy badly thought out product attached to their kayak of being a baby killer and worse.

His diatribes are not unlike the ramblings posted on his website: long incoherent text that seems to have been gathered by cutting and pasting people's posts, emails, his warped thoughts and the occasional piece of news that he has laid an eye on. This book is not much different from all of his newsgroup and forum posts or his website. It's a collection of incoherent babbling that makes the reader wonder if the writer has escaped from a lunatic asylum.

Having shown Tim Ingram's posts to a friend who is a psychiatrist, the conclusion is that this is a very disturbed individual.

Whatever you want to waste your money on: make sure that it's not this book or the sponsons that Tim Ingram tries to sell. Both are not worth it.

A misleading title, a sad, sad author
This book, as other reviewers have noted, is a rant by a man who has alienated a lot of people with his over-the-top accusations and distorted statistics.

I have paddled kayaks for 41 years and have served on American Canoe Association committees, taught whitewater paddling, coached whitewater racing, and now teach sea kayaking.I believe that sponsons, the solution the author of this book provides for all paddling safety risks, have their place in specific (and uncommon) situations.But Mr. Ingram's irrational claims do nothing to advance the cause of safe paddling.In fact, many instructors find him so annoying that they will dismiss all discussions of sponson use out of hand.

This book might be an interesting reading assignment for a psychology class, but paddlers would do better to spend the money for a safety course or a paddling book by a reputable author.

this man is mentally disturbed, steer clear of this paranoid pamphlet
This fella is the same peron who in the late 90's andearly 2000's destroyed dozens of internet canoeing and kayakingnews groups with his ramblings and barely coherent mass spamming attacks and bizarre rambling e-mails
Thispamphlet is a collection of his bizzare paranoid ramblings with no actual layout or plan.
He rambles on about organizations such as the coast guard and the american canoe association and any one else he claims is in on the plot to keep his product he manufactures from the masses so they can kill as many people as possible.
He's a wack job who cant write.
The book would make a good coaster or maybe kindling in case you needed to start an emergency fire.
whooo hoo- earth to Tim - put the tin foil hat back on now..
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK
Dont encourage this sad individual by buyinhg his self published pamphlet.
nuf said

The only scam is this book
I had to give this book a one star rating because there was no way for me to rate it a zero.

As stated in my review title, the only scam going on with canoes and kayaks in America is this book put out by Tim Ingram.To use a relevant cliché, Tim obviously has only one ore in the water.I can clearly understand the Mr. Ingram would like to see not one more person die in a paddling accident, however, I believe his claims and statements are motivated by the lack of industries willingness to integrate his products into their designs.

The idea that the government is conspiring with the paddling industry to kill people is absurd.

They all laughed at Professor Kaczynski until he started using the Post Office to send his messages, he's now known as the Unabomber.Let's hope Mr. Ingram doesn't start mailing these poor selling, gas-charged tubes.
... Read more