The Grand Banks Dory

The Grand Banks dory was named so because the boats were originally used in the mid-to-late 1800s for fishing off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. This small, slab-sided, narrow-flat bottomed, open boat, also referred to as the Banks dory, has a very narrow transom and is the most common variation of the boats known as dories. If you look closely at Winslow Homer's "The Fog Warning" painting, you will see a Banks dory.

Grand Banks dory boats are relatively inexpensive to build and because they are simple to make, they can be easily mass produced. Yet, they are a rugged boat, which made them a favorite among fisherman. Among the towns famous for producing dory boats for the Grand Banks are Massachusetts towns Gloucester, Essex, Beverly, Salisbury (Amesbury), and Newburyport. In fact, Lowell's Boat Shop in Amesbury is the oldest continuously operating boat shop in America. In 1911 alone, Lowell's produced 2029 dories. Lowell's has been designated as a National Landmark and serves as a working museum for dories and skiffs. Other towns known for their dory boat production include Portland and Bremen, Maine, Seabrook, New Hampshire, and Lunenburg and Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Shelburne, the home of the Dory Shop Museum, had a running rivalry with Lunenburg in dory production. Shelburne builders preferred the metal braces to join frames while the builders in Lunenburg preferred the natural wood frames, which while more expensive, were also stronger.

Some of these are built for one person while others can seat two people. The long overhangs at the bow and stern allows the Grand Banks dory boat to lift over the waves. Even the larger dory boats, 12 feet along the bottom, can be stacked inside each other for easy storage on other fishing vessels, often referred to as mother ships. The dories can effortlessly be launched from the mother ships and then later return for the fishermen to unload their catch. Commercial fishing boats have also used these for lifeboats and tenders. They are also loved by recreational boaters and because they are easy and inexpensive to make, amateur boat builders love to build them.

If you ever wanted to build a dory boat, visit doryplans101.com for more information.

Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak Facts

There are many different solo inflatable kayaks on the market to choose from. The one that I personal chose to buy was the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame. This kayak is not the top of the line in quality and performance; however it is still an excellent kayak that gives you a lot for your money. It has exceeded my expectations and I have had many hours of paddling fun with it.

Below are five key facts about the AdvancedFrame that you should be aware of if you are also considering purchasing this inflatable kayak.

Fact # 1

This kayak is very affordable. One of the first things that caught my eye was the price of this kayak. The prices can vary depending on where you look but on average it is well under $500. Considering the quality, design and decent performance of the AdvancedFrame it has an excellent price tag that will likely appeal to many.

Fact # 2

This kayak looks great. I know this shouldn't necessarily be a major factor when you choose your inflatable boat but I have to admit that out of all the kayaks I looked at this one had the most appeal visually. It really has the look of a hard-shell kayak and it will make people turn their heads.

Fact # 3

This kayak is very stable and sturdy. It is just wide enough to offer good stability while remaining slim enough and long enough to be able to pick up decent speeds. It has built-in aluminum ribs that keep the kayak rigid and improves the tracking which is really important. It comes with a tracking fin that also helps it to paddle straight. For even more rigidity you have the option of adding an additional backbone which is not absolutely necessary but really does help improve the performance.

Fact # 4

This Advanced Elements kayak is quite versatile. It is designed mainly for flat water paddling but can definitely handle sea kayaking as well as mild rivers. The spray skirt offers protection from the elements and it is compact enough to be very manoeuvrable.

Fact # 5

This kayak is easy to transport and perfect for storing in small spaces. At 36 pounds it can still be carried by one person, transported in the trunk of your car and even checked onto an airplane without having to pay any extra fees. It is the ultimate in convenience and perfect for any person of any age.

For recreational kayakers, the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame kayak is an excellent choice and with a little care will last you a very long time.

To learn much more about popular outdoor gear visit www.GearReviewsOnline.com where you'll find pictures and a comprehensive review of the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Kayak.

Inflatable Canoe Comparisons

If you are in the market for an inflatable canoe for recreational paddling there are three main models to consider. Each of these models are ideal for solo or tandem paddling, families, dogs, and everyday regular use. Below are the details as well as the pros and cons for each canoe.

Advanced Elements StraitEdge Canoe

Advanced Elements inflatable kayaks and canoes are well known on the market. They are not top of the line but they do offer decent quality for an affordable price. The StraitEdge Canoe is a very comfortable and stable model. It is a little bit on the heavy side at 41 pounds but it will give a decent performance with good tracking and stability.

One of the things I like about the StraitEdge is that it comes with padded seats that can be adjusted depending on your height. One thing I don't like about this canoe is that there is not a huge amount of leg room and if you are taller you may find your legs a bit cramped.

The Specs for the Advanced Elements StraitEdge Canoe are:

* Length: 11'
* Width: 36"
* Weight: 41 lbs.
* Load Capacity: 400 lbs.

Sea Eagle 330 or Sea Eagle 370

The 330 and the 370 are identical models except the 370 is a bit longer. These are great inflatable canoes that offer a lot for the price paid. What I like about these two is that they are very solid and durable, are lightweight and very easy to transport, lift and travel with as well as quite versatile. They are designed to be able to paddle well in flat water or even in mild whitewater as well.

With the two size options you also get 2 paddles, 2 kayak seats, a foot pump and a storage bag included in the price which makes for a great deal. Sea Eagle's standard three year warranty is also included which is great as the majority of inflatable canoe models only offer a one year warranty. The one thing I don't like about these two canoes is that they can be susceptible to being blown in the wind if you are paddling on a very windy day.

The Specs for the Sea Eagle 330 are:

* Length: 11' 2"
* Width: 2' 10"
* Weight: 26 lbs.
* Load Capacity: 500 lbs.

The Specs for the Sea Eagle 370 are:

* Length: 12' 2"
* Width: 2' 10"
* Weight: 32 lbs.
* Load Capacity: 650 lbs.

Sevylor Colorado Canoe

The Sevylor Colorado is a great looking canoe. It doesn't offer a large amount of room but it is a very popular model. It is solid and rugged and paddles well on flat water or on slow rivers. The tracking isn't the greatest on this model but what I do like about it is that it has the option of adding a small motor which makes the Colorado ideal for fishing. It comes with two flexible bucket seats, two directional stakes and a nylon carrying bag. This is a base model but for the price you can't go wrong. It is extremely stable and great for families.

The Specs for the Sevylor Colorado are:

* Length: 10' 6"
* Width: 39"
* Weight: 32 lbs.
* Load Capacity: 440 lbs.

Each of these inflatable canoe models are normally priced well under $500. All three make for good recreational paddling use and which one you choose will simply depend on your needs. I would recommend reading their reviews first before making your decision.

To learn much more about inflatable canoes visit Inflatable Kayak World where you'll find comprehensive reviews and detailed information on each of the different inflatable canoes.