Bought a canoe - have some questions!

Bought a canoe - have some questions!



It was time for me to stop depending on others in our extended family to
outfit us with their gear, so I have ventured into canoe ownership. Spent
$100 on a very very old 15 foot aluminum canoe. No manufacturer plate or
name can be found. I have a few questions if y'all would be so kind:



1) I intend to swamp it to see how it handles full of water, but
before I do that, is there a way to tell if there is any flotation stuff in
the bow and the stern?



2) It has two aluminum thwarts, one of which is almost in the
center of the canoe (bow to stern). I want to portage this canoe. When I go
online, I see all kinds of portage yokes for new canoes or for something
called an IQ system. What are the option for adding portage equipment for
ancient canoes?



3) If, when I get this baby registered and on the water, I find
it has some leaks, what is the best way to fix them?



4) I want to add two of those seats with backs on them - they
say to attach them to cane seats. But this old gal has wood plank seats (2
planks per seat) on an aluminum tube type frame. What are the dimensions of
these cane seats so I can see if my non cane seats are close enough in size?



5) We are on a low budget - any particular brand / type of
paddle reasonably priced? We are flat water folks (unless the winds kick
up!) - no white water river stuff for us - fishing in the Boundary Waters in
Minn is what we like to do.



6) What questions haven't I asked that you think I should have
asked?



Thanks in advance - hopefully the spousal unit will like owning a canoe and
the 3 boys will like it and we can trade up to a newer canoe in the future.



And yes, I will first buy the proper flotation equipment - any suggestions
as to style or brands? My paddling partners (not all at the same time) will
be a wife and 3 boys (16, 13, 10 years old).



How can I find the safe amount of weight I can load into my new purchase
(again, no manufacture plate is on the canoe).



Regards,



Brett





Brett dash Jackson dash sr at sbcglobal dot net

1. It has flotation unless someone has removed it swamp in shallow water to
be sure. Loaded the canoe will weigh over a ton.
2. I would rest the middle twart on the back of my pfd for a short one man
carry. There are pads which clamp on for longer trips.
3. Epoxy will word. Also there is a low temp aluminum/ brazing rod that
works with a hot propane torch. Not oxy-gas.
4. pass.
5. best cheap paddle: Mohawk. Found many places including their web site.
6. Have fun. A class three PFD that firs each one is important. Comfortable
enough to wear... . The problem is even one boat tends to multiple without
much help. I have 25 or so boats!!!