Save up a couple hundred bucks and buy a 60l barrel w/ harness. Put it on the card and buy 2. Everything will stay dry, always.

I yeild! Gracefully, I hope.

Tim

Being in a low(est) income tax bracket, I long for a nice portage pack, but I simply can't afford one. So for a canoe pack, I've been using the same external frame hiking backpack that I've owned since I was 15. It's durable, comfortable, it can fit all of my supplies, and it's super easy to strap all kinds of odd-shaped things to (paddles, map tubes, rifle cases, firewood, fishing stuff, etc., depending on where I'm at).

It's also easy to tie a rope to and haul into the air, so that everything that smells like food or fish can be far away from my tent at night. It fits perfectly in the bow of my little Sandpiper, and if I pack supplies into dry bags or plastic sacks before loading them into the pack, everything stays nice and dry without any issues.

I've got a feeling that I'll be abusing my external frame pack for years to come...

Quote:


Wow.  How does what someone in another canoe uses for a pack affect you?

Depending on the type of canoe, the gear brought, and the type of external frame, an external frame pack can be loaded/unloaded into a canoe as easily as a non-frame pack (maybe even easier in rare cases because the frame can provide more options for "handles" by which to pick it up or attach it).  So even if your canoe partner has an external frame pack for your canoe, I cannot understand the blanket prohibition.

Seal-line make a nice 'soft fabric" dry bag that stuffs easier into packs than the stiffer heavier fabric ones. You can press most of the air out too, similar to a compression bag. A little extra protection for what you want dry.

From experience I can add they work as a handy puke bag for those times you can't get out of your tent fast enough.

Another alternative which I use along with the double bag liner, are those space saver bags you see advertised on info-mercials. Most outdoor places carry them.
There the kind you seal the end and roll up, where a one way valve purges the air out. Waterproof, bug proof, and really compresses your load. I put one outfit, shirt/pants/socks in a medium bag, and use other medium bags for extra socks/t-shirts and fleece outerwear.
I stack them in a mesh duffel type bag which I take in tent at night.
I use them for dirty laundry as well.
Much better than zip-lock bags and easier to keep track of your items, and get all the air out of.
Coleman makes them, I'm sure there are other brands on the market.
Last set I got was at Bass Pro Shop.
Between liner bags and these, your stuff will stay dry and easy to find!

Wood walker -- thanks for mentioning bungees to hold in fishing rod etc. I'll grab a bunch of those.

Another alternative I use is that I put my clean clothes in 2 gallon zip lock (store brand)  freezer style bags.  My spouse found a bunch of them as good as the name brand but at 60% of the cost.  I squeeze the air out of the clothes, for this takes up a lot less space.  Then, the foregoing is packed in a heavy mill plastic trash bag.  The trash compactor bags are a good idea, likely thicker, but I always thought they were limited size.

While at Cabela's, I noticed a huge ziplock bag, 3 feet long or so, and wondered if this would be a good purchase.  I may get one to try it out on my Sept. trip.

I used to use twisty-ties but now use these (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) I like to get a bright color so if they fall on the ground they are easy to see. Also use them to attach fishing poles & net to gunnel & painter ropes in place & a ton of other things.

As far as the backpack goes... I have seen it done very several times, I have 2 external & 3 internal frame packs I use for hiking & hunting trips, they are way nicer to carry. The biggest downfall to them is the way they fit in a canoe & the fact they ride too high to allow carrying the canoe with the pack.

Have a great trip.

Troy

 AP,
 You'll be just fine! As backpackers you have the physical skills, the paddling part will come with practice. Navigation is a little different, so make sure each canoe has a set of maps, and the night before or morning of, let EVERYONE see the route your taking, not just the guy's doing the navigating. 4 sets of eyes are better than 2. IF you unsure of your navigating with islands/ points of land, shoot a compass heading for each portage or campsite destination. If you get "confused" go with the compass heading. Make sure you "know" where you are while paddling. In new water, I find marking on the plastic cover of map case with a grease pencil when I hit a prominent landmark, helps keep me orientated.
Sometimes, especially when your excited and caught up in the scenery/fishing, you can get turned around if your not careful?
 Of course if you have/use a GPS, then it's not such a big deal.
Use the same common sense you would backpacking, and you'll have a fantastic trip and hopefully a good trip report with pics