I think ST is overthinking it.  Maybe this, maybe that, what ifs.  Maybe there's a nuke strike and the whole lake is vaporized.  <- Reductio ad Absurdium.   

There is no downside to knowing your limits & abilities compared to not knowing.

Painters are there for any implementation requiring a line attached to the canoe.  I'd rather be looking at rope I don't need than looking for rope when I need it.

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Every year around here, someone dies in a ice/cold water boating accident. More often than not, the person that falls in, is the one who survives and the would be rescuer is the one who pays the price
The media then tell everyone it was a " tragic accident".

Accident is a word that is used way to often. Too me, an accident is something that can't be avoided. Putting yourself in harms way needlessly and calling the result if poor an accident is just PC feel good talk. It's negligence, pure and simple.

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I couldn't agree with you more a Preacher. And taking newbies/first time solo paddlers onto Lake Superior is the very definition of poor judgment/stupidity IMHO, over-thinking it or not.
You might not be legally culpable, but I wouldn't want it on my conscience.
MT's little voice was telling him true, or he wouldn't of mentioned it.
I'd listen, but that's just me being "Reductio ad Absurdium"

Facetious el maximus

Don't want to offend anyone here.  But but the notion of taking newbie/novice/inexperienced paddlers onto Lake Superior in solo or tandem canoes seems just plain nuts.  I don't know the words in latin for just plain nuts.   

pine_knot wrote on Apr 26^th, 2011 at 11:22pm:


No offense taken. I suppose my newbies aren't totally new.......Two week long trips under their belt. They did well......

I quote from Jim DuFrense book on Isle Royale.........
"At the east end of the Isle Royale is a collection of long, narrow channels, fiord like harbors, and secluded coves and inlets loved by all who pass through. They are known as the Five Fingers. Isle Royale is a beautiful place, but for many the five fingers are the diamond at the end of the pendant.
These long, steep ridges that reach into the lake offer rugged beauty, calm water and visual links to the islands past. You could easily spend a week exploring this area that covers the far eastern portion of the park and includes 7 campgrounds.
Canoes and kayaks are well suited for the five fingers etc. etc."...............

There is but one spot that concerns me and it is a 1.5 mile open water paddle on the big lake itself. Fortunately there is safe water to wait until the time is right. Should that not happen (who knows) there is an intra island ferry that we could make use of as a "rescue" ship of sorts. But I'm thinking at that time of year early in the morning or in the evening we should have a 30 minute window to make the dash. I get the idea of big rollers and would be obliged to wait for ideal conditions before departing.

I have a lot of confidence in the seaworthiness of the Northwoods. It is quite a good boat. Stay near shore, stay off if it is rough.........I think we will be fine.