DRIFTER_016

When I first moved up North I didn't have a truck to move my 18' boat around so I used my Honda Civic Si to move it into my storage tent.

It moved it around fine but I sure wouldn't want to try launching and retrieving with it!!!!

 

Been a great game so far!

PFFFFFT!!!!

I'm watching the Wings/Caps game!!!

For those wishing to send cards or letters of support to Gordie Howe, please send to:

Gordie Howe
c/o Texas Trailer Corral
12207 HWY 87
Lubbock, TX 79423

My landlord has a front mounted hitch on his pickup for that purpose.

Have seen quite a few motorhomes with them as well.

Much easier for launching.

Two wheel drive (front or rear) with a limited-slip differential and you'll be able to pull sub-2000lb boats out of 99% of launches.

 

My dad used to use my old Volvo 850R wagon (back when it was bone stock) to tow his 18ft aluminum Lowe fishing machine. FWD with open front differential. Pulled the boat out with never as much as any wheel spin except for one extremely hairy muddy launch (was raining) way up north on nippissing. We had to get an old ford bronco with front and rear air lockers to pull it out, and even then it was barely able to. We then switched to towing with a Volvo XC70 with all-wheel drive. That AWD system was a mechanical system with a center viscous coupling. No real difference at all when pulling out the boat. Most AWD systems with a full-time 90/10 torque split will barely send any more power to the rear in a zero traction or low-speed situation. So for pulling a boat out at extremely slow speeds those systems are barely any help. Very few AWD systems use a center diff with full-time 50/50 torque split. Some older manual transmission subarus, and a hand full of AWD cars that use a wet-clutch pack electrically engaged center diff have the options to lock it to get 50/50 torque split (suzuki SX4, new jeep cherokee, etc). And even fewer AWD systems have a limited slip on either axle, so you're basically still in the same boat as an open diff 2wd vehicle.

 

So what I'm getting at is very few AWD systems will be useful at the boat launch. The only real step up from two-wheel drive is two-wheel drive with a limited slip diff or an actual 4x4 system that uses a 50/50 split transfer case. The big bonus of getting a real 4x4 is that it's usually paired with a two speed transfer case so you also get low-range. My dad's Suzuki Grand Vitara in low-gear can pull his 21ft Lowe out of the water with both feet off the pedals, and that's a 4cyl with 184ft.lbs.

 

Just some things to think about. Factor in weight of the boat, what kind of launches you'll be using, how many times a year you'll be towing, etc. etc to see if you actually NEED a truck.

 

The biggest mistake I see at the boat launch are people leaving their ESP and traction control systems on and can't figure out why their $50k 4x4 truck can't pull their boat out of the water with the gas pedal to the floor. That only becomes an issue if it's pouring down rain or if the slip is gravel.

FYI, the AWD Honda Pilot and Ridgeline have a centre locking differential.

The thing works really well and is pretty surprising really.

I have even used my Pilot to rescue a stuck Suburban on the beach in Alaska.

Burt that looks great for heat ,but does not look like it could hold a pan or pot to heat or cook something up?.

It looks like it could be easily rigged to though.

I've rigged my sunflower for cooking.

Here it is in action.

 

I'm sure they wouldn't work if you're trying to heat your house with it I've got no issues with it heating up my Clam Nanook to the point of where I gotta start taking off layers.

On most days here my 15,000btu sunflower heater on full isn't enough to melt the ice that forms on the inside of the hut.

This was a balmy December day.

I have used a friends buddy heater in my camper in Alaska and it works well.

I have heard of the wind issues with the pilot lights as well and have read about the fix for that issue on IS.

I do find they go through propane quickly and an external tank would be well worth the $$$$.

I use a 5# tank on my sunflower heater and get 2 days worth of heat out of it.

From today's paper here in Yellowknife.

Dave, you can pick up a 70d right now (body only) for $799US. That's the deal of the century. No way I'd drop $1899 on a crop camera, I'd be going 6D if that was the case.

The new 7D is essentially a 1DX with 1.6 crop instead of 1.4.

I really want the enviro sealing.

Good glass makes more of a difference in image quality than the body it is on IMHO.

I also bought a T3 a few years ago as an entry level DSLR. It came with the 18-55mm kit lens.

Which takes decent pictures but until I purchased my 10-22mm UWA landscape lens I didn't know how good the image quality could be.

I also have the nifty 50 Mark1, nifty 250 (55-250mm).

I am looking to upgrade my body and if I hadn't taken 3 months of vacation this year I would have already preordered a 7D Markii.

Drifter, thank you so much for posting that link, that is the mark of a true Canadian, brave, courageous and yet still humble!

I just found out that he is retired RCMP and was here in Yellowknife up until he retired.

His brother is here in town and a teacher at one of the schools.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/news-video/video-kevin-vickers-honored-in-canadian-parliament/article21257833/?click=sf_globefb

 

Thanks for the info Drifter. Are you planning on posting some pics from Alaska?

Yep, when I get time to edit my pics.

Looks like I'll be able to get the boat out again this weekend so it will have to wait.

Echo makes a 13' 4pce float rod. The current model is based on one of their spey blanks but they are working on designing a new cp specific rod.

The clarus rod isn't really that bad at all. A buddy of mine brought one to Alaska this year and it worked fine.

StCroix float rods are very good and have a great warranty.

Of course there is always Loomis as well.

There are always lots of homeless that beg for $$$ and I won't give them a cent because they just buy booze with it.

There is an old homeless native guy here that will ask for change or some food as he is hungry.

When ever I see him I will buy him something to eat. Saw him last weekend outside McDonalds so I got him an order of McNuggets and fries.

He thanked me repeatedly and I told him to have a good day.

I have no problem helping out this old fella.

your now the NSA's priority lol. I get what hes saying though. I ve seen vehicles completely ripped apart and dismantled over a roach. It can and does happen

Quite a difference between drug residue and legally purchased goods.

Just sayin'

I got new shoes for my rig while in Alaska last month.

Didn't declare them.

I bought a pair of those this year and they are great rod holders.

I got ti red of not being able to get the rod out of the holder when a big fish hits.

I no longer have that issue.

I'm not mad, just mildly annoyed!!!!

MMMMMMMMM, beer battered Alaskan ling cod and all the trimmings!!!

 

I'm pretty sure Dave is fishing off the property he's building a cabin on.

Yup. All fish caught about 1km from my dock.