Another one...

Western WA. Just purchased a canoe. Checked some videos on how to make stabilizers. My youngest is 5 and I would like advice/video on best stabilizers to make. Don't want my little one to get wet. We like to catch smaller fish. I will be using the canoe in lakes. Any and all advice is appreciated. I have participated in one "Heroes on the water event". I appreciated the camaraderie.

I just read a few of the other "new" posters. I live in western WA. I have been in two kayaks. One was a sit on an the other sit in. The canoe is my first boat of any kind. I have not purchased a PFD yet. I read that I also need a whistle. Since I am so new to paddling, I like the advice from a post about learning how to tip over. I have a lake about 7 minutes from my house. I plan to learn to tip before taking my little one out. I also have a few weeks before the season opens for the majority of the lakes over here. So I will use my weekends wisely. Any advice for canoes?

I don't have any canoe-specific advice but I want to welcome you to the boards. I think it's great you're taking your kid out - start 'em young! Fishing is a great way to get kids to connect to nature.

I'm glad you're taking the time to get used to your boat and familiarize yourself with some safety equipment. Feel free to search in the forums and ask questions. Looking forward to the first picture of your little one holding up a big one!

Since I am so new to paddling, I like the advice from a post about learning how to tip over. I have a lake about 7 minutes from my house. I plan to learn to tip before taking my little one out. . . . Any advice for canoes?

I started canoeing when I was a little kid, and proceeded from there to many years of whitewater kayaking and kayak fishing.  Canoeing is a great way to introduce both you and the kids to paddle sports.  But what you really need to learn is not how to tip over a canoe, but how not to tip over a canoe. Do a little Googling or reading about basic canoe paddle strokes and how to control a canoe, and then get out there and paddle around and have fun.  Everybody in the canoe should always wear a PFD.  Keep the kids sitting on the seats, or better yet on the bottom of the canoe, so its center of gravity is low and its stability is better.  It's easier to paddle a canoe with two paddlers than with one paddler, so get those kids trained up to help you paddle.  Before you know it, they'll be out paddling by themselves, and probably doing a better job of it than you are. Good basic canoeing gear (besides of course PFD's) is a spare paddle, a big sponge to mop up water from the bottom of the canoe, a bailing device (a bleach bottle or other bottle with a handle with the bottom cut off works great), and a dry bag for your lunch, suntan lotion, and extra clothing.  Keep all your gear attached to the canoe so you won't lose it if you tip.  If your canoe doesn't have floatation, adding some floatation is a good idea.  Talk to your dealer about floatation options which are suitable for your particular canoe.  Or you can go with redneck floatation - a truck inner tube wedged under the center thwart.

If you and the kids like paddling, consider upgrading to a sit-on-top kayak or kayaks.  The disadvantage of canoes is that they are open on top and can fill up with water, so your margin of error is smaller.  If you manage to swamp a canoe out on a lake, unless you know what you're doing or have help, it can be hard to empty it out and paddle to shore.  A sit-on-top kayak is safer than a canoe, because if you tip over a sit-on-top kayak, you just flip it back over, climb back on board, and keep paddling.  If you tip over a canoe, it can be a big hairy deal. It's easier to paddle a kayak by yourself than it is to paddle a canoe by yourself.  If the wind comes up, a canoe can be tough to maneuver by yourself. 

But I'll say it again:  Get out in the canoe with the kids and have fun.