Capt. Mark East’s Advice to the Careworn, Confused, Lovelorn and Other Outdoor People

Dear Mr. East,
I have four young boys ages 5, 7, 9, 11 who are all clamoring to learn to sail. Neither my husband or I sail, but we now live by the ocean in Rhode Island and many of the boys friends come from sailing families. We can’t afford sailing lessons for all of them. What do we do?
Signed, Sailing Perplexed

Dear Sailing Perplexed,
Sounds like you’ve almost got a wanabe sailing squad on your hands. From experience, I learned to sail first on a lake with a Sunfish. Perhaps your husband could learn first, or the oldest. Usually can pick up a sailfish or sunfish quite reasonably. Let the olders teach the youngers. They’ll learn fast. Next they could go to a Dyer Dinghy or larger. Just make sure they wear life jackets (not the bulky ones) at all times cause they’re going to do a lot of flipping at first. Have fun, Mom.

Dear Captain East,
I inherited a very old “Old Town Canoe” from my grandfather several years ago when he passed away. It’s in pretty tough shape but for memory’s sake I’d like to restore it, plus I just like to work with old stuff like the canoe. He was a great fisherman and I know he’d be pleased that it could look great again. Can you give me any suggestions.
Signed Canoe Projector

Dear Canoe Projector,
You’ve got some fun ahead of you. And, surprisingly enough I think you’ll find it’s really not all that difficult a project, though a bit time consuming. First, I’d look up all you can find on the internet, perhaps calling Old Town Canoe Co. in Old Town, ME, and also Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, ME. You’ll probably start by removing the guard rails and hardware, then the canvas, then start sanding the insides leaving some thwarts or seats or clamps in/on to keep her shape. Send me a picture when you finish. I’ve still kept a 20' guide model which I manage to find time to use once or twice a year. Nothing quite like fishing from a wood canoe.