How to Pick Up and Carry a Canoe By Yourself

[@davidrobins7753]

I just learned about this method a couple of days ago. It is by far, the easiest way to lift a canoe to place on your shoulders.

[@felicityhoyle7020]

Thanks, I’m 74, and very short, I have got my first canoe….. light but still really difficult to put on my knee and throw it over my shoulder. This way is a great relief to me. I can not thank you enough!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Wow - that's a big compliment. Thanks so much for your encouragement!

[@tinaupnorth]

I have been nervous about solo canoeing, but I can't wait to head out now! Thank you so much!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Awesome! Practice in your yard and I'm sure you'll do very well! :)

[@sfco1299]

Thank you, good video and I like your teaching style/attitude. Cheers!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Your positive feedback is much appreciated! Many blessings to you!

[@joshwalty9408]

Excellent! My 13 year old son and I just bought our first canoe for our first camping trip together (I went a lot as a kid). This is super helpful as our canoe is heavy! :) Thank you for the clear explanation! Love it! Happy adventures!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Always great to hear from folks who take the time to encourage. Blessings Josh and good paddling!

[@CastBlastCamp]

Bout to buy my first Sun Dolphin Sportsman 14ft SS Canoe in a few days already hyped for some fishing! Thanks for the helpful tips keep up the great content. Earned a subscriber.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad I could help! I always appreciate constructive feedback or encouragement! paddle on!

[@MaineGirlOutdoors]

Thank you so much! I've seen the first method you showed, and the second of "walking it" but not the third/last one. I just got my first (of my own) canoe, a Ranger 16ft kevlar. It's a little intimidating as I'm only 5'1 and 115lbs. I'm going to go practice now!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Great to hear from you! I just sold a 16 foot solo Kevlar canoe to a middle-aged lady who was probably right around your height. She tried the lifting/carrying scenario in my yard and it worked very well for her! Best of luck on your trips! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Michelle-bo8os]

Very helpful! Definitely works better! Thank you

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for your feedback! Many blessings,

[@88tube]

I can relate to getting older... Some days the traditional lift and flip is easier than other days. LoL I'm looking forward to trying the walk-up lift next time!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Same here!

[@whatshappening708]

Great video, I always canoe with my papaw but I just bought my own canoe for the first time, a heavy plastic canoe used from a co worker. I got a great deal, too-- only 100 bucks. But I had no idea how to lift it on my own so this was a huge help

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

You're a brave paddler! It was a good price but I don't think I'd like to carry that even 20 feet! Paddle on!

[@dagger281]

Very cool! Thank You! I have a Discovery 16' 4" and it's a beast to Portage 😅

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

It sure is!

[@KEAAA5]

Well done Sir!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I appreciate your encouragement - blessings to you!

[@rustyshackleford3487]

Very helpful. Can't wait to try it with my heavy canoe.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Good luck! It will work, but it may be a bit harder than it looked in this video since this canoe is only half the weight of some monster whitewater canoes!

[@rustyshackleford3487]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Agreed. I'm also looking into mechanical assist devices for loading and launching. Not planning on doing whitewater or portaging, just an old guy hoping to paddle around a lake or two.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

@@rustyshackleford3487 Yes, there are some mechanical options like the Yakima Boatloader that can help, along with a trolley. You'll still need to do some hoisting even for the mechanical devices to work (even the fancy ones) but it can definitely help! I'll be there in another 10 years or so!

[@stevecaruso8199]

Thanks. I all of a sudden got old and will try your modified approach with my 16 foot esquif.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

That's a perfect canoe for this technique!

[@robertbolding4182]

Hey really thanks man I plan on building a cedar strip canoe I have built a cedar strip kayak anyway that looked really cool how to lift that heavy one.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for the legwork! Hopefully it helps someone!

[@davidrobins4025]

Some very useful tips on how to do what every canoeist will need to do hundreds of times.

[@peterstack2893]

You’ve got that right! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@petermonsen2854]

Thank you!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

You bet!

[@CampingAcrossOntario]

Great video! Nice clear explanations!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jnsent]

Wow 👏 Thankyou. Just found and rebuilt an old fiberglass canoe. It's heavy

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Very cool! My days with heavy beasts like that are over - my back is chronically bad but this method definitely helps! Best of luck and thanks for the feedback.

[@chux72vette]

Great tutorial for those pesky heavy canoes like mine. Did I mention I'm closer to the end than the beginning? LOL Great job and Thanx~

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for the encouragement Chuck

[@richardradcliffe6047]

Good stuff. With heavy canoes, I always flip it up at the bow end so that you end up facing forward, then walk backwards into the yoke. That way you avoid that awkward point at which the canoe has to tilt back.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Great tip! Thanks for commenting!

[@getoutsidenow420]

I just did it with the grumman, thing is a tank, and lake is kina far but its waiting for me there now,

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Way to go Rob! I grew up with a 15-foot Grumman tank myself - never fun to carry, especially with a round, steel bar as a yoke!