Speak of the Devil . . .
Speak of the Devil, and they say he usually pops up!
And that's more-or-less how I got here. I had run a search looking for info on watercraft that have a place in Florida history, and saw a link where "Glade Skiff" was mentioned and I clicked on it, and found myself looking at a thread on this Forum that contained links to three threads on another Forum (Southernpaddler) that were mine!
Those threads were about building a Glade Skiff from the info found in Glen Simmons' book. And the skiff was built, and then taken to where I thought it would be appropriate to spend some time out with it. I put in at Mack's Fish Camp and spent 3 days and two nights out in the Everglades.
For me, it was a dream come true. I'd found a boat that was specific to Florida, built it, and used it in the very area it was designed for. Add to that, it was a solo trip, and it turned out to be something of a Spirit Quest of sorts.
Since then, I read Totch Brown's book and predictably, I've now built (and used) a Pit Pan.
Most all my trips on the boats are solo. Partly because I am a bit of a loner, but mostly because I work Fri, Sat, & Sun nights, 7Pm to 7Am. But that does give me the rest of the week to do what I want. And what I am looking forward to doing is exploring and camping, primarily using my boats.
Living in the North East corner of Pasco County, the Everglades are a bit of a drive for me. I do want to get back out there, but I won't be able to as much as I'd like to. So, I suppose a good deal of my time will likely be spent closer to home, in areas such as the Green Swamp (Withlacoochee River,) and the backwaters around Ozello, Homosassa, and similar places.
Currently, I'm getting my camping equipment updated and ready to go. Nice thing about camping from a boat, you don't worry quite as much about the weight of your gear. Don't think I'll be doing much backpacking, but I won't write it off, entirely. And I really hate sleeping on the ground, so I'm a hammock camper.
I'm off right now to spend a little more time looking around this web site!
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL
Views: 256
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Flex Kayakfari.com on
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Welcome Mike!
Glade Skiff sounds fun, but the Pit Pan must be a bear to paddle, que no?!
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Permalink Reply by Mike Singleton on
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Paddling that little mortar box takes some getting used to. Come to think of it, poling it isn't all that easy, either. Learning to move the Glade Skiff was much easier than I thought it would be. It only took a few minutes to get the feel of it. Push pole or paddle, the Skiff moves with little effort, and quite gracefully.
The Pit Pan demands your attention. I suppose over time, it will become easy.
If I manage to get over my desire to keep it "historically accurate," I can see where a double-blade kayak paddle would work well with that little boat. In fact, I did pick up an inexpensive two-part double paddle for "emergency use," thinking that some of the places I find myself in, has currents (sometimes tidal) that could become a real problem going against.
If you want to see the Pit Pan on it's maiden voyage, it is HERE.
(I always have trouble posting a link to a video that shows the video still shot.)
The Pit Pan is a lot of fun! Much easier to stand up in than I ever imagined. Very easy to load into the truck, transport and launch. Nice for scouting new territory on the spur of the moment. If it looks good, I can always come back with the "big" boat.
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL
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Permalink Reply by Roger Hammer on
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Hello Mike. I haven't been on this forum for some time but saw your post this morning. I was good friends with Glen Simmons, and my next door neighbor, John Ogden, built one of his glades skiffs with Glen there helping. It was John's daughter, Laura Ogden, who authored the book, Gladesmen, with Simmons, but she has recently moved to New Hampshire. It's a good read if you haven't read it yet. I solo paddle the Everglades as often as time allows but that hasn't been very often in the past year due to a book on Central Florida wildflowers that I've been working on. If you're heading down this way and need some advice on where to paddle, let me know. There are a LOT of places better than Mack's Fish Camp!
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Not sure how many times I've read Gladesmen, but it has been quite a few! I appreciate you comments on Ms. Ogden, as I like her approach to Florida history. I'd really like to find out out your "places to paddle" and will be asking you to expound on that in the near future. Right now, I'm in the middle of what passes for my "work week," but I will be getting back to you on that.
And I'd like to hear more about the wildflower book, as well!
Mike S.
Spirng Hill, FL
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Mike, you can get my email address from my website, posted in my first reply. I'd love to offer some sage advice on places for you to paddle, or pole, whatever. My canoe of choice is my Kevlar, 16' 2" Swift Shearwater but I also paddle a carbon fiber/fiberglass Kaskazi Dorado II sit-on-top fishing kayak. Years ago I bought plans for a Cajun boat called a Pirogue, but never got around to building it. It'd be a nice poling boat for the glades and once I get finished with this book (Central Florida Wildflowers) I plan on building it. Books I have out there already are Everglades Wildflowers, Exploring Everglades National Park and the Surrounding Area (the much improved 2nd edition will be out soon), Florida Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Sunshine State, and Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies in Tropical Florida.
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Roger,
Email headed your way!
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL
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