River Miles per hour

[briansauer]

Hey
I was wondering if someone could tell me about how much time it takes to paddle 7 1/2 miles on a class 2 river? My buddy wants to meet at his place at 1 pm and head to the take out to drop off a car (a half an hour drive). Sunset is at 6:17 here. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks friends

[Fish]

Lots of variables in play... For instance, I can paddle 7.5 miles of class 2 in Colorado in June in a super short, slow playboat, not take a single forward paddle stroke, and finish without breaking a sweat in 1.5 hrs. Or I can take a long, fast touring kayak, paddle my butt off on the Buffalo at low water, and struggle to make it in 1.5 hrs (probably not). Main variables are probably top speed of your boat, how hard you paddle, level of the river, and steepness of the river.

Assuming it's a class 2 run around here, lowish water level, low gradient (mostly pools with short rapids), and you have a canoe and don't want to paddle too hard, I'd expect to do 7.5 miles in about 3 to 4 hrs. With the info you gave, you'll have a 2:00ish launch, giving you 30 to 60 min or so of slack time. Not unreasonable at all, but I'd take a couple of waterproof flashlights, some extra water and candy bars to hedge my bet.

Adjust those parameters to fit your adventure. :)

Have a good one,
FIsh

[Wojack75]

Yeah... what he said.

[briansauer]

You were right on. It took no longer than 3 hours. The river was Shoal Creek in Joplin, MO.
Peace