Repairs and upgrades to the Pirogue

My dad and I made this simple pirogue about 15 years ago. It just started leaking a little bit this year do to some wear in the fiberglass on the bottom. I recently re-fiberglassed and sealed the bottom and gave it a couple of fresh coats of paint. Needless to say, she looks good as new. Additionally I decided to add a better seat. I found this low profile one on Amazon and it seems well made. I can't wait to try it all out, then it's out to the deer woods.

To those of you that get to your hunting spot via boat, canoe, kayak etc. What are some things to consider as you go to your spot in the dark of morning or return in the dark of night. I can't remember if I will need typical boat lights on this rig legally? Are there any portable light options that would work instead of having to use a huge battery.

if you are looking for something simple and easy check these out

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west...r-navigation-light--15830516?recordNum=4

Those look great, I don't think ill be needing them after all. It appears if you are traveling canoe/kayak bodies of water they arent required.

I make sure that I travel the route at least once during the day to pick out landmarks and drop a track via GPS. Things look a lot different at night, as you well know I'm sure, and I've shorted myself a coupled times on distance traveled.

Also, if the level on the river, etc, is variable then you need to keep an eye on it. 0330 isn't the time to find out you have to portage your gear 150yds over a shoal. I use a headlamp and a Q-beam. I make sure anything valuable is strapped in good. Sometimes I tow my duck sled if I'm bringing extra gear and I'm using the kayak instead of the canoe.

The first thing I would have to do is get rid of that seat. That takes up too much room for me and I stand up in mine most of the time.

Nah, thanks though

Carry you a warm change of clothes in a dry bag that is fastened to the side. It could be lifesaving one day.

Me too

Really not the point of this thread haha

We (my son and I) just bought 2 kayaks for hunting/fishing.
Planning on just using Petzl Headlamps for lights.
I like the seat and the Pirogue BTW,

Lol. I thought you were looking for pointers. I’d put on my headlamp and stand or kneel on both knees in the center of my pirogue to get to my spots. If I’m not in a big hurry or pushpoling over wet mud, I’ll stand. If I’m needing to cover some distance quickly or have a buck in it, then I’ll kneel. I like to have a piece of rope on the end of mine, so I can drag it through the woods if I need to.

Back when we hogged hunted out of it we did a good pot of push pollin, but now I’m just planning on using to travel some distance to get to my spot and I’d rather not be standing the whole time or kneeling.

And yea since lights aren’t mandatory, a headlamp is the way I’ll go.
I agree a rope is essential, it has a eye and a rope attached to the front.

If you want a super bright headlamp, check out Zebralights.

If you are planning to use it often, I would put a floor in it. Walk on the bottom will eventually cause the bottom to start leaking. We put floors in all the wooden ones we ever built or used. Never had a problem with the bottoms.