Planning Paddling Times

  

Planning Paddling Times or Trip Math (in Miles)

 

How fast can You Paddle

·         5 mph – Strong Paddlers In Good Physical Condition going down stream

·         3 – 4 mph – Average (also depends on boat)

·         1 -2 mph Out Of Shape Paddlers Or In Poor Physical Condition

 

Determining Your Travel Time (assuming down river and easy portage)

·         Water Travel = 1 - 3 miles per hour

·         Single Portage = 2 miles per hour (all gear & boat in one trip)

·         Double Portage = 1 mile per hour (1 trip for boat & 1 trip for gear)

 

Travel Time Formula (Average)

·         Water Travel

o        River Down Stream  No of Miles ___ ÷ 3 = Hours on the Water: _____

o        Lakes or Ponds   No of Miles___ ÷ 2 = Hours on the Water: _____ 

o        River going Upstream  No of Miles ___ ÷ 1.75 = Hours on Water

·         Single Portage

o        Number Of ¼ Miles ____ x 4 = Hours on Portage: _____

·         Double Portage

o        Number Of ¼ Miles ____ x 8 = Hours on Portage: _____

 Note: These formulas take into consideration, a reasonable lunch and rest breaks. You will also need to consider time for breakfast and breaking camp in the morning as well as supper and setting up camp at the end of each day.

 EXAMPLES:

I have a 50 mile river trip that has 4 portages (2 portages are ¼ mile, and 2 portages are 1 mile).

·      Down river of 50 miles ÷ 3 = 17 hours

·      Total Double portages (carry) @ .5 miles x 8 = 4 hours

·      Total Single portage (using a cart) 2 miles x 4 = 8 hours

·      Trip total is 29 hours.  At 10 hours paddling/portaging a day this is a 3 day trip.

 

I have a 80 mile river trip that has 12 portages (8 portages are ¼ mile, and 2 portage are 2 mile.

·      Down river of 80 miles ÷ 3 = 27 hours

·      Total Double Portages (carry) @ 2 miles x 8 = 16 hours

·      Total Single Portages (using a cart) @ 4 miles x 4 = 16 hours

·      Total Trip is 59 hours.  At 10 hours paddling/portaging a day this is a 6 day trip.

 

Planning Out a Paddling Trip Math

 

How Fast can You Paddle

·         5 mph – Strong Paddlers In Good Physical Condition

·         3 – 4 mph – Average (also depends on boat)

·         1 -2 mph Out Of Shape Paddlers Or In Poor Physical Condition

 

Determining Your Travel Time

·         Water – 1 - 3 miles per hour

·         Single Portage = 2 miles per hour (all gear & boat in one trip)

·         Double Portage = 1 mile per hour (1 trip for boat & 1 trip for gear)

 

Travel Time Formula

·         Water Travel – Number Of Miles _____ - 3 = Hours On The Water: _____

·         Single Portage – Number Of Rods _____ - 990 = Hours on Portage: _____

·         Double Portage - Number Of Rods _____ - 330 = Hours on Portage: _____

 

Portages

Portages can be measured in rods.

 

What the Heck Is Rod

·         One Rod = 16.5 Feet

·         One Mile = 5, 280 Feet

·         One Mile = 320 Rods

 

For You City Folk – think of those portages in terms of familiar distance for walkers. There are 26 Rods in a city block.