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Message |
fireman
Member
Post Number: 91
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, July 3, 2010 - 3:32 pm: | 
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This is a topic with which I have been pre-occupied with for about...forever, or atleast since I started tripping.
I abhor barrels. I have built almost ten wannigans. Some are simply watertight boxes made from wood that fit into canoe packs. Others are designed to be carried AS a pack and have integral back harnesses and waist straps.
I have yet to perfect the design, although I have had some success. These wannigans are roughly 30" long, 16-18" wide and about 7-9" deep.
The advantages of this system is as follows.
1-all the gear and food in the box is protected.
2-the box itself provides a much appreciated bench for up to two people, and when not in use as a bench, a damn nice table.
3-the lid detaches and the underside has a thin cutting board attached
4-when open, everything is laid out. no digging around for stuff
5-the wannigan fits snugly into the canoe and can usually slip underneath the front seat, depending on the canoel]
6-it can be hoisted by the harness system if desired
7-I have used a system of squared off polycarb screw top waterproof containers that fit evenly into the wannigan. each one contains staples such as sugar, oats, milk powder, rice, etc. I am sure you get the idea. Originally, I re-used waxed one litre milk carton, storing one meal in each one and then burning the carton when done.
8-discussing wannigans has provided hundreds of hours of conversation during trips with buddies.
So, here are the challenges.
1- keeping the construction lightweight. it has to be lighter than a barrel or large pack
2-keeping strength in spite of lightness. it must be crush proof and should hold the weight of someone sitting on it.
3-if it is going inside a pack, it cannot have really sharp corners, edges or hardware that catches on fabric.
4-it has to be easy to lift out of and put into a canoe (my chief complaint with barrels)
5-it needs to be of a size that it carries a lot, but not so much stuff that it becomes the "killer Pack". If it is not full, however, what is the point. I have used it for a two person, eight day trip with all of the food and all of the kitchen gear and it was almost a widowmaker going up steep portages,
6-it has to be comfortable, but I have found that a layer of dense foam on the back and good straps is actually very comfortable. too long, though, and it hits your butt when portaging (and won't fit in the canoe sideways)
7-hardware to secure the lid, my biggest challenge. I use a strap and a tight fit, but I am looking for something better.
good luck. |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1217
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 10:18 am: |
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I like some of your innovations.
I, too, like wannigans (I'm a diehard Keewaydin alumnus). But not having a shop, I do the easiest thing and buy a large Rubbermaid box. It is waterproof as long as not submerged, light, cheap, and softer on the back than wood. Unfortunately, the tumpline has to be very secure, otherwise it easily slides off during portaging.
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fireman
Member
Post Number: 92
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 9:28 pm: |
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for larger groups, I use a tupperware bin, inside a canoe pack, along with ropes, tarps, fuel bottles, etc. the bin is good for washing dishes, soaking injured feet, and so on.
I am trying right now to build a metal kit that holds all the pots, pans, plates, stove, etc. AND can be easily converted into a reflector oven.
Like I said, I am bit obsessive about this. But I am a minimalist when it comes to gear. If it is not there, it cannot break, get lost or simply resented for being lugged and rarely used.
thus, plates are pot lids and wannigans become ovens. it is imperfect, which is great, as I plant to paddle a long, long time and would miss gabbing endlessly about it on trips and forums. cheers. |
60s_windshifter
Member
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2009
| | Posted on Friday, July 9, 2010 - 4:43 pm: |
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In '68 & '69 while traversing the Temagami region all our Wannigans were rather clumsy wooden boxes with a leather strap one wore across the forehead while portaging.
For one reason or another, I always seemed to end up with the biggest one, the bread wannigan. Not really to heavy, but cumbersome as all because of it's size.
I'd like to think things have improved dramatically in 40 years. |
macnab
Member
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2011 - 12:05 pm: |
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Can't someone supply us with the construction details of the way they build them at Keywadin? |
brian
Moderator
Post Number: 1293
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2011 - 9:28 am: |
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There is lots of stuff about Keewaydin wannigans in The Keewaydin Way.
http://www.ottertooth.com/Temagami/News/newsbriefs -046.htm#au9
It is also for sale at Temagami Outfitting and Gulliver's Books in North Bay.
It lists the dimensions for a regular wannigan as 22 by 12 by 12 inches. |
fireman
Member
Post Number: 139
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, February 20, 2011 - 8:38 am: |
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Well, when Brian Back responds to a wannigan post, who am I to stay silent??
I am, admittedly, a little obsessed with wannigans. Tuesday next, I head out for another four days on the dog sled trails in Algonquin. this is how I know Craig MacDonald. We use all of his gear; tents, stoves, sleds, reflector ovens, ice picks and anything Craig suggests, we take to heart.
Thus, although the students use tupperware bins for their gear which are lashed to the kommatiks, I have built wooden wannigans for the instructors and myself for kitchen gear and other stuff.
First, you can make a wannigan with scraps in your workshop. So it is very satisfying that way. The most recent I built was constructed out of 100 year old oak veneer stair treads from a renovation I am doing in Toronto. Clear, quarter inch thic oak boards, 30 inches long and nine inches wide. I ripped up enough to make thirty wannigans.
Secondly, there is nothing better than a nice firm and sturdy seat while camping. I do not care who you are or where you are, it is nice to have a place to park your butt.
the wannigan dimensions are crucial. Mine need to be narrow enough for the komatiks, long enough to hold the reflector oven, deep enough for large pots. I tend to carry all the pots, the axe, saw, stove, first aid, candles, coffee pot,etc. in there. Easy to get at as the lid comesd off easily. I also pad the lid on one side and use the underside as a cutting board/food prep surface. You can stand on them, lean against them and stack a lot of bins on top of them.
For paddling, I am still working on the ultimate wannigan with an integral harness system. But lately, due to advances in my cookset (another obsession, I admit) I find I can get everything into a duluth pack, along with a 20 litre barrel and other gear.
however, the merits of wannigans will always outweigh barrels and other options, in my mind. They are very strong, supply a nice bench, slip under the canoe seats if desired (or provide a nice deck in the canoe for making coffee) and by being able to lift the entire lid off and see everything at once, avoid that barrel phenomenon of head inside looking for something or dumping it all out on the ground. Like all packs, too big becomes too heavy if loaded up full.Thus, once again, dimensions are everything. built right, they are a pleasure. I have met many a canoe builder out in Temagami who's imagination is ignited when they see my wannigans. Plus, they are traditional, if I read correctly.
I think they are anti-thetical to modern materials and sexy designs for camping gear and are not embraced. Not that they are around for people to look at, anyway.
I encourage all of you to build one and see. I have built about twenty, some have been less than successful, believe me. Avoid fibre glass resin at all costs. It off gases for years and seeps into food. What more can I say about wannigans? Sadly, tons of stuff, but I won't.
And once again, Brian, God Bless you for all those maps. I will be taking Grade 12 students up in June and I am using your maps extensively. |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 951
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 20, 2011 - 10:23 am: |
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Fireman:
You could use fiberglass and resin to cover a wooden Wannigan, but put the finished product in an oven at about 60ºC for 3-4 hours and that will stop the outgassing.(a room temperature cure doesn't do it properly hence the outgassing)
My wannigan is not very traditional ...a 20litre plastic bucket with a close fitting lid that holds my pots, pans, stove, 2 fuel bottles and utensils, fits into a pack and provides me with a water bucket when I am at camp so I don't have to keep going down to the lake/river with a pot for more water.
The best high tech Wannigan I have seen was being carried by two old guys on Diamond one Fall. They were retired from the sheet metal business and one of them had built the neatest aluminum wannigan imaginable, with rolled edges that were water proof and a lid that sealed it tight with various compartments for the contents.Wasn't very heavy either... a fault of most wooden ones.It was contoured to fit snuggly into the bottom of their canoe. |
fireman
Member
Post Number: 140
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, February 20, 2011 - 12:31 pm: |
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Exactly Ed,
the custom aluminum wannigan is still but a dream. Although, I must say, using very thin plywood with kevlar cloth and epoxy,hen it can be very, very lightweight.
When Keewaydin heads out with 5/8" thick plywood boxes and leather tumps, they are factoring in a level of abuse that is not as relevant to us.
I like the bucket in the pack, I use the olive barrel tbe same way, but for food. OK, must go, good to hear your voice. |
jefflechef
Member
Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2014
| | Posted on Saturday, February 15, 2014 - 5:52 pm: |
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Barrels are hell to carry-they're not ergonomic at all. I abhor them myself. I have several wannigans of different sizes, plywood with a hardwood frame and epoxy, fibreglass and kevlar on the outside. Lightweight, easy to carry and they look great too. |
pine_sap
Member
Post Number: 96
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 16, 2014 - 7:42 am: |
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Hmmmm, finerglass resin. Wonder if thwt will help with MY outgassing. |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 1267
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 16, 2014 - 8:42 am: |
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Pine sap: I don't think fiberglas resin will solve your problem.
Perhaps a cork would work better. |
pine_sap
Member
Post Number: 97
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 16, 2014 - 11:08 am: |
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My tent mates would sure apreciate it! |
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Canoeing and camping