: Thanks, ya'll!
: I was being a bit blase' about things, and also trying to help out
: another boater, when I realized that "oops, I am definitely
: going to hit that tree (an upright log/stob)." I knew right
: away that it was not going to work out OK for the boat . . . .
: The boat didn't even slow down as it went around both sides of the
: tree, it just shattered instantly. I have no idea what happened
: to the gunwales. I was laughing pretty hard/trying to breathe.
: No injuries except for some abrasions and a two inch long splinter
: I pulled out of my leg. My ego is fine, which is the most
: important thing. Whew!

: The 2.5 mile jog back to the car, in wet sandals, resulted in some
: bonus abrasions.

: The water was up pretty high after a rain - a little higher than we
: thought. Normally not an issue for me, but shepherding others
: while in a boat meant for flat water was just one of several bad
: decisions.

: I've still got lots of pics of the boat, so I'm not worried about
: it. Now I'll have to figure out a new way to decorate the living
: room, though.

Hi Dave,

There's a reason why I have a Royalex canoe and not a home built one :)

Bill H.