MacGyver

Man, that's a pain to deal with!  Makes you want to find the people responsible and take them out to the woodshed doesn't it?

Offending pic removed.

I own and shoot both. Between those two, the SWFA is the better scope.

I ought to add that the last couple of generations of 4-stroke Honda 2HP outboards (current gen. being 2.3HP) are great gunwhale mounted motors that sip fuel and are relatively quiet.  So long as you understand the risk to the engine related to capsizing, I wouldn't hesitate to go that route.  It's a little bit more expensive than the equivalent Mercury, but it is quieter and a better motor overall.   Offer stands open if you want to try my MinnKota trolling motor to help in making up your mind.  Feel free to come get it anytime.

BTW, the prop really what limits the speed on a trolling motor.  That and the fact that you're dealing with a non-planing craft and so speed is a function of waterline length.  It takes very little to push a canoe up onto the plane, but due to the hull shape of a canoe, you've got very little contact with the water when you get there.  The lack of any hard chines on most canoes are going to translate this lack of contact into a very unstable ride - and one in which dumping your canoe is going to result in a bunch a damage to that outboard.

Craig, you're welcome to try my trolling motor out if you want some low investment help in making your decision.   I think you'll find that a trolling motor is more than sufficient in a canoe.  The way the props are rigged, 5 knots is pretty much the top end, but you can go all day on a charge with a good marine battery.   Unless you've got a wide, square sterned canoe like a Grand Laker (in which case give me a call), an outboard is simply too much for most people.  Even a little one provides enough thrust to swamp you pretty quickly unless you've got some skills.  And, anything over 5HP is pretty much a non-starter - Especially when you're mounting it on the gunwhale.   I've used both for years.  When it's just me out fishing, I go for the trolling motor every time.  You cannot beat the silence...

There is a very specific reason that some of us who run privately held companies choose to do so - sometimes despite the seeming siren song of going public or raising a bunch of capital through a VC firm. That reason is the exact polar opposite of the quoted post. We make that decision so that we keep our souls. We have a conscience and can act on it. We can speak when it matters and act when it matters. This will no doubt be an expensive decision for Magpul. They are no doubt getting all kind of pressure to recant. Their response is exactly why this stuff matters. There are a lot of things in life that seem important and a few things that really are. As a business owner, you've got to be able to like what you see staring back at you when you look in the mirror in the morning. I applaud them and will support them until the day the good Lord calls me home.

Hey, I appreciate that! 

Nothing unexpected here, but at least they've finally admitted the fact that they sat on their hands while Chris Stevens was killed.  It only takes holding up a Defense Secretary nominee to get them to start telling the truth.    http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/02/white-house-confirms-obama-did-nothing-on-benghazi.php

There will certainly be a few not participating next year.

Ron Ramsey was on WPLN this afternoon trying to have his cake and eat it too. Claimed ignorance of the loophole, and that Pretty underhanded. Our current Republican supermajority wants nothing more than for gun owners to go away, and are more than happy to sacrifice us on the alter of the precious big business interests that have bought them. I think we should publically name the next Debra Maggert. Edit: link attached. http://wpln.org/?p=45536

If anyone is close and is willing to pick up a couple let me know.  I'd be happy to pay shipping and will even throw in a pair of .308 cufflinks for the trouble.

At least the employer loophole in the current law is getting some press.  From the Nashville Business Journal this morning:   http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2013/02/guns-bill-wont-protect-workers-jobs.html    

Maratac AAA. Be prepared to spend $50 on countycomm's website. They've got all kinds of stuff you had no idea existed, but won't know how you've gotten by this long without.

It's not the most sustainable choice out there, but plenty of people have basically used a $15 shakespeare spinning combo for the week knowing that it's drag system will likely be trashed when they get home.   My favorite rig for the Gulf is a St. Croix 7 foot midweight rod with a Shimano Stradic CI4F 3000 series reel.  The reel wasn't cheap, but I have not been disappointed. It holds up to saltwater well.

Florida licenses differently, too.  They've got separate licenses for freshwater and saltwater.  Assuming you're only making a week trip down there, a seven day is completely reasonable for either - $19 - I think.

The booze cruises out of Destin are a good recipie for an awful afternoon.  That said, there are usually at least one or two on every boat that provide pretty good chum...   You're likely to catch anything fishing from shore, really.  In one recent afternoon (maybe two hours while all the kids were resting) I caught probably 15 ladyfish, which are incredibly ariel fish and fun to catch, a small bull shark, and a nice jack.   If you're fishing the bottom with fresh bait, you might hook into rays or flounder.   Really, you can catch about anything out there.   As to equipment, sealed bearings, saltwater rated if you can get it, and be strict about your maintenance when you come in.  Bass Pro down in Destin has some great equipment if you're into the big box thing.  If you want something more local, then I would suggest Yellowfin out on 30A.

Grayton Beach State Park has a great coastal trail, and had good access to Western Lake.  You can rent a canoe at the Ranger Station if you want.  We've pulled some monster red fish out of that lake.

You know, when I'm in that part of the Gulf, I like nothing more than taking lightweight tackle, wading out to about waist deep, hooking up a X-Rap or something similar and wearing it out on inshore fish.  The chartered booze cruises don't hold a candle to the fun you can have just wading in.  Just make sure you really wash your rig down afterwards.   Likewise, there are some pretty good coastal lakes in and around Destin.  Assuming you're not afraid of the black water, don't be afraid of hitting those with your regular bass tackle.  We've pulled some great fish out of there.  Just watch for gators and snakes (and pigs and the occasional bear).   This time of year, waves are more likely in the Gulf, but we still get those "lake flat" days.  Get out there and have some fun!

I hope they let you back in!   How is it that in 2013 that I feel like there's more truth than joke there? 

They've done a great job managing the Caney. People are catching some nice brown trout these days. TVA's pretty good at letting folks know when they're going to generate, but the water comes up fast when they do. It deserves a healthy respect.

There's some good fishing on the Harpeth. I like to run the narrows because after floating for 8 miles, you take out less than 200 meters from where you put in. Spring is good on the Harpeth. You start having to hunt for water once summer gets here.

I finally put my ultralight spinning rig together over the holidays. My mom gave me a much nicer reel than I would have ever bought myself. You better believe I'm bringing it when we go.

I'll give you as much forward notice as I can.  Hope to get Neil in on it, too.  Maybe he can teach us something.

Warm weather is just around the corner.  I'm planning on it some Friday in March.