Going in on June 19 with four other guys, three of us have been to the BW before and two guys are newbies. We are trying to decide if we should rent two tandem canoes and one solo or one tandem and one 3-man. The main focus of this trip is fishing as much as possible. What do you guys think?

I everyone wants to fish most of the time I would get 3 canoes.

I'd go with the two and three. Its nice to have three in a boat for fishing as one person can paddle and two can concentrate completely on fishing. I've done lots of trips with my brother and dad and we always opt for a 3-person canoe as they always want to fish the entire time.

Personally, I'll be doing a 2-canoe trip with a buddy next month and taking two solos because it's nice to have the freedom.

quote AmarilloJim: "I everyone wants to fish most of the time I would get 3 canoes."

+1

Did a five guy trip a couple years ago. We went with the solo boat and didn't regret it a bit. That'd be my recommendation.

2 tandems and 1 solo

We go two tandems and a solo. Means we can bring more gear. . .big guys have more leg room. . .and have a solo for the guy that wants to get up at 5 AM and do some fishing.

If fishing is the goal then go with two. Very difficult to fish from a solo with any kind of wind. The two newbies can go in front of the three person canoe. I have done numerous trips with three person canoes and they have always worked out great.

my $.02. I'd go with two 3 man canoes. Rather portage 2 boats than three. One with a 3rd seat, one without. More room for your gear than going with a 2man and 3man. Even when we are 2 to a boat, we get 3 man canoes. 5-10 lbs extra weight but the gear space and leg room are worth it, IMO.

+1

If you're covering a lot of distance the tandem will go a lot faster then the 3 man.
I like to use a 3 man holds a lot of gear, is much faster, and more leg room up front.
The middle and rear person need to be careful when casting however.
Anyone have a Souris Quetico 3 man they need to get rid of?