I know someone nearby selling a Dagger Sojourn solo canoe. He says it is about 20 some years old. It is royalex, and about 46 lbs. I've been considering a solo but haven't even paddled one before. Tomorrow I'm going to take this one for a spin. He's asking $350 for it. It shows some wear but no structural defects. Hoping to hear some comments from some on the board here before I bite the bullet.

I owned one briefly last year. Hard tracking with little rocker. Ok primary and very good secondary stability. With the seat height, possibly stock, it was much more comfortable in a kneeling position, which I prefer anyway. For sitting I might have lowered the seat, added a foot brace and counted on gear weight to improve primary stability. It is a pretty fast boat. Fastest of the few Royalex solo hulls I've paddled.

It was made of royalite, r-lite, aka r84. The stems had some wear, which is apparently common and a risk for cracking with that hull. About a week after I brought it home I was looking it over and discovered four cold cracks, one or two rivets back from the stem on each side of the bow and stern (one crack each corner). They were relatively minor and very reparable. I sold the boat as it was redundant to my Merlin 1 in terms of tracking and stability, though a bit slower and heavier. I took a few hundred less than I paid to account for the damage. Now I look more closely.

I have never paddled one, however I think it would make a fine canoe to introduce you to solo paddling. If you didn't like it you could always get your money (maybe more) back out of it.

It's a great starter canoe that may satisfy all your needs. It paddles fine loaded or unloaded. Ideal for flatwater travel with a destination or workout in mind. Maybe not ideal for a beginner on tight and twisty fast moving water, but turns better when heeled and does have some tumblehome with good secondary stability. I love the old Dagger boats. I still have three of them. That price is one hell of a bargain and considerably less than 99% of the secondhand solo canoes I see for sale.

I believe they only made Sojourn in R-Lite. It is a fine material, but I don't think it retains stiffness as well as Royalex. I bought a used Sojourn and the bottom was pretty loose. It still paddled well, but I know that flex in the bottom is affecting the way it moves through the water. I laminated a rib of red cedar and it stiffened right up. Over time I may have to add two more ribs.

It is a wonderful hull. Fast and forgiving. I actually raised the seat a bit. I paddle it sitting with confidence. I have been paddling narrow solos for awhile. If it is your first dedicated solo it will take awhile to get used to the motion. Relax and don't react to movement. Work on getting the side to side motion out of your stroke.

I think $350 is good even if the bottom is flexy. Make a rib!

No good, don't do it. Give me his number so I can tell at him ;)

Missed the boat. Literally. Weather was too lousy to take it out for a paddle this morning and some guy showed up with cash before I got back to town this afternoon. Oh well.

The problem with good deals is they don't last long.