Kind of like double portaging...

I have a rec Kayak I use that handles waves well and is great for fishing. Storage is limited though.

One of my favorite spots for solo fall trips involves a 40 minute paddle and no portaging. I base camp there. I'm thinking of making two trips to haul gear and set up camp, and then spend a few days fishing from my kayak. I know it'll work. Just curious, does anyone else do this?

Not me, but I've seen camps on EP lakes that defy explanation without people taking multiple loads.

I've seen "tow-behind" kayak "trailers (for lack of a better word)" before. That might work for you.

What is your location? And where is your favorite spot??

Sounds like fun. I say make the double trip and have a great time!

Don't know anybody else who does this...

I suppose it would work, but why? You said you need two trips, that’s another 2 hours with loading and unloading time out of your trip, then another 2 hours on the out trip. Why not just rent a solo canoe that will haul your gear. I know it your trip and do what you think best. I know I would not sacrifice time on any of my trips. Just my opinion.

quote Savage Voyageur: "I suppose it would work, but why? You said you need two trips, that’s another 2 hours with loading and unloading time out of your trip, then another 2 hours on the out trip. Why not just rent a solo canoe that will haul your gear. I know it your trip and do what you think best. I know I would not sacrifice time on any of my trips. Just my opinion. "

That makes perfect sense. For me, though, being in my own kayak is part of the experience I want. Also, I'm more comfortable in my kayak on windy fishing days than in a solo canoe with no gear. I'll admit though, it's kind of a weird approach.

quote bobbernumber3: "What is your location? And where is your favorite spot??


Sounds like fun. I say make the double trip and have a great time!


Don't know anybody else who does this..."

My favorite spot? It's Northwest of Grand Marais! ;)

quote SourisMan: "Kind of like double portaging...

I have a rec Kayak I use that handles waves well and is great for fishing. Storage is limited though. "

Does it have any flotation? Rec kayaks typically aren't usually good for waves, and lack of flotation makes them sketchy in that situation. Further loaded with gear wouldn't seem to help, though maybe dry bags would improve its flotation.

The double paddle might be fun on the way in (or not), but could be a drag on the way out if you've had an exhausting trip.

quote arm2008: "

quote SourisMan: "Kind of like double portaging...


I have a rec Kayak I use that handles waves well and is great for fishing. Storage is limited though. "

Does it have any flotation? Rec kayaks typically aren't usually good for waves, and lack of flotation makes them sketchy in that situation. Further loaded with gear wouldn't seem to help, though maybe dry bags would improve its flotation.


The double paddle might be fun on the way in (or not), but could be a drag on the way out if you've had an exhausting trip. "

Good point about floatation!

Gear in dry bags will provide floatation and reduce the amount of water needing to be pumped out after a capsize. Given the comment about fishing, I had thought the question was about a sit on top because most people who fish out of kayaks here use sit on tops. Although, I'm not sure that a rec kayak full of water is any worse than a canoe full of water. You could add some float bags for when fishing unloaded.

Hey, whatever floats your boat. That takes care of the floatation question... Haha.
Either what you say or use a canoe to get in and pull your yak to play and fish out of. Or just settle for what you can get in your kayak. Maybe consider the spring Creek float stabilizer to help with a loaded down vessel.

We double/triple portage so we can have all the creature comforts and other what we consider essentials at our base camp. Yes it takes extra time, but an early start at the entry point instead of breakfast somewhere tends to balance that time issue. We want all that we take and usually use all we take during the week in the BW. For a full disclosure of our base camping needs see posts in Basecamping Basics at the bottom of menu you first see when accessing the various topics available to you. While you will not want everything we do, this posting will verify the need for double portaging/triple portaging or in your case,double paddling. Have fun and we will look for more post from you as the trip unfolds.

We double/triple portage so we can have all the creature comforts and other what we consider essentials at our base camp. Yes it takes extra time, but an early start at the entry point instead of breakfast somewhere tends to balance that time issue. We want all that we take and usually use all we take during the week in the BW. For a full disclosure of our base camping needs see posts in Basecamping Basics at the bottom of menu you first see when accessing the various topics available to you. While you will not want everything we do, this posting will verify the need for double portaging/triple portaging or in your case,double paddling. Have fun and we will look for more post from you as the trip unfolds.

quote Grizzlyman: "I've seen "tow-behind" kayak "trailers (for lack of a better word)" before. That might work for you. "

I would be looking into something like this if it were me going on this trip.