Hi. I am wondering if anyone can provide input into whether the Bell Wildfire or Esquif (or other version) Echo are big enough for solo wilderness travel in the BWCAW, Quetico, WCPP, etc. up to a week or so. For reference, I am 5'11" and 205 pounds, and I travel fairly light as I came out of backpacking and given bringing more or less, I chose less. How do the Wildfire and Echo perform, how are they to paddle, how seaworthy are they, and in relative terms, how stable are they if sitting most of the time? Also, are the Wildfire and/or Echo decent for fishing - how is the initial stability? Thanks for reading. Any input is appreciated.

Edit: I am getting to be an expert on double posting!

I am far from an expert, but pay atten also to what the canoe is made of. Weight counts!

My Wildfire has been on many wilderness adventures. Plenty of room for gear and myself. It handles and paddles very well in all conditions for me and is very comfortable to fish out of.

Wildfire has symmetrical rocker and in a tail wind you have to load very tail heavy..
The boat itself was designed for kneeling paddlers. But any boat can be made more stable by lowering the seat. If you are looking at the Bell the stock seat was high.
Wild is now made by Colden and you can get the seat hung at any height..

Shouldered tumblehome makes the boat seaworthy.

Echo I have paddled once and it has a little less rocker bow and stern but still symetrical. Its a different material and quite a bit heavier at 45 lbs.
You did not say which layup of Wild you were looking at , Mine is 31 lbs. Its by Colden

Thanks Yellowcanoe. The Echo is in royalex or T Formex. I am fine with that weight. How did the Echo paddle? Did you like it? Did the extra width add some stability? In theory I like the reduced but still present rocker ... I like the smaller stream segments in the BWCAW.