Hey guys and gals,

I find myself in a bit of a spot but I have year. I have no canoe partner for my bwca trip and need to find a solo canoe. Well I have found two in the classifieds here.

Here is how I typically use my canoe.

5-6 Friends and I usually paddle our canoes with gear out and base camp for a week and then paddle out from camp each day and fish. We rarely portage. If we do it is to go to an adjoining lake to fish for the day so it is only the canoe and fishing gear. I am in good shape for a 50 year old. Because of that I don't need a feather light boat. My 18' Wenohnah Sundowner has served me very well in that service so far. But I no longer have a canoe partner. I have ask friends and either they can't get off work (don't want to use their vacation), or they look at me with a horrified look on their face and say, "Man that sounds like work!"

I now fine myself in the market for a solo canoe that can:
-Carry my gear to camp
-Work as a fairly stable fishing platform (inportant)
-I do not need a hot rod but I would like something that handle fairly well
-I need something that handles wind fairly well
-I need a boat that can handle the waves on a mid-lake crossing to get back to camp. This one is very important to me.
-I have knees that were not made for kneeling. I sit on my butt to canoe and fish.
-I want a boat that I can use a fishing platform on local lakes when I am not at the BWCA

I have found two in the classifieds. The first is a Merimack Baboosic and the other is a Bell Merlin. Both look to be in excellent condition and they are both in the same price range. The Baboosic is a boat that has aesthetics that you just fall in love with if you are a boat guy. Honestly, it is the one my heart wants but with all that rocker I am concerned about how it will act in stiff winds and waves. This boat gets good reviews and everyone says it handles well and tracks true even with all that rocker. But I would like honest opinions from folks familiar with this boat. will it serve my needs here beyond just being a drop dead gorgeous boat? Would I be better off with the Merlin.

I appreciate your advice, info and suggestions
Ray

You're bang on with your rocker concerns. I had a baboosic and LOVED it on small lakes and narrower areas but a handful of times I was stuck at my campsite due to wind and the fact that it cant handle it like the longer 0 rocker solos out there. Great boat, but not my preference on medium'ish - bigger lakes.

If you're into appearance and plan to paddle based on how nice the day is, the baboosic will work great. Otherwise, look for that functional less flattering boat that will impress all the fish looking at it from below as they come up to you.

Thanks,yeah that’s what I was afraid of. I may check out that Merlin or see if I can find a used Northstar solo or something like that.

Love my Merlin and have had it for quite a while now with no plans to replace it. A good all around compromise boat. A little wider than a magic but I still find it plenty fast with a bit more stability for fishing. Seems to do better under loads and I carry some big loads. Excellent in the wind.

The only thing I changed from the factory was the seat was very high and as a result my initial foray was terrifying and I thought for sure I was going over. I installed a set of seat drops and never looked back.

I am probably 5'7" and 180 so this is a good boat for the average bloke. If your a big guy you might want to look at a Prism.

Stable fishing platform Baboosic
Enjoy paddling- Merlin

Thanks mastertangler,

I am 5’10” and weight 190. I have the skills to drop the seat. How much did you drop it?

: "Thanks mastertangler,


I am 5’10” and weight 190. I have the skills to drop the seat. How much did you drop it?"

I don't know how much to be honest. The boat resides in Michigan and I am currently in Florida.

Here is a crazy story I have told before but even I can hardly believe it.

After much internal debate I decided that my first solo trip would be the Hunters Island loop. I had the time off and I figured why not? I had only 2 other lengthy canoe trips under my belt at that time but in a tandem.

When my buddy who owned the tandem couldn't go I ordered a Bell Merlin solo in black fiber and decided to go for it. I picked the boat up from Action Sports in Jackson Michigan brand new (having ordered it) and on my way out the guy said "here, you might need these" and handed me a set of seat drops. He informed me that some folks thought the seat was a bit high. I gave a puzzled look having no knowledge of things like "high center of gravity" etc.

Time passed and my intent had been to test the boat on a trial run but I became so busy and could never find the time. I loaded up and the following morning got into my truck bright and early for the long 20+ hour drive. As I stared at the garage I realized that I had not loaded the seat drops. A few seconds of debate ensued where I didn't think I would need them but I grudgingly got out of my truck and retrieved them.

A few days later found me on the windy shores of Moose Lake with nice whitecaps rolling by. Hmmmm.........I loaded up and just barely did get back to shore without wiping out! That seat was jacked to the rails! I suddenly realized the foolishness of having driven two days to do a 14 day canoe trip in a boat I had never even paddled. And it was in fact the first time I had ever even been in a solo. I must admit overconfidence did play a role in being a dufus. After all, I had been in the woods one way or another my entire life, what could go wrong (LOL)??

I remembered the seat drops and borrowed a multi tool from some other folks and installed them. It made all the difference. 14 days later I found myself back at Moose lake having only been lost 3 times. It was an awesome trip however and still ranks as one of my favorites.

Moral of the story........don't forget the seat drops, you might need them ;-)

Could be wrong but I think that baboosic is in Tennessee.

Are you talking Merlin II, because that is quite a different boat than the hard tracking Original Bell Merlin.

Great points here!

Would you consider some of the other very popular boats like the prism or are you in a rush to get your boat situation figured out?

kona: "Could be wrong but I think that baboosic is in Tennessee.


Are you talking Merlin II, because that is quite a different boat than the hard tracking Original Bell Merlin. "

It. Is a Merlin II but now that I am trying to inquire the guy is not answering his add. That one may have already sold and the seller moved on.

VaderStrom: "Great points here!


Would you consider some of the other very popular boats like the prism or are you in a rush to get your boat situation figured out?"

I am not in a great hurry. Our BWCA trip isn’t until mid August but I would like to get something in time to used for fishing over the summer so that I am used to the boat before the BWCA trip.


Honestly, I would consider any boat that fits my needs and works for me (well as long as I can afford it). I have looked at the prism, north wind solo and others. Of all the boats that I have looked at the Northwind Solo looks like it is probably the best for my uses. But the Baboosic and Merlin II are what I had found available at the time of posting this thread.

I have found a Northwind Solo in the Minneapolis area that has a small mold blem just below the gunwale that I may inquire about. If I read the add correctly it is a 2016 model and he is asking I think $1,700 for it. THat is a couple hundred over what I budgeted for this but I may go ahead and do it.

I tried the northwind solo and couldn't get comfortable at all. I tried and tried... Within ten minutes my groin type muscles would be pretty painful. But that boat handled anything I attempted and sliced the water well. Handled anything I put in it also.
But so did the prism... Which I was more comfortable in. But that is me... I think you should try out whatever you buy before hand. I'm older and don't bend like I used to. I also paddled the encounter for years. So the prism just fit me.
Weight is pretty critical for me also. But the only difference in a thirty pound to a forty or fifty pound boat would be what I could carry with it on a portage.
Now that Merrimack is made by Sanborn in Winona I'd be pretty excited about it. If the boat being sold dated back to when Randy Pew was the builder I'd also be apt to nab it up. He signed every boat he built. Great craftsman... As I believe the folks at Sanborn are also. I look forward to a Sanborn canoe... I'm thinking that'll be a sweet ride.
Take your time and get the boat that fits you. Most solos may feel unstable at first. But so did that two wheel bike... Once you learn to ride there is no turning back.

I bought a boat Monday. I Drove up to Carl’s Paddlin and bought a Northwind Solo. Went on to Osh Kosh and visited some friends that I don’t get see nearly often enough and came home yesterday. Y’all know exactly where I am going to be on the first pretty day that comes along.

Ray

Congrats! I hope it works well for you.