Our early season Q trip has just unexpectedly gone from a 4-man to a 3-man affair. As a result, I’m ending up in a solo boat. Our outfitter has a SR Tranquility lined up. As single-portagers, multiple smaller packs aren’t an option. I’m wondering what to expect, trim-wise, with me (~180 lbs.) and one pack (~45 lbs.) in the boat, even with a sliding seat????

I don't know about the particular boat, but what's useful for solo canoeing is to have two packs, one for the stern and one for the bow to aid in trimming the canoe. Since you're using only a single pack, I'd suggest using a small dry bag to keep some of the stuff in. Throw the dry bag in the bow when you're paddling to help in trim, and put it in your pack for the portages. If you're a sit and switcher, the dry bag in the bow is great for handling the water drips from switching.

I'm no single portager but often have used 1 pack in my Advantage. Start with it close to the seat behind you and start adjustments with the slider. I can trim well this way, but still prefer 2 packs.

butthead

If you can't get the trim right with one pack just put all the packs in the tandem and paddle the Tranquility empty. The Tranquility is not exactly a speed demon and depending upon what you are paired with it might level the playing field a bit.

I rented a Tranquility several years ago with a slider seat. With the seat as far back as it would go you are just a little too far forward without gear. So tell me who likes to paddle a canoe solo from the front of the canoe.

I love my Tranquility. My CCS Hybrid Pioneer fit fine. I do have rwo packs. Pioneer sits right behind seat and I pushed or pulled the lighter pack up front for trim. I'd suggest same as MRied - have a dry bag at top of pack you can set up front.

6-2, 230, 45 lb and 30 lb packs. Seat is permanently set back.

By the way, the one time I was with some one else - in a Prism - I was faster. Coupled with a good yak paddle, you'll easily keep up with tandem.

I've read numerous opinions that the Tranquility's seat is too far forward and possibly even so when all the way back on the slider. Why in the world would they keep making it this way?

I don't recall if I found it a problem when I rented a Tranq with slider some years ago, but the one I bought from an outfitter had the fixed seat moved back. I clamp the yoke on about 8" in front if seat.

Shouldn't be an issue as the Tranquility doesn't like to turn compared to other solos.

I'm not sure what shouldn't be an issue but I didnt have any problems turning as much as I pleased. I sometimes wonder if I have the same Tranq that others speak of.

billconner: "I'm not sure what shouldn't be an issue but I didnt have any problems turning as much as I pleased. I sometimes wonder if I have the same Tranq that others speak of."

Probably. I like to turn with static paddle placements and the Tranq seemed very difficult in comparison to the Merlin II I paddled at the time. It was way too much work to make the Tranq turn for me. Thats why I think in comparison to some other more highly rockered ( stern ) boats that the trim will be less of an issue. Even if you dump a dog in the bow. I had my wet unhappy Golden standing no less in the bow of my Merlin II and the steering was way sloppy in a high wind. The Tranq that all 15 of us hated when we did our play and exchange boat ( the boats were all empty)sessions could well have done better being so far out of trim..

Bill do you have a test dog so you can report your findings?

I don't have a dog. I also am never not loaded with gear. I suspect that makes a big difference.

Not every paddler likes to turn circles in a twitchy boat, there's something to be said for a stable platform that's happy to just...sit there. Then go in straight lines, and sit still again.

There's something to be said for a boring boat that doesn't require much thought or concentration to paddle, the Tranq is one of the few solo boats that fall into that category. Which is why I imagine a dozen freestyle paddlers would not care for it.

Here is a photo showing how much seat was moved. Ithink those rivets are about 4" apart. The original position is covered by a strip of kevlar and epoxy.

Dilligaf0220: "Not every paddler likes to turn circles in a twitchy boat..."

+1, even though I have a somewhat "twitchy boat".