I’ve been kicking around the idea of getting a solo canoe, nothing fancy. Just something I can paddle Mississippi River backwaters, small rivers, and creeks. I want to be able to take myself and my two golden retrievers. But now I’m contemplating a kayak. Any ideas on a kayak that I can take two large dogs in? They’re both great paddle partners. But my husband doesn’t paddle and it’s not always easy to find someone to go with me in a tandem canoe. I’m still open to a solo canoe, but it would need to be good for creeks, too. I don’t want fancy because I don’t want to worry about scraping it on gravel and rocks. Ideas?

I have Great Danes that have marginal training, the idea of a dog in a boat wakes me up in the middle of the night.

I'd check out some sit-on-top tandems, like maybe the Wilderness Systems 135T tandem or the lighter Hurricane Skimmer tandem - I think they have some option where you can snap in a seat in the middle for solo, which would leave space in front and behind you for the dogs.



Skimmer 140 tandem

When I bought a Northstar Northwind Solo for myself, I bought a Santee Hurricane 116 for my wife. She wanted a kayak for ease of paddling and larger cockpit to fit a dog.

Reality is the kayak cock pit is not comfortable for dog or wife when they share. She has extreme difficulty paddling when the dog is in the kayak. When paddling together, the dog prefers the canoe.

I suspect that you will ultimately end up with a solo canoe with double bladed kayak paddle. My experience is limited so I can't give you a recommendation. I love my Northstar but ranks pretty high on the "Fancy" scale.

Good Luck

Depends on the dog

Intrepid camper on the QJ website always used her little poke boat. She got a tandem one to accommodate her new dog. Two dogs? Maybe a great lakes frieghter... Haha. Otherwise, tandems I've seen that could handle even one dog would need a boat trailer. Haha. Her solo poke boat was 25lbs.

OCDave: "When I bought a Northstar Northwind Solo for myself, I bought a Santee Hurricane 116 for my wife. She wanted a kayak for ease of paddling and larger cockpit to fit a dog.


Reality is the kayak cock pit is not comfortable for dog or wife when they share. She has extreme difficulty paddling when the dog is in the kayak. When paddling together, the dog prefers the canoe.


I suspect that you will ultimately end up with a solo canoe with double bladed kayak paddle. My experience is limited so I can't give you a recommendation. I love my Northstar but ranks pretty high on the "Fancy" scale.


Good Luck"

My thoughts on kayak vs solo canoe change with the wind. Right now and most often, I lean toward canoe. The Northstar is a little pricey for me right now. But I do love them. Someday, I will have one. I’ve been checking Craig’s List and Facebook marketplace every day hoping to find a great deal.

I was just researching the Wenonah Wee Lassie. The 12’ might be better than the 10’ for a human and 2 dogs. If I can find a used one at a good price, I might snap it up. Anyone have experience with Wee Lassies?

Hey goldenbadger, it would be helpful to know how much weight you need to carry (you plus the dogs) and also approximately how much weight you are comfortable handling to get on your vehicle and transport. A Swift Shearwater can handle 300-325 comfortably. If your total load is more like 275 or less then many solo canoes can handle it.

As I try to envision taking two big dogs another question I'd have is whether they would be comfy sitting apart (one in front and one behind) or whether they need to be together (seems like my Shearwater would be bow heavy even with the sliding seat all the way back). If you're near SW Michigan you're welcome to try my Shearwater with your dogs...with one in front and one in back it would handle great and it's a fine boat for poking around on either lakes or rivers.

The Northstar Polaris tandem gives up a bit to a true solo but is also not far off a big solo in performance...but it may be too fancy. As you can see I think I have room for several more dogs in mine and just FYI I was using it as a solo and driving upstream against the current that day.

justpaddlin: "Hey goldenbadger, it would be helpful to know how much weight you need to carry (you plus the dogs) and also approximately how much weight you are comfortable handling to get on your vehicle and transport. A Swift Shearwater can handle 300-325 comfortably. If your total load is more like 275 or less then many solo canoes can handle it.


As I try to envision taking two big dogs another question I'd have is whether they would be comfy sitting apart (one in front and one behind) or whether they need to be together (seems like my Shearwater would be bow heavy even with the sliding seat all the way back). If you're near SW Michigan you're welcome to try my Shearwater with your dogs...with one in front and one in back it would handle great and it's a fine boat for poking around on either lakes or rivers.


The Northstar Polaris tandem gives up a bit to a true solo but is also not far off a big solo in performance...but it may be too fancy. As you can see I think I have room for several more dogs in mine and just FYI I was using it as a solo and driving upstream against the current that day.
"

Total weight of both dogs and I is about 270 lbs. Both dogs are very comfortable in a canoe. They usually sit together but I don’t think separating them will be an issue.

I appreciate the offer of trying yours out. But I’m in SW Wisconsin.

And I appreciate the boat suggestions. I’m thinking something wide and stable is my best bet. I’d like to keep it under 14’, but that’s not a set in stone requirement. As far as weight goes, maybe up to 40 lbs or so. I have a Yakima roof rack. I think Yakima has an attachment to roll the canoe on from the back. I could get one of those if I have to.

Here are both of them enjoying the canoes.

Well your puppies sure look comfy.

Maybe a small lightweight tandem would work best. If you get a symmetric boat then you can paddle it backwards from the front seat and you'll have all kinds of room for two big dogs. Overall I suggest that you go visit Carl at Carl's Paddlin in Lone Rock. He's got a zillion new and used boats and he's near water so you can test paddle. I think you may have to try on a few boats to see what works for you.

justpaddlin: "Well your puppies sure look comfy.


Maybe a small lightweight tandem would work best. If you get a symmetric boat then you can paddle it backwards from the front seat and you'll have all kinds of room for two big dogs. Overall I suggest that you go visit Carl at Carl's Paddlin in Lone Rock. He's got a zillion new and used boats and he's near water so you can test paddle. I think you may have to try on a few boats to see what works for you."

Wow! I didn’t know about Carl’s Paddlin! He’s not far from me at all! Great suggestion! Thank you!

You will like Carl and he will take sincere interest in your needs. There's a good little place for lunch right around the corner from his shop. Please tell him Tom says hi. I'd be really curious to hear your comments after you visit.