Planning a trip with three big guys for a week in BW. Everyone is more than 250 lbs. given the weight would a big three man canoe work? Would a four person be practical making it up the little rivers out of EP 16?
Heading out in Sept so a little late for Jenny Craig.
Mike

Having done the Moose River 5 or 6 times and the recent owner of a MN IV, there's no way I think you could navigate the tight turns on portions of the Moose River in that canoe. You could probably make the MN III work depending as to the water levels. Wenonah explains on their website that they don't list weight capacity on their canoes because there are way too many factors that can make such a figure misleading. Best thing to do would be to contact the outfitter for their professional opinion.

Drew, from Piragis, was very helpful but he didn’t think 3 big guys and a weeks worth of gear was going to work well with a MNIII. Rather than do the IV, any thoughts on a tandem and single? We could load up a big tandem so the single could go faster and easier.
Mike

I know the solo and tandem is not "practical" in that it probably means an extra trip at portages and costs more but there is no question a solo is fun, and I don't think you'd regret it - meaning the fun would outweigh the extra portage. Heck, if money is no object and you can get away with three heavy packs and three lighter ones, well - you get the drift.

Just paddling is my favorite part of the trip. It's why I eschew tows. And paddling solo beats paddling a tandem in my book. But there's comfort, priorities, experience, and other factors to consider. If the canoe is to get you to a good place to fish, which I don't, the options with solos may not be the best choice for you three. The good part is - you'll probably still have a good time regardless of canoe choices - so don't get too stressed by it. Being in a triple, a tandem and a solo, or three solos - all much better than commuting to work on a crowded highway.

check out Souris River 18.5

guest2: "check out Souris River 18.5"

I agree with the Piragis recommendation.

The SR 18.5 is a good choice for a tandm. Another is a Wenonah Champlain (big tandem) and a Wenonah Encounter (solo canoe good for a big guy).