Long, long story short, I have had 3 people drop out of our upcoming trip (next week). So I am faced with a decision; cancel my trip or take my first solo trip. I have been paddling since 1973, so pretty good with a canoe. However, I have never tripped in a solo canoe. What I am looking for is advice from you solo canoe experts. Can a guy who is good with a tandem canoe pick up a solo canoe and just head out for a week? I don't mind spending a week alone in the wilderness, but I am curious if you think I would have difficulties with a solo canoe with no previous experience.

For what it's worth, here's what I do. I paddle my Souris River 16 footer backwards (from the bow seat). With my gear loaded in front it's nice and stable. I use a double-bladed paddle and tend to stick to smaller lakes. My solo trips have been some of my favorites!

Yes, you can do that. I got one and went solo with very little paddling experience of any kind. That wasn't ideal, but you should pick it up pretty quickly. At least you know how to J-stroke. You may want to take both a single and a double blade paddle to "test the waters". Besides, it's a good idea to have a spare. Go ahead and enjoy this opportunity.

You should have no problem handling a solo canoe. I did my first solo last year with very little experience paddling solo. I was in a true solo canoe, so I can not speak to turning a tandem around. Check out some of the first solo threads to get an idea of how different soloing is.

I second what boonie says. My first time in a solo was pushing off from Beaverhouse access on way to Cirrus ep. A few minutes of wobbly in low breeze waves, and I was fine.

I am by no means a solo canoe expert. My 7th canoeing trip, first solo trip, was in June. I took off from Sawbill entry in a solo canoe. I had never paddled a solo canoe before in my life and I was in 8.5 days. I have only been canoe tripping for 7 years.

I think you will adjust just fine with your vast canoeing experience. Just pace yourself. I set a goal of Wine Lake but realized that was not practical after running out of gas double portaging the canoe and all of the gear on the Lujenida- Zenith portage. So I camped on Zenith and made a day trip to Wine before heading South to Phoebe.

Have fun. A solo trip is really peaceful!

Rent the solo. If you're not used to kneeling go for seated on your first trip, sore legs. You'll have the advantage of getting familiar with the boat when it's loaded and lower in the water. In and out might feel dicey at first, worst case scenario is some warm clean water! Have a good trip, enjoy the freedom.

You should have no problem except for the first 1/2 hour getting the feel of the boat. Pack light!

You can do it! The hardest part of soloing is getting in and out of the canoe; once you figure that out, you will be fine.

You should do fine in a solo boat. My advice is to have two packs so that you can push the front one forward or pull it back so that you can trim the canoe so that it doesn't "weathervane" when the wind is blowing from the side. Butthead could offer a lot more info on solo boating. I have my method and a non-traditional setup with my Prism. Butthead and a lot of others are more traditional canoeists who sit or kneel in the midlle of the canoe. My seat (I sit) is towards the stern. To each his own.

Tomster

Do it you will never regret it. Just paddle within your means and maybe experiment with a kayak paddle if you have time.

quote Scout64: "Long, long story short, I have had 3 people drop out of our upcoming trip (next week). So I am faced with a decision; cancel my trip or take my first solo trip. I have been paddling since 1973, so pretty good with a canoe. However, I have never tripped in a solo canoe. What I am looking for is advice from you solo canoe experts. Can a guy who is good with a tandem canoe pick up a solo canoe and just head out for a week? I don't mind spending a week alone in the wilderness, but I am curious if you think I would have difficulties with a solo canoe with no previous experience."

Good advice was given to take a single blade canoe paddle as a backup and a double blade Kayak paddle. I always paddle solo in my own canoe but I am always with 2-3 other solo or tandem canoes. In the BW is used to use my Bell Magic but I sold it a few years back and went with an SR Q16 tandem. I just sit backwards on the bow seat and paddle it solo. It is bigger, more stable and holds more gear than my old Magic.

Since you've been paddling ince 1973 you obviously know your way around a canoe. That's way more experience need to paddle solo, IMO.

Enjoy your trip.

You'll be fine. If all you have is a mn ll & lll I'd rent a solo. I'd also give yourself options. If your making good time you can extend the trip or shorten if you feel you need to. Once your out there, just get into it and your good to go. Get your food down to what you absolutely need with a couple "treats". You'll likely double portage, but it shouldn't be too bad. Light weight stuff is more important here... especially when you can't pass on the heavy stuff too that newbie! Good luck!

I use a kayak paddle with my Prism. Your pick.

Tomster

I agree that getting in and out may take a little getting used to; I find it works well to hold both gunwales, keep weight low and step right on the centerline. You'll also want to watch the trim and be prepared to adjust. You'll get in the groove pretty quickly, I think.

dp

I'd suggest picking up the canoe a few times before you get out on the water so you know what to expect once you get out there. My brother in law swears by using a kayak double paddle when he's soloing. Says it's much easier for him. If I can do it then I'd go as far as saying anyone can do it :o)
I bet you will have a blast. Good on ya!
Mike

I would use a tandem blade paddle in a solo canoe. Bring a single blade for a backup paddle.

I guess I'm different. I paddle solo, which is most of the time, same as if I'm with a partner. I sit in the back seat and use packs for trim. Sitting in the back seat for me is a more comfortable paddling position. When I fish I use a dry bag with water to trim. Getting in and out of the canoe is easier for me from the back seat.

Thank you all. I feel better about my first solo.

Do it.
Pack light.
I prefer a real bentshaft canoe paddle for a canoe- esp a solo canoe. Bring both and find out for yourself. I was surprised.

A solo canoe is soo much easier to paddle than a tandem by yourself. Especially if there is any wind.

quote Scout64: "Thank you all. I feel better about my first solo."

Let us know how it goes!! Curious: where are you putting in? I will be taking a group of 4 newbies into Brant on 8/5.

Going off the Gunflint - Poplar. Heading to Long Island Lake and doing a loop back. First portage is a mile long, so not looking forward to that so much.
I may, however, leave my Duluth packs at home and use my hiking pack instead. I am able to carry a weeks worth of equipment/food/cloths in it and it may be a little easier to carry across the portages. Not sure of that one just yet.

Sounds like a Skipper entry . . . ?

How are you looping back? I went from Cross Bay to Poplar in 2012. Long Island, Muskeg, Kiskadinna, Omega - nice country, some tough portaging there, though.

quote boonie: "Sounds like a Skipper entry . . . ?


How are you looping back? I went from Cross Bay to Poplar in 2012. Long Island, Muskeg, Kiskadinna, Omega - nice country, some tough portaging there, though."

The Kiskadinna portage is not a fun one!

quote Scout64: "Going off the Gunflint - Poplar. Heading to Long Island Lake and doing a loop back. First portage is a mile long, so not looking forward to that so much.
I may, however, leave my Duluth packs at home and use my hiking pack instead. I am able to carry a weeks worth of equipment/food/cloths in it and it may be a little easier to carry across the portages. Not sure of that one just yet."

That first portage, while long, is at least pretty flat as I recall.

Muskeg, 178 rods
Kiskadinna, 37 rods
Omega, 31 rods
Henson, 92 rods
Gaskin, 98 Rods
Horseshoe 22 Rods
Caribou, 68 Rods
Lizz, 46 Rods
Poplar
When I was 42, I would have jogged over these. At 52, I am going to think of this more as a Journey than a destination.

quote Scout64: "Muskeg, 178 rods
Kiskadinna, 37 rods
Omega, 31 rods
Henson, 92 rods
Gaskin, 98 Rods
Horseshoe 22 Rods
Caribou, 68 Rods
Lizz, 46 Rods
Poplar
When I was 42, I would have jogged over these. At 52, I am going to think of this more as a Journey than a destination. "

You can do it!! BTW...Just ordered 12 more BDB's and a reflector oven. Looking forward to using the oven,love the BDB's!!

I had the same thing happen to me for my first solo. Click on the trip report under my user name ( the only report I have) and read about my first solo trip. I think you will find it interesting.

quote Scout64: "Muskeg, 178 rods
Kiskadinna, 37 rods
Omega, 31 rods
Henson, 92 rods
Gaskin, 98 Rods
Horseshoe 22 Rods
Caribou, 68 Rods
Lizz, 46 Rods
Poplar
When I was 42, I would have jogged over these. At 52, I am going to think of this more as a Journey than a destination. "

It's not just the length . . .

I've done plenty of longer portages than Muskeg-Kiskadinna, including the Zenith-Lujenida and Tuscarora-Missing Link among others, but none quite as steep.

You can do it, but don't underestimate them based on the distance alone. I was 10 years older than you when I did it, so maybe you won't find it as tough.

Long Island to Muskeg was a rock garden with a few downed trees and the far end was flooded out by a beaver dam. Not a big problem, just take your time and watch your step. There are a few pictures in my 2012 trip report.

Short paddle to Muskeg-Kiskadinna, which isn't called "The Wall" for nothing :).

It's followed shortly by an awkward little one to Omega. After that you're home free. Omega is a really nice lake. I laid over a day there.

Enjoy your trip!

I started solo trips 10 years ago for this very same reason. I vowed I would never miss a trip just because someone else couldn't make it. Pack light, when you are by yourself you are carrying the same essentials as 2 or more people. Use a double blade (with an extension) you will find this very handy for more things than paddling. You will travel farther per day than with a group. Never, never leave your canoe at a campsite or a portage untied if it will be out of your sight for even a few minutes. When you think you are alone, your not really alone. Get a good plan for trimming your canoe load, very critical for a safe and fun paddle. Good Luck.

I concur totally with the single blade plus kayak paddle advice. Kayak paddle is very good on open water, giving better control in wind and waves and making switching back and forth unneeded. Single blade works best in tight quarters like coming into a portage. Longer kayak paddles work best - 240 cm is good. Paddle it at a lower angle than you see used on kayaks to keep water out of the boat.

Lots of good advice here and in the Solo forum.

Wenonah Wilderness loaded for travel with ayak paddle

Go for it. Should be an absolute dream!

I agree with most everything said so far.

Check out the solo private group on this site for further tips.

If you are looking to rent a canoe then check out Rockwood Lodge on Poplar Lake. I recommend the Prism for your first solo canoe.

One thing that caught my attention was the idea to leave the Duluth Packs at home and to go with a hiking pack. That is a novel idea and you can give it a try. But keep in mind that on a solo canoe, the yoke is removable and secures very near to the seat which is in the middle of the canoe and directly above your head when portaging. Hence the reason it is removable. Hiking packs sit higher on your body and may interfere with the seat which is directly above your head and in very close proximity to the yoke. I don't know. I've never tried it. Just something to keep in mind. Bring the Duluth Packs along and test it before you launch.

I totally recommend a double blade kayak paddle. If you rent at Rockwood then a kayak paddle comes with the rental.

Have a blast!

A bunch of years ago I missed two trips in a row because of people dropping out, after that I told whoever was thinking of coming with me your presence is appreciated but not required and im going wether you come or not.

Just go for it. The best adventures are trying something new

quote Frenchy19: "

You can do it!! BTW...Just ordered 12 more BDB's and a reflector oven. Looking forward to using the oven,love the BDB's!!"


Did you get scout54 mixed up with old scout? haha.

Either way you gave him good info... that is a good route. Those kiskadinna portages are what keeps us so young.

quote Frenchy19: "

You can do it!! BTW...Just ordered 12 more BDB's and a reflector oven. Looking forward to using the oven,love the BDB's!!"


Did you get scout54 mixed up with old scout? haha.

Either way you gave him good info... that is a good route. Those kiskadinna portages are what keeps us so young.

No worries! My first time in a true solo canoe was as I paddled away from the E.P. on a bwca trip. AND I had a 90lb lab in the canoe and I have a lot less paddling experience than you. I used a Northwind Solo (available at Rockwood) on my last 2 solos and I love that canoe. 29lbs and rock solid stable.

I can't wait to hear how the trip goes. Entering at Skipper and exiting at Lizz is high on my list of routes for my next solo.