Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Trimming SR Q16 solo w/dog
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kanoes |
quote ducks: "I'm not going to be very efficient this week. I only had one thing on my mind today :) " hell, im just going to wingnight and I feel that way. haha |
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ducks |
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billconner |
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DeterminedOrange |
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ducks |
quote DeterminedOrange: "Hey, you're back! How did it go?" Awesome! |
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ducks |
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ducks |
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barracuda |
In my Prism, front to back it goes dog, me, gear pack, day/food pack. My lab (60lbs) gets fidgety and likes to roam the front of the boat during a long paddle, esp on small rivers. I don't mind letting her. But I can't get enough weight far enough back when she is standing in the bow, makes for odd handling on a tight river. When we are on big water either dog likes to be very close and will curl up in my lap or between my feet and I throw the small pack in the very front or very back to trim out the canoe according to wind. Depending on how close Echo wants to lay to you, I think with the Q16 you should be able to put the big bag in front of the dog, might give Echo something to block wind/cuddle with anyways. |
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MacCamper |
Have a great trip |
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Alan Gage |
There is something to be said for that. :) I'm sure it also depends on paddling style. In the summer I usually paddle 2-3 times/week and usually take only one trip per year where I'm loaded with gear. So my experiences paddling a tandem solo have been with light loads (about 210 in the boat). No doubt it would handle wind better with a weeks worth of gear or more but you're still at a disadvantage sitting rear of center when trying to keep it under control. Many people get by fine soloing a tandem so you must get used to it. Have a great trip! BTW, if you're looking at buying new you could get two used for the same price....just sayin'. :) Alan |
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bwcasolo |
quote boonie: "ducks- |
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DeterminedOrange |
Sounds like you are close, should be fun to have a companion with to give you an excuse to speak. Have a great time. |
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kanoes |
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kanoes |
quote ducks: "quote kanoes: "your dog along? THAT ISNT A SOLO!!! ;-) trees never talk back. rocks? sometimes. |
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boonie |
I rented one many years ago and just remember being blown all over the place. It was way too much canoe for me and my load. You'll be about 100 lbs heavier, so I hope it works better for you. I'd start with the heavy pack in the front, light pack behind you and work from there. Maybe everything in front of you. The problem I had with it was that my load was nowhere near its capacity and so most of the canoe was just a sail above the water. If I remember correctly, it has a high bow, stern, and center, and a fair amount of rocker...? Could probably easily handle twice your load...? Did you decide on an entry yet? |
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ducks |
quote kanoes: "your dog along? THAT ISNT A SOLO!!! ;-) baby steps :)..............for some reason my wife feels more comfortable that way so that's the way it's going to be :) and talking to Echo won't feel as weird as talking to trees and rocks and stuff :) |
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barracuda |
quote ducks: "barracuda... is that one of Basspro69's pups? Sure looks like it. Yep Günter is one of BP's pups. He is 50lbs and doesn't mess with the trim as much. Here he is at my feet in a tandem. |
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ducks |
I'm thinking trimming the canoe will be very similar to when I do my daddy/daughter trips (kids ranged from 40 to 80lbs) and have the big pack as far forward as possible. I was worried about the SR being to big but decided since it's my first go at soloing I'd rather have it to big than to small. I'm hoping it goes well, I build some solo paddling confidence, and then the next trip I'll try a Rockstar (the other canoe I strongly considered renting). Also, I'd really like to buy a second canoe at some point (a small tandem for when I'm with one of the kids that can also get the job done solo) so this is a great way to try out the SR Q 16 since it's at the top of my list for what I'm thinking I'd want to buy. |
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ducks |
quote kanoes: "quote ducks: "quote kanoes: "your dog along? THAT ISNT A SOLO!!! ;-) my girls think I talk to myself to much already............. they picked out a bottle cozie for me for my birthday that they thought is perfect for me...... it says "don't interrupt me while I'm talking to myself" |
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Alan Gage |
Also, I'd really like to buy a second canoe at some point (a small tandem for when I'm with one of the kids that can also get the job done solo) so this is a great way to try out the SR Q 16 since it's at the top of my list for what I'm thinking I'd want to buy." Everyone's paddling style is different but I'd recommend against this. I own a few dedicated solos and a few tandems and recently bought a Bell Northstar. It was mostly bought for tandem use with the thought that it would be soloable as well. All I can say is that after being used to paddling dedicated solos for many years and after paddling the Northstar solo a couple times in light wind I have no desire to solo a tandem anymore unless I absolutely have to. I love the Northstar as a tandem and will be taking it out today but you can't beat a dedicated solo. Alan |
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ducks |
quote boonie: "ducks- Yes! VNO has them listed on their website so I'll get that w/ the canoe and bring my bent. It will be interesting to see what I like better. It seems some people love em and some hate em. |
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Jaywalker |
I did find getting the trim right to be critical. On my first trip, a lighter weight summer trek, I ended up piling most of my camp gear in the bow, keeping my food bag and camera gear behind me. This left plenty of room right either at my feet or one section forward for the dog. On a trip last October I had extra gear (I was breaking in my new Snowtrekker tent and stove!) and did not carefully think through the load. Paddling into a modest wind the bow was blowing all over. I paddled about 1 mile and stopped at an island to re-trim everything and had no more troubles. On a day trip I loaded up several heavy items right in the front and was able to control the boat, even on bigger lakes when the winds came up pretty strong. I had a single blade paddle, and it was one of those days where you paddle hard and just get from point to point, or island to island then rest. I never had second thoughts about the canoe. I have a yak paddle but do not bring on canoe trips - for me it's just an experience thing. The SRQ16 will be wider than the solos, so reaching over will take a bit more. I found I was banging my hand on the gunwales by accident, but that stopped by the end of the first lake. A real solo boat would certainly be easier to paddle and carry, but I felt the tradeoff for space was a good one. |
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kanoes |
quote ducks: "quote DeterminedOrange: "Do you have an entry point yet?" go where you haven't gone before. |
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ducks |
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ducks |
Maybe if I never paddle a dedicated solo I won't know what I'm missing :) |
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ducks |
Thanks for the insight on the dogs. I'm expecting to have to experiment and make adjustments as we go. My plan is to start with big pack all the way up front and go from there. I'm thinking (hoping) Echo will stay close to me. When my wife and I have brought him with on tandem trips he's gotten antsy and wanted to get up by my wife once in a while. |
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ducks |
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Alan Gage |
I even went and sat in a Magic this summer when thoughts of buying a canoe possessed me, but could not imagine how my dog (80 lbs) would be able to turn around and be comfortable. I know a bunch of guys here use magics, rockstars, and the like with their dogs, but I have to wonder if many of those dogs are a bit smaller, like 50 lbs? Seriously, let me know. I used to take my big springer who weighed about 55lbs in my Magic all the time but those were only day paddles back then. I'd either carry a collapsible water bag to fill up at the put-in or else toss a couple rocks in back for ballast. He got along ok but I can imagine an 80lb dog would be a bit tight, especially with gear. Alan |
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DeterminedOrange |
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boonie |
I have used a Rockstar a couple of times and like it. I think it would work for you. The SR will be stable and you can probably manage with everything in front of you. It's been a long time since I paddled the SR and I wasn't very experienced. Have you considered taking a double blade as well as single blade paddle? |
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ducks |
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ducks |
quote DeterminedOrange: "Do you have an entry point yet?" Leaning towards Kawishiwi Triangle but haven't pulled the trigger on the permit yet. LIS North and Mudro are still tugging on me. |