Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: How to do solo in a 17' Tandem?
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OregonDave |
Johnh: ".... am getting a 16’ SR and paddling backwards from the bow seat. I expect it will handle like a dream compared to last year. " That works good - having done a whole trip in the SR Quetico 16 in 2003, and I might paddle this way solo again way in the future. Last year I tried out the Wenonah Encounter, but found it a little tippy for me. What worked best last year was taking out the back thwart in my Bell 17 Northwind and using a drop-in seat (now a little bent though). I might paddle my Bell again solo, but I'm going to try installing a seat, using Northstar's drops with a contoured web seat; I'll just have to drill four holes in the aluminum gunwales. Seats & Drops That's the plan anyway, to be ready should I go solo again. Oregon Dave Goes Solo |
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Northwoodsman |
What did you use to film this trip? I really enjoyed the quality of the video, not so much the sound. |
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TomT |
I paddled solo in a Grumman Eagle in the mid 1980's and sat in the stern seat. It's certainly doable but like others have said, stay out of the wind. You will definitely get better paddling skills doing this. Good luck! |
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tumblehome |
I beg you to find a solo canoe and experience how solo canoeing should be done. I don't drive a bus to the grocery store and I don't paddle a tandem canoe when I paddle solo. There are a lot of solo canoes for sale out there right now. Duluth Craigslist has at least two. And one is an amazing wood Merlin (not mine) that I cannot believe hasn't been snatched up. Tom |
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bwcadan |
Johnh: "I paddled an 18.5’ SR solo last year for a month in Quetico and sat in the stern seat. I don’t think I will do that again. The wind was a constant foe but I do think it improved my paddling skills and my ability to navigate through the wind. This year I am getting a 16’ SR and paddling backwards from the bow seat. I expect it will handle like a dream compared to last year. " I have done both of these boats solo on a local lake. You will think you have hit dreamland with your new paddle. |
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TravisC |
Primarily looking for a Wenonah Wilderness, Voyageur, or similar, made out of Royalex (or similar material) for 2 week lake and river (class I-II+) trips. If you hear of anything... |
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Arcola |
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Johnh |
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brux |
Othello: "I frequently solo in my SR Q17. I believe your Penobscot has bench seats with webbing, so you should be able to do the same (This doesn't really work well with tractor/molded seats, etc.). What Othello said. Works great, but avoid going out if there’s a stiff wind/chop. |
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TravisC |
I have a 17' RX Penobscot. Later this week I may have a used 17' Kevlar Mad River Sundance. I'm also in the market for a used solo canoe, but until one comes up, this is what I have and I'm ready to get on the river for morel season while my partner is at work. So my questions: 1) Are these tandems canoeable solo in mild rivers and lakes? 2) If so, what's the best method for making it work, as I've never solo'd before? 3) Any additional advice? Thanks! Travis |
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Othello |
Sit reversed/backwards in the bow seat to better center your weight, and you're on your way (paddle the canoe backwards). Additional ballast in the bow (what is normally the stern) helps with evening out the freeboard and improves handling, especially in any wind. I use a dry bag and fill it with water (fill up at the lake/river, and you don't have to carry/portage/lug the additional weight on land). Good luck! |
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em8260 |
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yellowcanoe |
Like Becky Mason Canadian Style solo |
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TravisC |
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andym |
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Johnh |
I appreciate your encouragement on the solo boat. I do want to try one but in Northern California they are hard to come by. I have about 100 pounds of gear/food for 15 days plus a 45 pound dog so I feel a little safer in the tandem. I really don’t want to dump on a lake by myself. A solo dump seems like the ultimate canoeing disaster other than a portage fall resulting in a serious leg injury. Safety is numero uno for me on solo wilderness trips. I put a dry bag in the bow and fill it with about 4 gallons of water so I get some ballast from that and it is easy to dump and refill on portages. |
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Marten |
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nctry |
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