Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Solo Canoe Advice Needed
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Koz |
I am contemplating doing a solo next year with my 60lb lab, and there were two things I found I did not like in the Prism. With it having zero rocker, I found turning it in skinny creeks was difficult. That thing always wanted to go straight. The other thing I did not like is it felt very tippy to me. As a matter of fact, I got a lure snagged and I yanked it trying to break the line and I tipped right over. Thankfully it was a warm day and I was only about 20 feet from shore. I did laugh my ass off. So here is my question, I was thinking about a Northwind Solo, I know with the rocker it would turn better, so that is no question. Just not sure about the stability compared to a Prism. I have never felt worried about tipping in a tandem canoe that is for sure. I guess I just assume all solo boats have less stability because they are not as wide as a tandem. My other thought was to rent a smaller asymmetrical tandem and paddle it backwards. Something like a SR Q16. Also, one other question, so I guess this is #3. I brought my straight shaft paddle and rented a kayak paddle. I was thinking I would need the kayak paddle to keep up with the other guys in open water. I was right and it definitely helped me keep up. I prefer the straight shaft for fishing/skinny water, but when it came time to cover distance I found myself reaching for the kayak paddle. Any thoughts on this are appreciated as well. Koz |
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ducks |
The Northwind Solo is rock solid stable, turns well in twisty streams (Kawishiwi Lake to Malberg and back), and even I (I consider myself an average paddler at best) kept it straight on lakes. It's also a dream to portage. As I paddled away from the Kawishiwi Lake landing it was my first time in a true solo canoe and I was nervous about having a 90lb lab in it. Echo was used to being able to turn around at will in the SR Q16 so he tried turning around in the Northwind Solo (not as much room in the bow for him) about 100 yards out and he got stuck with 3 legs in the canoe and 1 paw dragging in the water. He fumbled about and it took him awhile to get back in the canoe. We didn't go over and my fears went away. I thought if we didn't go over then, it would take a lot for us to tip after that. He figured out the space in the bow and didn't have any problems the rest of that trip or the next one. My 2nd trip using the Northwind Solo was 1 week after ice out last spring so I was confident in it's stability after using it the year prior. Echo in the Northwind Solo..... |
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awbrown |
Until I bought my Northwind, I always paddled solo in a 15' tandem from the bow seat facing the stern. Hard to handle in any wind. |
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yellowcanoe |
Watch your head and you would be fine in anything. When you rent you can't lower the seat. Seats are often adjustable in height once you have your own boat. You can fiddle as you want and the lower the more stable. You also have almost zero solo experience.. At one time we all did, so don't get miffed. WIth a dog and no rocker and a Swede form hull its no suprise you had a hard time.. That shape hull is trim sensitive.. Your dog will have less influence the more bow rocker you have, but there are tradeoffs. If the dog is in front in a stern wind, the boat will probably spin out. Ive paddled a couple hundred different solos have or have had 25 and you are just starting.. I don't know anything about the Northwind Solo.. never seen one and not apt to. If its like the old Merlin II its a good steady boat. The trouble with soloing a tandem is there is lots more boat to handle in that tandem and skin friction is a factor. To keep up you have to overcome that. And unless you are very powerful its going to be a chore to keep up with fast moving others in the group.. For now the double blade may be in your arsenal.. With a good sit and switch stroke with a bent shaft single ( which takes time to develop) you will be able to ditch it. Unfortunately in narrow alder choked creeks the double is a real hassle to untangle from branches. |
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GoSpursGo |
quote ducks: "I've done 3 solo trips and all w/ my 90lb lab. 1st one I was worried about stability being my first time so I rented a SR Q16 from VNO in Ely set up as a solo w/ seat in the middle. My next 2 solos I rented a Northwind Solo and loved it. I'm hoping to buy one at some point. For my next solo trip I will rent a Northwind Solo again. Hey Ducks - Did Echo ever figure out how to turn around comfortably?? |
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JATFOMike |
Like you, I am looking for a boat that will be used 90% of the time on the rock/gravel streams of SW Ohio for fishing, weekend overnighters, etc......The Northwind Solo is at the top of my list right now for all of the reasons you have mentioned.......Though I have never paddled one, from all of the reviews/comparisons I have read, it seems to fit the bill.....I have rented a prism and a magic on previous trips and test paddled a North Star Phoenix this past Fall. I'm hoping to spend a weekend up North this coming Summer to test paddle a Northwind as well as a Wenonah Wilderness.....It sounds like the Wilderness has the size /capacity I am looking for with a little less maneuverability.....According to the Wenonah website, they will be offering the Wilderness in T-Formex in the Spring which I think wil be more durable than the White/gold version of the Northwind (though undoubtedly heavier) on my home rivers......There are certainly some other nice boats out there that would do the job, but none that i am aware of within a few hours drive that i could test paddle..... Good Luck in your search! Mike |
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butthead |
Personally I am very comfortable with zero rocker, long canoe, in tight streams. And consider the Prism's I have paddled to be very stable, but I have paddled solo canoes for a long time. It may take some time no matter what solo you decide on. butthead |
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Bearpaulsen |
I'm glad your trips with the NW Solo have been good. Rockwood is great too. Thanks for the great NW Solo review. Would it be okay with you for Northstar to post it on our Facebook page? I'd like to use your first name? And ideally a one of the pictures with Echo - if you're willing? Please send to bear@northstarcanoes.com Awbrown thanks for the kind works too. Bear |
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Koz |
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ducks |
Have a great trip!!!! |
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ducks |
quote Bearpaulsen: "Thanks for sending the photo ducks. Much appreciated. Excellent!!! Carl is so excited about it he even sent me a picture of the order :) It looks like it's going to be to nice to have in the rental fleet. It will be nice to rent and try one out on a trip in case a new canoe finds it's way into the budget. |
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SunCatcher |
SunCatcher |
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Koz |
quote ducks: "Koz... just FYI to help your outfitter search. Piragis in Ely, Sawtooth in Tofte, and Rockwood on Poplar are the places that I know of that have it in their fleet. Seagull Outfitters at the end of the Gunflint doesn't have it listed on their website but Kiporby knows them well and says that they have it. So, wherever your trip is planned you should be able to get one. I have 1st hand experience with both Sawtooth and Rockwood and think they are great. I have only heard good things about the other two. Thanks Ducks. I have rented from Piragis before, so good to know there are plenty of options. Hahaha, I haven't even planned the trip yet. I guess I better get started on that. |
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Lailoken |
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yellowcanoe |
Keep your head in first and exit your head last. When you lean your head over the gunwales thats when you go over unless you plan and counter balance. You can see from some FreeStyle videos that folks that have practiced can immerse their whole arms and face in the water and remain dry in the canoe. They use solos for this.. about three minutes in |
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MacCamper |
For many solo trips I traveled in a 15 foot OT Trapper bow seat, turned around. It was okay but I wanted a true solo experience. Last winter I borrowed a fine form from Karl A. and built an exceptional watercraft. Although I had read that initial stability with this model Merlin would be so-so and secondary stability only better, and to be honest I was rather nervous the first time I entered it, I have never felt uncomfortable in my new canoe. Or rather, used now as it has roughly 400 miles under her hull. Sure she requires a bit of effort in a tight and twisty creek, but on a lake smooth as glass or foamy with caps, I am very content with its performance. Truth be told it is the finest canoe I have travelled in. As YC said...time on the water will eliminate much solo apprehension. |
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ducks |
quote GoSpursGo: That first trip in the Northwind Solo in Aug. of 15 he didn't try to turn around again, he always stayed facing whichever direction he was after getting into the canoe. On our next trip in May of 16 he was able to turn around without any problems. |
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ducks |
quote Bearpaulsen: "Ducks, Yes, go for it! I emailed a pic to you. I think that the new owners at Rockwood are doing a great job. I was very excited to hear that they added the Northwind Solo to their fleet so I rented from them for my May solo last year on my Morgan to Lizz trip. For my August of 15 trip entering at Kawishiwi Lake I used Sawtooth and they are also great and I will rent from them again if entering on the Sawbill Trail. I wish someone rented the Polaris as I would love to try it out on my daddy/daughter trip w/ my 9 year old next summer. Our SR Q 18.5 is a beast with a little one in the bow. Derek aka ducks. Let me know if you want a different picture and/or you didn't get the first one I sent. Keep up the great work. I met Ted at the dentist a couple/few years back right when you guys were getting the Northstar Canoes up and running and it was a very fun conversation while waiting for our kids. |
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Bearpaulsen |
Rockwood will have a Polaris for next year, though you may need to pry it away from Carl - it's kind of a customized unborn baby at this point. There are a couple others scattered around the Northwoods if he's unwilling to let it go. |
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ZaraSp00k |
IOW, if you had enough experience with the Prism, turning would not be an issue, nor would stability |