Looking for advice on solo tripping. I've always done tandem canoeing and want to try solo this year. I'm not sure I want to spend the money on solo canoe as of yet. I have an older Jensen Kevlar 49 17' and a bell northwind 17'6". L

The Jensen would be my choice of the two. Pick a route with small lakes so you can deal with wind better. Soloing in a tandem leaves you really vulnerable to wind.

What I would really suggest is renting a solo from an outfitter. I sampled the websites and found ranges from $33-$45/ day. They were all for really nice boats. Bell/Northwind Magic and Wenonah Prisms were common in the mix. It will give you a better feel for solo travel and give you better chance in the wind.

Some outfitters that sell their used boats will put your rental against the final bill if you commit to buying one at the end of the season.

I think $33/day is a real good deal. If it seems expensive, go up for a short trip like four days so it doesn't break the bank.

My first solo was in a 17 foot Grumman Eagle. I paddled from the bow seat and weighed the stern down with packs. This was in 1984 and I was a young strong paddler. I don't remember any wind difficulties but I can see it being an issue on big water.

My advice if you do go in a tandem is just stay off of big lakes. Maybe connect river routes such as along the Kawishiwi.

Last year I went up to the Q with two of my friends. We traveled up together and then went our separate ways for five days before meeting up again. One of the guys used his tandem canoe. That guy went the farthest. It was, however, only windy one day. I guess the point is a tandem works if you are interested in trying a solo. The solo is about being alone much more than what canoe you have to use.
Come to think of it I used a Grumman aluminum 17 footer nearly 50 years ago when I took my very first solo in the BW.

My suggestion is to rent a solo if you feel like you can afford it. There are a lot of solo canoes out there so just buyiung one without trying a few can be a mistake, you end up buying one that is to "Tender" for you . Tender is one word I personally don't want to hear when I get in a canoe, I want my solos to be rock solid, period.. Ther are alot of members who might be willing to let you test paddle their canoes if you are a member and ask nicely, I would have no problem with someone who wants to take The Dark Lady for a spin, you leave me with the title for your truck, your bank numbers and depending on what your wife looks like, her. If you do decide to go solo in a tandem put some weight in the front end, water proof bag with water in it is a great ballast, rocks are OK but why take a chance in scratching up your canoes interior? Plus you never know if there are rocks at the portage ends, HA HA. I started my solo caree with a 17 foot alui tank, carried it many a mile and paddled it 100s of BWCA miles. Whatever you decide to do be warned soloing is very addictive. FRED

I wouldn't think twice about taking a 17' solo. Did it several times in the 80's. If you can swing it, a kayak paddle can help with wind issues.

People do solo in a tandem, although it's not ideal. A lot depends on kind of trip you're planning and maybe what time of year. It's more difficult when windy, but if you're not planning to travel much and avoiding big water, it will be less of a problem. I'd agree with others that if you can budget to rent a solo (even if it's not kevlar), you'll probably be happier than a tandem.

I've soloed in an 18'6" champlain and 17' SR. Correctly weighting the canoe with ballast was important. I also bought a drop-in seat so that I could position myself better in the boat. I'm not suggesting you go to these lengths. Depending on the boat, some folks can sit the bow and paddle the canoe backwards. It's possible.

I solo in all three of my tandem boats.....two Nova Craft 16 ft. Roylex for rivers and a Wennonah Kevlar Boundary Waters for wilderness tripping. I use a Spring Creek center seat yoke in place of the wood yoke on all three boats and paddle with a longer kayak paddle also from Spring Creek. Also use a seat back cushion from....you guessed it. Did fourteen day solo last year in WCPP from Irvine down the west side to Gammon then back up to Royd for pick up. Love the stability, capacity and roominess a tandem provides. I fish a lot and the boats are set up for that. I'm 67 and no problem portaging the kevlar boat. Heading in for three weeks in late Aug. but will have newly retired brother along. Same boat and set up, just changing paddles. Whether soloing or traveling together, only one guy carries the boat anyway. The tandem is a good fit for me.....at least for now.
Main point is....do what works for you. Then enjoy!
..........Mike

I would go solo in a tandem if that's what I had. I paddled my 16 foot tandem solo a lot before I got my Vagabond.
Also Bill Mason solo camped a lot in his 17 foot canvas canoe. I think you should go for it.

To Fred's point (lol by the way). I'd be more than happy to let you portage my boat on my next trip....just to see what it's like of course! After each portage you would then have to walk around the lake via the shoreline and meet me at the takeout. I'll basecamp/fish /explore/relax for as many days as it takes you to get to the take out. I'll supply the sat phone so you can let me know when you made it. We'll repeat this process about thirty times. You'll be well decided by then. As far as wives go, I'll throw mine in on the deal....plus a draft choice to be name later!
On a more serious note, try out a solo or a shorter tandem and see what you think.
It's not important on why, how, or where you do it. The important part is to just do it and enjoy! Life's too damn short not to.
...........Mike

mpeebles,

I would like to get a Boundary Waters Kevlar Ultralight to use as both a tandem and a solo. I'm 5'11" and weigh around 325 lbs. I would bring around 40 - 60 lbs. of gear if I solo. How do you think the Boundary Waters would work for me as a solo? I love it for a tandem. Since it doesn't have a thwart behind the bow seat have you ever paddled it backwards from the bow seat?

I don't know the Jensen so can't comment on that, but your Northwind, as I recall, has a different rocker in front vs the back, which would make it a poor choice I believe to try to paddle backwards from the bow seat. If you have one of those kneeling thwarts, you paddle the bow first from there, but would be kneeling. Others, please feel free to correct me on this if I am wrong.

If your choice is between using one of your boats or not going, use your boats. If you can swing the rental for a solo you will be glad you did. Aside from knowing if you like solo tripping, it would be very good for you to get to know the differences in the solo boats both for renting in the future and potentially buying. Personal preferences vary, but I really liked the Magic, and just didn't like the Prism. Others may be just the opposite.

I have a Jensen 17 with a solo seat. I’ve used it on many solo trips. While not a true solo canoe, it handles fairly well.

Northwoodsman,

I used to paddle two of my tandems backwards. Worked good if you kept it trimmed out.
However, once I discovered the center seat yoke mentioned above there was no turning back. They work great. At 325, weight might be an issue......can always set something under it for support?? I broke one at 245 but only because I "plopped" down in it. When I went to order another the folks at SC offered to replace it for free. I declined the offer because I had gotten so much use out of it and was that happy with the product. Paddling 'backward' might be the answer. Like I said do whatever works best for you.
I even use my kayak paddle most the time when going tandem. I do switch to a wood paddle once in a while as I love the feel of wood.
By the way, I have some good stories about my experiments with swivel seats, sitting on coolers, etc. I'd experiment in a lake with a sandy shallow bottom and keep the fish entertained for hours with my many mishaps!
Good luck!...........Mike

I found a wenohnah Kruger on Craigslist. Owner states that it's tough weave construction and is 18' and 38 pounds. And thoughts or advice ? I told him I would like to try it in the water before buying it. Snow is coming today so I guess I will be waiting

Mike (mpeebles), Thanks for the info. I like the stability and the versatility of the Wenonah Boundary Waters. I was trying to explain it to someone else that all of my weight is above the gunwales so almost all canoes, especially solo's, are tippy as heck. I don't feel that in the W-BW. Thanks for the info.

NW

I too love the stability of a tandem, especially a little wider one. Not the fastest/lightest boat in the world but 'I don't want to go a million miles an hour, I just want to go a million miles' :)

Safe travels........Mike

I put a kneeling thwart in my Northwind, in place of the rear thwart. It works ok, but in a wind you're going to get blown around a lot. Assuming you will be lightly loaded going solo, you won't have a lot to load the canoe.