Greetings all. I'm a regular consumer of BWCA.com information; I especially appreciate the back and forth on topics. I'm looking to tap into that advice now.

I'll be losing my paddle partner to college (and his other pursuits) this fall. I would like to continue tripping and am considering the solo route. I'm a relatively experienced paddler with multiple trips to BWCA and several Ontario PPs.

I have a line on a Solo Plus (in Royalex) at a decent price. I'm 6'1" and about 225 pounds (more post-holidays). I've got a pretty big sized wing-span and would probably use a double bladed paddle.

I primarily base camp trip; spend a day or two on a lake fishing, move several miles/lakes and set-up again.

With all that said, would the Solo Plus be a good first step into the solo tripping realm? Any sage advice would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know, but why are you interested in the Solo Plus - because you want a canoe you can use either solo or tandem vs. a dedicated solo? because it's royalex vs. kevlar? because of the price?

What have you been paddling tandem with your partner?

I'm not you and don't trip the same way, but I'd be looking for a dedicated solo canoe in a lightweight layup, but that's what I've been paddling on trips for quite a while now.

I've never paddled a Solo Plus, but did use an SR Quetico 16 once and it was bigger than I needed for me and my load, which made it difficult to handle in the wind because all the extra freeboard acted as a sail.

It may work out well for you - I don't know - but also may not be ideal.

It says it's 60 Lbs. If it's a decent price I guess it would be a good starter to solo in. Personally I would pick up a used lightweight solo from an outfitter or other source and save almost 30 Lbs. I'm just not a fan of the hybrid canoe either.

I've paddled one and it was just OK as a solo. Like most boats like this, it is a compromise which turns out to be very average for both of the things it tries to be. To me it seemed more like a Tandem Minus than a Solo Plus. I paddled with some folks once who were in a Solo Plus and I was in a Magic. They couldn't come close to keeping up with me. This may say more about their paddling skills than the boat, but it did appear to be pretty slow when I paddled it solo. One of the people I know who has one switched from a Prism because he had some sort of medical issue that effected his balance. He found the Solo Plus worked out for him because the initial stability was much better. That's the only real advantage I can see that is has over a dedicated solo.

Bill

Here is a picture of a kevlar solo plus. I am about the same size and wieght as you are. It wieghs in about 50 pounds with the gel coat. It make for stable fishing platform when I fish for lakers. It will hold a ton of gear. i don't think it would hold two guys on a trip but may a couple of kids and gear. There are times I wished I had a dedicated solo and less weight.



tony

If you're intent is to use it only as a solo, then keep looking for a dedicated solo canoe.

my brother in law has one on his cabin lake home north of madison, it paddles fine solo, stable fishing platform, but heavy.

I'm happy with my Solo Plus as a solo. I'm a bigger guy; 6'2" 300 and I appreciate the greater initial stability than the Prism. It's good as a fishing canoe (higher freeboard tends to get caught by the wind some) and will hold any gear you'd want to take with you on a 2 week trip. I can keep up with tandems using a double blade paddle (290cm) pretty easily. It might be a little different using a single blade due to the gunwale width.

Although it's not a dedicated solo it works well in that respect for bigger guys.

Mine is a little heavy for a solo; tuff weave iirc is around 60. For a little extra room and ease of trimming I remove the fore and aft seats.

It paddles better as a solo than a tandem. For a bigger paddler who wants to fish, I think it would be ok. If you've found a good deal, I'd probably go for it. I'd remove the bow and stern seats to save on weight. I might also set the middle seat back a bit further to make the paddling station bit narrower.

Bannock: "It paddles better as a solo than a tandem. For a bigger paddler who wants to fish, I think it would be ok. If you've found a good deal, I'd probably go for it. I'd remove the bow and stern seats to save on weight. I might also set the middle seat back a bit further to make the paddling station bit narrower."

I like that idea.... I think it would be a good boat. I'm surprised I don't see more in UL.

I just picked up one also. In tuffweave layup. How much weight do you suppose you drop taking out seats and paddling solo??

Damn double post all day!!?

I have never used a solo canoe. I go on long trips with two heavy packs and a day pack. I love sitting in the stern having my day pack near me, one pack in the bow and one pack in the middle. I find sitting the stern is great for balance, wonderful for trolling and for maneuverability. Occasionally I have to move forward in a strong crosswind but that is seldom. Currently I am using a SR 16' Quetico and before that for years a Swift canoe.