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treehorn
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06/25/2018 02:20PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm heading in this coming Saturday for my first solo foray, but have NEVER paddled solo.

I'm not too concerned about the paddling...I've paddled kayaks plenty, I'm sticking to smaller lakes, and won't go out into any chop.

I'm a little worried about getting in/out of the canoe though.

Just wondering if you guys have any tips, or if anyone knows of any instructional videos on YouTube or something...I couldn't find one.

I'm fairly coordinated and have decent balance, but it seems like it definitely has the possibility of being tricky at certain landings.

Thanks!
 
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GraniteCliffs
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06/25/2018 03:26PM  
I wet foot it. Makes boarding much easier. I make sure the canoe is going to float when I step into it. I make sure there is nothing loose on the floor where I will plant my foot when I step in. Then I often put a hand on both gunnels to be sure I have my balance. Really, nothing different than a tandem. Just a little more careful.
 
campnfish
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06/25/2018 04:18PM  
I wet foot as well, and i am very new to solo canoeing, but what i have learned form others is step in the middle of the canoe, and get your butt in the seat right away, then swing your other leg in.
 
06/25/2018 04:35PM  
What they said - hold both gunwales, step on the center line, keep center of gravity low, sit.
 
06/25/2018 06:24PM  
You will find getting out easy. As folks said both hands on gunnels and first foot on the centerline. Stay low. I find that bringing in the second leg is the dicey part. After my first leg is in I am often pushing off a little with the second. Before bringing the second leg in I pause, just for a split second, and rest the leg on the gunnel, on my shin. Gain equilibrium there shifting weight to the opposite hand to balance. Swing the second leg over and sit in one smooth motion. Sometimes it looks a little sloppy, but I've not mis-boarded for a long time.
 
jhb8426
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06/25/2018 06:29PM  
boonie: "What they said - hold both gunwales, step on the center line, keep center of gravity low, sit. "


+1 (keep low)
 
06/25/2018 06:31PM  
emphasizing low...my butt grazes the gunnel as I sit back into the seat. Otherwise, as stated; grab the gunnel, one foot into the center then slide over and back into the seat pulling the second leg up and over once the butt is stable in the seat. A couple rehearsals and you should have it down. And yes be sure the boat is floating. If it settles onto something that can become a destabilizing point and lead to a tip.
 
06/25/2018 07:00PM  
Last year I had a brain freeze while pushing off in deep water I started to bring my 2nd foot in and I realized I left my portage yoke on. I was in no mans land I had nowhere to sit and I already pushed off Trying to catch my balance my 95 pound golden retriever got nervous and stood up we both flipped into the water. Surprisingly even though the dog and I totally went under the water my canoe stayed upright.
 
06/25/2018 08:06PM  
treehorn: "I'm heading in this coming Saturday for my first solo foray, but have NEVER paddled solo.

I'm not too concerned about the paddling...I've paddled kayaks plenty, I'm sticking to smaller lakes, and won't go out into any chop.

I'm a little worried about getting in/out of the canoe though.

Just wondering if you guys have any tips, or if anyone knows of any instructional videos on YouTube or something...I couldn't find one.

I'm fairly coordinated and have decent balance, but it seems like it definitely has the possibility of being tricky at certain landings.

Thanks!"


I was in a similar situation about a week ago. Going solo with no solo canoe experience. I posted a question here, and got much the same advice as you are getting. Another thing to mention is that a solo is much more stable with a load in it. Probably depends on the model as to how 'twitchy' it will be. I was in a Prism and managed to not even come close to dumping except when there was less gear on board. As far as exiting, it is similar to a tandem, just make sure you have a decent place to get out, avoid slippery rocks as much as possible, etc.

Good luck, and let us know how it went when you get back!

Brandon
 
06/26/2018 08:15AM  
I can't add anything to the advice already given....

Have fun!! When you get over the Horseshoe area and if you decide you want to get away from people again head over to Allen and/or Pillsbury. Much quieter over there compared to the more popular lakes in the area. One year at the end of June we only saw one other group in 3 days on Pillsbury and they were just passing through. Good smallie fishing there and we had a walleye fish fry and we even caught some right from the eastern campsite.
 
treehorn
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06/26/2018 08:28AM  
ducks: "I can't add anything to the advice already given....


Have fun!! When you get over the Horseshoe area and if you decide you want to get away from people again head over to Allen and/or Pillsbury. Much quieter over there compared to the more popular lakes in the area. One year at the end of June we only saw one other group in 3 days on Pillsbury and they were just passing through. Good smallie fishing there and we had a walleye fish fry and we even caught some right from the eastern campsite."


Thanks Ducks, those lakes are definitely on my radar. Just going to see how the travelling and campsite availability goes, and it looks like weather may be a factor as well.

And thanks everybody else for putting my mind at ease a bit. Seems like it's maybe not as hard as I was envisioning...if all you jokers can do it, I sure as heck can! ;)
 
06/26/2018 09:08AM  
Great attitude. I used to ride a bike and tandems were never as much fun as riding alone. I hope you find the freedom with solo paddling and tripping as enjoyable as most of us have.
 
06/26/2018 12:04PM  
treehorn: "
ducks: "I can't add anything to the advice already given....



Have fun!! When you get over the Horseshoe area and if you decide you want to get away from people again head over to Allen and/or Pillsbury. Much quieter over there compared to the more popular lakes in the area. One year at the end of June we only saw one other group in 3 days on Pillsbury and they were just passing through. Good smallie fishing there and we had a walleye fish fry and we even caught some right from the eastern campsite."



Thanks Ducks, those lakes are definitely on my radar. Just going to see how the travelling and campsite availability goes, and it looks like weather may be a factor as well.


And thanks everybody else for putting my mind at ease a bit. Seems like it's maybe not as hard as I was envisioning...if all you jokers can do it, I sure as heck can! ;)"


Yes.... go with the flow is my favorite thing about going solo. My first time ever getting in a true solo canoe was at the Kawishiwi Lake landing on my 2nd solo trip and I was able to do it even w a 90lb Lab in the canoe ;) I've also been keeping a close eye on the weather report. Then again it was 60% chance of rain at my house all day yesterday and all it did was mist for 10 minutes.
 
06/26/2018 01:29PM  
Always have three points of contact with the canoe.
 
06/26/2018 04:16PM  
Gettin in on Glimmer Glass, Sylvania

Helped by my low center of gravity!

butthead
 
GraniteCliffs
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06/26/2018 04:19PM  
Bannock: "Always have three points of contact with the canoe.
"

Yes, that is the simplified and much more understandable version of what several of us said. Good way to think of it. I wish I could articulate a tad better but I typically just confuse any issue with needless words.
 
06/26/2018 04:30PM  
"Seems like it's maybe not as hard as I was envisioning...if all you jokers can do it, I sure as heck can! ;)"

Yes, but most of us had experience doing it before we did it the first time ;).

Between Bannock and Butthead's video it should be a lot more clear now.
 
GearJunkie
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06/26/2018 07:10PM  
Same as I do my sit on top kayak.

I use my paddle as a crutch on the opposite side of the side I’m trying to enter. It pushes the boat towards you and gives you the balance you need. Although you guys with expensive carbon blades, not so much.
 
canoegal
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06/26/2018 10:05PM  
Trim your canoe so it's stable. Move mindfully, making sure your three points of contact are obstruction-free AND that your second foot will have stability. If the rocks are slippery, try to brace the outside of your foot against a large, stable rock so you don't slip while shifting your weight to board the canoe. You can also hold a paddle in the sand/rocks on that same side to help stabilize/balance yourself. Move steadily with a low center of gravity.

I prefer to "wet-foot" it; it just feels safer to me. I wear neoprene boots so my feet are protected. Landings: I like to back in when possible, or parallel park if on a nice sandy beach.

I've paddled solo in my tandem canoe for 8 years now, but never really thought about how I get in and out -- it's pretty natural and logical once you try it.

Enjoy!
 
Whatsit
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06/27/2018 06:51AM  
Last year I was on a group solo and at a landing with just a large sloping rock and the. Deep water. I stepped into the canoe with my first leg like I normally would and away went the canoe. It rolled and the canoe was filled with water. Packs floating around and I really hurt myself. After that I started to do what I called a flop. I just drop my rear right onto the seat without putting my first leg in. That seems to keep (my vagabond anyways) from being tippy. Hope this makes sense.
 
Iowaypaddler
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06/28/2018 05:04PM  
One thing I didn't see mentioned, so I thought I'd bring it up. When soloing you think you've found a good takeout, you noes the bow it on a nice flat rock. You stick your paddle in to check depth and it's deeper than nee deep. Prudence would would call for pushing off and finding a better takeout, but if a better spot can't be found, or if you gotta get out. Then the three points of contact rule does not apply, a wet leg exit is both feet out, to port, at the same time. The rest of the rule applies, keep low, and keep a hold on the boat.
Happy Trails
 
TrekScouter
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06/28/2018 10:59PM  
I have a simpler solution: Step in the water with your canoe. Face away from the canoe, and place your bottom on the seat. Pivot your body,and slowly swing your legs into the canoe, one at a time. No treacherous balancing act. Done.
 
06/29/2018 07:36AM  
IMO, entries are the easy part. It's the exits that can be tougher. I wet foot and always try to do so in about 8-12 inches of water. Lift one leg out and over and get a good foothold with almost a straight leg and swing other leg out using paddle as a cane. Easy on a gravel beach.....not so much on a bad rocky landing that has deep water right up to it.
 
07/02/2018 10:47PM  
Maybe this has been mentioned but it's something you'll be glad you did. Have a rope tied to your bow that's in reach so you can hold on to it when you get out or in. I've been to campsites that have had terrible landings and had to literally climb up to get to the site with rope in hand so my canoe won't go on it's own solo trip.. Wet footing isn't always an option when the water is several feet deep at the landing. Sometimes you have to crawl out of your canoe. And for those of you who say, "Find another site" Well that's not always an option either
 
GearJunkie
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07/03/2018 12:28PM  
butthead: " Gettin in on Glimmer Glass, Sylvania


Helped by my low center of gravity!


butthead"


Nice canoe!
 
07/03/2018 09:23PM  
GearJunkie: "
butthead: " Gettin in on Glimmer Glass, Sylvania



Helped by my low center of gravity!



butthead"



Nice canoe!"


Thanks! That was a more stylish entry than normal, with my short legs I'm often crotch deep when most are knee deep.

butthead
 
treehorn
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07/05/2018 11:33AM  
I'm back from this trip and just wanted to report all went as well as it probably could have with my entries & exits! There were some really unaccommodating landings on my route - portages and campsites alike - but I just tried to be deliberate and smart about my movements, and while maybe not everything went perfect, I didn't tip or dump or destroy a canoe or get hurt so that's success in my book.

And yes, I found wetfooting it to be almost the only way to pull this off at most landings. Makes things way easier & safer.

Thanks all!
 
07/05/2018 04:17PM  
I'm glad it went well enough for you. When you're solo and there's no one to help, some landings can be a little challenging, but there is usually a way to do it. Wetfooting does simplify it though. I hope you'll have time later to share more details.
 
mjmkjun
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07/07/2018 06:37PM  
Bannock: "Always have three points of contact with the canoe.
"

Bingo! Practice somewhere shallow to find your comfort level with your own timing & balance. Often I use a hiking stick to get out of the canoe. 3-point contact rule. I accept wet-footing but sometimes aging and/or sore joints won't allow smooth coordination. Or slippery rocks, as well.
 
07/09/2018 02:28PM  
treehorn: "I'm back from this trip and just wanted to report all went as well as it probably could have with my entries & exits! There were some really unaccommodating landings on my route - portages and campsites alike - but I just tried to be deliberate and smart about my movements, and while maybe not everything went perfect, I didn't tip or dump or destroy a canoe or get hurt so that's success in my book.


And yes, I found wetfooting it to be almost the only way to pull this off at most landings. Makes things way easier & safer.


Thanks all!"


Trip report coming? Hope everything else about the trip went well!!!!!
 
mastertangler
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07/10/2018 08:20AM  
I have 2 super embarrassing rolls at portage landings.

The first one was getting in while my canoe was braced ever so slightly by a rounded rock which sloped into the water. The canoe had grabbed it about 3/4 of the way under the water and while getting in it released and rolled me quite quickly. A total bummer and I ruined a nice Cannon SLR. So, the lesson is to make certain your canoe is free and clear before getting in. Just move it back and forth to make certain it is free.

The next time was surreal. The first roll happened at West lake. The next time I entered West lake the following year I was at the opposite side of the narrow lake. I was explaining what had happened to my tripping partner the previous year all while I had one foot in the canoe and one foot in the water. As I was detailing the event the canoe slowly slid away beyond the point of no return and over I went again. Infuriating then but sort of funny now. A definite utube moment if there ever was one ("help me!")

Now whenever I get to West Lake I just jump in fully clothed and just get it over with.
 
07/10/2018 12:00PM  
The fellow I recently launched the Search and Rescue for in the BW got hurt getting into his canoe. Not really sure how, but he said he stepped into the canoe standing up.
 
treehorn
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07/11/2018 08:16AM  
ducks: "
treehorn: "I'm back from this trip and just wanted to report all went as well as it probably could have with my entries & exits! There were some really unaccommodating landings on my route - portages and campsites alike - but I just tried to be deliberate and smart about my movements, and while maybe not everything went perfect, I didn't tip or dump or destroy a canoe or get hurt so that's success in my book.



And yes, I found wetfooting it to be almost the only way to pull this off at most landings. Makes things way easier & safer.



Thanks all!"



Trip report coming? Hope everything else about the trip went well!!!!!"


Yep, I'll get one in at some point, hopefully before the memories fade. Everything did go well, except that 10+ hours of rain I assume you sat through somewhere out there as well on Sunday the 1st I believe it was? I was on Horseshoe Lake watching my campsite fill up with water around me....
 
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