In the past few years, I have done several solo trips in a kevlar prism. I adopted a new dog in mid january and I estimate he will be about 40 pounds by the summer. I want to take him on future (otherwise solo) trips, and I am looking for advice as to whether or not I should continue to use the prism, or should I take one of my two person boats, to account for the weight and movement of the dog. On my trip last year, I brought two packs with a total weight of about 65 pounds, including food. I will have to change from a hammock back to a large tent, which may add a few pounds, and I figure up to ten pounds for dog food and bowls, etc.

Any advice?

I can't advise on the canoe. But have you seen the doggie tent I used last Sept.? It works great and my 45-50lb. border collie loves it.

Pup Tent

I do not know much about the Prism, but unless you are a really big guy I would sure think it is doable weight wise.

I did a week solo with my 80# German Shepard dog in a 12.5 foot Old Town Pack canoe and we had plenty of freeboard. I weigh about 170 #'s and carried about 50#'s total gear and food. I have a nice backpack for the dog and she carrries her own food, bowl and tennis ball/throwers.
Scroll through the threads here in the solo forum, you will get alot of info for your situation.

Mitch, I think you'll do fine in your Prism with your buddy. I have traveled with partners in Prism's carrying 100+ pounds of gear and themselves, lots of weight leeway and a very stable ride. More important is your dogs behavior in the canoe, you don't want it moving or jumping about. The dog tent is a good idea. Maybe a cheap solo that can be rigged with the fly only. I've seen many such used. Just an idea, how about a CCS lean1+ for you both. No floor works real well with that, my paddling partner uses one for himself and his dog.
Don't forget a pack for the dog, he/she can carry his own food, and a dog PFD.

butthead

I never got comfortable in a prism with my dog, and my dog is well behaved in a canoe.

In my renting days I used a Wenonah Adirondack backwards. With gear it was great. I now have a Fisherman, which can work backwards or with a chair insert with full gear, but is a pain with just me and the dog.

Congratulations on your new trip mate! First, I'd suggest you look at the bottom of the main BWCA.com page under Public Special Interest Groups and find the "doggy paddle" group - many topics about canoeing with dogs have been discussed there.

I wouldn't think you would have to change from the Prism or other solo boat, provided the dog is well behaved. I switched to a small tandem (SRQ) but am in the minority; I think most solo paddlers with dogs stick with solo boats. At 40 lbs you are not adding that much weight, so it's just a matter of how and where to position the dog and the gear. Some folks put the dog up front where it is narrower, which had the advantage of preventing the dog from moving too far from the center line of the boat but puts the dog out of reach. If your dog might jump if you get close to ducks, loons, beavers, bears, etc, then you may need to keep it closer. I like keeping mine close to me so I can lean forward and swat flies, give treats, etc.

It would be a good idea if you possibly can to get out and practice with your dog before the trip to see how it reacts to the boat and any living things you may paddle near.

TomT: "I can't advise on the canoe. But have you seen the doggie tent I used last Sept.? It works great and my 45-50lb. border collie loves it.


Pup Tent



"

Before I read your post I just looked at the image and, assuming that was a normal sized tent thought "wow that guys tarp and hammock are enormous!"

The "pup tent" made me laugh. I should have known there would be something like that available. And I also want to thank butthead for the lead to the ccs lean. I've been looking for an excuse to buy one for a while, and canoecopia is right around the corner. I'm sure we'll be talking at the Saturday dinner, wherever it may be. Also a shout-out to jaywalker for pointing out the obvious that there would be a sub board on traveling with dogs.

I’d give your new friend a shot in the prism. I used an encounter for me and my 75 lbs chessie. And the prism which I then had would have worked fine too. The main thing is to trim your load... you’ll end up with more behind you to make up for your new friend.
Training your new canoe partner shouldn’t be too bad. But you’ll need to allow a little time.

Duckman: "I never got comfortable in a prism with my dog, and my dog is well behaved in a canoe.


In my renting days I used a Wenonah Adirondack backwards. With gear it was great. I now have a Fisherman, which can work backwards or with a chair insert with full gear, but is a pain with just me and the dog."

I have not paddled my Prism with a dog but from observation I watched a fella flip just by swinging his torso around to see where his buddies were located behind him.
If your dog is calm and not prone to shifting his weight much or isn't leaning over the gunwales to see things in the water--then you are likely to keep balance.

Practice at home in shallow waters.

Jaywalker: "

TomT: "I can't advise on the canoe. But have you seen the doggie tent I used last Sept.? It works great and my 45-50lb. border collie loves it.
Pup Tent

"

Before I read your post I just looked at the image and, assuming that was a normal sized tent thought "wow that guys tarp and hammock are enormous!""

Ha. That's pretty funny. I remember a TV show called Land Of The Giants.

Chicagored: "In the past few years, I have done several solo trips in a kevlar prism. I adopted a new dog in mid january and I estimate he will be about 40 pounds by the summer. I want to take him on future (otherwise solo) trips, and I am looking for advice as to whether or not I should continue to use the prism, or should I take one of my two person boats, to account for the weight and movement of the dog. On my trip last year, I brought two packs with a total weight of about 65 pounds, including food. I will have to change from a hammock back to a large tent, which may add a few pounds, and I figure up to ten pounds for dog food and bowls, etc.

Any advice?"

If you want to try out the situation, I live near Grayslake IL and have a lake across the street from my house; you are welcome to test things out. I have been solo tripping for over 30 years, mostly in Sylvania, and I ussually bring a dog. I discovered that my Springer was too big or not trained well enough. Everything was fine until a group of ducks appeared off my port side. She jumped on the gunwhale and my old canoe, a Wenonah Solitude, flipped. On more recent trips I have always brought my 14 lb Rat Terrier and no problems. She is 17 years old and the Atikokan trip two years ago was and will be her last. She was great company and I have miss having her with me on trips now.

Look on YouTube for Mathew Posa. Among other outdoor adventures, he does BW trips in a Prism with is 60# collie (Monte).

Bannock: "Look on YouTube for Mathew Posa. Among other outdoor adventures, he does BW trips in a Prism with is 60# collie (Monte)."

Nice suggestion.

I trip in my prism with Miss Amelia, a 35# pittie mix. She occasionally makes a small lunge at a "sky raisin", but has never had me worried about tipping. We carry 2 packs and a gamma bucket. She sleeps in the tent with me, and has her own sleeping bag and pack. Ruffwear has great dog camping gear!

I have a 65lb Golden/ Pyrenees mix. I'm going to test out things with her next Spring. In my Advantage, It's kind of tight for her in the front. That's my biggest concern. I live in Lake county. Many of the Forest preserves have non motor boat launches. Hastings Lake in Lindenhurst is near me.

Curious to hear back on these attempts. I just brought home this good boy who should be 45-50 lbs all grown up. I’ve had a 35# kid in the bow of a magic, but he was content with just sitting still and casting a fishing pole.