I'm in the mood to try solo canoe tripping. I'm a big guy - 285# and almost 6 feet tall. Figure 100# of gear and maybe a 50# dog.

If you weren't the one paying for the canoe, what would you get? I'm thinking decent-sized water and slow rivers.

One of my bucket list events is I want to run the Muskoka X in the next 2-3 years.

I use a SRQ16 tandem for my solos. I prefer it for the stability while fishing. I have a Magic also that I would take instead if I didn't fish. You would be pushing the limits of a solo boat but it would depend on your comfort level and abilities.

Same height but you have me beat by 90 lbs:) I have tried Northstar's Northwind, Magic, and Phoenix. I sold the Northwind, and Magic. The Phoenix does what I want most out of the Three, small streams, rivers, and BWCAW tripping. I sold my Wenonah Prospector 16 because everyone told me how much I was missing out on not have a dedicated solo boat. I have to say I am back in the market for a 15.5-16 foot long, 34.5-35 inch wide Prospector for solo. I would not want the 25 inch bow and stern, looking for 20 inch, but I love how you can stand in them, pole them, haul any gear, and another person. Not to mention how effortless they are to paddle. I have been taking lessons, and practicing for almost a year and I look like a clown when paddling my solo canoes. I feel in total control when paddling a Prospector solo. I know I am in the minority with my opinion, but that is what it is!

Well, with that load, think small tandem IMHO. I solo a Novacraft Pal. Not too wide, only about 34" and I have the gunwales pulled in to about 32". For BWCAW paddling I'd go that route, a Bell Northwind (Northwind Polaris) or a Wenonah Adirondack or Souris Quetico 16. The BEST big guy solo out there is the Mad River Courier, but good luck finding one of those!

With your size and expected outfit and companion I would definitely recommend a small tandem rather than a dedicated solo. Which one depends on your comfort level in different hull shapes. What tandem are you paddling now? How do you feel about kneeling?

The Souris Q16 is the most flat bottomed of the ones I would suggest. It is going to be rock solid stable.

Northwind 16 and Swift Keewaydin 16 I like more because they have pinched in gunnels making paddling more comfortable. This is most important when you have to paddle hard, like dealing with wind or current. I think they are more finely shaped boats, maybe a little faster. They also have a little more shape to their bottoms. Still a lot of secondary stability, but they will feel livelier. Again, think comfort level.

Then there is the boat I would want. Hemlock Canoe Eaglet. This is probably the best big solo/small tandem around today. 15'7" 30" at the gunnels, 32 greatest width. Many people never feel comfortable in Hemlock hulls if they are not kneeling. I, at 200#, have no problem sitting in them even in bad conditions. I spend a lot of time on the water, however, and seem to be able to get used to a hulls natural motion pretty quickly. Maybe you do to. Then this is your dream boat.

http://www.hemlockcanoe.com/eaglet.html

Hope you have that someone to pay for it!

Nice big solo canoe......you're money.......Swift Shearwater

My picks for your size and gear:

285 isn't that heavy, but with the extra gear and a dog you're probably going to need a canoe 15 1/2 or 16 minimum to get the buoyancy, capacity and glide to be favorable for a better paddling experience.

Wenonah Encounter - great for all your gear but maybe too long??, then maybe the Voyager if you can handle a more tender boat, after that a Prism would still fit you if you like a shorter option. For your size the Prism might be the perfect fit with you and a dog. The Wilderness is a great big guy solo but for just a tripping boat there are slightly faster options like the other Wenonahs. If you want to do more exploring of small rivers, streams, creeks and backwaters with a heavy focus on fishing then try the Wilderness.

NorthStar Northwind Solo - perfect big guy solo with a dog, love how the DY designed boats paddle

Swift Shearwater - another excellent choice, never been in one but it would meet your expectations

Souris Q16 set up as a solo - excellent boat, very stable, not as fast though as the others mentioned

Nova Craft Fox - shortest boat here if you want a shorter boat, might be the slower craft on this list, but huge load capacity, very fun boat to paddle

If you want to race then the Wenonah Voyager or the Wenonah Advantage or Savage River Blackwater would be great options (the last two are not as dog friendly though)

ozarkpaddler: "Well, with that load, think small tandem... For BWCAW paddling I'd go that route, a Bell Northwind (Northwind Polaris) "

If you're refering to the original Bell Northwind (17.5 ft), that boat is really too big to solo comfortably IMHO.The Northstar Polaris on the other hand is basically a Bell Northstar, which is far more suitable as a larger solo. (I'm guessing you got Northwind and Northstar mixed up somehow.)

i have a old town 16ft penobscott, currently. that i paddle solo. i have to reverse my self, bow for stern seat. it's just so heavy, has to be 90 + pounds in royalex. it's just not fun in teh wind.

i know i can cut the weight down on my pack.
but with my current job. i'm not goin g to shed the weight. just to much required muscle mass. i would really like something capable of doing 7-10 days.
i think kevin callan is using a 16ft nova craft prospector.

looking at ted bell, he's a decent sized guy. he handles a solo, fine.

at 370 pounds, you only have 4 inches of water deplacement, on the northwind solo. 385 -400 would only be 4 1/2''.

12 1/2 '' deep in the mid section. still gives you 8inches freee board.

you would just have to pick water accordingly. cut weight in your tent/bag/ more dehydrated/ and stoves.

There are lots of choices. I've got a Shearwater and your total load is too much for it but you'd love it for day trips. I agree that the Polaris would be a fine choice...or the Northwind 16. You can order either one with an extra center seat. The Colden Starfire would be a nice choice for you and they offer it set up as a dedicated solo.

I paddle a Souris River Tranquility and live its stability and probably will never change. 230# 6'-1" intermediate paddler. But were money no object and I could afford a new canoe, I'd get a Swift Prospector 14 Pack. I paddled 5 different solo canoes at Paddlefest and liked the Swift Prospector most for stability and a nice blend of tracking yet turnable.

The dog might fit better in the Tranq than the Prospector.

Northwinds Solo canoe is spec'd out at 170 to 340 lbs as the optimal load. I like it and paddle it but the SRQ16 would give you a bit more primary stability.

Someone mentioned length being a problem with the encounter. It’s 6” longer than the prism but deeper. I have hundreds of miles in my old prism. I had a good size Chesapeake and we did fine...

Picking out another's solo canoe has been likened to picking out someone else's life partner.

That being said as Yellow canoe pointed out I often take a Flashfire tripping in the BWCAW. at 225 and a photography hobby I sink the canoe pretty good. With your much lighter load you could trip in a Firebird and any of the other canoes mentioned. The shorter the canoe the easier it will be to maneuver in class two water. A shorter canoe will accelerate quicker and take less energy to move at slower speeds. Longer canoes are easier as you approach max hull speed.
This Wednesday I am out of the state for the Wednesday evening Paddle in the North metro. But am planning on the following next Wednesday at 5:30 pm on GoldenLake for an open paddle night. You would be welcome to paddle my Flashfire, there may be a Firebird present you could convince the owner a test paddle in.

cowdoc: "Nice big solo canoe......you're money.......Swift Shearwater"

Exactly. I got mine at Canoecopia last March and it would be ideal for you. I love it and so does my 50 lb. pooch.

Swift Shearwater

Highly recommend taking Dan up on the open paddle night offer. Watching him paddle a Phoenix is a thing of beauty. He can make that thing turn like it has a remote control. All the people there were very kind and helpful as well. As Dan mentioned there is nothing like being able to paddle the boat before you buy.