Is a hobie islander tandem 18 ft sailing kayak (140 lbs) reasonable for week long trip? If so, any recommendations. I have had great trips camping Lake Ouachita, AR and Everglades. I have never been to the boundary waters area, but I see so many references to portages, which I cannot do. Also concerns about launching and loading from a trailer.

Welcome to the forums! Sailboats are actually prohibited in the BWCA, since they are a form of "mechanized" (not human-powered) transport. Even if they were allowed, you would have an impossible time getting anywhere in the canoe area with a Hobie, beyond the first lake. The BWCA is a huge network of tiny lakes with short portages in between. The only way to experience the area is by canoe, being willing to carry the canoe from lake to lake. There are lots of local outfitters which rent out canoes at reasonable daily rates, and can help introduce you to canoe travel. Hope you take the plunge and look into it - the BWCA is a very special wilderness unlike anything you might have experienced yet.

It sounds like you might be more interested in a trip to the Apostle Islands.

Or maybe Voyaguers National Park, which I think allows sail boats and physically is a lot like the BWCA - just more open water.

Thanks for the info. I now understand the intent of bwCaw. I could use my 10 ft kayak.

happy5069: "Thanks for the info. I now understand the intent of bwCaw. I could use my 10 ft kayak."

A kayak that is paddled is legal but FAR from ideal. Keep in mind you still need to portage it over rough terrain. Length of portages depends on your route but can range from short to very long (mile or more).

The other huge downfall of a kayak is its capacity to carry gear. Can your kayak hold you plus all gear and food needed for the duration of your trip? You'll need to unload the gear and reload it at every portage so you'll need a quick easy way of doing it.

I would highly encourage you to make your first trip in a canoe. Once you do that you'll get an idea of why 99.9% of all folks up there use canoes. Its flat out the best way to do it. Once you experience it then make the decision on whether you want to make the next trip in a 10 ft kayak. I suspect you'll realize it would be a bad idea within the first hour or two of being there.

If you keep the sail part in the truck, there are certain entry points where your tandem could work if you like paddling it. But you'd be restricted to that entry Lake and any waters connected to it since you can't portage. But, there are good options with a lot of room to paddle and explore without portaging. Examples right away...Saganaga, Brule, Seagull.

But, as others have said. For a real trip, rent a Kevlar canoe from any of numerous outfitters who show up as sponsors on this site. Then you have unlimited options and we can help guide your route depending on what you want to do or see. I'd not recommend a 10' kayak