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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Group Forum: Solo Tripping Vagabond or Prism |
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03/31/2020 09:18PM
Looking for a little help planning my first solo trip out of the Sawbill area later this summer and not sure which canoe to rent. I am always more concerned with stability then speed especially while on a solo. Which canoe would you recommend for my first solo to rent?
04/01/2020 08:33AM
I'd recommend that you approach the problem by first assessing your body weight, the amount of gear you will be bringing with you, the dimensions of the packs that you will use to carry that gear. Then look at the Wenonah website to evaluate the two canoes you mentioned. If you want, you could even print pictures of the canoes and estimate the space that is available in each canoe.
That said, both are pretty stable.
The Prism will haul more gear and has more depth.
Talk to the outfitter. You may be able to put off the decision until you arrive there.
That said, both are pretty stable.
The Prism will haul more gear and has more depth.
Talk to the outfitter. You may be able to put off the decision until you arrive there.
04/01/2020 01:49PM
Prism is more steady, Vagabond is smaller in all dimensions.
I'm not a fan of the Prism but is is a quick stable canoe. But honestly any true solo will not be steady for first timers.
A-Jim, the SR Q16 may be a good canoe but it is a tandem rigged for 1 paddler and suffers the faults of pressing a tandem to solo use, big wind catching, wide reach to get a good stroke in use. I've watched new soloing paddlers get all messed up in that.
Left to my own devices I'd request a NorthStar Phoenix or a Wenonah Wilderness for a first timer.
butthead
I'm not a fan of the Prism but is is a quick stable canoe. But honestly any true solo will not be steady for first timers.
A-Jim, the SR Q16 may be a good canoe but it is a tandem rigged for 1 paddler and suffers the faults of pressing a tandem to solo use, big wind catching, wide reach to get a good stroke in use. I've watched new soloing paddlers get all messed up in that.
Left to my own devices I'd request a NorthStar Phoenix or a Wenonah Wilderness for a first timer.
butthead
"never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" George Carlin
04/01/2020 01:57PM
A Vagabond will not have the room for much gear, being that it is 2 feet shorter. For obvious reasons it would probably be better on rivers and worse choppy water. I have not used one but can tell you I have used my Prism on 2 solos totaling 39 days I have had zero stability issues.
You don't really give any details on your size, amount of gear or length of solo, so pretty hard to give any advise.
You don't really give any details on your size, amount of gear or length of solo, so pretty hard to give any advise.
04/01/2020 02:07PM
If those are your choices, then get the Prism for the reasons mentioned above. The Vagabond is a little canoe.
"A venturesome minority will always be eager to set off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches--that is the right and privilege of any free American" --Edward Abbey
04/01/2020 04:25PM
I have paddled both. I like the Prism due to better stability. But as others have said how you would use the canoe is a primary consideration. I like the stability even though I don’t weigh too much and travel very light.
If you are renting vs buying and new to soloing I would start with a Prism and then see if you can try other boats at the outfitters.
If you are renting vs buying and new to soloing I would start with a Prism and then see if you can try other boats at the outfitters.
04/01/2020 09:56PM
Reke0402: "Sorry I am 210 pounds, will be going 3-4 nights and will be bringing some fishing gear. Havent weighed out my gear yet i would estimate based on my other group trips 70ish pounds thats including fishing gear."
I am a similar weight and did two solo trips last year of similar duration in Prisms. My gear was about 35-38 pounds in a single CCS Pioneer Hybrid pack. The Prism had a sliding seat and I was able to trim the canoe well with a single pack. There was still plenty of room for a smaller rucksack or fishing gear so your estimated ~70 pounds of gear should fit if packed appropriately.
The biggest difference in my experience was one Prism had the adjustable foot bar and one did not. I definitely preferred the foot bar!
But otherwise I found the Prism a good canoe for my first solo trips.
04/01/2020 10:03PM
Reke0402: "Sorry I am 210 pounds, will be going 3-4 nights and will be bringing some fishing gear. Havent weighed out my gear yet i would estimate based on my other group trips 70ish pounds thats including fishing gear."
Take the Prism.
04/03/2020 09:29AM
Ausable: "Reke0402: "Sorry I am 210 pounds, will be going 3-4 nights and will be bringing some fishing gear. Havent weighed out my gear yet i would estimate based on my other group trips 70ish pounds thats including fishing gear."
Take the Prism."
Seconded. Take the Prism.
The Vagabond is my solo canoe and it is perfect for me, but I am 160 lbs and don't bring a lot of gear.
"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez
04/03/2020 01:15PM
AmarilloJim: "Get a SRQ16"
I tried the SRQ16 solo a couple years ago based on a column Joe at Red Rocks wrote about it being the ultimate setup for soloing. It is stable and will carry a lot but the width and lack of tumblehome made it a little awkward to paddle and I wouldn't do it again.
04/03/2020 01:42PM
If stability is the major criteria your looking for, I stand by my recommendation. If you want to go 5mph than the SRQ16 is not it. I use a 280 yak paddle most of the time but feel very comfortable using a single blade on occasion. I have a tandem so sitting in the bow seat isn't as centered.
04/03/2020 08:07PM
Neither. Rent a Wilderness. Much more secondary stability, and fishing from it is a dream. Better yet, find something totally apart from the Wenonah stable. There are so many better boats available.
"The future ain't what it used to be" Yogi Berra
04/03/2020 09:12PM
Like Springer2, I rented a SR Q 16 set up as solo once. It was way too big for me and my load. With a shear line of 20/14/20 and 2" symmetrical rocker, it was huge sail that was unmanageable in the wind with a load of 210 lbs. If you and your gear are approaching 450 lbs. it might work well for you.
04/04/2020 08:07AM
Prism (Wilderness is not a bad suggestion either), or a Northstar NW Solo if the outfitter carries NS. (Tranquility if SR.)
There's also the Wenonah solo plus, though I have never paddled it.
If you do decide to go beast mode with a SR Q16 (Wenonah Aurora or Adirondack might be the most similar to the SR Q16), take two dry bags you can fill with 30-50 lbs of water (each) to trim and load it down. I agree that at 210 + 70 lbs of gear you'll be unhappy in the wind with those tandem hulls.
There's also the Wenonah solo plus, though I have never paddled it.
If you do decide to go beast mode with a SR Q16 (Wenonah Aurora or Adirondack might be the most similar to the SR Q16), take two dry bags you can fill with 30-50 lbs of water (each) to trim and load it down. I agree that at 210 + 70 lbs of gear you'll be unhappy in the wind with those tandem hulls.
"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove." -Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ
04/04/2020 10:26PM
Prism.
I paddle an Argosy, but recommend the Prism. I think there are much better solos but choosing one is personal preference. Prism is a good, solid solo for the BWCA and is probably the most commonly available among nearly all outfitters.
I paddle an Argosy, but recommend the Prism. I think there are much better solos but choosing one is personal preference. Prism is a good, solid solo for the BWCA and is probably the most commonly available among nearly all outfitters.
Bannock
04/12/2020 08:26PM
Ausable: "Reke0402: "Sorry I am 210 pounds, will be going 3-4 nights and will be bringing some fishing gear. Havent weighed out my gear yet i would estimate based on my other group trips 70ish pounds thats including fishing gear."
Take the Prism."
I love my Prism I have had for like 12 years or more. Also like my tractor seat and low center of gravity and adjustable seat . Plus bars in front to brace my feet. The Prism is extremely stable and plenty fast enough.
Does the Prism still come with the tractor seat?
04/12/2020 09:44PM
Pinetree: "Ausable: "Reke0402: "Sorry I am 210 pounds, will be going 3-4 nights and will be bringing some fishing gear. Havent weighed out my gear yet i would estimate based on my other group trips 70ish pounds thats including fishing gear."
Take the Prism."
I love my Prism I have had for like 12 years or more. Also like my tractor seat and low center of gravity and adjustable seat . Plus bars in front to brace my feet. The Prism is extremely stable and plenty fast enough.
Does the Prism still come with the tractor seat?"
Yes, the tractor seat is still standard, but I wouldn't be surprised if most outfitters carry the webbed seat version.
05/01/2020 07:23AM
I love my prism for solo adventures. I want to add to the other comments that I use a double paddle and find it moves the prism quickly and makes it easy to keep in a straight line.
There are no strangers here, only friends who haven't yet met!
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