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Bwcajunkie
member (13)member
  
09/03/2020 11:48AM  
Hi everyone, we are setting off EP23 Mudro and trying to make our way to Crooked. Our four man crew turned into three and we decided to share a canoe. Does anyone have any tips that would help making our trip smooth?

Thanks!
 
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09/08/2020 02:01PM  
I just noticed that your question has gone unanswered until now. My advice, having used a 3-man canoe more than once, is to not pack too much stuff. You'll have room for 2-3 packs, depending on pack sizes and the particular canoe, and 3 small daypacks (~ 20 liters each).
09/08/2020 03:02PM  
I have gone with three in a canoe several times with no issue. One time (coincidentally it was also Mudro) it was with two guys over 250 pounds and the third guy was about 225 and we were fine. And I pack heavy. I think we were in the MN4 Kevlar canoe. It is technically a 4 person canoe but was great for three big guys and overloaded gear. When we do not have three 200 pounders we get the MN3.

Mudro has a hilly up and down portage before you get to Fourtown but it was fine with the big canoe.

Most experienced (me) should be in the rear, and I put the person with the next most experience in the front. Rookies get the middle.

If you are in the 4 person canoe, I liked having the front two guys sitting in the seats up front and the gear loaded closer to me around the 3rd seat. This way when we got to the portages, and I am 20+ feet from shore, the front two guys can wet foot out of the canoe and pull the front out of the water so I can get out.

We definitely were not going to win any speed contests but three in a boat is easy.
fishinfool71
senior member (82)senior membersenior member
  
09/14/2020 01:24PM  
Late response sorry...
I have gone with 3 man canoe a few times. I agree with the do not over pack. My best suggestion, and to aid in Single portaging to get there faster is to pack 2 large packs and a smaller Day type pack. So we took 2 - 120 Liter dry packs and a smaller 60L pack (only about 25lbs packed) Since the canoe is heavier we had one person carry the day pack and canoe(paddles and fishing poles strapped in also). The other 2 took the heavier packs (80lbs approx). Worked well for us. Also cuts down time. We usually go in mid to late may, and out for 5-7 days to give you reference on temps and gear quantity. 1 tent and, 1 Bivy or Hammock. Worked well for us.
Chuckles
distinguished member (255)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/14/2020 01:46PM  
Bwcajunkie: "Hi everyone, we are setting off ep 23 mudro and trying to make our way to crooked. Our 4 man crew turned into 3 and we decided to share a canoe...
does anyone have any tips that would help making our trip smooth?
Thanks!"


Not sure if you're planning on a 3rd seat or if you'll be sitting on top of packs or the yoke, but make sure the middle person has space to get low in the canoe if you hit rough water. If you're sitting high-up, it drastically raises the center of gravity of the boat, which is fine normally, but in rough water can spell disaster.

Otherwise, 3 to a canoe has worked great for us.
09/15/2020 09:36AM  
Most 3 man boats are a little wider so where a tandem typically squeezes through easily, a 3 man could get hung up a little. This is especially true about the Mudro entry this year. I'm guessing you'll need to exit your boat an extra time or two to pull over the rocky and low water sections and portage further in than you normally would have to. You'll see other groups footprints I'm sure.

3 man boats can go quite fast, so make sure the bow paddler has good sunglasses and keeps their eye out for rogue rocks.

Enjoy!
cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
09/15/2020 12:10PM  
Three people in a Seneca or MN III or MN IV are great. Same with larger Northwind 18 and such.
ppine
distinguished member (213)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/18/2020 03:02PM  
Depends on the canoe. A couple of suitable ones have been mentioned. I can think of 50 that aren't.
 
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