One of my sons has been indefinitely furloughed from his job due to the Covid economy, so he and his buddy have decided to explore the idea of paddling south from the Twin Cities to NO via canoe. They want to paddle solos. What recommendations would you have? Son is a bigger fellow (6'4") and about 220 lbs.

I would say something more rugged since you will not have that many portages ( not sure of the rules in locks for paddle craft. I would highly recommend adding visibility so other craft see you on the water. The mighty Mississippi is a commercial traffic and large craft recreation river and canoes are an after thought. It is a dangerous river in places with currents as well. I would definitely have a vhf radio, always wear a life jacket and stay close to shore. Carry the navigation maps, be well aware of wing dams and perhaps connect with some barge captains for their advice. Sounds like a fun adventure, but one that requires planning ahead.

PVnRT,

Interesting coincidence ... I am in the planning stages of a “ Source to Sea” 2,340 mile Mississippi River Trip in 2021. Still trying to decide whether I want to start in late May or late August. I am leaning for a late August departure from Lake Itasca MN.

I am going to take my 1998 17’ 7” Current Designs Solstice GT Touring Kayak. However, a few paddlers recommend that I take a solo canoe for a good part of the early miles of the trip as the Headwaters and early part of the Miss River is narrow and rocky and very boggy and a canoe would be better than a kayak in these conditions. Did I mention several beaver dams to carry over.

Right now 81 year old “Stan Stark” is trying to set a Guinness Book of World Records as oldest person to paddle the whole length of the Mississippi. He is using a sea kayak and he said that his kayak took a real beating in the early part of his trip.

There was a gal that went the entire 2,340 miles on the Miss River on a PADDLEBOARD. Crazy ...

I joined Facebook. I have fought joining foreever but I finally relented as a lot of Miss River paddlers post on it. There is a River Angels Group who are folks that help paddlers with resupply, shopping, etc. Similar to Trial Angels that are in the Appalachian Trail to help hikers. There is also a Mississippi River Paddlers Group, who are paddlers currently doing the river, paddlers who have done it in the past, tug boat captains, and lots of folks with good info.

I would recommend a larger volume solo like a Wenonah Prism for your big boy son. A bud who is 6’2” 220 paddles it and it does well in Quetico and should do well on the Miss River.

Many take a Aluminum Tandem like an old Grumman.

I am sure some folks on this site using high volume canoes will chime in and recommend a canoe for your son. I may use my 16 ft Bell Magic in the early part of the trip. I am 6 ft 200 and a my Magic is just about maxed out for my size.

TRadam makes some good recommendations for your sons Miss River Adventure. A VHS radio to talk to the 29 Lock Masters for Lock and Dam entry and exits. Navigation Maps, etc.

I am in the initial planning stages. You can email me for more detailed info as I recieve it.

Maybe a few Bwca.com paddlers that have done the Miss River to the Gulf can help us with preparations and recommendations.

Being in a solo with a strong south wind doesn't sound fun. That said, I was fishing a few weeks ago and had a solo canoer pass me by who was doing just that....I live about 2 mi from the river.

As for canoe, I'd pick something with plenty of capacity and tracks well and efficiently. No sharp turns to worry about

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I would go with the Wenonah Voyager with some CCS covers for that trip Wenonah Voyager You want paddle efficiency and proper reach. Using a tandem as solo for this trip would not be wise.

ppine: "They will require a large tripping canoe. Something seaworthy that can carry a load and shed waves. I like the big trippers for big trips with big people. That means 18 1/2 feet or more. Something deep at least 14 inches, 15 is even better. They will be with the current, so the beam should be at least 34 inches, 35-36 would be best. I am partial to the old Sawyers and some Wenonah canoes for a trip like this. It is no accident that Wenonah is located on the upper Mississippi. Mike C builds some good modern tripping boats.

You could do worse than an Old Town Tripper. Very beamy, deep and stable. There are plenty of them still around. "

In OP thet want solo canoes.

thanks to Cedarboy.

For a long trip like that and ships and tugs and wing dams, I would want something deep. I would probably choose a smaller tandem canoe around 16 feet and turn it around and paddle from the bow seat. A boat with some rocker would be good, with a beam around 34-35 inches. They are more stable than most solo canoes and can carry a bigger load. I would bring a dog and want some extra flotation around the boat wakes and current.