Anyone out there paddle a solo with a toddler? Trip with him or her? I'm thinking age 3 to pre paddling (so maybe 7?) Fish with them in empty solo? I'm assuming its basically the same as bringing a dog. My 2 1/2 year old has been to BW 3 times, so I'm not looking for advice on actually tripping with a child (its easier than you think- even the diaper issue :) ) We have a SRQ17 for our tripping tandem. I'm specifically looking at the Northwind Solo- not interested in the Wenonah Plus Solo.

I'm trying to check more than one box for a solo canoe and seeing if its likely to be able to use for overnighters or weekend trips as a toddler tandem. I'm also looking at the solo for an early season duck hunting rig and backcountry bike camping (towing). I previously mentioned this question under Duck Hunting canoe- but I've settled on what works for that, and want to know if I can justify another boat into the armada. Good problem to have I suppose.

May not be exactly what you are intending, but I use a 15' prospector from Nova Craft. I was debating a solo or small tandem for reasons similar to what you listed. I ended up getting the prospector. I have two boys we have been tripping with since they were 6 and 8 and paddling with since they were babies. It has plenty of capacity for short trips, handles well solo and is a stable fishing platform (by yourself or with a kid). Depending on their weight, you have the flexibility trim adjust the trim by padding from the front seat facing the stern or standard from the rear. As the years go by you have a canoe that they can grow into and gives you the flexibility to still use it solo and do some tripping.

I use to take my girls in a solo canoe fishing all the time. It was on a small no wake lake but they never dumped it.

I proposed a similar question to Dan at North Star but I wanted the use of a tandem also. He said they could install a third seat in a more traditional solo position in a NW16 tandem. This is the route I may take