I have some questions about solo canoes. I have a good deal of experience in tandems and had a Sawyer Cruiser for 35 years until someone stole it. I think I am pretty comfortable with tender canoes, but when trying out solos I found a couple to feel really tippy. The last on the water trial I attended I tried out a North Star Phoenix, a Swift (I don’t remember which, unfortunately) and a Winonah Wilderness. The North Star and the Swift seemed so unstable I thought I was going to swim. I felt like I would never be able to feel comfortable in them to do something like fish or birdwatch. The Wilderness was another story however. It felt quite solid and I really enjoyed it. A complication was that the Wilderness was the only canoe that had foot rests. I could pivot it under me with my hips and thought I could be quite happy with it. I am wondering if I might have found the other canoes more stable if they had had foot rests, or if there is that much difference in these canoes.

I have also been considering a Pakboat Pakcanoe 165. Does anyone have experience with these? The versatility is appealing, as is the portability. I am moving to Colombia in the near future and I could take it with me. I have never seen a canoe in the part of Colombia where I have a farm. It would also be easier to transport in Colombia, even by rural taxi or bus. Does anyone know if the 165 really works well as a tandem and a solo? It is not particularly light, but it is much lighter than the canoes I have now.

Thanks!
Jack

I wish I knew which Swift you had - guessing a Keewaydin - which I found too tippy for my taste - or possibly a Cruiser - reported even tippier - but I just bought and paddled for first time today a Swift Prospector Pack and its very stable. I wish I would have felt comfortable in the Kee but not going to happen at nearly 70.

I also love my SR Tranquility, which is more efficient - faster - than the Prospector - but does not turn as easily or as quickly. So Tranquility for BWCAW and Q, Prospector for the Adirondacks with little meandering streams and ponds.

Thanks for your input! I am 67 so I am also eager to not swim unintentionally. I am still working and don't get enough time off to go camping, but I am thinking about retiring mostly to be able to get out more while I still can. I want to get a better canoe than I have now before I give up a regular paycheck.

Try the Swift Prospector Pack. Very stable and light, if not as efficient as some less stable canoes. You could try mine - 1000 miles from you - but you can probably find a nearer dealer. (Rutabaga in Madison WI seems closest...)

I have a Phoenix.....picked it up 4 years ago....It came with low seat drops for sitting and a foot brace. I had test paddled one the previous year with "kneeling drops". It was the first solo boat I owned. The first few times out it felt very tender.....the more I paddled and relaxed, the more stable it felt. The foot brace does help a bit if you are seated. By the end of the Summer, I put kneeling drops in (couldn't comfortably fit my size 13's under the sitting drops). The boat was designed to be knelt in and is an absolute joy to paddle from your knees. With that said, I have bad arthritis in my right knee and am only good kneeling for 45 minutes to an hour. After that my right leg loses all feeling......It felt awkward for me to transition kneeling-sitting with the kneeling drops...my legs are short. A couple of years ago I put in a contoured seat from Ed's Canoe and cut 2"'s off the sitting drops and found my sweet spot. I can kneel without fear of foot entrapment if I go over (It's a water sport....not a matter of "if", but "when") I can easily transition from sitting-kneeling and back. I have no issues fishing from the boat.....even with a fly rod. When I first bought the boat, I knew the capabilities of the boat far exceeded my abilities(still do, though I have improved).....My biggest challenge the past two years is paddling with my 100# rescue dog! When he decides to go for a swim, we both go! He is getting better......

Mike

Perception aint reality. You will get accustomed to the "lively" feel of a dedicated solo. I've paddled a Swift Cruiser and a Keewaydin. I found both to be rock solid in terms of final stability. The wilderness has near barge like stability. Your balance will improve as will your comfort with the relative ease that a decent solo can be leaned.