I recently moved to an area in which I have way more paddling options than I used to (Brule, WI) so in the process of evaluating the different crafts I need for different purposes I find myself asking which crafts might fill multiple roles.

As a part of that I had originally planned on buying both a sea kayak and a solo canoe which leads me to my question. Would a solo canoe be practical (or even safe) for paddling on Lake Superior? Has anyone done this? I know "solo canoe" is a loose term as well and would love to know what options are out there for something like this too (Kruger canoes come to mind, but I believe they are no longer).

I know someone will chime in with a "well the old timers used to paddle halfway across North America with birch bark and dugout canoes, etc" but I'd prefer this to be an enjoyable thing too. :)

Oh for sure people have gone on Superior in a solo canoe. Heck, a guy a couple years ago circumnavigated Superior on a stand up paddle board. I think you just have to know the temperament of that lake a bit better. The wave action is so much trickier then on the smaller lakes.

Personally, if I had the space and could afford it, I would get the solo canoe and the sea kayak. If I could get only one, I would get the solo canoe and learn how to use it on that lake.

Maybe contact BeaV, I thought he paddled Superior.

I’ve paddled solo on Lake Superior fairly often, always as close to shore as possible. Paddling the apostle islands in a solo is not something I would ever do. It’s great in a sailboat though

I would not canoe amongst the Apostles in a canoe, unless I stuck to the mainland in shallow water and was sure it would remain calm conditions. I would never cross to an island. Lake Superior is too unpredictable!

I have contemplated using my 16' Bell Magic with the CCS cover snapped in place. I have limited experience on Superior, bur do recall a storm coming up overnight and a harrowing paddle back to the truck in pre dawn swells then rollers. I have respect for what it can do.
To not hijack the OP, I wonder do you think the cover would make enough difference to be safe on a 16' canoe?

Link

These camera's currently down but past pictures might help in determining capabilities. Also, you have real time wave info. People drown every year making these crossings. Check all available information before heading out. Be safe.

https://wavesatseacaves.cee.wisc.edu/wave_pics.html

Yes, with the right canoe it can be safe. Like you were thinking....a Kruger or Superior expedition decked canoe would be the best solo canoe to use. Complete with the spray skirt on, a dry suit for you, and other safety equipment.

And yes, with the right canoe it can be dangerous.

A sea kayak in the hands of an experienced kayaker would be the safest way.

But if you skip the Apostle Island concept and instead just paddle along shorelines that offer escape options....any canoe would work. Stay close and use all the safety precautions required for cold water paddling, and there's lots of miles of relatively safe paddling to be had.

And with all that said, for anyone reading this reply, I would preface what I said that Lake Superior is not for the inexperienced and/or unknowledgeable. Lake Superior is moody and unforgiving of mishaps.

bhouse46: "To not hijack the OP, I wonder do you think the cover would make enough difference to be safe on a 16' canoe?"

I wouldn't use a "standard" canoe even with a good spray skirt. A spray skirt will help keep water out but won't help when the waves reach capsize size. Brrrr!!!

I can see the big lake from my driveway. I paddle Lake superior often in a solo canoe.

To keep this short, you will get to know the lake over time. You can paddle Lake Superior in a solo canoe. You could even paddle the Apostle islands in a solo but you would need to know the weather and only paddle in the evening or morning. I wouldn't do it.

I once tried to paddle to a navigational beacon several miles out on Lake Superior. I paddled for some time but chickened out. I felt too small on a big lake. It doesn't take more than a puff of wind to get the rollers going. Lake Superior gives... and takes.
Tom

Hi Tom, yes I've done that too on many occasions. Once you get out, can see 100 feet down and the rollers are hitting you, gets freaky, its time to head closer to shore. That's when you can see. I've done it trolling in the dark catching fish and on different occasions watching the fog move in. Truly a cool lake, the best lake, we are fortunate. But need to respect it at all costs!

Thank you all for the information. Been spending more and more time on Superior lately and definitely get what everyone is saying about it being a moody lake. Just the night before last was out paddling the kayak along the south shore here and it was beautiful (sunny, calm, warm, no clouds) then started noticing a feeling in the air like the tension before a storm hits and things starting getting dark to the NW. No discernible cloud line, just started getting darker and I thought it was odd so I got off the lake. Good thing I did, huge storm rolled in right as I was loading up to go home. Was fortunate to have that escape route.

I'm also fortunate that I have a good place to practice and get to know the lake. Mostly shallow, sandy bottom, warmer water (compared to other areas of Superior, still cold) , and sand/clay banks on the south shore here so plenty of safe places to get to as long as you don't venture too far out.

BeaV, with Kruger and Superior no longer around are you aware of anything else on the market that's comparable? Closest thing I've seen so far is the Northstar Rob Roy...

Two words, Edmond Fitzgerald.

Superior is my favorite paddling spot. I have done it solo in a Mad River Monarch and also a Placid Boatworks RapidFire. Had a blast in the Apostles with the former but mostly use the boats on the Ontario side..

Spent a fair bit of time just observing wind and seas and the interaction with topography on the shore. With time you can understand the Lakes commands to come play or get off but remember she is always going to rule. Conservatism rules.

And be an early riser. She sometimes sleeps till ten and rarely past noon.

Spending time on the inhabited apostle I would say (solo) canoeing is not common/seen in the area. I have seen tandem canoes on the lake but by folks recreating from shore line properties not touring or camping. I do use this solo in the apostles but not for island hopping.

I found a Mad River Monarch specifically for paddling Lake Michigan. Yellowcanoe's advice to be an early riser is spot on, big lakes rarely stay calm past mid-morning and the wave patterns can be completely different that what we're use to on small lakes. It can turn into a rodeo pretty quickly.

A Sawyer Loon would be another good option for a decked canoe, a couple usually come up for sale every year, be ready to commit and willing to drive or ship, they never last long. Sea-1 is another that gets used by some of the distance racers for ocean paddling in Florida.

The big advantage (I think) to all of these decked canoes in bigger water is having a rudder. It helps with stability and can make a huge difference when trying to reorient your boat in rough conditions. In calmer conditions the rudder eliminates the need for correction strokes which means you can paddle farther and faster with less effort.

I was out there in this area last year on a ferry boat. Huge rollers going over the front of the boat. As soon as we docked they stopped going out for the day. I can’t imagine this lake in a kayak.

keth0601: "BeaV, with Kruger and Superior no longer around are you aware of anything else on the market that's comparable? Closest thing I've seen so far is the Northstar Rob Roy..."

The Rob Roy...not sure that should be considered. I've paddled one for a few hours and I wouldn't have wanted to be in it in big water.

Clipper Sea-1 are still made, I believe. I have no experience with this boat. Looks like it could be a good option.

Savage River Falcon- has potential but not as stable as the bigger boats. Savage River offered one for me to use in an adventure race on big water....I paddled it prerace and declined because I felt it was not stable enough. That said, I didn't have the time to really give it a fair try with a load and in big waves.

My father used to sail an OTCA 16 solo on Superior off Duluth. This was long before helicopter rescues were a thing. Drove my mother nuts, I imagine. He also taught me to read waves and deal with them in a canoe, and to bag it when things got hairy or were forecast to be hairy.

Yesterday I paddled my Folbot Greenland II kayak on Superior's North Shore south of Knife River. When I put in, it was dead calm. I could not see another vessel on the lake, not because of haze but because I had it to myself.

That was then. This was today:








I'd buy a sea kayak capable of handling the lake, relying on the advice of those who do it in fair weather and foul. Then I'd get myself educated by those folks over on your shore who know enough about paddling it that you can trust your life to what they say.

When my budget allowed, I'd get a solo canoe as well, but first the kayak. Having the chance to be on Superior quickly when conditions allow exceeds what the BWCA offers at a distance from you, IMHO. I grew up paddling the former, and I still love going there in a canoe. But a solo canoe is not an optimal choice for Gitche Gumee in all but the most placid of weather.

justpaddlin: " Link

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Bravissimo for bringing this point home! :-)