Hello! We are planning a 3-night trip along the Granite River next summer with our eight and ten year old kids and my in-laws (who will be 65 and 72), as well as their medium-sized dog. I'm trying to decide whether we can fit in two 3-person canoes or whether we will need three 2-person canoes.

Our family of four goes backpacking, so we can pack moderately light with our gear, but we will be bringing a few extra things to keep the kids happy and for fishing, etc. My in-laws have been backpacking with us, but I wouldn't describe their style as ultralight. And we've never had the dog with us, as well as any stuff he will need.

I would rather stick with two canoes as that way the kids can have breaks (and the adults can have a second adult paddler in their canoe), but I'm worried about whether we can fit without having seriously overstuffed canoes. Can you fit two #4 packs in one compartment of a 3-person Souris River or Northstar kevlar canoe?

Thanks!

I would use two 3-person canoes. Carrying the extra canoe means another trip for someone. Would it move you into a triple portage situation?

I have done trips with three adults in a 18.5 ft. Bell. We used a drop in seat. We had to have a discussion about keeping the center of gravity low and over the center. With three adults, we had three #3-3.5 packs and a food pack/barrel. They all went behind the bow paddler.

Are you planning just four #4 packs? How many packs total? Two #4s should fit. The Souris' are wider than others I have paddled and should be able to take those. Getting the trim right could be difficult.

The other factor is that I think that 8 & 10 are too young to provide much in the way of steady propulsion on the canoe. If you use three tandems, it leaves the two adults with them to move most of the weight of each canoe and gear. I think you will be more efficient paddlers with two 3-person canoes. (Safer also if windy conditions?)

The wild card, in my opinion, is the dog. Will he sit at the feet of one of the children? Or is he too busy in that spot? Has he been in a canoe before? If not, maybe a local trip to see how he behaves? How will you account for his weight in the trim of that canoe?

Hope you have a great trip.

While I have never used a 3 person canoe, we do take a dog. With a tandem, 2 packs, blue barrel, the dogs pack ( she carries her own food), the middle is full. Our dog sits between the stern persons legs. She sits still better there than she does in the middle with an empty canoe. She has learned the important commands to "load" and "ok, out". Important so the stern person is actually sitting and ready for her.

What kind and size of dog? Has it ever been in a canoe before?

If it were me in your situation I would rent two Wenonah MN 3 canoes…or the equivalent. My experience is the MN 3 can easily handle 2 adults, 1 kid, 1 dog and plenty of gear with no problem.

Another vote for two 3-person canoes. Many years ago, I took a trip with my 10 year old son in the bow. Although he put in a good faith effort and we had a great time, we were notably slower than the other boat we were traveling with.

how about a MN 4 for the adults and 1 kid and dog and some gear
a MN 3 for 2 adult and 1 kid and gear

Mocha: "how about a MN 4 for the adults and 1 kid and dog and some gear
a MN 3 for 2 adult and 1 kid and gear"

I was thinking this too. Get a 4 and a 3 if you think two 3's is a little tight. Not much more weight to carry and better than carrying an extra canoe and more paddlers needed etc.

Also, look into the Seneca over the MNIII for the 3 person. More capacity and more leg room for the bow paddler....and still pretty efficient.

My oldest son and I did the Granite River in mid September. It was quite challenging due to low water. There were several extra portages created by low water. A number of them were very muddy. We were looking for a challenging experience. Most of the landing areas were tough due to the number of boulders and rock. If waters conditions remain low next year you may want to consider a different route for a family trip.

That is one of my favorite routes. You get rapids, waterfalls, river paddling, small lakes, and big lakes. Decent fishing and great scenery. Hopefully the water level won’t be an issue by next June. Just check in a couple of weeks before your trip to make sure.
I took my Mom up when she was 74, the day after the blowdown and she handled it like a champ. So shouldn’t be a problem for your in laws. Also had a 12, 11, and a 8 year old along.
I vote for 2, 3 man canoes.