Last weekend I up lucked up on a beautiful Mad River Monarch, a 1985 production that looks like it has been in a time capsule since it left the factory. I have only paddled it once this week for about five miles, but I am really impressed with it. This is the first ruddered canoe that I have tried and it is sooo nice to use my bent shaft on on side for fifty or so strokes before switching sides. I got spoiled on that first paddle.

I am a solo canoe paddler who usually paddles without company. One of the reasons that a Kruger designed boat had been on my list is for the additional safety factor while on large lakes, dealing with waves and wind. I have preferred a fairly fast narrow boat in the past, and the Kruger canoes fill that bill pretty well and have a good bit of storage space as well.

I will be coming up to Minnesota in mid-September, I will not know the exact date for about another month or so, but plan to spend a couple or few days in the Boundary Waters or possibly Voyageurs N.P. for a bit of paddling. The question of which boat to take is now on my mind; the Monarch or one of my open canoes?

I wondered if anyone out there has tripped in the BWCA or Voyageurs in a decked canoe and how you liked it? Any pros or cons on this type of canoe?

I've spent some time in Quetico, and have paddled a Loon (but only day trips in the West). And I've done weeklong trips with a friend using a kayak with portages (Bowron Lakes, BC). He constructed his own yoke for the portages, and it worked. It was a heavy boat, too (18'6" expedition kayak). My perspective is to just do it--it's a new boat you enjoy paddling, and you're going solo so there's no one waiting for you at the portages.

Does it have the reversible seat/yoke?

The only real drawback is the gear storage/access and dealing with that on the portages. If you develop a good system, then you can make it work. Having not been around such boats since the early 80s, I can't really help you with a system. But, depending on what route you do, portages can be frequent. You could plan to paddle the larger lakes (which is the boat's forte) and minimize portages, or just suck it up and learn the boat's ins and outs.

I'm envious of your new acquisition--it was my dream boat in the late 80s.

Very cool find; I recall being jealous of your GRB find a year back...now this too?!?!

How much does it weigh? Length/width? Rocker?

Assuming you can throw a normal solo yoke on it, why not? (Other than the fact that you'd be leaving the Grasse River at home.)

MReid: Yes, the Monarch has the original seat/portage yoke and what appears to be the original foam padding on the yoke which is still soft and supple. How did it survive the years and not become brittle and cracked? I have carried it a couple hundred yards and it works well. It took me a few tries to get the right setting on the height adjustment right, but carries pretty easy. I usually carry at least one paddle strapped to a thwart on the portage so without thwarts I will have to rethink my portage packing. On my trip this year, my Grasse River Classic XL only has a 22" gunnel width, so I used an Osprey Xenith 88 pack, which will fit in the Monarch easily. I may also be using this canoe for the larger lakes that I might have passed on in my open boats and a bit less carrying.

sns: I've been boat lucky during the past year! I took the GRB up to the Adirondacks this year for an adventure (did a trip report on Canoetripping.net forum under American Trips if you want to read about it), picked up an old Sawyer DY Special in Expedition Kevlar layup (needs some cosmetic work but was cheap), and last week found the Monarch.
Basic data on the Monarch:
Length 17'3"
Width 28"
Rocker Not sure, but with the rudder up it turns nicely for a touring boat. With the rudder down and kicked to the side, it makes a FAST 90 degree turn.
Weight 50 lbs. per specs, but feels lighter.
The seat has a built in yoke. You flip the seat upside down, put it back in the canoe and you have a molded, foam padded portage yoke!
I don't think the Monarch will replace the GRB, but may open some different trips for me.

Cool canoe! I say take the Monarch to the BWCA in September! Plenty of routes to cater to your preferences considering the nuances of the canoe. If you do go, please share your experience including pics. Enjoy!

Note to MReid: the only time I saw a closed bow canoe with a rudder was also on Bowron Lakes in the early 90's. Awesome circuit!

I used a Canak. I found getting the packs in and out to be a pain. Also the extra weight didn't make it worth it. On big water with wind it was nice. But over all I wouldn't use it again in the BW

Don't hold me to this, maybe someone else can confirm or correct, but I have in my head that a rudder is considered "mechanized equipment" and therefore not permitted in the BWCA.
I think I stand corrected found this, old 2012, on the site but probably still valid

2. Factory installed rudder system for kayak - Although the rudder is a mechanical advantage of sorts and it is used as part of your transport in wilderness, it's not actually moving you forward. You, your kayak and your paddle are doing that. The rudder just guides your direction. When you look at the manual definition above, you'll see how the examples of illegal contrivances all have one thing in common - they propel you or your stuff in some fashion. The rudder doesn't. That's how this Forest interprets the kayak rudder. At least you can leave the sail home...the rudder isn't a possibility. Not on my kayak anyway. Positive side - you'll get more exercise without the sail!

Again, thank you for contacting the Forest Service. When visitors like you ask questions, it helps clarify the rules more for everyone.

Ann Schwaller
Wilderness Specialist
Superior National Forest
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Duluth, MN
218.626.4325

Serious question. What is the difference between a kayak and the boat shown in the picture?

Kendis: "Serious question. What is the difference between a kayak and the boat shown in the picture?"

Struggling with that as well...

Never thought about a non-propulsion item being "mechanized equipment". If that is so, I would wonder about a retractable skeg on a kayak? It may not turn, but is hinged to retract and extend. What else could lurk in this gray area?

Kayak or Canoe? The Mad River Monarch is designated as a canoe by the manufacturer and designed to be paddled with a single bladed paddle, as Verlen Kruger (the designer) did on his 28,000 mile journey throughout North America. That is good enough for me. If a deck makes a kayak, what happens to an open canoe when you attach a fabric spray deck. Does it then become a kayak?

SouthernKevlar: "Never thought about a non-propulsion item being "mechanized equipment". If that is so, I would wonder about a retractable skeg on a kayak? It may not turn, but is hinged to retract and extend. What else could lurk in this gray area?"

A skeg and a rudder are essentially the same. Kayak rudders are also hinged and retractable, as they flip up onto the deck and are secured when in shallow water.

Again, neither of these physically propels the vessel so they are legal for wilderness use. I will note that I have seen pedal-drive fishing kayaks on Brule twice in recent years and under the definition of "mechanized" these are not legal.

Decked canoes have the hull shape of a canoe rather than of a kayak, at and below the waterline. Advantage over an open canoe is the shape above the water deflects wind and waves. Disadvantages are heavier weight because of the deck, and harder to load gear. The decked canoe’s advantages over a kayak include more freedom of movement for the paddler, familiar handling characteristics for a skilled canoeist, and more volume for gear. But a kayak will really handle wind and waves better, and its length-to-width ratio is typically higher than a canoe. A decked canoe and a true open-water kayak are two different types of paddlecraft.

I have a Monarch and while I find the seat/portage pads a cool feature, the balance point leaves the bow front heavy. I haven’t taken it to the BW yet but when carrying tend to leave the seat in place and use my noggin as the contact point.

Ideally I’d like to make a detachable yolk that’s compatible with the cockpit rather than add weight to the stern for balance. The yolk would also create more visibility instead of the current setup that leaves your head buried inside the boat.

Anyway, small pita for an overall amazing hull to paddle. That green color is sweet - have only seen one that comes close and it was in woodland camo. Nice find, congrats and can’t wait to hear about your trip in the Monarch.

Kendis: "Serious question. What is the difference between a kayak and the boat shown in the picture?"

Sitting on the floor as opposed to a raised seat.

fadersup: "I have a Monarch and while I find the seat/portage pads a cool feature, the balance point leaves the bow front heavy. I haven’t taken it to the BW yet but when carrying tend to leave the seat in place and use my noggin as the contact point.
Ideally I’d like to make a detachable yolk that’s compatible with the cockpit rather than add weight to the stern for balance. The yolk would also create more visibility instead of the current setup that leaves your head buried inside the boat.
Anyway, small pita for an overall amazing hull to paddle. That green color is sweet - have only seen one that comes close and it was in woodland camo. Nice find, congrats and can’t wait to hear about your trip in the Monarch."

Hi fadersup,
Nice to hear from another Monarch owner. I have played around a little with the seat/portage pads and I wonder if I am doing it right. I have put the portage unit in the top notches (as the boat sits in the water) and also in the 2nd front notch and top rear notch. The top notches seemed better, but as you said, 'bow heavy. I slid a wood paddle to the back and it helped, but bounced around. I figured I will dial it in someday.
Right now I put a bungee cord to hold the unit to the rear while carrying it. I noticed that there was old elastic cord fastened at the rear bottom of the seat height adjustment panels and wondered if originally there were any hooks or anything to attach to the seat unit, holding it in place.

The Monarch is a wonderful paddling canoe. The color of mine is listed in the Mad River info as "Indian Brown" even though it is a dark olive. I call it my 'stealth canoe'. When I get it up to Minnesota, I'll give you a report.

SK, sounds like you might be missing the original anchor points to bungee the seat in place? Here’s a photo of mine for reference.

As far as distance paddling I doubt there are many canoe hulls that are as efficient. Not the fastest but once it’s up to cruising speed the rudder takes away all need to correct with your arms, you can just hit one side all day if you want.

fadersup: "SK, sounds like you might be missing the original anchor points to bungee the seat in place? Here’s a photo of mine for reference.


As far as distance paddling I doubt there are many canoe hulls that are as efficient. Not the fastest but once it’s up to cruising speed the rudder takes away all need to correct with your arms, you can just hit one side all day if you want.


"

That is just what I needed to see. On mine, the metal eyelets are there, but the black plastic attachments are missing. I just hooked the bungees to the metal eyelets and wrapped around the seat as in your photo. I guessed that it would do, but was curious as to the original setup. Thanks very much for your help!

What year is your Monarch? I noticed that the Kevlar seat supports look a good bit thicker than mine. I had read that the earlier ones had thinner supports and mine is a 1985 production.

Just to clarify, the plastic hooks are part of the bungee. I'm not positive if they are original or not.

Mine is a '91 - bought as an identical pair from a guy that had them stored on Chesapeake Bay. We met in W. Virginia and a month later I shipped one of them from Chicago to a buyer in FL (popular for the Everglades Challenge race and similar).

Here's a photo of mine with a new cover from Dan at CCS and the camo layup I mentioned earlier.

Wow! You've snagged some nice rides! Mark P. ( I'm not going to attempt his last name) RIP, and a friend did the Kruger/Waddel Challenge, from Rainy to Lake Superior, in Kruger boats. They worked fine for them, though they made 2 trips through the portages.

fadersup: "Just to clarify, the plastic hooks are part of the bungee. I'm not positive if they are original or not.

Thanks fadersup, I didn't have on my specs when I first looked at the photo; one of those danged 'Where did I put those glasses' moments. That CCS cover looks great too. Does that have the battens on/in it? I will do a bit of paddling 'open' before ordering one, but I think one will be in my future.
The camo layup is interesting...

Voyager, thanks for the info. If the Kruger boats can do that, my Monarch should be able to paddle (and be portaged) on my upcoming short BWCA trip.