Do you have a favorite removable carrying yoke for your solo canoe?

I have been using a Northstar Northwind 16 tandem canoe with a fix carrying yoke for both solo and tandem trips but have considered buying a dedicated solo canoe which would require a removable carrying yoke. I single portage and like the ability to make quick transitions from water to portage so I want a carrying yoke that is quick and easy to install. I have researched solid yoke, strap yoke and paddle yoke configurations. I would probably go with a solid yoke design.

If you want to make your own look at "clamp-on hardware" on the Northstar Canoe website. They sell just the hardware or complete yokes. Note that having a long slot in the yoke allows you to Park the yoke on a narrower part of the canoe when paddling. I park mine far enough in front of my seat to not interfere with getting in and out. It is a useful place to put my binoculars and sometimes my camera when I want it at hand.

I have my seat and yoke on parallel rails allowing versatile arrangements.

I know that quality and functional removable carrying yokes are available but I feel that installation and parking speed could be improved by installing quick release fittings to the attachment mechanisms.

I have often thought about fitting my yoke with cam clamp hardware, but threaded knob or lever is real just a few seconds slower. The nice thing about cam hardware is the low profile. Less chance to get in the way of hands and fingers during a lift.

I considered a paddle yoke design.

solo set-up thread

This thread has lots of ideas. My in put with photos is near the end.

Here is a prototype I tested once last year. It was my best version yet, but it certainly isn't perfect.

Like you have commented, I wanted something fast at the portage. This design "swings" back when not portaging, usually resting on a bag. In portage mode, it swings forward. The arms are aluminum angle, and some padded aluminum locates the yoke when in portage position.

I can take more detailed photos in the garage when I pull her down if you would like. The yoke and pads came of the ex-rental I bought from Voyagers.

Why are you so consumed with speed loading and unloading at portages? What quality does that add to your trips?

Frenchy19: "Why are you so consumed with speed loading and unloading at portages? What quality does that add to your trips?"

For me it's actually less about speed and more about efficiency however, speed and efficiency often go hand in hand. The efficiency of all my equipment is important to me. I choose functional equipment that is quick and easy to use so that I can focus my attention on relaxing and enjoying the trip rather than on the equipment. I also like to change camp often and stay on the move so the speed and ease of setting and breaking camp allows me more travel time. Finally, planning and preparation is part of the fun for me. I enjoy identifying equipment and procedures that simplify tasks and improve comfort.

Who wouldn't like a quick and easy tarp set-up system when a storm is rolling in?

I've used the Northstar clamp on yoke for years on my NW solo and Advantage. Never a problem. I just mark where it goes on my canoe. It's attached in less than n 30 seconds

GoBlue, I have considered seat yoke designs but I have never come across a swing yoke design like yours. Thanks for posting, I get inspiration for equipment designs that I often use in part or whole for my own applications.

My pleasure Tomcat! I probably got the idea from somewhere on the board, so I am happy to pass it along.

It isn't about speed for me either. I totally understand your point about efficiency. I wanted something that I didn't have to attach and remove every time, not to save time but the "hassle". All comes down to personal preference. Plus, it is fun to work on a "engineering" problem. And as my wife would be sure to share, I am cheap!

Hope you have an excellent paddle season!

Neat idea, GoBlue. Creative & tidy - one less loose item!

Tomcat: "

Frenchy19: "Why are you so consumed with speed loading and unloading at portages? What quality does that add to your trips?"

For me it's actually less about speed and more about efficiency however, speed and efficiency often go hand in hand. The efficiency of all my equipment is important to me. I choose functional equipment that is quick and easy to use so that I can focus my attention on relaxing and enjoying the trip rather than on the equipment. I also like to change camp often and stay on the move so the speed and ease of setting and breaking camp allows me more travel time. Finally, planning and preparation is part of the fun for me. I enjoy identifying equipment and procedures that simplify tasks and improve comfort.


Who wouldn't like a quick and easy tarp set-up system when a storm is rolling in? "

Well stated, and I do agree on the importance of top notch equipment.

Tomcat: "...have considered buying a dedicated solo canoe which would require a removable carrying yoke."

What solos are you considering? I have a Swift, and the detachable yoke mounts fairly quickly. Mine is cherry, but they also offer a carbon fiber model and a packable model that looks like it would work on pretty much any hull.


Swift Packable Yoke

French 19, I like the Swift Keewaydin 14. The carbon yoke is a $700 option but I do like the hand knob screw attachment. I have made and tested strap yokes and am familiar with the Swift strap yoke but carrying comfort is an issue for me. I can make a yoke similar to the Swift solid yoke for much less and thought I would use push button quick release fittings in place of the hand screw fittings which would allow me to park the yoke on a thwart while paddling. Now that I have seen GoBlues swing in place design I am considering that. It looks hard to beat for speed and efficiency.

Tomcat: "French 19, I like the Swift Keewaydin 14. The carbon yoke is a $700 option but I do like the hand knob screw attachment. I have made and tested strap yokes and am familiar with the Swift strap yoke but carrying comfort is an issue for me."

I have a Keewaydin 15 that I bought from a guy off another paddling site. It is the full carbon set up, but the guy did not have the gunnels drilled-and I am also not keen on the idea of screwing the yoke into the gunnels.

I previously owned a Swift Shearwater that had a portable cherry yoke, which I liked, so I called Swift to see of they could make one similar to it for the Keewaydin. They made me a cherry one, and it was $200 Canadian. I bought the gel pad separately, but I gotta say, the old cherry Shearwater yoke was really comfortable.

I have only used this yoke on one short trip last summer, and it, at least in my opinion, was very easy to attach/remove.

French19, I am sitting in my car trying to text on my phone and having difficulty. When I get home I would like to ask a few questions about the Keewaydin and the Swift yoke. Thanks John

Tomcat: "French19, I am sitting in my car trying to text on my phone and having difficulty. When I get home I would like to ask a few questions about the Keewaydin and the Swift yoke. Thanks John"

612-975-9247. I work from home, and there is always a chance that I get pulled into a Zoom. So, if you call and I do not answer, leave a message and I will call you back.

I made my own. It's not fancy, but it works well. These are pictures of the raw yoke without the pads. It clamps on just in from of the seat in my Prism. I unclamp it and turn it around and it acts as a back rest. The large wing nuts are from a lawn mower with a collapsible handle.

I just finished this one the other day. Haven’t used it yet but feels pretty good. I wish I had made the neck pocket a little deeper since it rubs my neck a little if I lean my head back too far. Might re-design later this summer after the first trip. It's red elm, finished with a walnut penetrating stain and 3 coats of spar urethane. The clamping hardware was all sourced locally from hardware stores. The smaller Bourquin pads are perfect for a solo canoe. The yoke is not ultralight, but it is quite durable and extremely simple.

About ½ down THIS thread I posted pictures of my Yoke that was made by PortageDog from this site. He will custom make portage yokes. You tighten them down to the gunnel by pushing the cam lever down

HayRiverDrifter: "I made my own...


"

Very similar to the one I made. Work well for me. Very quick to install and remove. Store behind my seat.

My seat yoke..

jdevries: "My seat yoke..

This looks really good. I started on one of these but bailed on it because Northstar's new laminated seats just seemed too flimsy for it, and the NW solo seat is so damn low that the amount of material I needed to get the pads out high enough for carrying, made the damn thing weight 3lbs without the pads. Going to revisit it later this year and try again with a lighter wood.


"

A lot of really cool ideas-and talented craftsmen-here! I would end up lopping my hand off if I tried to make anything.