BWCA Advice on dimensions for solo canoe build? Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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overland
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04/10/2023 04:54PM  
I'm planning to build a skin-on-frame canoe this summer, using plans and methods from Cape Falcon Kayaks. There's considerable flexibility in dimensions, rocker, etc. , but the general plan for a person my size (215 lbs) would yield a canoe about the size of a Northstar Northwind solo--about 15'6", 30" wide (some tumblehome would reduce the gunwale width to about 28") and with about the same amount of rocker as the Northwind--i.e., more, than, say, the Magic. My goal is a canoe that paddles well on flat water, moving and non-moving. I'm not a big whitewater guy and have another canoe, a PakCanoe, for that, if I need it. Any thoughts? Thanks.
 
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04/10/2023 05:28PM  
There is a Boat Builders forum on this site where you may also want to post your inquiry.

Boat Builders
 
justpaddlin
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04/11/2023 05:20AM  
The dimensions you're considering seem just fine. If you look at the dimensions of a Hemlock Peregrine or Swift Keewaydin 15 they are very similar, the Peregrine is a bit narrower with less rocker and the Keewaydin 15 is very close to the NW Solo, just a touch narrower and 6 inches shorter. For versatility and river use I think it's good to stay with similar rocker as NW Solo. I weigh less than you but I've paddled with a 275 pound load in all those boats and they can handle it very easily so in principle you could get away with a slightly smaller boat at 215 but I'd still say stick with the NW Solo dimensions for stability and comfort.
 
overland
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04/11/2023 09:02AM  
I guess my biggest question concerns the rocker. How much more effort does it take to keep the Northwind going straight than, say the Northstar Magic, which has some rocker but not as much? I could give up some maneuverability for ease of paddling on flat water.
 
tumblehome
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04/11/2023 01:16PM  
overland: "I'm planning to build a skin-on-frame canoe this summer, using plans and methods from Cape Falcon Kayaks. , but the general plan for a person my size (215 lbs) would yield a canoe about the size of a Northstar Northwind solo--about 15'6", 30" wide (some tumblehome would reduce the gunwale width to about 28") and with about the same amount of rocker as the Northwind- Any thoughts? Thanks."


It can be very hard to tell how a canoe will perform without either seeing the plan or the canoe.

However, the dimensions you quote are pretty average for a modern solo canoe. Length and width at the waterline. Your height is a big factor in stability too, more so than weight since more weight in a canoe is usually advantageous for stability. This can be proven when you stand up in a canoe. Lower center of gravity is essential.

Rocker has a greater effect on tracking after you exceed 1.5" Anything less than that is not extremely noticeable. You might get different opinions on this but it is based on my experiences in building and paddling solo canoes.

For me, less rocker in a solo lake canoe is better than more rocker. And a slightly shallow arched hull will feel better than a rounded bottom. A flat bottom canoe feels wonderful until you hit waves and then it wants to toss you right out. Most newer hull designs are shallow arched hulls. Look at an aluminum canoe sometime and see how flat those are . Ugg.
Have fun!
Tom
 
justpaddlin
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04/11/2023 07:22PM  
overland: "I guess my biggest question concerns the rocker. How much more effort does it take to keep the Northwind going straight than, say the Northstar Magic, which has some rocker but not as much? I could give up some maneuverability for ease of paddling on flat water. "


Sounds like you should definitely go for less rocker than a NW Solo if you already know you value tracking. Don't know the exact numbers you should go for and I think rocker measurements aren't standardized anyway. I know that the Hemlock Peregrine is on the faster and harder-tracking side and I think the Magic handles amazingly well for a boat with so little rocker.
 
jayshef
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01/05/2024 08:28AM  
Hi - I am also considering building a Cape Falcon canoe. Is yours done? Any BW paddling last year? Curious to hear about your experience. fwiw, I have done a 6 days solo trip in a Wenonah Prism rented from Piragis and was really happy with it. Jay, Chicago
 
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