This past summer, we brought our new (to us) MN II up to the Boundary Waters. In the past, we've rented Northstar Seligas, so that's what we're used to. Paddling was great, but we found it really difficult to portage this boat. We couldn't quite figure out what was going on -- it felt a bit like it wasn't balanced (we had to use some muscle to keep it from tipping back and forth) and it also put more pressure on our shoulders.

- Is this an issue of the portage pads? (We had some clamp ons -- not sure what brand, but I can check.)
- Could they have been set up incorrectly -- too far apart? (We did mess around with this a bit, but nothing totally solved the issue)
- Is a longer canoe just more difficult to balance?

Interested in your thoughts! I'd love to solve this issue, if possible, before trips next season! It was a bummer to struggle through the portages so much.

You don't describe the portage pads your MN II was fitted with. Some curved portage pads allow very little back-and-forth movement to adjust balance, while flatter pads allow shifting the canoe's position on one's shoulders to fine tune balance. Life jackets strapped to the seats prior to portaging can also impact balance if you added or dropped the item's weight (snacks in a pocket? Wet life jacket?) from when the canoe was balanced.

TZ

I initially balance my canoe so if I'm standing still it will be balanced perfectly. I then like to slide it back just so it leans back so I get a better frontward view when portaging. I have found that having the portage pads too far apart makes it harder to control. Things like paddles, life jackets, and fishing gear attached to the canoe can make a difference. A PFD "swinging" back and forth will throw you off.

You are asking the right questions.

Pad material, especially the padding can make a difference. I like a stiff inner foam with a layer of squishier foam on the top.

Too far apart can cause a LOT of misery because it leverages too much pressure on the shoulders. We struggle a bit with this spacing because our family all carries the canoes, but we have different size shoulders.

Poorly placed yoke: Misbalanced front to rear can make things miserable as well because you need to expend a lot of energy pulling down the bow which puts additional pressure on your shoulders. I find that rental canoes have terrible yoke placement and the canoe ends up really stern heavy. You should be able to stand with the canoe balanced on your shoulders without using any hands to balance it.

If you plan to attach anything to the canoe while portaging (ex. back rests, fishing poles or mounts, thwart bags, bow or stern lines, paddles, etc.), make sure you test them before your trip to make sure the canoe still balances. Secure these items so they don't swing while you walk.

Try posting some pictures of the yoke and pads. You can also post pictures of the canoe on your shoulders and people can offer more tips or advice.

Portaging longer canoes could be painful regardless of their weight because of demands of the balancing on an uneven terrain. Carrying 60lbs 17' boat could be easier that a 45lbs 18.6" boat.

EddyTurn: "Portaging longer canoes could be painful regardless of their weight because of demands of the balancing on an uneven terrain. Carrying 60lbs 17' boat could be easier that a 45lbs 18.6" boat."

Yes, length has a big effect on "swing weight"! The moment of inertia of an object goes with the fourth power of length...so a boat that's 10% longer could feel 1.1 x 1.1 x 1.1 x 1.1 = 1.46 = 46% harder to control. I think EddyTurn's example is spot on.

In my early days as a young man I was proud to play Who Is the toughest? Those days have come and gone. Many of us have traded grit for lighter weight gear along with bigger doses of Aleve. In 2009 I had a left knee replaced and went up Louisa Fall Falls with a full pack. Those days are fading quickly. Luckily my balance is still intact. Thanks for listening to an old Geezer.

MB

Seconding what everyone else has said.

The MNII is a great canoe on the water–but a bit awkward on land (compared to shorter boats that you're used to).

Fortunately, this can mostly be mitigated by some care in how you rig your boat and a little practice at home.

We totally solved the portage pain issue. . . .we don't portage anymore. Shuttle to the Red Rock lake portage. . . .25 steps to the other side. . .then base camp.

Life is good

I have found the best cure for portage pain is to portage before you go. The only thing I strap in the boat is fishing poles. I have a 1/2 mile loop in my woods with some ups and downs and it really does help to build up your portaging muscles.

Pad width can make a difference. I have the pads resting on bone, not muscle, so check that. I also leave my life vest on.

Balance is important. You should almost be able to walk without a hand on the boat. It's miserable trying to hold the front of the canoes up while portaging. I have the flat block pads so you can adjust forward and back a bit.