We have two trips under our belts as a family of four. The halflings are 12 and 8 now. How do you decide if two canoes are better than the behemoth MN III? What are your suggestions for this transition?

Thanks!

April

Cute kids! Love the smiles. :)

Here are a few considerations I have used...

1) Do you have two people capable of being in the stern?
2) What type of trip are you doing? If it is a base camp near an entry point, the two canoes might be a great way to transition.
3) Can the kiddos still get along sitting next to each other or would you consider a 4-seater? (I've never used a four-seater)
4) Logistics matter...plan through each scenario with your kids and that may help you decide based on their feedback. For example, how are you going to handle a portage with one or two canoes? What type of gear is possible based on the capacity of the options?

I think the fact that you are asking the question means the transition is here and you might consider doing some day or overnight trips locally to prepare for the two canoe eventuality. Either way have fun, be safe, and enjoy the experiences!

The MNIII may be a pain to portage, but less so than carrying the same amount of gear and two canoes.

8 years old is a bit young to be a productive paddler but the 12 year old should be fine. It will definitely be more work for everybody and weather will be more limiting which you'll need to account for in planning, but the kids will feel more independent and like they are contributing as well. If each of you feels comfortable captaining a canoe, I'd talk about the pros and cons with the kids and see what they think. After all the goal is for them to have fun.

You are pretty close to being ready.
Are both adults ready to paddle stern without getting much help from the little in the bow?
If you already have your permit are you going to be on smaller lakes? Big water and wind will be a problem if you’re taking two canoes.

If you are planning on covering a lot of miles I think that one big canoe is better. You’ll move a lot faster on the water and portaging will be easier and go faster with only one of the adults needing to carry a canoe.

Taking 2 canoes will give the littles more ownership in the trip and they’ll start learning how to carry their own weight on the water in addition to what they already help with on the portages. I’f you aren’t planning on going very far and you’re going to be on smaller water then it could be a good time to try 2 canoes.

Have a great trip. Come back and let us know which way you went and let us know how it goes.