Hello Friends!

Looking for advice on a vessle for the BWCA. The only other canoe I have owned was a Wenonah Prism. But I had a few situations with major wind where I thought I might want to try a decked canoe for my next boat. I'm looking at getting a Clipper Sea-1. The only reservation is that it is 50pounds (my Prism was 45 and I wanted to go ever lighter for my next boat). I usually portage quite a bit on my trips, doesn't anyone know how well this would portage? I have seen a lot of hardmen up in the BWCA with decked canoes, like the Rob Roy and the Kruger boats, so they can't be all that horrible to portage, althought probably not as nice as a graphite Wenonah.

Any experience, suggestions? Thanks!!

do you still have the prism? if so, consider this. ccs canoe cover

If this is what you're talking about, you'll have an easier time with the Prism. The Clipper looks low and sleek but with that 10.5" stern height don't forget your spray skirt. The additional weight is the least of your worries. The big forward deck will present problems handling gear when loading and unloading at portage landings. And you'd probably have to get creative about a portage yoke. You might as well use a sea kayak.

kanoes has the right idea for handling big waves, but there's another approach - wait until the wind dies down.

No need for a spray skirt under nearly all conditions - the stern has a deck, and the cockpit is deeper than the Prism at center. Most of your gear goes behind your seat not under the front deck. Center paddled solo boats are generally designed to carry the majority of the weight behind the paddler. The shallow height at the ends would be a blessing in windy conditions.

Gotta agree with kanoes though the fabric cover is the easiest and most versatile solution.

CCS cover, best thing about it is the improved canoe behavior in wind and waves!

butthead

Banksiana, I never knew that "center paddled solo boats" were supposed to be loaded behind the paddler. If the forward area remains unloaded, wouldn't the stern be overweighted? How would you trim the boat for windy conditions?

Koda-
"designed to carry the majority of the weight behind the paddler" was what I wrote. I did not mean to imply that one should not carry gear forward. I think most solo paddlers split their gear in order to be able to trim their boats as conditions demand. On an asymmetrical boat like the magic or prism the center of volume is aft of the center of length. I believe the boat will perform best when the load (including paddler) is as close to the center of volume as possible. Due to the asymmetry of the hull the easiest way to achieve this balance is with the heavier pack aft (near the center of volume) and a lighter pack forward. Most trim adjustments can then be accomplished by moving the greatest (and most mobile) mass, the paddler, fore and aft with a sliding seat.

It is possible to trim the boat level by loading a heavy pack forward and moving the paddler and a smaller pack aft but in doing so you've compromised the buoyancy of the stems and are more likely to ship water in rough seas.

Thanks for your suggestions. I sold the Prism a year ago. I have the opportunity to by the Sea-1 for the same price I paid for the Prism last year. Are there advantages of having a covered canoe over a decked canoe? You could probably haul more gear, but I don't take more than 2 med/large dry bags, even for a couple weeks out. The CCC stuff is nice, I bought one of their map cases.. would love some Mukluks! I could get the Sea-1 for less than another Bell/Wenonah Solo with cover so that's the more cost effective choice right now.

Timmy B-

Main advantage of cover over deck is weight and flexibility. The advantages of the Sea 1 are it's low profile (catch a lot less wind), it's extra length (faster, more efficient, straight tracking), and it's level of seaworthiness.

The big disadvantages are it's weight and lack of "load flexibility". The rudder does a lot to compensate for your diminished ability to trim the load.

I'm not familiar with how the portage yoke is mounted and how well it carries.

...But if it carries well for you and the price is right seems like a hell of a canoe.

I would be concerned about portaging. The Sea-1 does not really seem to have any combing around the cockpit so I would be curious how you plan to carry it. I have a couple different yokes for my kayaks and they slip on the combing with no clamping or adjusting... but with no combing, how are you going to do it? I am sure you can find a way, but that would be my concern.

Sounds like you have a deal on it.... the link Koda provided says $3500 for the kevlar 55 lb version. My favorite bwca kayak (which hauls tons of gear, is very fast, and is easy to portage) only weighs 54 lbs and cost $800 new. The majority of the difference between these boats seems to be the construction and finish... my boat is plastic vs the Sea-1 kevlar. You need to find the boat that is right for you, but I would have to ask if it is really worth almost $2k for an extra lb of material that is equally susceptible as plastic to scratches and scuffs.

Sounds like you have already put some thought into the limited storage available in a decked canoe (or open-top kayak, as the case may be), so that is probably not an issue for you.

Personally, I have never had any interest in rudders or drop skegs on bwca kayaks. Too many rocks and shallow spots. Just more stuff to drag across a portage. Not enough big, open water to really get great advantages from rudders. Again, though, gotta go with what works for you.

Best advice is try to get a chance to test paddle it WITH YOUR CAMPING GEAR before making a buy decision.

Good luck! Share trip reports with us so we can all see it in bwca action! I would really be interested in hearing about your yoking solutions and what you think of the rudder.

All of this talk about covering a solo canoe: have you tried the 15' Rob Roy made by Bell? It's a bit tricky to load (so I've been told) but it may do the trick. It's a 'decked' canoe. Some people love them. Personally, I have not had the opportunity to paddle one but I'm certain somebody here has.

Bell Magic with full cover.

Do you know where I can get a used or cheap Sea-1 canoe?
Thanks

quote Iconart9: "Do you know where I can get a used or cheap Sea-1 canoe?
Thanks"

Keep your eyes on Craig's List and also check outfitters who use this. They should have used ones for sale - at least by the end of the season.

Also, another option is Wenonah's new Canak. Based on a Prism.

However, if it were me, I'd go the the CCS cover route mentioned above for my canoe. This looks to be a cheaper option if you look at the price of a Prism to Canak, and gives more versatility.

I would like to be able to tour the great lakes and some coastal areas.
Needless to say waves as big as 4-6 feet.
That is the only reason why I need the canoe/kayak boat with high capacity (high volume hull).
Thanks you for your advice,
I will get in touch with the outfitters by the end of the season.