I took my first excursion in a solo today. I went around Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. I liked it, but it was definitely a different experience than a tandem. I stayed dry, which was my primary goal, but also managed to get a pretty good feel for the Merlin II. It felt pretty tender at first, but I got used to it. The most surprising thing was how the wind would impact steering. It was a fairly mild breeze, but there were times when I REALLY had to dig in to get moving in the right direction. I'm sure that will have less of an impact when I'm loaded, and I think as I get more comfortable I'll be able to lean a little further and paddle more efficiently to deal with the wind better. Overall it was great and felt really good to finally get out there!

The more you paddle it, the more you'll feel at home in it. Once the water warms up, it helps a lot to really test its primary and secondary stability. Just gives you an idea of what you can get away with. My first test run in my Magic was on a windy bay on Shagawa in ice water, with no load. I couldn't do anything with it. Now I'm right at home in most any water. Once it's loaded down, and especially if you use splash covers, it makes all the difference.

Also be aware that the paddle you have used to steer a tandem canoe is too short to paddle for steering a solo canoe. In a tandem canoe you are sitting at the end of the canoe while in a solo canoe you are close to the center of canoe (need a longer paddle to reach out and make the correction strokes). This makes a big different specially if you are using straight shaft paddle.

Thats interesting that you bring up the paddle. I brought both a straight & bent shaft paddle to try them both. I really didn't like the bent in the solo. I enjoyed the extra power, but I found it very difficult to steer with the bent. I have some much longer straight paddles around and I'll give them a shot. Thanks for the heads up.

I respectfully disagree that you need a longer paddle just because you're in a solo. I use the same size solo or tandem. The Merlin II is narrow enough it shouldn't really change stroke much. Sitting or kneeling may change your length. Too long of paddle will make it tough to get your paddle vertical.

The key is to "stack" your hands. Your shaft should be as vertical as possible. This means getting your top hand outside of the gunwales. It may feel odd at first, but it'll keep you from doing a sweep stroke unintentionally and will make correction stroke more effective.

Were you sitting or kneeling? If you are sitting in a Merlin II I'd make sure you have the longer (about 4") drops to get your weight down low. If you kneel you'll be surprised how much more stable it'll feel.

Thanks for the post. Looking forward to hearing again from you if you have more feedback.

I'm of the put the pack up front group. I find the canoe less prone to being pushed around in the wind.

My experience is with a kayak paddle. For most situations I prefer the kayak paddle. However there are situations where a canoe paddle is preferred. I now carry both.

Also, if you have weight to trim for wind....

a little stern heavy in a tail wind will keep your back end from swinging around. Opposite holds true for a headwind. Think of it as making a pivot point for your canoe.

I alternated between kneeling & sitting. The canoe was WAY more stable when I was kneeling. Unfortunately my ankles & legs were not really up to the task. The previous owner had added 1 inch spacers to the hangers, so I was still down a bit when seated and was pretty manageable. I have a feeling that as I get used to this thing I'll opt for kneeling and may take out the spacers so my feet can fit a little better. We'll see what happens when I get it out with a load in it.

MWD you're dead on about "stacking" your hands when paddling. I knew I was sweeping the whole time I was out, particularly when the wind picked up, but I just wasn't comfortable enough to get the lean I needed to get my hands in the proper position. I'm sure this will improve over time, particularly with a load in.

Thanks again for the advice and responses. I'll let you know about round 2 when I can fit it in.

-Nick

paddle length. i went shorter when i got the magic. its strickly a sitting boat and its narrow. im much closer to the water in it than i ever was in a tandem. i have a 52 straight and a 50 bent (im 5'11" with an average length torso). i think both could be an inch or two shorter and i may do that someday (they are ZRE's).

It sounds like you did very well on the maiden voyage. I think you'll find it to be more stable with a load and easier to handle, especially when you find the sweet spot that trims it right for you and the conditions. I think wind is a bigger issue for solos. A solo canoe is nearly as big as a tandem (way more than half, anyway), but with half the "horsepower". I've also found the straight paddle to be easier to steer with than a bent, especially as it gets windier. I've never paddled a Merlin II, but I prefer the Magic, which is similar, to the larger solos. It has less freeboard and a lower sheer line to catch wind when it's not heavily loaded.

I don't think I explained myself well. Straight paddles are ideal to reach the end of the canoe and use them as a rudder to steer the canoe. When sitting at the stern of the canoe, a shorter paddler can act as a rudder, but sitting at the middle of the canoe, a longer paddle is needed to reach the stern to rudder. I am not a white water paddler but once I joined a white water group just to gain some confident in my paddling. After the first day on the river (paddling a Madriver Guide), the leader of the group asked me to get myself a longer paddle (and gave me the above explanation) and I found his advise worked for me.
I got no experience with Merlin but I loved paddling Bell Magic. I found bend paddles work best when fighting head wind, or when you want to cover long distance. But I prefer straight paddles for steering ( I carry both paddle on bwca trip). I also have to add I am not as experience as most people on this forum (more of a talker than a doer), so take it for what it worth.

when you get comfortable with it empty you will be fine, get to that point and anything beyond that will be gravy. paddling with a load is a crutch....when you feel at one with her empty, youre there.

Solo canoes are different! Much more "wiggly" than tandems. Mostly because weight and propulsion/steering are all centered. If you like it, keep at it, and your proficiency just keeps going up!
Be ready for change though, because it's just you and your canoe, a LOT of personalization will creep in. Seat height, paddle length/style, gear placement, type of canoe, are all highly personal.
Welcome to the club, have a blast!

butthead