I have a fear of open water and wind and I came to accept it as part of bwca (I almost get it on every trip). But I know my madriver guide can turn on a dime and she can always face the wave in the direction I want her to (I admit she can not track as well as other and is slower than other). I know this canoe is not popular with bwca tripper who prefer longer, faster canoe. But don't you get nervous in rough waters?

quote Rambler_Dog: "... But don't you get nervous in rough waters?"

oh, hell yes. if i have to ask myself whether to paddle or sit...i just answered that question by asking it. i sit.

Crossing a large lake when it's calm can be very scary too. I remember going from Crooked east through the length of Basswood to PP. It was extremely calm so I took shortcuts down the middle and was terrified that a squall would hit me.

It never happened that day but I won't be so reckless next time.

Yes, I get concerned on big water if the waves are big. I will stay put or get off the water if there are big waves that I think I can't handle. It is always better to be safe on large water.

Never go out if you think you can't handle the water. You senses are there to help protect you. If they say that is way scary water then listen to them and wait it out.

If your canoe works for you that's all that matters. No matter what the brand. I would rather see you out there canoeing than worry about what other people think about your canoe.

I've heard that a canoe won't tip if you are laying down in it.
I may be able to lie down in my tandem, but I'd tip my Magic just trying to get in that position... never mind the fact that there isn't enough room to begin with.

I've battled a few winds in my Encounter. Last fall on Brule Lake was I think the worst. But I was totally in control. One guy bailed to a campsite and paddled out the next day in the wind. But I have to admit it was a rush to battle the bigger waves. The only thing is if someone goes over there is not much you can do to help them with a solo boat. Just have a fire going when they get to shore... My last trip into the WCPP was in a tandem canoe. The guy paddling the stern was sideways to the waves a lot. I was concerned a few times and because he was so "experianced" I didn't say to much.

I think most people are afraid and nervous on rough water. Just remember to keep the PFD on, and if it's just too much, do NOT even attempt to cross until it is safe for YOU to do so. I can normally tell fairly quickly whether or not I'm going to be going anywhere because of the winds.

Nervous in rough waters?

Hmmmm. I can tell you this: Now that I'm paddling a Magic instead of a Voyager the degree of "roughness" I can tolerate has gone up considerably.

My level of comfort also has a lot to do with what direction the wind is coming from. If I can quarter in to the waves it's got to get really bad before I get nervous.

Quartering with the wind scares the crap out of me. I hate having the wind pushing my ass-end around.

quote nctry: "I've battled a few winds in my Encounter. Last fall on Brule Lake was I think the worst. But I was totally in control. One guy bailed to a campsite and paddled out the next day in the wind. But I have to admit it was a rush to battle the bigger waves. The only thing is if someone goes over there is not much you can do to help them with a solo boat. Just have a fire going when they get to shore... My last trip into the WCPP was in a tandem canoe. The guy paddling the stern was sideways to the waves a lot. I was concerned a few times and because he was so "experianced" I didn't say to much."

I had a really bad experience on the Brule while paddling tandem with my daughter. I don't think I'll ever paddle that lake again.

quote PJ: "Nervous in rough waters?
Hmmmm. I can tell you this: Now that I'm paddling a Magic instead of a Voyager the degree of "roughness" I can tolerate has gone up considerably.

My level of comfort also has a lot to do with what direction the wind is coming from. If I can quarter in to the waves it's got to get really bad before I get nervous.

Quartering with the wind scares the crap out of me. I hate having the wind pushing my ass-end around."

My sentiments exactly, PJ. Seeing what's coming at you allows for quick adjustments in rough water. When that rough water comes at you from behind, it'll hit with unexpected swales/whitecaps that sometimes give you that scary adrenaline rush...

We just crossed Poplar last week in some wind. I guess it really was not that bad and I've been in worse (hello, Bald Eagle Lake). Only occasionally were there tiny bits of white showing on the tops of the waves, and we were able to go into them no problem. But still...the main channel area of that lake is big, and our kids were in the canoe. I don't really think it was a dangerous situation, but I was really glad when we had crossed the biggest part. Ideally, we'd have gone around (we were going from the Portage from Lizz over to Rockwood outfitters). But that would have added quite a bit of time, and it was already after 2pm and no one had eaten lunch and at the end of the trip, all the good snacks were gone. We were all ready to be DONE by that point. Anyway, I guess my point is that there are circumstances that might cloud your judgement (hunger, desire to get somewhere) and also the fact that you can't always tell what you're dealing with until you're closer to it. From the portage landing, things looked great. But 'round a few islands, the main channel wasn't so great. At that point, we'd have to go back around if we wanted to cross elsewhere. If it had been truly nasty, we'd have done it...and with a less experienced canoeist in the stern, it still might not have been a good idea. Anyway...I can see how sometimes people get into situations they end up not wanting to be in.

For my solo, I'm going to be extremely cautious...I haven't done it before and I know my endurance isn't that great. I can be a powerful paddler...but not for very long.

This is not just a solo topic. Wind and rough water are the biggest danger you face in any canoe. But in my limited experience, a skilled paddler in a solo is more at the mercy of the elements than two skilled paddlers in a tandem. So yes, this is something it is rational to fear.

I've done some testing of my skills and limits near home since I got my solo and the water warmed up past the instant hypothermia level. One day out on Burntside was particularly memorable. I bit off more than I really wanted to chew, but I also knew that if I had an accident, I would probably be miserable for a while, but I wasn't going to die. I came through okay and it was a good learning experience. I'd like to go out right by the cabin in rougher weather in July and August when the water is really warm and see what I can (and can't) do.

I'm afraid that, if someone is not concerned about wind on big water, we'll be reading about them in some newspaper and remembering them fondly....

Mother Nature and the Wilderness are both unforgiving. I believe that's one of the reasons we all go there.

This thread is a great example of one of the many things I admire about BWCA.com folks. It shows great respect for the forces of nature, no need to prove anything, no cockiness and a genuine willingness to learn from experiences. The most knowledgeable, skilled and experienced BWCA/Quetico travelers do amazing things without the need to be foolish about it.

well I will be more scared to paddle in the bow of a tandem canoe than paddling a solo.
One question for PJ. I have never paddled a magic in rough waters, but I expect it be difficult to turn and quarter the wave.
Quartering the wave is the only way I do rough water, so like few others I like the head wind better. I will be too scared to go on the water if strong wind is coming from behind.

I took out my Rockstar for some open water time on one of the local lakes in St. Paul. I wanted to know what I could and couldn't do in rougher water. I was able to find a happy medium where I was comfortable solo in rough water and when to stay on shore.

In 1977 I was on Clearwater with my wife and a friend paddling west into the teeth of a west wind. After 1/2 hour of paddling we decided to go to shore and try to wait it out. Eight hours later it calmed just a bit for us to head out again. Then it started all over with gusto. At this time I had about 20 BWCA trips under my belt and felt that we could handle the waves. The Alumacraft held up well but has no flare in front to push the waves to the side. My wife was in the center of the canoe bailing water coming over the bow. That day was the defining moment in my BWCA experience. Now unless I absolutely have to be somewhere I'll wait it out and if I have to absolutely have to be somewhere I'll be there late...