So, I built this solo and all the while that I worked on her, I visioned her gliding on BWCA waters (with my dog up front). September is my time for going.... no date yet and not sure where I will enter. But I will enter.

My last solo was in 1999 and I am not real sure anymore that I can deal with self alone..... Rose (my dog) will be a good companion (and distraction). This will be more of a "shake-down" cruise rather than a quest for miles under-the-hull.

Much has changed in the dynamics of the crew that I once paddled with. Those days are gone. Even my traditional father/son trek will not take place this year. These changes kinda make me feel old....

I know "old" is a "state-of-mind" thing. But like the blues singer Buddy Guy says..... "I done got old, can't do the things I used to do". I feel the years creeping up on me and a solo trip is my one defense to keep my mind free of the "I done got old" thing.

So, I been training the muscles..... trying to get on the water every other days for an hour or so of paddling. My dog has more difficulty getting in and out of the canoe (she done got old)..... so, I ask her to get in and out frequently. I even bought a shower mat for her to step on (the hull is too slick for her).

Today I tried a fit of dog and packs in the Merlin (that canoe sure shrank when I took it out of the shop). I hate the additional "sail" of the pack up front, but not sure how to get packs and dog placed for good trim. Here is my first stab at packing.

Your packing scheme looks good to me. If it's too bow heavy you might move the second pack to the stern as well.

I know lots of guys solo with their dog. I've always imagined that it would be problematic. My thought is that the dog is a passenger rather than freight and so using a "real" solo makes things tougher. Having a dog partner is a time I may opt for a cross-over type boat like a Solo Plus or a SR Q16, or even a tandem paddled backward.

Still, you have a beautiful canoe and a four-legged partner, so you'll make it work.

Have fun!!

Nice looking setup Joe! Should do ya well. A solo is where I think a regular internal frame pack works well, long and narrow. But you have a good fit. PJ and Baxter in a Magic, PJ puts both packs behind and moves Baxter around for trim ( might be the other way around!). I believe Baxter's pack is in the bow.

butthead

Joe,
Good to hear you are going trippin in that beauty.
I took Molly the lab, she is 65 pounds.
Put her in the front and all my stuff in back.
I sometimes put the portage yoke up in the front of the bow for a little more ballast.
Worked great having gear behind me and her up front. I had the big pack right behind my seat and slid as close to the seat as possible.
My food pack was in the rear as far as possible back.
I brought a woven rug for her in the tent, but nothing in the canoe.
Didn't want a "wet thing" to portage.
Here Is Molly and the Canoe. The second pic is in a Creek with NO WATER, That is another story. The Third is just a shot of the packs in the canoe.
SunCatcher

HPD, I know what you mean about dynamics changing, kids getting older, getting wrapped up in their own lives and families, feeling older. But life goes on. I'll be there solo in Sept, but I won't have a dog to talk to. So if you see some old guy talking to trees and rocks and chipmunks...and some imaginary ball called "Spalding" :) - that'll be me. Enjoy your trip. Nice looking canoe, btw.

I know what you mean about the changing dynamic. That's why I usually solo.

Did Molly learn any new words?

Nice boat Joe....you'll make it work. Enjoy.

I think you could stand the blue pack up right behind you (to keep the weight in the center) and put the small pack in the back laid down.

Don't forget to do a report!

I appreciate the comments. Thanks. I have time to fiddle around with dog and pack placement on local lakes. I will try some of your suggestions.

I am getting close to making a decision on when/where to go. Drive on the 11th and put in on the 12th. I would like to say that I have paddle the Kawishiwi R drainage from source to the Highway 1 bridge.

There is only 1 section remaining (in my bucket list) and that is the section from Lake One to the North/South branches. I think I will do just that. Put in at Kawishiwi South and paddle up to Lake One (then backtrack..... maybe)

have a great paddle joe! it sure beats working. oh, thats right...youre retired. :)

have fun my friend.

South kawishiwi entry is now a busy place :( Seems people have discovered that little secret.

Guess I won't be putting in on the 12th (no permits available). Will shoot for later in the week when permits are available. That is no big deal except at this time of year we are losing 3-4 minutes of daylength every day :(.

hi kanoes

nice yacht there HPD. Enjoy your trip.

Ron
I notice that you are now the proud owner of a Merlin. I looked at PortageKeepers pictures. That is a nice looking canoe and for the money, you got a steal. Heck, I have that amount in my Merlin in materials alone (maybe more)