Just curious if anyone has any experience soloing larger generally two person canoes. For example, a Souris River Quetico 17. I would imagine it could be done by counterbalancing your weight with that of you packs or possible paddling from the center. Any thoughts or feedback would be appreciated. I am thinking about soloing with my dog and packs up front. Thanks.

I recently posted this question in the general planning forum, but thought this might be a more appropriate place for it. Also, what canoe models are most frequently used?

ive solo'd a penob 16 in the past. it was just ok.

Canoes with symmetrical hulls are usually better paddled if turned around and paddled from the bow seat facing the opposite direction you normally would. Big boats with a lot of volume can be difficult to handle alone, especially with wind and waves. In a big wide boat like the q 17, trying to paddle from the center of the canoe is uncomfortable because the paddling station is very wide. If i were to try to trip in a large boat, countering my weight on the opposite end of the boat would be a priority. My packs alone would not be sufficient, even a medium sized dog too probably wouldnt be enough weight. A dry bag or collapsible jug filled with water could help add counterweight.

It can be done, but I wouldn't do it for a long paddle. Agree w/ BearBrown re: turning it around and paddling from center. Bill Mason used a technique where he put both knees on one side and heeled the boat over, but that won't work w/ packs and a dog. Wind and waves make paddling a tandem very difficult...you'll wear yourself out trying to keep your line across a windy lake, even in a light breeze.

I have done two short ones in a 16' alumacraft (3 and 4 days). I lucked out on the wind for the most part. You can do about a 10 to 12 mph headwind wind max and that is with a kayak paddle. Even then you need to pay attention all the time because if you lose the bow to the wind you might be backtracking or expending lots of energy to get it back into the wind. I paddle mine backwards and it worked well but each canoe will react different. If you do it make sure you have plenty of practice before you go to know how it handles in the wind.

The initial trip I took was to see if I liked to solo, the second trip confirmed it so now I have invested in a solo canoe as it will make it easier to do longer on more challenging trips.

Plan a trip away from big water and practice before you go and you should be good.

In addition to my two solo canoes I paddle a Wenonah 18' Jensen tandem canoe solo by putting a small cooler in the middle as a chair. Works great and refreshments are under my butt. To do it properly a double blade should be used or a paddle 4-6" longer than normal because it is 32" wide. If your tandem is wider it ain't gonna work as well. It is a rocket because it is longer and sits higher, it will also teach you how to handle a canoe in the wind since it will be affected greater by it.

You can also use ballast and just sit in the back, but I'm too lazy to look and place that much weight in my canoe.

17 is kind of long, but my 15 ft Old Town always worked good for me til I found how much I like a canoe weighing half as much.


Hey Bigfoot, stick around a while at Wing Night and we can talk more about it.

Most of my trips have been solo. I've tried all paddling positions and for me, the easiest and most comfortable is sitting in the back seat like normal and trimming with packs. Most of the trips were in a Mad river Explorer 16 foot. Wind can be an issue however by using land masses as barriers its usually doable. To go out fishing I will trim with a dry bag with water, it works great.

I'm planning on taking my SR Quetico 17' canoe on a two week solo the end of August. I invested in an adjustable drop in seat from Spring Creek that really works great. It allows me to be seated closer to the center than if I simply turned the canoe around and paddled from the (former) bow seat. I think it's just the ticket.
So to answer your question, YES, I do think it's very doable to use a tandem canoe to do your solo trip.

quote Mort: "I'm planning on taking my SR Quetico 17' canoe on a two week solo the end of August. I invested in an adjustable drop in seat from Spring Creek that really works great. It allows me to be seated closer to the center than if I simply turned the canoe around and paddled from the (former) bow seat. I think it's just the ticket.
So to answer your question, YES, I do think it's very doable to use a tandem canoe to do your solo trip. "

i wish you good luck...and no wind.

Thanks for the well wishes Kanoes.
I tried to address the wind issues by deliberately choosing a route with smaller lakes and better alignment to the prevailing winds.

I certainly agree with you and others that using a solo canoe is the better way to go. Know that I'd buy a Magic in a flash if money weren't an issue. Like Donald Rumsfeld said, ...."You go to war with the army you have, not the one you wish you had." Ha!

if i sounded smug, im sorry...i didnt mean it in that way. i just know that even in a magic wind can be very challenging at times.

You're good!

Hey Mort... What are you sitting on in your profile picture? Looks like your thwart. Nice fish BTW. Happy Retirement too!

Thanks for the congratulations nctry. Retirement is indeed sweet. I'm so thankful that I continue to have excellent health so I can enjoy it.

p.s.: No, I didn't have my drop-in seat when that pic was taken on Crooked. I was fishing solo by sitting on my life jacket perched atop the center portage yoke. Not the most comfortable, but it's bearable for the short term.

quote kanoes: "even in a magic wind can be very challenging at times."

That's cause your a wuss! /teasing/

quote Mort: "Thanks for the congratulations nctry. Retirement is indeed sweet. I'm so thankful that I continue to have excellent health so I can enjoy it.

p.s.: No, I didn't have my drop-in seat when that pic was taken on Crooked. I was fishing solo by sitting on my life jacket perched atop the center portage yoke. Not the most comfortable, but it's bearable for the short term."

You'll like the drop in seat better. :)

quote canoe212: "

quote kanoes: "even in a magic wind can be very challenging at times."

That's cause your a wuss! /teasing/"

hahahaha

Thanks everyone I really appreciate the input. I will have to try paddling from the bow facing the opposite direction and look into investing in a drop in seat. I like the idea of a dry bag filled with water for a counterweight. I would love to invest in a lighter solo canoe but I'm with Mort, gotta paddle what you have.

Sorry nctry, I can't make wing night, I live in Ohio but my heart lives in the BW.