Hi everyone! New to the messageboard although I read this website all the time. I'll be taking my first solo trip next month going in at EP #50 (Cross Bay). I only have time for 3 long days for after much debate I've decided to just basecamp and take some good day trips and get some fishing and photography in.
I haven't solo'd a canoe in a VERY long time and I've been practicing on an old, heavy 14ft aluminum tandem canoe. I plan on renting a lightweight canoe up north and I'm hoping to get some advice on what to look for.
The problem is I'm sasquatch's cousin. Almost 6'3 280lbs. I pack fairly light but it'll still be a big full Duluth bag. Am I going to be too big for something like a 17? Wenonah Encounter or a SR Tranquility? I've also seen something called the Bell magic. Am I better off getting a smaller tandem?

Also I have access to a variety of paddles... do I want a bent shaft or a kayak paddle.. I've never used either before. Do I want to bring one along or not?

Thank you for any help

Personally MooseGundr, I think a Wenonah Encounter would work fine for you.

Due to the fact you pack light, you could get by with something smaller, but if an Encounter is available, that should fit the bill. The Encounter is also very initially stable, which is important for big guys who may carry much of their weight in their upper body.

The reason I mention body weight distribution is I've seen guys a few inches shorter than me, but heavier in the upper body "swim" many solo canoes that I had no issues with. Obviously with a tripping canoe your gear will act as ballast and settle the hull down somewhat, but empty, it could feel unsteady to some.

I'm currently 6' 4" and 210 pounds. At one point I was at 235 pounds, which isn't too far off from your dimensions. Even at 235 pounds, my body weight was evenly distributed and I really don't have stability or balance issues. During my 235 pound weight, the Wenonah Jensen C1W was my primary tripper. I love the Jensen C1W, but it's a tender hull initially, and I've seen many big guys roll the C1W all too easily.

I have and do trip with my dogs, and my dogs have weighed anywhere from 55 pounds to 90 pounds. So if you add their weight to the equation, I'm roughly at your weight and approx. height.

Through the years and since 1981 my solo tripping canoes have been, the 16' 8" Sawyer DY Special, (which is similar to Wenonah's 16 6" Advantage), a Wenonah Jensen C1W, which is somewhat of a deeper, Wenonah Advantage @ 16' 6", but the rounder hull of the Jensen C1W creates a more "tender" solo canoe.

For the past ten-years, a 17' 6" Wenonah Voyager has been my primary solo tripper. The Voyager could accommodate you and your gear weight-wise IMO, but many paddlers feel it's to tender for them. Not to over-simply it, but the Voyager is a longer, leaner solo tripper compared to the Encounter.

Although I haven't paddled a Souris River Tranquility, it seems that would be a reasonable candidate for you also. From what I hear though, the SR Tranquility doesn't really have the performance that I prefer, but for some solo paddlers that's not a concern. Many solo paddlers like the "Tranq's" initial stability though.

Just my two-cents worth.

Hans Solo

(From left to right; Sawyer DY Special with 55# English Setter, Wenonah Jensen C1W, and Wenonah Voyager)

I'm 6-2 and 230, pack medium (probably 2 packs at 40 pounds each) and and I sit, not kneel. My first and only solo was in a SR Tranquility - and I loved it. High initial stability as Hans points out. I didn't notice lack of performance but then I'm not there for speed, and honestly, there are not many places in the BWCAW and the Q that need great maneuverability.

Problem is - I'm not sure other than just the one that Piragis has, you can find one to outfit on the US side. I went to North side because I wanted a Tranq - and fell in love with that part of the parks.

I had a kayak paddle from the outfitter and my own straight paddle - used mine most of the time. The kayak paddle probably would be desirable but it needs to be a good one - and this was not.

As I noted - this was not only my first solo trip but very first time I was in a solo at the Beaverhouse access - and it went fine.

Hans Solo really knows his boats and his input there is excellent.

I would add consider more than one pack unless you hope to single portage. Two packs allows some adjustment of weight for trim, an especially important element of the solo in wind.

I kayaked for several years and am just back into canoeing so the double paddle is ideal for me. I use a Werner Corryveken 230 bent shaft. Lots of discussion about this on other threads. Finding the length that the blade enters the water without the shaft and drip cup dragging along is a mater of your size, distance from gunnel to water surface, type of stroke and other factors. Advising a particular length for any individual is difficult. I like the large blade as it gives me "V8" power when I want it, and with discipline a gentle paddle allows me to go a long distance without tiring. I paddle a magic for conditioning at least once per week when ice is out. It's narrow gunnel and my high angle stroke makes the paddle I have fit for me. Most folks would want a smaller blade and longer paddle.

The double blade is popular in wind and current as it helps in navigation. Saying that, I paddled in identical boats with a single blade user in light winds and he had no troubles keeping with me with my double unless I dug into the "V8" power strokes. Experience matters.

If you can test run the rental and try some different paddles before you start your trip you will find what feels best. That would be better than out on the second day hating your paddle.

Have fun paddling.

6' 4" and 220 here, all upper body "weight". I rented a Magic and loved it. But I have to say, it is somewhat tippy. Stable, but a little tippy due to my high center of gravity. If you think you might rent and paddle one, definitely give it a paddle beforehand. I have a 36" waist and don't remember more than a few inches left or right. I would often trim by sitting slightly left or right.

If your planning on base camping and fishing it might not be the best option. Hans knows his canoes...great suggestions by him.

Also, I didn't care for a double-blade kayak paddle. I had an adjustable length one rented and couldn't track the canoe straight, also got pretty wet from it. It stayed strapped into the canoe for 9 days. I liked the bent shaft Kevlar paddle I rented. Worked great with the magic's super straight tracking.

I think it's a good idea to have a spare paddle, so I take both a double bladed paddle and a single straight paddle. You may want to consider doing the same and trying both.

I like the Bell Magic, but I'm just over half your weight ;). On the other hand, the SR Q 16 was way too much solo canoe for me and my load in the wind.

Thank you so much for all the advise everyone. I've settled on the idea of a Tranquility or an Encounter. I've picked up a bent shaft paddle and am loving it so far. I'll probably take a kayak as my freebee to see how it goes. I also really like the idea of having a couple bags to help balance out the canoe. I really appreciate all the information, it was really educational!

I may be a bit late to this but I'm 6'3" and settle in at 265. I'm currently using a Bell Rockstar which I like because it has a bit more room at the gunwales. That said the Encounter will be a fine boat to take your solo in. It has good length, carrying capacity and stability. Your size and carry load will be no problem...

My Encounter has been a bomb proof canoe for me. It's been great while me at 225# and my pup at 80#. Now she's gone and I'll still be taking the Encounter this year as I contemplate what I'll try next. Time to downsize I guess, but the encounter will always have it's place with me.

I see in similar layups the encounter is about quite a bit heavierthan the tranquility - 34 vs 48. Is that right? A solo that weighs more than a tandem?

A Souris River Tranquility is a much smaller solo than a Wenonah Encounter, I do not consider them in the same class other than solo flatwater tripping canoes. 18 inches shorter, inch narrower at waterline, 2 inches shorter stems.
Tranquility construction (32lbs), is better compared with Kevlar Ultra-lite (38lbs).

Still I see many 15 1/2 ft canoes carrying healthy loads, if you have the time and the outfitter has them try a few out. Most likely rental solos will be Wenonah Wilderness/Prism, Bell Magic, Souris River 16 rigged as a solo. Have a great trip!

butthead

PS; Was chasing a cup of coffee while Barley posted. bh

quote billconner: "I see in similar layups the encounter is about quite a bit heavier than the tranquility - 34 vs 48. Is that right? A solo that weighs more than a tandem?"

An UL kevlar Encounter weighs 38 lbs. Plus it's 1.5 feet longer.

quote mr.barley: "

quote billconner: "I see in similar layups the encounter is about quite a bit heavierthan the tranquility - 34 vs 48. Is that right? A solo that weighs more than a tandem?"

An UL kevlar Encounter weighs 38 lbs. Plus it's 1.5 feet longer."

Thanks. Didn't know outfitters would have the ultra light but I see Piragis does.

Not sure if being longer is better, but believe that has more to do with personal preference.

quote mr.barley: "

quote billconner: "I see in similar layups the encounter is about quite a bit heavierthan the tranquility - 34 vs 48. Is that right? A solo that weighs more than a tandem?"

An UL kevlar Encounter weighs 38 lbs. Plus it's 1.5 feet longer."

My Encounter is pushing the 40 lbs mark because of patches and extra crap I've done to it. Longer has some advantages like speed, tracking and volume. The Rock Star is a little wider I think and I think it too has good volume for a bigger guy.

I soloed in a Souris River 16 set up as a solo. The boat was perfect for my first solo trip. It had excellent stability, as you can imagine with a tandem converted to a solo, and it was fast enough. However, on windy days I did get blown around quite a bit. Also, I would imagine that this boat would be more readily available as compared to the Tranquility.

I thought there was a lot of room in the Tranquility. That's a CCS deluxe food pack and a CCS Pioneer.

Another Encounter advocate. This is the boat for you. If trimmed right when loaded, it is fast and stable. For day trips and fishing, it fits the bill. At least that was my experience. Damn fine boat.

OK, I have some good solo experience but do not count myself as a canoe expert. That said, I have to raise a question. One of the issues I frequently see pop up with solo paddlers is handling the boat in wind. It seems to me this is a function of rocker, load distribution, and overall length of the boat. The Encounter is a whopping 17 feet long. How is it that this boat wins out over some other shorter boats, or is it simply a function of length to width ratio that matters?

Prism. It'll be fine.

quote Jaywalker: "One of the issues I frequently see pop up with solo paddlers is handling the boat in wind. It seems to me this is a function of rocker, load distribution, and overall length of the boat. The Encounter is a whopping 17 feet long. How is it that this boat wins out over some other shorter boats, or is it simply a function of length to width ratio that matters? "

In simplest terms, canoes with significant rocker are easier to turn and maneuver, but harder to keep tracking straight when paddling in a straight line. Canoes with little or no rocker track better and move faster through the water.

Shorter solo canoes with differential rocker are generally better suited for whitewater rivers, tight fast moving streams, and are generally the preference of free-style paddlers. Hulls with significant rocker are not a good choice for a solo tripping canoe on large windswept lakes.

Keeping a significantly rockered canoe traveling straight on a windy lake requires skill and potentially some muscle. Hull depth and load distribution are also contributing factors to managing a solo canoe in windy conditions.

I personally would not want to trip in a short, rockered solo canoe on the large lakes and waterways of the BWCAW and Quetico. That said, I freely admit I have a proclivity for longer, leaner canoes. Nevertheless, 15.5' would be as short as I'd care to go and with only slight differential rocker.

Although I own a Royalex Bell Yellowstone Solo @ 14', I tend to use it on small streams and whitewater rivers up to Grade III, and for those conditions it's fantastic. Even if my Yellowstone Solo was of a composite construction, I'd still opt for a larger, longer solo canoe for "Canoe Country" tripping.

I realize Cliff Jacobson often trips in a composite Bell Yellowstone Solo. But Cliff isn't 6' 4" and over 200 pounds. If a larger paddler enjoys using a Bell Yellowstone Solo or something similar for "Canoe Country" tripping, that's all well and good. But IMHO, unless you're incorporating small streams and rivers along your route, why not go longer and larger? Furthermore, the OP was asking about a solo canoe for a large paddler.

My primary solo tripping canoe is a Kevlar "Flex-Core" Wenonah Voyager 17' 6", and much like Wenonah’s Encounter, it essentially has no rocker. For me, the Wenonah Voyager is the ideal "Canoe-Country" tripping solo canoe, but it's not for everyone. I appreciate the length and volume of the Voyager which allows for a significant load capacity yet it still maintains great performance.

Hans Solo

Longer canoes are theoretically faster. There is one very big caveat. You have to have the horsepower to overcome the increased skin friction of a longer canoe.

That's one of the reasons to fit a solo canoe to the paddler. Smaller paddlers take smaller narrower solos to ensure a vertical stroke without any sweep of the paddle and to have less skin friction to match their lesser horsepower.

I cannot begin to drive a seventeen foot boat as fast as I can a fifteen foot solo.

The OP may well be better served by a longer wider boat.

quote yellowcanoe: "Longer canoes are theoretically faster. There is one very big caveat. You have to have the horsepower to overcome the increased skin friction of a longer canoe.

That's one of the reasons to fit a solo canoe to the paddler. Smaller paddlers take smaller narrower solos to ensure a vertical stroke without any sweep of the paddle and to have less skin friction to match their lesser horsepower.

I cannot begin to drive a seventeen foot boat as fast as I can a fifteen foot solo.

The OP may well be better served by a longer wider boat."

This is precisely why I recommend a larger solo for the OP, because the original question was "Big Guy Solo Canoe". At 6' 3" and 280 pounds, I'm assuming MooseGundr has the horsepower to properly drive a larger solo canoe as I do. One of the many reasons I prefer a longer canoe, (aside from volume), is that the hull will often take everything I can give it.

The "smaller for smaller" concept was the pitch by Harry Roberts in Sawyer's ads in the 80's when Sawyer was promoting the SummerSong, Starlight, and to a certain degree, the Autumn Mist.

As much as I like paddling my wife's SummerSong at times, it "tops out" if I really drive it too hard. It's also too low volume for me and a week's worth of gear @ 15' 4". That said, it's a nice day tripper with a casual stroke rate.

When not taking extended trips with my Wenonah Voyager or Jensen C1W, I still use my old Sawyer DY Special and/or Sawyer Shockwave, (16' 8" each) for weekend trips. Both can handle a decent load and still haul a$$! (Sawyer Shockwave pictured below on the lower Wisconsin River)

Hans Solo

Hans, it is just wrong all the really nice boats you have. Your input is also really useful, and thanks for that.

quote bhouse46: "Hans, it is just wrong all the really nice boats you have. Your input is also really useful, and thanks for that."

Thanks bhouse46 for the compliment! I just try to pass along what information and experience my small brain has retained over the years. :-)

As far as canoe ownership; I realize I'm somewhat OCD about that, but I just love canoes and canoeing, especially "sit & switch" style solo canoes. Being in Outdoor Retail for many years has made my obsession more financially feasible though. :-)

Despite all the boats I currently own, I can think of about a dozen more I'd love to have, a Bell Magic and a Savage River Blackwater, just to name a few. But it's hard for me to justify owning a those solo canoes when I have several that are close in concept and design.

That being said, if I come across a good deal on a Magic, and I'm presented with a deal I can't refuse, I just might need to find room in the barn for one.

A friend once referred to me as the "Jay Leno of canoes". I don't know about that, because I think Carl Busjahn of "Carl's Paddlin' holds that distinction.

On my way back from the Wisconsin River last week, I stopped in to say hi to Carl and see what he had laying around his store on Highway 14 in Lone Rock. As Carl put it, "Welcome to my canoe museum". Carl has some classic canoes on display, especially solo canoes. He has some late model Bells and Blackhawks, as well as an old Lotus BJX and an early 80's Kevlar Sawyer Cruiser in pretty decent shape! He also has a few of the new Ted Bell/Northstar Canoes "Black Light" Magics.

Carl also had some very interesting solo canoe built by Mark Morrall of Morrall River Films. If you're ever in the area, Carl's Paddlin' is definitely worth a stop for any canoe aficionado.

Hans Solo

Ted Bell told me he was going to build me one of their new solo's soon. I'm curious about how I'll like it. And... I'd be happy to make arrangements for others to try it out if I'm ever around. :) But that might be the ticket for the OPster.

quote bhouse46: "Hans, it is just wrong all the really nice boats you have. Your input is also really useful, and thanks for that."

And he's always on sandy beaches.

I am 6 foot and 206. I have paddled a Wenonah Prism and now own a Wenonah Voyager in kevlar ultralight. I can tell you I would take the Voyager in a heartbeat after paddling both.

Unless you are running smaller rivers, you are talking flatwater and lakes where turning isn't really an issue. Going straight with as little effort as possible is the game. In solos I have not paddled a faster boat when loaded then the Voyager. Mine have a rudder system with foot control as well which eliminates any wind issues.

When deciding on shorter or longer. . .I can't recall in all the years going to BWCA anyone saying "I really wish I had brought a shorter boat".

big guy, solo canoe at a decent price.... here

quote cowdoc: "big guy, solo canoe at a decent price.... here "

A Swift Shearwater is a rarity in these parts. Definitely a viable candidate!

Hans Solo