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      Trimming SR Q16 solo w/dog     

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09/13/2014 09:11AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm doing my first solo in 2 weeks and will be renting a SR Q16 Solo because I'll have my dog along. The center seat is actually behind the yoke so I won't be paddling from the center like in a regular solo. It will be me at 160lb, dog at 80lb, big pack I'm est. 40-50lbs, and small pack at 20lb. I know I'm going to have to move things around to find the magic spot for things...... but where do you think I should start? I'll have the dog in the middle section right in front of the yoke and can't decide if I should have the big pack towards the front or behind me like I would in a regular center seated solo. I also understand wind could change things.
 
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DeterminedOrange
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09/13/2014 06:39PM  
Sorry I am not familiar with that canoe, but will mention that I found a slightly heavy bow trim sure helped me in the wind.

Sounds like you are close, should be fun to have a companion with to give you an excuse to speak. Have a great time.
 
09/13/2014 06:49PM  
your dog along? THAT ISNT A SOLO!!! ;-)
 
09/13/2014 07:31PM  
quote kanoes: "your dog along? THAT ISNT A SOLO!!! ;-)
"


baby steps :)..............for some reason my wife feels more comfortable that way so that's the way it's going to be :) and talking to Echo won't feel as weird as talking to trees and rocks and stuff :)
 
09/13/2014 08:01PM  
quote ducks: "
quote kanoes: "your dog along? THAT ISNT A SOLO!!! ;-)
"



baby steps :)..............for some reason my wife feels more comfortable that way so that's the way it's going to be :) and talking to Echo won't feel as weird as talking to trees and rocks and stuff :)"

trees never talk back. rocks? sometimes.
 
09/13/2014 08:30PM  
ducks-

I rented one many years ago and just remember being blown all over the place. It was way too much canoe for me and my load. You'll be about 100 lbs heavier, so I hope it works better for you. I'd start with the heavy pack in the front, light pack behind you and work from there. Maybe everything in front of you.

The problem I had with it was that my load was nowhere near its capacity and so most of the canoe was just a sail above the water. If I remember correctly, it has a high bow, stern, and center, and a fair amount of rocker...? Could probably easily handle twice your load...?

Did you decide on an entry yet?

 
09/14/2014 07:09AM  
boonie.... still working on where and keep changing my mind. Leaning towards Kawishiwi Triangle but still considering Mudro and LIS North. South Kawishiwi EP has the smallest daily quota and the Triangle has small water the whole trip to help keep me from being blown around to much. But, the pics I've seen of Mudro area in the fall are stunning and the same with LIS. I may have to just pick it out of a hat :)

I'm thinking trimming the canoe will be very similar to when I do my daddy/daughter trips (kids ranged from 40 to 80lbs) and have the big pack as far forward as possible.

I was worried about the SR being to big but decided since it's my first go at soloing I'd rather have it to big than to small. I'm hoping it goes well, I build some solo paddling confidence, and then the next trip I'll try a Rockstar (the other canoe I strongly considered renting). Also, I'd really like to buy a second canoe at some point (a small tandem for when I'm with one of the kids that can also get the job done solo) so this is a great way to try out the SR Q 16 since it's at the top of my list for what I'm thinking I'd want to buy.
 
09/14/2014 07:30AM  
quote kanoes: "
quote ducks: "
quote kanoes: "your dog along? THAT ISNT A SOLO!!! ;-)
"




baby steps :)..............for some reason my wife feels more comfortable that way so that's the way it's going to be :) and talking to Echo won't feel as weird as talking to trees and rocks and stuff :)"

trees never talk back. rocks? sometimes."


my girls think I talk to myself to much already............. they picked out a bottle cozie for me for my birthday that they thought is perfect for me...... it says "don't interrupt me while I'm talking to myself"
 
barracuda
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09/14/2014 07:58AM  
Just did Stuart River to Sterling with the lab and before that Nina Moose River up to Pocket and back with the German shepherd/blue heeler mix. Both were good trips for the dogs. Small water my dogs like to pace and sniff, and explore in the canoe. On lakes the dogs settle down better (fortunately). I have avoided huge lakes with the dogs so far.

In my Prism, front to back it goes dog, me, gear pack, day/food pack.

My lab (60lbs) gets fidgety and likes to roam the front of the boat during a long paddle, esp on small rivers. I don't mind letting her. But I can't get enough weight far enough back when she is standing in the bow, makes for odd handling on a tight river.

When we are on big water either dog likes to be very close and will curl up in my lap or between my feet and I throw the small pack in the very front or very back to trim out the canoe according to wind.

Depending on how close Echo wants to lay to you, I think with the Q16 you should be able to put the big bag in front of the dog, might give Echo something to block wind/cuddle with anyways.



 
Alan Gage
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09/14/2014 08:36AM  
Also, I'd really like to buy a second canoe at some point (a small tandem for when I'm with one of the kids that can also get the job done solo) so this is a great way to try out the SR Q 16 since it's at the top of my list for what I'm thinking I'd want to buy."


Everyone's paddling style is different but I'd recommend against this. I own a few dedicated solos and a few tandems and recently bought a Bell Northstar. It was mostly bought for tandem use with the thought that it would be soloable as well.

All I can say is that after being used to paddling dedicated solos for many years and after paddling the Northstar solo a couple times in light wind I have no desire to solo a tandem anymore unless I absolutely have to. I love the Northstar as a tandem and will be taking it out today but you can't beat a dedicated solo.

Alan
 
09/14/2014 11:37AM  
Alan....... I wish I could get both but it's just not in the cards. Just getting 1 more canoe (we already have a SR Q 18.5) has been eluding me for 2 years (other more important things keep coming up). There's no way I'll be able to get 2 more canoes. Getting a small tandem for my daddy/daughter trips takes precedence over a solo. Who knows though... my older daughter is big enough now to trip with me in the Q18.5 as we used it for our trip in June. Maybe by the time my younger daughter is big enough I won't have purchased the 2nd canoe yet and I'll get a dedicated solo.

Maybe if I never paddle a dedicated solo I won't know what I'm missing :)
 
09/14/2014 11:45AM  
barracuda... is that one of Basspro69's pups? Sure looks like it.

Thanks for the insight on the dogs. I'm expecting to have to experiment and make adjustments as we go. My plan is to start with big pack all the way up front and go from there.

I'm thinking (hoping) Echo will stay close to me. When my wife and I have brought him with on tandem trips he's gotten antsy and wanted to get up by my wife once in a while.
 
Alan Gage
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09/14/2014 11:46AM  


Maybe if I never paddle a dedicated solo I won't know what I'm missing :) "


There is something to be said for that. :)

I'm sure it also depends on paddling style. In the summer I usually paddle 2-3 times/week and usually take only one trip per year where I'm loaded with gear. So my experiences paddling a tandem solo have been with light loads (about 210 in the boat). No doubt it would handle wind better with a weeks worth of gear or more but you're still at a disadvantage sitting rear of center when trying to keep it under control. Many people get by fine soloing a tandem so you must get used to it.

Have a great trip!

BTW, if you're looking at buying new you could get two used for the same price....just sayin'. :)

Alan
 
09/14/2014 11:51AM  
definitely was planning on buying used already like we did with our Q 18.5....... I do like your math though :)
 
barracuda
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09/14/2014 06:35PM  
quote ducks: "barracuda... is that one of Basspro69's pups? Sure looks like it.
"


Yep Günter is one of BP's pups. He is 50lbs and doesn't mess with the trim as much. Here he is at my feet in a tandem.

 
bwcasolo
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09/15/2014 05:19AM  
quote boonie: "ducks-


I rented one many years ago and just remember being blown all over the place. It was way too much canoe for me and my load. You'll be about 100 lbs heavier, so I hope it works better for you. I'd start with the heavy pack in the front, light pack behind you and work from there. Maybe everything in front of you.


The problem I had with it was that my load was nowhere near its capacity and so most of the canoe was just a sail above the water. If I remember correctly, it has a high bow, stern, and center, and a fair amount of rocker...? Could probably easily handle twice your load...?


Did you decide on an entry yet?
I owned a sriver 16 as well. I had everything in front of me for proper trim. they are not made for speed, but you will be very stable in it. it should keep you warm paddling.



"
 
09/15/2014 06:08AM  
ducks-

I have used a Rockstar a couple of times and like it. I think it would work for you. The SR will be stable and you can probably manage with everything in front of you. It's been a long time since I paddled the SR and I wasn't very experienced.

Have you considered taking a double blade as well as single blade paddle?
 
09/15/2014 06:40AM  
quote boonie: "ducks-


I have used a Rockstar a couple of times and like it. I think it would work for you. The SR will be stable and you can probably manage with everything in front of you. It's been a long time since I paddled the SR and I wasn't very experienced.


Have you considered taking a double blade as well as single blade paddle?"


Yes! VNO has them listed on their website so I'll get that w/ the canoe and bring my bent. It will be interesting to see what I like better. It seems some people love em and some hate em.
 
09/15/2014 10:41AM  
My solo is actually a choice of either an Old Town Trapper, 15 feet long, or 16 foot Winona Adirondak, both tandom, primarily because I don't own a solo canoe (yet) or have space currently to keep it. Length of trip and degree of challenge will lead me to one or the other...a hard trip and I take the kevlar, an easy one and I go with the beauty of wood. The discussion about wind conditions may have some validity but I haven't experienced too much difficulty on my four trips with dog in tow this season. I sit in the bow seat facing the stern with my big pack at the 'new' bow pushed against the seat to offer extra space for my Sadie as she hangs out on top of the pack/seat. I can pull the pack back towards me for trim if I have too. Last weekend I brought an extra small pack for my camera and misc. gear as I was planning a day trip to Johnson Falls. This I placed behind me with great success in trimming the canoe. I use a 260 cm yak paddle as well to reduce fatigue in my shoulders (bursitis issue).
Have a great trip
 
DeterminedOrange
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09/15/2014 12:19PM  
Do you have an entry point yet?
 
09/15/2014 12:22PM  
I've rented an SRQ16 for my last two solo-with-dog trips and liked it very much. Prior to getting my dog I had about 8 trip in Magics, Merlins, and Prisms. I liked the Magic especially, but did not want to try to fit all my gear and dog into it. I even went and sat in a Magic this summer when thoughts of buying a canoe possessed me, but could not imagine how my dog (80 lbs) would be able to turn around and be comfortable. I know a bunch of guys here use magics, rockstars, and the like with their dogs, but I have to wonder if many of those dogs are a bit smaller, like 50 lbs? Seriously, let me know.

I did find getting the trim right to be critical. On my first trip, a lighter weight summer trek, I ended up piling most of my camp gear in the bow, keeping my food bag and camera gear behind me. This left plenty of room right either at my feet or one section forward for the dog. On a trip last October I had extra gear (I was breaking in my new Snowtrekker tent and stove!) and did not carefully think through the load. Paddling into a modest wind the bow was blowing all over. I paddled about 1 mile and stopped at an island to re-trim everything and had no more troubles. On a day trip I loaded up several heavy items right in the front and was able to control the boat, even on bigger lakes when the winds came up pretty strong. I had a single blade paddle, and it was one of those days where you paddle hard and just get from point to point, or island to island then rest. I never had second thoughts about the canoe.

I have a yak paddle but do not bring on canoe trips - for me it's just an experience thing. The SRQ16 will be wider than the solos, so reaching over will take a bit more. I found I was banging my hand on the gunwales by accident, but that stopped by the end of the first lake.

A real solo boat would certainly be easier to paddle and carry, but I felt the tradeoff for space was a good one.

 
09/15/2014 04:36PM  
Thanks for the pic Jaywalker. It's great being able to visualize it. You were right........ our dog's sure do look alike.
 
09/15/2014 04:39PM  
quote DeterminedOrange: "Do you have an entry point yet?"


Leaning towards Kawishiwi Triangle but haven't pulled the trigger on the permit yet. LIS North and Mudro are still tugging on me.
 
09/15/2014 05:48PM  
quote ducks: "
quote DeterminedOrange: "Do you have an entry point yet?"



Leaning towards Kawishiwi Triangle but haven't pulled the trigger on the permit yet. LIS North and Mudro are still tugging on me."

go where you haven't gone before.
 
Alan Gage
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09/15/2014 09:13PM  
I even went and sat in a Magic this summer when thoughts of buying a canoe possessed me, but could not imagine how my dog (80 lbs) would be able to turn around and be comfortable. I know a bunch of guys here use magics, rockstars, and the like with their dogs, but I have to wonder if many of those dogs are a bit smaller, like 50 lbs? Seriously, let me know.


I used to take my big springer who weighed about 55lbs in my Magic all the time but those were only day paddles back then. I'd either carry a collapsible water bag to fill up at the put-in or else toss a couple rocks in back for ballast. He got along ok but I can imagine an 80lb dog would be a bit tight, especially with gear.

Alan

 
09/18/2014 06:37AM  
Booked! Kawishiwi Triangle here I come. Thanks everyone for the words of wisdom. I appreciate it.
 
09/22/2014 05:02PM  
I'm not going to be very efficient this week. I only had one thing on my mind today :)
 
09/22/2014 05:39PM  
quote ducks: "I'm not going to be very efficient this week. I only had one thing on my mind today :) "

hell, im just going to wingnight and I feel that way. haha
 
billconner
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09/22/2014 06:18PM  
If you trim your canoe with the dog, do you put your cat on the tree at Christmas?
 
10/01/2014 06:35AM  
The one they gave me was set up a little different than I thought it would be. The seat was almost in the center and it had a removable yoke. So I had the big pack behind me, small pack at my feet, and Echo up front. I'm glad I had the SR for stability but I can see that a narrower dedicated solo would be more fun to paddle. Thanks for all of the great advice. and billconner :) no cats allowed at my house!
 
DeterminedOrange
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10/01/2014 08:26AM  
Hey, you're back! How did it go?
 
10/01/2014 06:13PM  
quote DeterminedOrange: "Hey, you're back! How did it go?"


Awesome!
 
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