Been thinking of trying out solo canoeing this year. But just not sure what kind of canoe I should get. I have access to a Bell Yellowstone and another one don't recall the model but its a Bell also. To try out.
Anyway I found a Blackhawk Zephyr Solo on Craigslist for $800 is that a fair price and a good starter canoe for a guy that weights about 210# stands 6'2". I would be doing some fishing out of it too.

Did really care about speed just want something stable and tracks decent across the lake
Just trying to keep it simple and not break the bank

I have a blackhawk and I'm not sure about the zephyr but the Starship would be a good tripper for you. these are more high performance boats and not the best to fish out of. A little tippy.

I would call every outfitter in Ely and Grand Marais and see what used boats they have for sale. Best be quick about that though. $800-$1000 should get a decent used Bell or Wenonah I would think.

quote TomT: "I have a blackhawk and I'm not sure about the zephyr but the Starship would be a good tripper for you. these are more high performance boats and not the best to fish out of. A little tippy.

I would call every outfitter in Ely and Grand Marais and see what used boats they have for sale. Best be quick about that though. $800-$1000 should get a decent used Bell or Wenonah I would think.

"

I agree with TomT that a Blackhawk solo canoe would not be the best choice for a fishing platform or a first solo canoe in my opinion. Blackhawk solo canoes are also more geared for kneeling and freestyle paddling. The Blackhawk Starship, and to a certain extent, the Blackhwak Covenant, are better solo touring canoes IMHO.

I own a Blackhawk Ariel and have paddled many other Blackhawk solo canoes. They are nice boats and generally they have a great deal of secondary stability, but their initial stability is not what most anglers prefer for a canoe to fish from. The same could be said for the Bell Yellowstone solo.

The Yellowstone Solo's hull is also more tender than most first time solo paddlers and anglers are comfortable with too. The Yellowstone Solo is one of the few small, short canoes I really like. (I tend to favor the longer, leaner "sit and switch" style solo canoes for tripping and general paddling.) I bought my Yellowstone Solo primarily for usage on small streams and rivers and extended weekend river trips, and for those purposes it works great for me.

For my size (6' 4" @ 210-pounds), which is close to your dimensions, both of the aforementioned canoes are smaller than I prefer for a "Canoe Country" tripper. That said, there are paddlers that are approx. my size that DO use 14' to 14.5' solo canoes for extended tripping and are happy to do so.

If I had to pick between the Blackhawk Zephyr and the Bell Yellowstone Solo as a small tripping solo, I'd chose the Yellowstone Solo, but that's me.

It would be helpful to know what the other Bell solo canoe you're considering is. If it were a Bell Merlin II @ 15' or a Bell Rockstar @ 15' 6", those would work better for you in my opinion. Both the Merlin II and the Rockstar are more initially stable than the Yellowstone Solo or the Blackhawk Zephyr, and the slightly larger hulls would also provide more cargo capacity.

As we head into spring, there will be many more canoes listed on craigslist and other classified ad websites, so you might want to wait and see what other solo canoes become available. Unless there's a more suitable solo canoe becomes readily available that's also reasonably priced.

Tom T's suggestion to contact several Outfitters is a good idea. The solo canoes that the Outfitters turn-over from season to season are naturally better suited for "Canoe Country" tripping and fishing.

Finally, if you're new to solo canoeing, it's invaluable to try out several solo canoes prior to purchase and see what appeals to you, or what might work better for you intended purpose(s).

Just my two-cents.

Hans Solo

Thanks for the feedback Hans and Tom T.
I've thought about it, done some research on it and I'm thinking that a Wenonah Wilderness might be a good option for a solo canoe to start out in.
Seems like it would fit my frame and is somewhat stable for flat and river canoeing/fish. There's happens to be one on Craigslist for sale too a Royalex asking $900 for it. Wont hurt to look at it and maybe find some soft water and try it out. Think its worth it



George

I would jump on that.

That is exactly what I have. Great boat and a good price.

If you would like to try a wilderness, Email me, I live in Kasson Mn.

Yellowstone Solos are not tippy per se for kneeling paddlers. I have taught a ton of new paddlers that bring those.

However if you are fishing I assume you will be sitting. The YS needs a bit of seat lowering if you will sit. I assume boat modifications are not on the horizon so I would look at canoes that are meant out of the box for seated paddlers. That generally means pack canoe or Wenonah.

Careful, if you try out a Magic, you might just go home with it...

I agree with Hans Solo comments on this in regards to checking out various solo boats before choosing one. I paddle a SRQ17 but I'm in a minority. Most folks opt for the 16. The SR is exceptionally stable and relatively lightweight at about 43/44 lbs. Bell's canoes are a good choice in the 17 range as I've paddled the Northwind 17 and really liked it. Just a thought.

Exo -- That's what I'm afraid of never hear anything bad about a Magic. But the cost Is more I need to stay on budget with this one. Wife wasn't happy when I spent 3000 more then I told her I was going to spend on a snowmobile last fall....She got over it just told her It will be like mini vacations from me.

Will the Wilderness royalex is sold person just got back to me earlier. I do see a Tuff weave Wilderness listed now are they ok (material wise) I know its a little lighter. But are they tuff like a royalex. Pros/Cons. Or should I just keep looking something will pop up sooner or later.

Might give me time to save for that Magic ;)

There is a prism for sale in the for sale forum that is in your price range. I have learned that if you are serious about buying a boat you should not procrastinate when the one you are looking for comes up for sale. Good canoes at the right price do not last long.


Prism

quote podgeo: "Exo -- That's what I'm afraid of never hear anything bad about a Magic. But the cost Is more I need to stay on budget with this one. Wife wasn't happy when I spent 3000 more then I told her I was going to spend on a snowmobile last fall....She got over it just told her It will be like mini vacations from me.


Will the Wilderness royalex is sold person just got back to me earlier. I do see a Tuff weave Wilderness listed now are they ok (material wise) I know its a little lighter. But are they tuff like a royalex. Pros/Cons. Or should I just keep looking something will pop up sooner or later.


Might give me time to save for that Magic ;)"

I have a Wilderness made of the tuff weave material. It is comparable to kevlar in its overall performance, except a little heavier.

Weighs 42 lbs. Like kevlar, it will not stand up to impacts on rocks as well as Royalex. Not a big problem unless you plan to do a lot of river / stream canoeing. If so I would go with Royalex.

Still looking for canoe and waiting for the paddlesports demo next Thursday. Hoping to try out a Wilderness and a Northwind solo there .
And second in line for a Bell magic only time will tell

Will went to the demo back then tried 4 canoes and liked the Wilderness the best. Patiently waiting finally paid off

And tonight I brought home my new/used solo Wilderness Royalex that I seen on Craigslist this last weekend. And also turned out that it was a member on this great site I bought it from.



If you were wondering. It was the sporty Red model, you know the faster one. With the Sun Roof option.

Congratulations, podgeo!

Another soloist has entered the waters. Wonderful and congratulations from here as well.

I love both my Wildernesses, enjoy and happy tripping.