I have done solo trips on Missouri Rivers, but headed out on my first BWCA solo trip in 9 days. I have been lurking on this solo forum for a while, thanks for all the great tips.

I am 5 foot 7, 200 pounds. Can I trim a Prism with one large duluth pack or will I need to split up my gear into two packs? I have not weighed my gear yet, but anticipating about 50 pounds.

I just bought a used Prism this year after paddling a Voyageur for a number of years. I like the Prism a lot more.
I had an internal frame pack as close behind me as it would sit. I had a blue Seal line bag with about 10-15 pounds in it sitting in front of me, worked fine. I played around with it and it seemed to work fine with the blue bag sitting on top of the pack, or in other words with all of the weight right behind me. The seat does slide forward if need be.
You will have to be certain that a "big" Duluth Pack will fit sideways, remembering the canoe is narrow and having it lay down gives you more stability. If you run it the long way I suspect you would have the canoe leaning right or left.
With that said you may find you would like some weight up front if you are paddling in wind.
If your goal is to single portage I understand your desire to keep everything in one pack. If you will not single portage I would go with a larger pack and a smaller one in front of you simply because it allows for more weight options in the canoe and in my case I like to keep certain things in the old blue pack to help the organization of my stuff.
Many folks here have more experience than I do with a Prism or solo paddling. Lots of ideas you have likely read about trimming a canoe. One thing to remember: What I think works for me may not work for you!

I use a CCS pioneer behind me and a smaller pack (CCS bush crafter) in front. I double portage. The small pack has my food and kitchen gear. Having a bag with a little weight helps with trim and getting the bow down headed into the wind. If you push the seat forward it will help but I find moving a pack keeps me locked in where I feel most comfortable. When I portage I attach my paddle to the canoe and portage food pack and canoe one load. I attach my pfd to my pioneer pack with caribeeners and portage that on the second load.

2 packs, double portage works perfect with my prism.

Yep -- 2 packs so you can trim to fit the wind you are dealing with.

Other option -- which worked for me -- is 50 lb pack in stern and 40 lb Siberian Husky in the bow .....

Goat

I think the best is with 2 bags. Have seen and know a few owners of modified Prism's. Seat moved back 18 inches or so, thwarts re-positioned to take a large pack center.

butthead

quote butthead: "I think the best is with 2 bags. Have seen and know a few owners of modified Prism's. Seat moved back 18 inches or so, thwarts re-positioned to take a large pack center.


butthead"

I'd like to try that set-up I think. Only concern is possibly more tippy especially when empty.

Using the slider it is possible to travel with just one pack behind you. Prism is set up to favor being stern heavy. If you travel with big following seas (wing from behind) it helps to settle the boat to have some weight in the bow.

quote nctry: "

quote butthead: "I think the best is with 2 bags. Have seen and know a few owners of modified Prism's. Seat moved back 18 inches or so, thwarts re-positioned to take a large pack center.



butthead"

I'd like to try that set-up I think. Only concern is possibly more tippy especially when empty."

quark2222, Tom, has one. Obtained from an outfitter who set several up that way. Maybe he'll chime in to this topic.

butthead

quote butthead: "

quote nctry: "

quote butthead: "I think the best is with 2 bags. Have seen and know a few owners of modified Prism's. Seat moved back 18 inches or so, thwarts re-positioned to take a large pack center.



butthead"

i bought my prism set-up that way, hated it. i always needed something up front. i moved the seat back to center. performs the way it was designed to. empty, i can fish, control the canoe, not tippy.




I'd like to try that set-up I think. Only concern is possibly more tippy especially when empty."

. i moved the seat back to center. performs the way it was designed to. empty, i can fish, control the canoe, not tippy.i bought my prism set-up that way, hated it. i always needed something up front


quark2222, Tom, has one. Obtained from an outfitter who set several up that way. Maybe he'll chime in to this topic.




butthead"

sorry , that post didn't work, i bought my prism set up that was, hated it. i moved the seat back to center, performs great.
empty, fishing, very stable, just be smart with the wind.

Thanks for all the input, I will be bringing two smaller bags.

I also owned a Voyageur for a while, logged some serious miles in it. It lacked the turning ability I needed for smaller rivers and it pained me to scratch the kevlar on rocky streams so I traded it for an Argosy. royalex. Argosy maneuvers great, tracks horribly, but is well suited for my typical hour paddle after work on a small river past my house. Argosy would be completely unworthy in high winds on a large lake.

This will be my first time paddling a Prism, I am hoping it fits perfectly between the Argosy and the Voyageur.

dd

Closer to the Voyager, it does not turn as well IMO. Paddled back to back along with a homebuilt Merlin, and my own Wenonah Moccasin.
Prism was the most initially stable and hardest tracking.



butthead