Will I fit with my dog on a Prism? He's 55 pounds. When in the canoe he lies down and waits for the camping part to start. I would bring a cut in half yoga mat for him to lie on. I'm renting the canoe so can't check it out ahead of time.

I think you'd be good.

quote nctry: "I think you'd be good. "

Thanks.

After I asked this question I scrolled through the solo pics thread and saw many dogs of his size in canoes with the amount if gear I think I'll have...reassuring.

You'll do fine-Nola-I know you are no where near my size, I'm 6'4" and about 260 and I'd be ok with a 55 pound dog-it actually will help you bring the bow down to help with trim. You'll be fine with all your gear, the dog and have plenty of capacity left for more.

Is this how I would set it up:

Dog in bow
Me
Gear directly behind me

Never packed a solo canoe before! :)

Or should I put something else up by the dog?

quote nojobro: "Is this how I would set it up:


Dog in bow
Me
Gear directly behind me


Never packed a solo canoe before! :)


Or should I put something else up by the dog?"

It all depends on how much your stuff weighs and how it's spread out. You'd probably be ok with one large pack behind the seat but ideally I think you'd want it split into two packs, one being small enough to fit up front, behind the dog, if need be. That way if it feels stern heavy you can move the smaller pack forward.

Alan

Also take into consideration whether you're going into or with the wind, that could affect how you want to trim the canoe.

Put a pack on the dog. Make him carry his own food.

My dog is 50 Lb. I put my small pack in the bow and she rides in front of me. My heavy pack is in the stern.

quote nojobro: "Is this how I would set it up:


Dog in bow
Me
Gear directly behind me


Never packed a solo canoe before! :)


Or should I put something else up by the dog?"

Dependent on the weight of pack positioned just behind you. I'd suggest positioning the dog just at of your feet.
My Prism has a slider seat so some free play to adjust paddler weight--your rental may not be tractor style seat, tho.

Nola, I agree with the others about having two packs.

When I paddle my Prism I have a CCS Pioneer that is not filled to the brim but does have almost all of my gear, tent, clothes etc. In addition I have a CCS Bushcrafter rucksack that has my bear barrel with food and kitchen stuff.

The Rucksack goes in the bow, the Pioneer right behind me.

Be careful how big a pack you have for behind you as some might be too big. The Pioneer is a perfect fit and will lay flat and below the gunwales.

Obviously your dog will have a pfd and a set of saddle packs for him on the portages that hold his food or something would be a help for you on portages.

If you have never paddled solo before try to get on the water BEFORE you hit the entry point, for both you and your dog.

There is a difference in getting in and out, managing packs at landings and just paddling a solo that takes some getting used to. Not being confident in the canoe that first morning because it feels too tippy or you aren't comfortable, especially if you have a dog would not be a good thing. Your dog needs to be able to lay fairly quiet when you are paddling and only gets in or out of the canoe when you tell him/her. If the dog jumps around in the canoe or gets in or out when you don't expect it, a bath for you is probably the outcome.

quote mr.barley: "Put a pack on the dog. Make him carry his own food.


"

He hates swimming so I put him in a PDF. I don't want to take this off and on at portages to put on the backpack. (Unless he gets hot or something). Anyway, gonna have to carry his food separately.

quote Bogwalker: "
If you have never paddled solo before try to get on the water BEFORE you hit the entry point, for both you and your dog.


There is a difference in getting in and out, managing packs at landings and just paddling a solo that takes some getting used to. Not being confident in the canoe that first morning because it feels too tippy or you aren't comfortable, especially if you have a dog would not be a good thing. Your dog needs to be able to lay fairly quiet when you are paddling and only gets in or out of the canoe when you tell him/her. If the dog jumps around in the canoe or gets in or out when you don't expect it, a bath for you is probably the outcome.


"

I am going to practice in some solos at Rutabaga. Don't think they have the Prism though. But anyway, I'll see if the'll let me take the dog along. He is a good canoe dog because mostly he doesn't particularly like it and just lies there waiting for the ride to be over. He learned to get in and out on his own on his first trip. Getting out he may try to jump before I've said to do so; will try to work on that before going. But getting in he was great (after the first couple times when he didn't want to get in)

Correction: Rutabaga does have a Prism. So that'll be nice to try there. I've canoed in one once before and did well. Went out on Lake Monona in Madison.

quote TomT: "My dog is 50 Lb. I put my small pack in the bow and she rides in front of me. My heavy pack is in the stern."

This is what I do. My canoe is a Bell Magic