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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Selecting a canoe for a big man
 
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IowaGuy
04/09/2023 08:37PM
 
I own a Wenonah Voyager, if I were your size I would definitely go with the Wenonah Encounter, it is a sweet solo canoe just too big for me!
 
Snorty
04/06/2023 04:30PM
 
What is the best solo for a man that’s 6’6” and 350lbs?
 
airmorse
04/07/2023 09:15AM
 
An Encounter. It will haul anything anywhere.
 
justpaddlin
04/08/2023 06:34PM
 
I think it would be hard to go wrong with a Northstar Polaris with the optional center solo seat. The boat is efficient and handles well sitting or kneeling and works well on lakes and (most) rivers. With 350 pounds (and any amount of extra gear desired) the boat is in it's sweet spot and will feel lightly loaded and light on the water.
 
Snorty
04/09/2023 11:03AM
 
That’s really fantastic
 
Finnboy
04/07/2023 07:50PM
 
Nova Craft Pal.
 
Snorty
04/12/2023 03:01PM
 
Thank you, I’ll check it out. Everyone has been great. Thanks.
 
UPBoy
04/15/2023 11:01AM
 
I have a Souris River Quetico 16 that was built as a solo. Normally, this is a tandem canoe but SR also sells it as a solo. It came from an Outfitter in Ely. I imagine they rent them out to big guys like us. I was 270 when I got it and traveled with a 70-pound dog so it worked well.


Hard to find


UPBoy
 
Snorty
04/06/2023 05:40PM
 
Thanks Carl, I’ll pass that info on.
 
Mickeal
04/07/2023 04:57PM
 
I'm 6'2" and 280. I built a great canoe for me. I purchased a 16-foot Mad River tandem canoe that was shell. I made my own gunnels and sliding seat. I drew the side in some. Being a v hull this canoe can handle some big waves. I've been using this canoe for seven years now and love it.
 
sedges
04/07/2023 07:08PM
 
Wenonah Solo Plus
solo+
or Hemlock Canoe Eaglet
Eaglet
 
sns
04/07/2023 08:24PM
 
Actual dedicated solos? Maybe a Wenonah Encounter. But only maybe. Better would probably be a Savage River Deep Creek Solo.

Other than those, I tend to agree with the folks pointing you towards tandems. I think a longer, slightly narrow tandem like a Northstar Polaris, Wenonah Escapade (or Solo Plus), Wenonah Escape, and possibly a Savage River Harmony could be on the list.

Then you rig that tandem hull to be a solo (if new, I bet most manufacturers will outfit it that way for you).

To my thinking most of the true solos are out because they have narrow waterline widths (gunwales too, for many)...I'm thinking about 30" or more for waterline width would be appropriate to provide stability for your size.
 
Frenchy19
04/07/2023 09:28AM
 
Agree with the Wilderness take. Also, if you can find one, a Swift Shearwater. I have owned both, and while not 6' 6''/350, I would say both are incredibly stable and would certainly work. I regret selling the Shearwater...
 
billconner
04/06/2023 06:19PM
 
A Souris River Tranquility would easily do it. Very stable and tracks well.
 
quark2222
04/06/2023 06:21PM
 
There was a pretty large fellow with the screen name of Corndog who had some pretty good tips and a trip report about how he handled things on a canoe trip starting at Angleworm. I think the trip report was from the summer of 2010. Maybe someone here could find it.


Tom
 
gravelroad
04/06/2023 08:00PM
 
Penobscot 17 paddled from just aft (actually forward, with bow behind the paddler) of middle with a third seat added. This boat is built to carry loads, and when it is loaded it is damn fast for its size.



 
AceAceAce
04/07/2023 07:17PM
 
I use a Northstar Northwinds 16. It's a small tandem that I paddle backwards as a solo. It works well as there isn't a wart right in front of you. It's optimal weight range is 275-575, so lots of capacity.
 
ducks
04/09/2023 08:31AM
 
Northstar Polaris with the center seat option.


Rockwood on the Gunflint and Piragis in Ely have it in their rental fleet if he’s looking to rent or want to try before purchasing. Rockwood has it set set up with the center seat option, not sure about Piragis.
 
RedLakePaddler
04/06/2023 04:46PM
 
Buck
One would be a Wenonah Wilderness. Lots of volume and a stable canoe. The other I would suggest is any one of the Prospectors or a Mad River Explorer. The Explorer is very stable because of the vee hull. Just paddle them backward from the bow seat. I’ve used my Explorer with my 90# poodle Rusty. Speed was ok and was very comfortable with a some time active dog.


Carl
 
billconner
04/08/2023 06:31AM
 
It is the personal comfort of initial stability that probably makes one more appropriate over another and that only comes from test paddling.
 
Snorty
04/07/2023 03:02PM
 
Thank you everyone for your helpful suggestions, truly appreciate it.