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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: 20 Day Solo Trip Help!
 
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jvenjohn
03/15/2017 06:34PM
  
Hi everyone,

My name is Jackson, I am 20 years old and am from the Twin Cities area. I am going on a 20 day solo trip on the 19th of June. I have been to the BWCA more times than I can count and feel extremely confident in my camping/survival skills and abilities. I have read lots on the forum on solo camping and have solo camped before (a few days) and feel ready for my first 'real' extended trip alone.

However, I have 1 problem that I need to solve. I am in college and money isn't exactly plentiful. I have everything I need except for a solo canoe. As I am sure you know, renting a solo canoe for 20 days is hard to rent for under 500 dollars (even after the discount some outfitters give).

What tips do you have on getting a hold of a solo canoe for a 20 day trip without having funds to buy one yourself?
Is it uncommon for folks on the forum to privately lease out their canoes to someone like me? If so would anyone have a kevlar/graphite solo canoe that they would be able to lease/rent out to me?

I understand this is a bit of a weird request. I am just trying to figure out the best way to make the trip happen without the broke college kid like me to have to fork out a bunch of money.:)

My email address is jvenjohn@truegopher.com

Thanks for your advice in advance for helping me figure out how to make this trip happen!

Best,
Jackson


 
boonie
03/15/2017 07:53PM
  
I don't even have a solo canoe, but I enjoy my trips. I hope you can work out something and enjoy your trip.


Have you considered the possibility of buying a used one and reselling it afterwards?
 
TomT
03/16/2017 06:11AM
  
It's a creative idea and hope it works out for you. You might just scour all the places for people to post used canoes to sell. There has to be a solo sitting in someones garage unused that you can pick up relatively cheap.


We also have a forum here to buy and sell. I'd post in there what you are looking for.



 
billconner
03/16/2017 07:31AM
  
If Gunflint Northwoods still has for sale, I saw it two days after Christmas, it was in need of some tlc and refinish but you could definitely resell it for more with some work.look in for sale forum or just call them.
 
whitecedar
04/06/2017 05:17PM
  
Jackson: A suggestion would be to put a want ad on CL and any small inexpensive local shopper type paper for a solo or small tandem, they are out there. Examples are folks that bought one they were going to fix up and never got around to, or the solo that blew off the car. Also, Minnesota Mountaineering is going to have the highly anticipated canoe auction during the Spring Expo April 28-30th, always a fun time.


Have a great trip!!!!



 
canoe212
03/16/2017 09:00AM
  
Do you have access to a tandem? You don't need a solo to solo. There are ways to use a tandem as a solo.
 
Solobob1
03/16/2017 09:19AM
  
I agree with canoe 212, a tandem can be used as a fine solo. I solo all the time - all my canoes are Tandems. Tandems are easier to find used.


Good luck,


Bob.
 
jfinn
03/16/2017 10:46AM
  
Jackson,


I have a golden glass Summersong. While not kev or carbon, it is a very fine and very fast canoe. Depending on your size, this may or may not be a good fit. I would be willing to sell it to make room in my garage. Email me if you are interested at $700, what I paid last spring.


You could hang onto it or unload it post trip at a comparable price.



John



 
RLJ
03/16/2017 11:02AM
  
Check out the U of MN equipment rental, you may be able to save some $'s there. You can view the rental rates online to give you an idea of the cost.
 
Jaywalker
03/16/2017 06:34PM
  
quote boonie: "I don't even have a solo canoe, but I enjoy my trips. I hope you can work out something and enjoy your trip.


Have you considered the possibility of buying a used one and reselling it afterwards?"
My first thought was like Boonie - look for a decent used boat and buy it, then resell after. This does involve some cash outlay, but used boats don't devalue that fast. Some savvy folks buy used boats, use them, and then sell them for more than they paid.
 
jvenjohn
03/22/2017 03:19PM
  
quote butthead: "What do you consider "snag a solo canoe for cheap for a 20 day loop"?
Are you ready to stand for replacement cost, supply a returnable deposit if damaged?



Realize that your asking to rent/borrow a prime personal solo that may have cost the owner $2500 or more, with potentially even higher personal value to the owner.



butthead"



I know people that rent a 25' snowmobile trailer worth $15k+ for a weekend privately via craigslist for 600 dollars. People rent out trailers all the time in order to help pay for the trailer itself......not sure why a canoe couldn't be rented out privately in similar fashion-of course I would assume replacement/damage costs.
I am a man of integrity and am not trying to play games or steal anything ofcourse. It wouldn't be hard to write something up for liability purposes as well. This isn't a new concept. I am just trying to find someone that may be interested in making money for doing nothing!



 
butthead
03/22/2017 05:23PM
  

 
ZaraSp00k
03/22/2017 06:00PM
  
it's not the first time a college aged kid wanted to do something he couldn't afford, nor is it the first time a college aged kid asked for someone to give/pay for something he couldn't afford


I am surprised though that one of the do-gooder-lefties here isn't lending out his carbon fiber solo canoe out of the kindness of his heart, i thought you guys always lend a hand to those less fortunate, while you are at it I suggest you also loan your carbon fiber paddle too

 
ducks
03/22/2017 07:11PM
  
VNO in Ely rents the 15 foot Old Town Penob Royalex Solo at 49# for $23 a day. So $460 for your trip. Not kevlar but closer to your budget and 49# should be doable for a college kid.
 
jvenjohn
03/22/2017 06:23PM
  
quote ZaraSp00k: "it's not the first time a college aged kid wanted to do something he couldn't afford, nor is it the first time a college aged kid asked for someone to give/pay for something he couldn't afford



I am surprised though that one of the do-gooder-lefties here isn't lending out his carbon fiber solo canoe out of the kindness of his heart, i thought you guys always lend a hand to those less fortunate, while you are at it I suggest you also loan your carbon fiber paddle too
"


If I really wanted, I am sure I could pull the money together to blow $1000 on a solo canoe rental out of some ely outfitter for 20 days. But I'm not an idiot and would prefer to find someone that wouldn't have a problem letting me borrow theirs in exchange for 300-400 bucks for a few weeks.


Not sure what you mean by "couldn't afford"....maybe more like "doesn't want to blow money foolishly"?
 
jvenjohn
03/23/2017 07:01AM
  
quote ducks: "VNO in Ely rents the 15 foot Old Town Penob Royalex Solo at 49# for $23 a day. So $460 for your trip. Not kevlar but closer to your budget and 49# should be doable for a college kid."


That isn't a bad idea at all, that could work. Might even be able to get a long trip discount as many outfitters do. I guess I forgot to consider the vinyl material made canoes.
I will defiantly look into that. That may not be a bad option.
Thanks,
JV
 
jwartman59
03/23/2017 09:18AM
  
penobscots aren't the fastest canoes out there but they are very serviceable. any time i am doing a wilderness trip where i know we will be running whitewater they were always my first choice of canoes.
 
bennojr
04/07/2017 11:21AM
  
If you don't mind an 50lb 16ft alumacraft shoot me an email. I'm not sure when I'll get back to you though; I only get on-line at the public library now.
 
muddyfeet
03/21/2017 09:27PM
  
quote Whatsit: "
I guess I'm old school and think a guy needs to work for what he has and if he can't afford it he goes without.
"
Agreed. I think that's what I was trying to say too, but I may have misinterpreted the situation of the OP.

quote jvenjohn:" ...I do have an older wenonah kevlar tandem canoe..."
Giving the benefit of the doubt, It is unclear what the problem is. Some specific situations call for purpose-designed canoes(whitewater, open seas), but for general BWCA tripping you don't necessarily need a 'kevlar/graphite solo canoe' to enjoy a solo trip. The initial request is starting to sound a little audacious.
 
jvenjohn
03/22/2017 07:00AM
  
quote muddyfeet: "quote Whatsit: "
I guess I'm old school and think a guy needs to work for what he has and if he can't afford it he goes without.
"
Agreed. I think that's what I was trying to say too, but I may have misinterpreted the situation of the OP.


quote jvenjohn:" ...I do have an older wenonah kevlar tandem canoe..."
Giving the benefit of the doubt, It is unclear what the problem is. Some specific situations call for purpose-designed canoes(whitewater, open seas), but for general BWCA tripping you don't necessarily need a 'kevlar/graphite solo canoe' to enjoy a solo trip. The initial request is starting to sound a little audacious. "


So you would not consider trying to figure out a way to snag a solo canoe for cheap for a 20 day loop if you had an 80's 19ft Minnesota I (or II, I forget exactly what it is)?

 
TomT
03/22/2017 09:11AM
  
During your search don't limit yourself to a solo canoe. There's plenty of 16 foot tandems that you can paddle from the bow seat. My first solo was in a grumman eagle 17 ft. tandem.
 
butthead
03/22/2017 03:01PM
  
What do you consider "snag a solo canoe for cheap for a 20 day loop"?
Are you ready to stand for replacement cost, supply a returnable deposit if damaged?


Realize that your asking to rent/borrow a prime personal solo that may have cost the owner $2500 or more, with potentially even higher personal value to the owner.


butthead
 
Whatsit
03/20/2017 10:14AM
  
You need to keep looking. I checked Craigslist everyday for over a year. I ended up finding a great used solo canoe that actually saved me money buying it vs renting a canoe for my two trips planned this summer. Craigslist is a great place to either find one or post wanting to either buy one or rent one. The most expensive part of the bwca is renting a canoe. That's how it was for me anyways. But if you can't afford to buy a canoe and can't afford to rent a canoe for that long of a trip then consider taking a fewer day trip.
 
whitecedar
04/08/2017 06:51AM
  
I have another idea, give Carl's paddling a call, they are located in Lone Rock WI, (near Madison WI) they may have a beater solo that will work for you, or perhaps a solo that needs repair. They have a web site.
 
Northwoodsman
04/08/2017 10:12PM
  
Why not spend the summer working for an outfitter and go on solo trips on your days off using free equipment? If I was your age I would be all over that. If I had a canoe I would let you use it for free. Perhaps you could surprise me with a donation of some sort of gear or memory from your trip.
 
Whatsit
03/20/2017 10:22AM
  
I also wanted to add that the Outfitters daily rent for a great canoe is very responsible. I can't help but think if you can't afford a 20 day trip why did you plan this? I work full time along with my wife and a 20 day trip for me would be a bit too much. I better not say much more. Just my own opinion but the average cost of a rented canoe thru the Outfitters in the bwca are very responsible and because there are so many Outfitters in the area it keeps the prices down and responsible. It's a lot of wear and tear on a canoe during a 20 day trip. If you had a $2000 or more canoe what would you want to charge someone that does have even $500 to rent one? These are things you need to think of when asking someone to hand over their canoe to you that can't afford to even fix it if you wreck it. You've taken more trips then you can count, how did you afford the canoe during all these trips? I think we'd all like to take trips and have others pay for them.
 
muddyfeet
03/20/2017 12:09PM
  
(I'm 14yrs older than you). Not too long ago I was a poor college kid too, so I understand your plight. I rented, or did extended trips where you don't need a boat (hiking).
My senior year, and then into grad school- I had a Coleman poly canoe I got for free. Way too heavy for wilderness trips; but it was my boat, and allowed me to enjoy paddling when I had time or do multiday river trips. It was a pain in the butt to store that thing in friends' garages or along the side of rental houses, etc. -not to mention the yearly moving that students tend to do. But that damn boat gave me so many good times on the water.
Now I've finally been adulting for a few years and have the abillity to buy a Kevlar boat of my own, but the limited resource now is time. I have the boat I want but I care for it like my own kid, and probably wouldnt lease it out.


My advice:
1) DO THE TRIP. Do it. You might not have 20 days available again for a long time. You've dreamed of an awesome trip, so go do an awesome trip and don't regret it. Borrow a tandem, buy a crapper canoe, or get a 2nd/3rd job and pony up the rental fee. You don't have access to top-notch gear, but that doesn't mean you can't have an epic trip. Dirtbag it and love it.


2) Or, plan it for next year. Work 20 days at even min wage (plus savings from not doing the trip) and you have enough $$ to buy a good canoe at the end of the season.

Good for you trying to think of alternative solutions. Welcome to the board- I hope you end up having an awesome adventure!
 
jwartman59
03/20/2017 03:55PM
  
when i was in college we used aluminum canoes, they worked just fine. here's a fifteen foot aluminum canoe on craigslist that should be more than adequate. $385 canoe there's also a $200 grumman.

 
Whatsit
03/20/2017 03:18PM
  
quote muddyfeet: "(I'm 14yrs older than you). Not too long ago I was a poor college kid too, so I understand your plight. I rented, or did extended trips where you don't need a boat (hiking).
My senior year, and then into grad school- I had a Coleman poly canoe I got for free. Way too heavy for wilderness trips; but it was my boat, and allowed me to enjoy paddling when I had time or do multiday river trips. It was a pain in the butt to store that thing in friends' garages or along the side of rental houses, etc. -not to mention the yearly moving that students tend to do. But that damn boat gave me so many good times on the water.
Now I've finally been adulting for a few years and have the abillity to buy a Kevlar boat of my own, but the limited resource now is time. I have the boat I want but I care for it like my own kid, and probably wouldnt lease it out.



My advice:
1) DO THE TRIP. Do it. You might not have 20 days available again for a long time. You've dreamed of an awesome trip, so go do an awesome trip and don't regret it. Borrow a tandem, buy a crapper canoe, or get a 2nd/3rd job and pony up the rental fee. You don't have access to top-notch gear, but that doesn't mean you can't have an epic trip. Dirtbag it and love it.



2) Or, plan it for next year. Work 20 days at even min wage (plus savings from not doing the trip) and you have enough $$ to buy a good canoe at the end of the season.


Good for you trying to think of alternative solutions. Welcome to the board- I hope you end up having an awesome adventure!"
Being a poor college kid my self 19+ years ago didn't mean I expected a handout. If you wanted to take a trip to Florida for 20 days but couldn't afford a car to get there would you expect someone to hand over their car to you? The whole point of being an adult is exempting life's challenges. By asking for a "Kevlar or graphite solo canoe" the best canoe out there to borrow or lease is saying "I only want the best"
Oh well. I guess I'm old school and think a guy needs to work for what he has and if he can't afford it he goes without.
I'll get off my soap box now
Mike

 
jvenjohn
03/20/2017 05:07PM
  
Thanks for the responses everyone, they are all very much appreciated. The resell idea is great, I may have a few ideas of pulling together some funds to front that money. I do have an older wenonah kevlar tandem canoe that is crazy long and would most likely be a little much size for what I am trying to do (20 days loop).


I am defiantly not looking for handouts. I would much rather work smart than work hard. I understand I could get a crappy aluminum canoe.


I am a person that thinks out of the box and solves problems that most aren't willing to attempt. $700-$1000 to rent a kevlar canoe for 20 days is 1/3 of the price of a new one. It would be an absolute joke to dish out that kind of money considering the cost of a new one relative to the rental fee.


This is only another problem to be solved, and believe me Whatsit, I WILL solve it:)