Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Canoe vs Kayak for Solo Trips
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gravelroad |
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BigFlounder |
On my one trip into the BWCA, portaging the Kilroy was hard but since I'm a base camper, fishing from it all week was great. The lawn chair style seat saves my bad back and it's stable enough to stand and fly fish from. I'd like a lighter option like a good canoe, but am unsure what seat options are out there since my bad back will not allow me to sit without a backrest for long. And I'm not sure how stable a canoe would be compared to the kayak. But being lighter weight and able to haul more gear (the kayak has a max weight capacity of 350lbs) the canoe is appealing. Plus they're just cool looking. I also wouldn't rule out a tandem canoe since I have grandchildren, the oldest of which will want to get out on the water in a year or two. Right now I could get a SUPER good deal on a new Kevlar Mad River Explorer 16 but it doesn't seem like a big weight advantage. 15 lbs is 15 lbs though I guess. Anyway, just needing some input and guidance. I'd like to start making annual trips to the BWCA (going again this summer) so am wanting something a little more "BWCA friendly" I guess. Thanks in advance. |
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bhouse46 |
You may want to shed five pounds and spend some time at the gym either improving your balance or carrying capacity. My back issues are arthritis, but proper stretching and exercise has made a huge difference. Now the question is the ten pounds worth it? If you intend to continue with limited portaging I would stay with what you have, but going deeper and longer portages you might want to shed any two pounds you can. And pick up that good deal and start local trips with the grand kids. No rules about only having one boat. |
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jcavenagh |
I have been intrigued with the pack boats for a couple years, but SWMBO has put the kibosh on another boat....for now. ;-) |
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TomT |
A Northstar Northwind Solo sounds like it might be a good fit for you. A canoe allows you to wear a pack and comfortably portage the boat too. The yoke and pads usually just need clamping on over the seat area and away you go. I've never owned a kayak so can't comment anymore. |
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butthead |
I flyfish for northern pike in my Wenonah Advantage, have caught and released several 30-36 inch fish. Also like to use med heavy baitcasting for the same and have 44+ inch fish on my memory list. fly casting Sylvania fishing's no trouble but catching with the camera, not so much! luck fall now and then! My Advantage is probably the last to be considered a good fishing platform but I have no problem. Could be a bent mindset! Stability is a changing metric and depends most on use and comfort with the gear! butthead PS: Need to mention the photo with a northern is in my then Moccasin solo now in Cowdocs stable. bh |
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ashlandjack |
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Ausable |
If you want to try fly fishing while standing in a canoe without outriggers, you are a braver man than I am. There are plenty of add-on seats with backrest options out there. I agree with Blatz that adding a foot brace will help, too. |
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BigFlounder |
bhouse46: "I apologize if the losing five pounds was mistaken " bhouse46, no need to apologize. I certainly could stand to lose some weight. I'm 6' tall and weigh 240 lbs, most of that being a tire around my waist. I did lose 30 pounds last summer though but I've kind of come to a stand still on my weight. Seems there's a fine line between eating healthy enough/exercise to lose weight and being happy. HA! But yeah, no need to apologize as you weren't wrong, that's for sure. As for my bad back, I can still lift and such fine, but it's not as easy as it used to be. But my biggest problem is sitting too long without a backrest. No doubt some exercise would help with that too so will try some lower back strengthening exercises. Still, I'd like to shed some weight on my choice of boat. I'll keep my fishing kayak because I use it a lot around home and love duck hunting from it. Thanks everyone for the input. The deal on the Kevlar MR Explorer would be simply trading some work for it. I'd be giving up some weekends, but would have a new canoe to play with and get my feet wet (hopefully not literally) using a canoe. |
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cowdoc |
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Blatz |
bhouse46: "It appears your water shed issue is weight vs fishing/comfort. And the winner is the extra 15 pounds worth the fishing/comfort? While there are good backrest options the canoe center of gravity is higher and general design is not going to support standing to fish. Saying that I have watched paddlers stand and am amazed at their balance. How is shedding personal weight going to help the portage weight of a canoe? I think the OP was referencing to the weight of his kayak for portaging. There's many backrest seat option, even with a sliding solo bucket seat. Also consider a foot brace with a back rest for a bad back |
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billconner |
Placid Boat Works and Hornbeck also might be an easy yak to canoe transition. (And should this be canoe vs. kayak vs. SUP? :) ) |
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ashlandjack |
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bhouse46 |
BigFounder's back issues are unclear, but he can paddle and pull a bow string so I suspect he is not in serious trouble. He likes to fish with his kayak and is thinking about the future with the grand kids and deeper trips. I like his thinking. His boat is made for fishing. A canoe is better for traveling and portaging. The weight is really not as big an issue as intended use. So while 15-20 pounds can make a difference, that difference is whether lifting and setting down are problematic or there is distance involved. Building up leg muscles and technique go a long way in lifting, especially if there are back issues and to prevent them. And if properly trimmed once up the load is not bad to carry....except a kayak. Not bad for a short portage, but the carry is a challenge with most kayaks, even for people with good backs and who are fit. BigFlounder has probably got that figured out. I think he wants to know if he should get this great deal on canoe. So if he wants to go deeper this year, get the canoe and start outfitting with backrest and foot brace. If okay with a shorter trip focused on fishing this year get the canoe and start outfitting it for trips with the grand kids and if he likes it more, the BWCA. Never go wrong with more than one boat. |