Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Kayak Camping Single Portage?
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MagicPaddler |
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straighthairedcurly |
You will want a carrying kayak yoke so it can rest evenly on both shoulders, because setting that type of weight on just one shoulder would be miserable and on the slippery rocky paths will put a crimp in your stride. The biggest challenge you will have is making sure the weight is evenly distributed so when you have the yoke on your shoulder, the kayak is not bow or stern heavy. Since I have never used a kayak like that, I am not familiar with how much storage is available on each end and how easy it would be to keep the weight distributed. |
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TomT |
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MidwestFirecraft |
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sns |
But figure out a good yoke system for the yak. That can be tricky. |
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sedges |
The best arrangement I have seen used for readying gear for the portage: Have all your stuff arranged in small stuff sacs, no or very little loose gear. A simple duffel with shoulder straps(cheap, lots of sizes available) goes into the hatch last so it comes out first. Dump all those stuff sacs in the duffel put the yoke on the yak and go. Takes only a minute or so to do. Reverse at end. You should have ne problem with the weight if it is concentrated on your shoulders. The tripper I watched do this at the start of a portage did the whole process standing in the water next to his yak. He never moved it up on shore, banging it around on the rocks. I see more yaks in the BWCAW every time I go. Figure an efficient method that suits your style and you will be able to enjoy touring with the kayak since that seems to be your desire. We would be interested in how this works out for you. |
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bhouse46 |
The cockpit of a kayak is really not designed for a yoke nor supporting much weight. It will work, but I have been concerned about damaging the cockpit without any gear stowed. And finding a way to pack and maintain aft-fore balance would be a challenge. No gear in the boat while portaging. Curious. What will be your primary paddling and how is a solo canoe not appropriate? I would be fine paddling my solo anywhere a recreation kayak would go, maybe a little hesitant in some situations. The Delta is 12.6 and has large storage for a boat it's size. I prefer my 14.6 Tsunami but still had to pack some gear on the deck...think larger items that will not fit. Packing and accessing gear in a canoe is so much easier. |
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ZaraSp00k |
if the other yak was a double, you'd have three people and you could single portage with the middle guy being you since you are macho man insisting on single portage |
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henrecar |
The enjoyment of solo canoeing through the BWCA vs kayaking is incalculably greater. Packing/unpacking the kayak compartments at each portage is a total PITA, even with a well-designed system. Portaging a yak is doable, but yaks are not engineered to be portaged overhead and it is awkward, aggravating, and dicier. Compare this to fast-paced solo canoeing -- have one backpack with all gear, arrive at a portage, pull it on your back, throw the light canoe over you and hit the trail. single portage. You can cover 20 miles a day with this format. If I were you, i'd get a canoe first. I'll sell you my kayak lol . 14.5' Perception Carolina. Nice solid fast boat. Hit me up w questions Cheers H |
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ChadW |
I wonder because you're approaching this from more or less the same angle I did when I moved to MN five years ago. Came from a backpacking background, with some sea kayaking experience, and wanted a yak to do a whole slew of things. So that's what I did. I have a 14' Dagger Alchemy (which I love). I have soloed it for many BWCA trips, Voyageurs NP (Rainy Lake mostly), tooling around town, rivers, etc. It's still short of a true sea kayak, so I will still rent a more suitable yak for Apostle Isands one day - but otherwise it performs great on the chop that builds on big lakes like Rainy, or Basswood sometimes in the BWCA. It's fast, and tracks well. Love it on the water. After quite a few solo trips BWCA trips, I'd mostly reiterate what was said here. It's certainly doable, but I do find myself wishing I had a solo canoe on every portage. I do exactly what sedges described - generally use small stuff sacks in the hatches, and have a large but lightweight big duffle at the top of hatch. Hit the portage landing, pull out all the sacks, throw them in the duffle, and then I usually double portage now (just faster for me). I tried a few portages early on with it loaded. As others described, it's not the overall weight, but the fact that you have weight at the end of 7+foot lever arms away from your body. For me, it's faster to unpack and repack every portage (and I'm actually as fast at the portage as some canoe groups now). I don't have a yoke - am yet to find one that fit my narrow cockpit well - so I portage by folding up my closed cell foam butt pad on my should, and then shouldering it the whole way. It is... not comfortable. But it works. So how has it gone for you? Did you portage with it fully loaded? -Chad |
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TomT |
Kruger canoes |
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DippyBird |
Primary paddling will be BWCA until the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore opens up, that looks like a fun challenge. I fear taking any canoe over that much open water. Eventually Voyageurs NP also, again same concern with the canoe. I know I should have 2 different boats for these contexts, but I think the optimal compromise is to get 1 "jack of all trades = master of none" kayak until I'm not living in an apartment. I don't bring much gear, just enough to fill a 50-60L backpacking pack. No need for a clunky folding chair, I relax in my hammock! I'm pretty confident any longer boat should be able to accommodate my gear. Bhouse thanks for the heads up on damaging the cockpit, I might need to 3D-print some custom interfaces for the yoke! |
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bhouse46 |
Price may keep you with a kayak, something in the 14 foot range will do you well, but a solo canoe at 16 foot still might be something to consider. Who knows, by the time the Apostles open up you could have a garage. |
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ashlandjack |
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Nigal |
http://www.kayakcamper.com/ |
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WonderMonkey |
I'm a big guy also. Not just large but like a linebacker a few years past playing days. 6' 2", etc. I have a kayak and use it to lake and river camp and have portaged just enough to know I would NOT want to take it on a longer more frequent portage situation. As others have said, it's the balance issue that is the issue. The weight is a problem over longer and treacherous portages, but an unbalanced canoe can turn treacherous into dangerous. The solution? Get a pack boat, like one from Swift. It's a canoe/kayak hybrid and is most likely what I'll purchase next and move to as my full-time trip vessel when I'm not on a local rocky river. |
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straighthairedcurly |
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JWilder |
Two solos, both 5 days. Used my 12', 50lb Perception Kayak. No yoke. Left to right: 10L - food bag; goes behind my seat. 20L - sleeping bag, pad, pillow, clothes. Goes between my legs towards the front. Backpack - first aid kit, cookware, tarp, and miscellaneous camp gear; goes in the rear storage compartment. What is missing is my tent, which was attached to the backpack while portaging. Also in rear storage. Rain gear is under the straps on the top front for easy access. Double portage: Packs and paddle first trip, kayak on second trip. Shoulder that b#&$% and get to stepping. Recently purchased a kayak yoke from Piragis. Have not had the time to install and try it out yet. Stay tuned. JW |
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bhouse46 |
A good yoke and balance are very important, +1 on this earlier input. If you do a trip with no challenging portages you could shoulder carry, but it can be a hassle quick. |
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DippyBird |
Do I need to bring my passport to go to Quetico / Canada side of any border lake? Follow up, but am I looking at the right yaks? It seems most touring yaks for sale in the Twin Cities / MN are ~50 lbs. Having backpacked a lot, I know I'd always be happier with less. Seems all the ultralight yaks are either in NY or some other distant place... Or am I missing the best local outfitter? |
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TomT |
MagicPaddler: " Compromise " +1 |
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butthead |
You may be "hulk-ish" but even the green dude has limitations. butthead |
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DippyBird |
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ashlandjack |
Poke boats. |
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Jackfish |
The KaYoke Seems like it could be a good option for those who insist on kayak camping through the BW. |
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DippyBird |
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DippyBird |
Excited to be paddling again, it's been too many years! Can you believe there are states down south with zero natural lakes!? Lucky to be back here in ex-glacier country. |
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DippyBird |
After reviewing the forums, two main complaints I see are: portage carry weight, and portage time un/repacking the yak's holds. I guess compared to a canoe it's heavier, but a 50 lb touring yak doesn't sound like much to me. I could easily carry more... which leads to the un/repacking could be solved by not unloading for the portage. Sure, that adds weight doing a single portage, but only ~35 lbs. Assuming my 33 lbs backpacking gear (including food & fuel for 4 day trip) and ~2 lbs for PFD + paddle, total is ~85 lbs on my shoulders. I can easily carry 100+ lbs girlfriend, so what's the big deal? Am I just a hulk-ish anomaly or is there something I'm missing? I can't imagine the yak snapping under this minor load if it can survive a rooftop car ride. Are the portages really that long on average? Obviously I'll avoid the longest 2 mile one, but surely most are significantly less, right? My background: 27 years old, 6'3", 190 lbs, athletic, man, experienced at 4 seasons backpack camping, but the only boat I currently own is an inflatable canoe, so I've obviously gotta buy something here, preferably a yak! Please advise! |
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BearBurrito |
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BearBurrito |
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vrnkafurgis |
But you do your own thing, my friend. I recommend trying it first before you commit to a long trip with lots of portages. |
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MidwestFirecraft |
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Jackfish |
MidwestFirecraft: "Can you imagine lifting up your Kayak and shimmying that webbing at the beginning and end of every portage... I can't even stand messing with a yoke on a solo canoe let alone having to slide it under the vessel every time. To each his own I guess." ...and dealing with all the little bags of gear at each portage. But, if the person is simply looking for a way to portage the kayak by itself, it might be an ok option. |