Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Solo lightweight canoe...length?
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justpaddlin |
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MidwestFirecraft |
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bhouse46 |
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Blackdogyak |
I'm thinking about getting a lightweight solo boat for 5-14 day solo trips. I am probably middle of the pack in terms of gear weight. I'm not car camping in a canoe, but I'm not an ultralight gramma either. Many of the ultralight solo boats I am seeing are in a 10-14' length. Obviously, I just need to get all my typical gear together and put it into a 12' or 13' boat and see how it fits and how the boat performs. Since I can't do that yet, I'm interested in opinions on lightweight solo boats in terms of length. Is it better to stay with a 16' range boat or make a shorter boat work for one or two week trips? Thanks in advance. |
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Blackdogyak |
bhouse46: "Longer boats carry more, but the advantages include go faster, straighter and handle bigger water better." Agree, and if you are getting a 15'-16' boat down in the 30 pound range, seems like that's a pretty sweet spot. These smaller solo boats seem to be extremely popular. Just trying to sort out the options before laying money down. |
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DanCooke |
What experience have you had in a designed for solo paddling canoe? Where do you want to trip in the canoe? Big waters or smaller waters with minimal fetch? Single blade paddling only or possible paddle with a double blade? Do you plan on doing rivers with rapids? Have you thought what general hull shape characteristics you think would best meet your desired paddling style? How much weight do think your tripping load will be? |
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Blackdogyak |
30 pounds and barely over $2000! Inspire 16 $2,195.00 KC Hybrid @ 30 lbs. (Kevlar & Carbon) $2,345.00 IBKC Hybrid @ 30 lbs. (Innegra, Basalt, Kevlar & Carbon) $2,545.00 Carbon @ 25 lbs. |
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Minnesotian |
Since you are on the east coast, I am not familiar with Slipstream Watercraft. However, I know of Placid Boatworks and they have the RapidFire which is the boat I personally would get. However, I don't know what you are budgeting either so that might make selection more nuanced. RapidFire Here in Minnesota, we have Northstar Canoes and Wenonah Canoe, both with excellent choices. From Northstar I would probably be looking at the Magic: Northstar Magic and from Wenonah, the Prism is a popular choice: Prism All those canoes are in the 16' range. My solo, which comes in at 42 lbs and 14'6" long, is a Wenonah Vagabond in Royalax. It fits me perfectly, but I am 5'10" and 160 lbs. I typically stay out for upto two weeks. If you are looking for a slightly longer, the Wenonah Wilderness in Royalax can still be found used on various for sale sites at 15'6" in length. Don't know it's weight though. |
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SouthernKevlar |
Currently for a long trip with a bunch of gear the SR gets the nod, but the Classic XL does well with a 35 lb. pack. I have not tried any more weight in the XL, but with a 26" beam I'm still getting used to such a narrow boat. It is fast though. I'll be loading it a bit heavier during some trials and southern lake trips this winter. I don't know your timeline for a purchase, but the Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous in June might be a good place to test out a variety of solo boats. It looks about like a ten hour trip for you, but I hear that it is a fun weekend. |
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mjmkjun |
The tumblehome of the Advantage and the Prism will cause you to flip quickly if you don't keep your torso centered. Neither are 'squirrelly' canoes in terms of initial or secondary stability. Just gotta keep your shoulders inside perimeters. Piragis website is a good place to compare makes & models specs at a glance--at least those they sell/rent. |
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boonie |
I have an older Curtis solo canoe that fits me and suits me well, but might not be what fits you. I take 2-week trips and my load besides my 145 lbs. is about 60 lbs. including paddles, yoke, PFD, food, everything else. That canoe is 14' 8'' long, 25.5" wide, relatively low shear line, and efficient load of 125-250 lbs., which me and my gear at 205 lbs. fit comfortably. It is somewhat similar to Northstar's Magic or Northwind solo - both of which I've paddled on trips - but is closest to Hemlock Canoe's Kestrel. If you and your load are 320 lbs. you can probably fit in it, but it won't be efficient. On the other hand I've paddled solo canoes that were way too big for me and got blown around like a sail. Getting one that is properly sized is important. Hemlock Canoe has some good information about choosing one. |
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Blackdogyak |
As much as I really want to be doing two-week trips, the reality is that for the next couple of years, the majority of trips will be a week or less. We intend to be on St. Regis Canoe Area and the Saranac Lakes in upstate New Your. Sections of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and local lake and reservoir trips. This will not be a primary river boat with any whitewater at all.... although we will be on some small rivers and streams that are twisty, so having some rocker will be useful. I'll be fishing a lot. Speed is not the primary goal. My goal is to get my weight down to 185 by spring....plus 50 pounds of gear so 240 or so total. One of the boats I'm looking at can be rigged with a kayak seat or a traditional seat. I like that flexibility. Small detail....I really love the appearance of traditional curved bow and stern stems. Lastly, I'd like to keep it closer to $2K than $3K. |
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EddyTurn |
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Blatz |
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