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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Outriggers
 
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amhacker22
04/25/2022 11:51AM
 
I have them, and I think they're fantastic, although I'm not sure how well they would do travelling in the BWCA.


My main purpose for buying them was to make it more comfortable to stand and fly fish out of the canoe. They work EXCELLENTLY for that. I suspect they'd also be great if you are trolling in the afternoon wind.


I'm not sure how they would do if you're trying to actually travel on a windy day. As the wind blows and the waves get bigger, I'd be very concerned about the sponsons getting caught up in the waves, making navigation nearly impossible. However, if you are just trying to create a stable ride for kids or maybe a couple of big dogs, I think they would be great as long as its not crazy windy.


If you don't mind hauling them in, I'm sure you could find some value in having them. For me, though, it doesn't make a wind-bound day into a travel day.
 
YetiJedi
04/24/2022 03:46PM
 
Hi All,

A couple of summers ago we saw a canoe paddle by our camp on Kekakabic in a mighty wind storm. Lo and behold their tandem canoe was rigged up with an outrigger. There isn't a lot on the discussion boards on this topic but I did find this reference with a couple of BWCA photo examples in the thread.

For me, personally, if it is too windy we simply wait on dry land. Yes, there have been a few times when I've pushed it and paddled on waters that challenged my skills...and I didn't like it. But I would think an outrigger would tempt me to be on the water even more despite adverse conditions. The extra weight also seems to be unnecessary, especially for trips of longer distances.

Just wondering, what do people think of outriggers? Anyone use one themselves? If so, what is your setup?
 
nooneuno
04/24/2022 05:25PM
 
Those are not actually outriggers or pontoons they are called sponsons, google that and you will find an unlimited array of ideas.
 
cyclones30
04/24/2022 06:27PM
 
Sponsons make sense if you think you need it. Get some nice ones and they'll be adjustable and fairly lightweight.


The only time I've seen something actually in the BW was 3 canoes all lashed together. Hopefully they used dead logs and not cut trees but they were slowly making their way across some big water when everyone else had called it quits.
 
shoman99
04/24/2022 08:21PM
 
I’ve thought about it before. But my buddy convinced me that if the conditions are bad enough to warrant their use, it seems like a better idea to chill at camp. Those rainy, windy camp days are important enough to me that I wouldn’t want to gear myself up like that.


We bring a deck of cards for a reason. I call those situations “forced relaxation” and I think they are important! Ha.
 
OMGitsKa
04/25/2022 04:02PM
 
Someone in my group brought them last year, he was a fly fisherman so it was easier to stand up in the canoe with them. He actually got his first laker on the fly out there. Put the rest of us to shame with the fly rod actually lol.
 
Northwoodsman
04/25/2022 06:43PM
 
Spring Creek makes outriggers for canoes. I have seriously considered them for my tandem so I can use it solo, not in the BWCA but on local lakes. I developed a balance issue two years ago so my canoe trips days are basically over but I think I could use my canoe with these. I would probably also use it so I could paddle with my wife on local lakes with my balance issues.