Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: towing canoe
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bhouse46 |
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HighnDry |
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A1t2o |
ZaraSp00k: "portaging a kayak can be quicker than a canoe done in this fashion, but of course there is a law against two people portaging a boat in the BWCA/Quetico ... must only be done by one person with boat riding on shoulders, the fine for breaking this rule is extremely harsh so few do it" I've done that a few times but over any real distance, carrying a load like this is bad for your back. You have all the weight on one side and that also tends to push you off the trail. I've done it where 2 people carry the canoe at once too. That is worse because every step needs to be aligned in order to not be fighting each the whole way, but you still get pushed and pulled off the trail or into mud/puddles. Carrying canoes and kayaks alone is how people tend to do it for a reason, that way you can manage the load easier. If you ever have to cross a boardwalk, 2-man carries are dangerous. |
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luft |
shock: "unless you've had some experience towing a canoe , i agree with everyone , can be very dangerous especially in windy conditions..." Disappointment is one of those lakes that can really get rocking and rolling with big waves so be careful. It might be worth it have a day to test drive that solo if your Dad hasn't had experience in that type of boat. Some find a double blade paddle easier to use in solos, others are partial to single blade use. Personally I prefer to use a double blade on bigger water. It gives me better control over the wind effects on my solo. |
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ZaraSp00k |
nooneuno: "Kayaks get way to bad of a rap around here. yes, and people seem to miss the obvious: you can portage a kayak without emptying them if you have two people, one grab the front T handle and the other grab the rear, these two people can even be hauling a pack on their back from the canoe portaging a kayak can be quicker than a canoe done in this fashion, but of course there is a law against two people portaging a boat in the BWCA/Quetico ... must only be done by one person with boat riding on shoulders, the fine for breaking this rule is extremely harsh so few do it |
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cyclones30 |
I'd get a solo and 3 person like a Seneca. Put the 2 kids in the middle of the 3 person. You're going to be portaging 2 boats...you might as well have someone paddle/control it. Solo's can be faster than you think if done right and loaded properly. (and practiced ahead of time) |
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mirth |
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bwcadan |
We could rent a large canoe, but would like to have 2 canoes in camp for fishing the area there. We will not be using a kayak, so that is off the table. Single paddling in the 16 foot canoe seems a lot of extra work to keep up with the other canoe. Your thoughts. |
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GopherAdventure |
bwcadan: "Like WIMIKE in the gear forum, I possibly have a need to tow. A group of 5 with only 3 old enough to effectively paddle make our crew. Has anyone tried to tow one canoe with another? With or without an adult in the canoe being towed? What made it work if it did? I hear you on this one. I’ve got a very similar issue for a June trip this year. Two kids (9 and 6) each along with me and my dad. I was debating towing my solo behind us when traveling, but I decided that it makes more sense for someone to paddle it. If the weather and waves are friendly, I’ll have my 9 year old use a kayak paddle and go for it. He can cruise at a good clip and will have no problem keeping up with us. If there’s some chop out there, I’ll have my dad paddle the solo and my son will take the bow of my tandem with my daughter sitting right behind him for trim purposes. We’re heading across Snowbank toward the Disappointment portage if the weather is good. If choppy, we’ll head for the Parent portage. I would recommend having someone paddle solo, solo boats can go just as fast as tandems if the paddler is competent. Good luck! Tony |
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Acook13 |
ZaraSp00k: "nooneuno: "Kayaks get way to bad of a rap around here. Where did you find the rule that only one person may carry a boat? |
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Blatz |
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sns |
I can't say I want to repeat that, but it is certainly possible, and would be much more manageable in a better canoe. Then your other two capable paddlers have a regular tandem situation. But I'd rent an 18 or even 20 footer and put 4 in it, including your two nonpaddlers, and then rent a solo as well. |
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mcsweem |
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shock |
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nooneuno |
Can the kayaker not throw his pack in the canoe and carry his boat across and come back for the pack? Believe it or not there are quick attach yokes that can clip on a yak in seconds and make it very easy to carry. I often wonder how many of the folks bashing kayaks have any personal experience with them.... |
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Ohiopikeman |
I suggest putting your strongest paddler in the stern of a tandem canoe. Put your heaviest kit in the bow, and the lighter kid set-up right behind them on the floor of the canoe with a small chair (low as possible center of gravity). I've done this multiple times and it works quite well; generally the kids like to be together as well. I don't count on the bow paddler for any real pulling power, but encourage them to help as much as they can. When fishing, make sure to stay relatively close to canoe #2 as unhooking a bigger fish from the bow paddler can be a bit challenging. Dave |
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Gomer |
ZaraSp00k: "nooneuno: "Kayaks get way to bad of a rap around here. Is it more than the fine for double portaging? |