Solus wrote on May 14^th, 2018 at 7:51pm:


Good to know. I got Martha the CCS Explorer and found it a bit small for all my late season solo stuff. I'm using the CCS Pioneer and it takes some care fitting it into my Voyager. My pack goes in flat behind me. Then pulled back wedging into the gunnels, mostly for trim. I'm using a 30L blue barrel in front, and portage it with the canoe.

Granite gear made a nice solo pack for about two years, didn't sell well enough and they discontinued it. I have one, and used it in my minimalist single portage mode (significantly lower volume than the Kondos Outfitter Special or the CCS Pioneer). The Granite gear Solo is really well designed but not as well manufactured as the CCS or Kondos. Repairs have been frequent.  The Kondos fits nice in the Advantage unless I stuff it to the gills. I insist on laying packs flat. I had Kondos install a grab handle below the hip belt (standard on the CCS) for ease of extraction.

I use a CCS Bushcrafter (a Rucksack with two bottle pockets) for the front pack (in double portage mode).

The "pack mistake" that I make when tired at the end of the day that makes me crazy is when I gather myself for the big heave from the ground to my back only to discover I'm standing on the hip belt.

I lay mine flat, and it really isn't a huge deal with the Pioneer.  It's mainly when I'm really tired at the end of a long day, and I don't quite lift straight up, a strap or buckle might catch on the gunwale and make me lose my balance...
I have never packed the pioneer completely full while on a solo trip, so I am sure I could get by with the smaller Explorer.  My second pack is the Rucksack, and it is really nice as my single pack on day trips, and fits well in the bow.

GC Don, Thanks for the offer to test drive your Magic.  I would be happy to travel the hour and say "hello" but my next couple of months are full and I would imagine your time is short as well.  I appreciate the offer though.

Your and Solus's messages on appropriately sized packs is something i have already fought with last September.  I took the 2 smallest canvas packs I had and both were too big.  They did lay flat below the gunwales behind the seat and forward of the front thwart, but not without a fight.  Every portage I came to they were a chore to extract and to replace.  I am determined to reduce gear and have packs small enough just to drop in place and pull back out without swearing.  I already bought a CCS Rucksack for the bow of my Independence. I have always been surprised no one makes a line of packs just for solo travelers?

Do you lay your packs flat or on edge (side) to make them fit the solo boats?

Regards,

MossBack

gymcoachdon wrote on May 14^th, 2018 at 4:01am:



A note for future consideration:  the Kondos Outfitter Special (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) has almost the same volume as the CCS Pioneer (which I also own) but is a narrower profile and every bit as well constructed and comfortable as the CCS. If I'm careful in packing the Pioneer I can get it in and out of my solo (which is narrower at the gunwales than a Magic) without too much catching- but since buying the Kondos it has become my go to solo pack.

I apologize for coming to the party late Moss.  I am in the Indianapolis area, and have a Bell Magic.  You are more than welcome to come paddle it.  I have a friend who has a Prism, and I am sure we could work it out so that you could paddle both.  Of course, finding a day to do it would be the hard part, but I am willing to try!
My biggest grievance with the Magic is that my CCS Pioneer is just at the size to be a tight fit in the Magic.  Sometimes the straps snag while loading/unloading.  The solution is to have a smaller pack, not a wider boat, though!  I wish I had bought the Explorer instead.  But, something to think about if you already have hundreds tied up in a portage pack.
Honestly, the Magic "may" turn a little better than the Prism, but neither one likes to turn quickly, although leaning does help.  I did not notice a significant difference in tracking between the two.

Quote:


I do the same thing, it will give you a pretty good idea of how level you're loaded. If your running with the wind or into it, having a way to pull/push your paks will get that sweet spot you're looking for.

MossBack wrote on May 13^th, 2018 at 3:16am:


Truth be told I don't really care what my actual trim is- just move things till it works right. If I want to get an objective idea I can always consult the water in the bilge (from boots, rain, or paddle drippings).

I typically paddle the stern seat and always with my knees hooked under the gunwales, rod handle behind one knee and rod body in front of the other knee.  I read about people who kneel with their feet under the seat, but with 2 junk knees and size 11 EEEE width shoes, that ain't working for me.  Until last September I had never paddled with a foot brace, now I will always have on in my own canoes.  It helps considerably with a second position to rest my knees.

My Mad River Independence is too wide at the middle to hook my knees under the gunwales without a stretch, but the Magic is considerable narrower.  I tried to mock up the Magic width with some c-clamps and pvc pipe, but it was hard to tell much .

I always come with questions.........You mention the value of a sliding seat for trim, so while sitting in the middle of a solo with no second canoe around to eyeball your trim, how to you know whether it  is out one way or the other?  How it handles? Intuition?  Shadow of the waterline  seen through the hull?  Camper bubble lever glued inside the hull?

Regards,

MossBack

Mossback, Solus's comments are right on the money. I started my paddling in racing canoes, so I lean that way. But again he's spot on about the boats.

What I liked about the Voyager vs Magic was the height of the gunnels combined with the tumblehome. It enabled me to wedge both knees under the gunnels to maintain more contact with the boat in rougher water. I straighten one leg to toe the footbrace and tilt my knee under the gunnel. I fold my other leg under and across with my foot wedged into the side, with it's knee under the opposite gunnel. I'm braced similar to how a kayaker would use the top deck to brace his knees, but both their legs would be straight. The Magic's gunnels were too low, or seat too high, plus my legs too tight to do the same in it.

I still grin in rough water or upstream in tricky currents. Confidence helps, don't paddle scared, you'll swim for sure. I'm not stupid, I did stay on shore last year on BH when the foam was pilling up knee deep on the rocks, solo tripping in Oct. TMI