Old Salt wrote on Apr 11^th, 2010 at 7:53pm:

I carry the canoe on the first trip, so that it can be immediately loaded on completion of second trip. But, I'm not a solo paddler...

IMHO I would tend to take the pack on the first trip in case you needed to clear a downed tree or if you had to make a choice where the path divided or even ended so you could have things figured out for when you brought the canoe over. I wouldn't think you'd put your canoe in the water and then go for your pack. I suppose in the BW you have less to worry about, but I have seen it.

Ya look good in the picture Prouboy... Does the dog have room to lay down comfortably? They do adapt, all she/he needs now is her/his own pack. I'd go with the MerlinII (Have you tried it in choppy water yet?)