Here's my question: should I rent the Souris River Q17 or the Souris River Q18.5 for my upcoming Quetico trip?

The group will be me and a friend (both <190#), and my hound (<40#). I do know that everything will fit in the Q17 - I've done it a few times before. We're not doing any really aggressive portaging, so the extra few pounds doesn't matter. What I want to know is which is the better option for paddling big water, and which is the better option for fishing out of while unloaded?

We'll be spending time on Pickerel, Batch', Nym, et al. And we're not moving camp every day, so we'll be fishing out of the boat a lot with no load.

My outfitter has always recommended the 17 in the past, but I recently had a trusted veteran advise me to take an 18.5. I thought I'd get opinions here for a tie breaker.

I'd go 18.5, no question. 

You're not portaging a lot.  You've got a big boy and dog, and you want stability while fishing.  Slam dunk: get the bigger canoe. 

Of course, in a perfect world, I'd get the 18'9" Bell...(er, Northstar)

prouboy

Won't the bigger one be tougher to control without a load? I have a 17 and find that unloaded even a slight breeze is a challenge and I'd think the 18.5would be an even larger "sail".

I like the big boat as well.......whole lots more flexibility should the wind come up......which it usually does right at 2 PM.

Here is something to seriously consider. When I tandem we fish out of a Bell northwoods which is also an 18 ft boat. Bill Connors point about the wind blowing you around is valid......we beat the wind very nicely with a small drift sock, worked perfectly. Give it some consideration. Remember, you have to retrieve it so if you tie it to bow or stern you might have a tough go getting it back in.

We tied off near the stern seat and didn't deploy in whitecap conditions......in a moderate chop it will pin you in one place long enough to fish very well indeed. Never tried it off a solo........

I had the same question before this years trip in June. Same objectives, not much portaging and a lot of fishing. We went with the SR17. last minute decision...but we did not have a 40 LB dog along. Our boat worked out fine but I think I'd go with the 18 footer just because of your little four footed companion.

If you're comfortable fitting everything into the 17, I'd say use it. You're not traveling far when you do travel. Like B_C I'd think the 17 would sit in the water better unloaded when you're fishing and it's windy. Suppose to be a very stable boat.

mastertangler wrote on Jul 24^th, 2014 at 11:39am:

....we beat the wind very nicely with a small drift sock, worked perfectly...

few years back we rented the SR18. that same year we used a very lightweight drift sock that i had dear old mom sew up with nylon and nylon webbing. bought a largish one from basspro and let her use it as an example. while it didn't fit every situation there were some times that it did work perfectly. i hate getting blown around but overall do prefer the larger boat.

I'd go with 17'. Easier to paddle and control. I've owned both. 8-)

Hey Ranger, you've got a nice diversity of opinions on this dilemna you face.  Did you decide to use the bigger or smaller canoe?

I own both the 17'6" and the 18'6", so I'm curious which way you went. 

puckster

Puckster wrote on Jul 28^th, 2014 at 9:46pm:

Hey Ranger, you've got a nice diversity of opinions on this dilemna you face.  Did you decide to use the bigger or smaller canoe?

The opinions are fairly well divided. I'm thinking that we'll most likely use the Q17. I know that everything will fit in it, and I think it'll minimize the sail affect when empty.

I'm also debating on whether or not I want to bring my Spring Creek canoe floats/stabilizers too. The dog is really good in the canoe, but for the amount of time we'll be fishing from an empty boat, with a novice bow paddler, and a dog, on some big lakes, with a bunch of spendy fishing equipment… I know I'd get a ton of flack for them from the outfitter, but it might be nice insurance to have.

Spring creek canoe stabilizer......what's the debate? Smaller canoe, inexperienced bow paddler, a dog and an empty canoe base camping on big water.......of course you bring the stabilizers. I like 'em......if the weather is fine they sit in camp, if the weather is a bit snotty and you don't have them you will be kicking yourself.........just don't get overconfident. Who gives a rip what others might think about it?

Be prepared to land your own fish.......the stabilizers will preclude helping each other. If your newbie is also an inexperienced angler this could be problematic without the right tools. Did I mention the shimano Brutus needle nose pliers. 11" of peace of mind direct from amazon.  Heavy but perfect for keeping your digits and hands away from harm. If you get a pair make sure they have a soft landing pad......quiet please.

What do you have for the dog to lay on? You need something that will insulate from the coolness of the lake. Thin closed cell foam might be the ticket.....something like a yoga pad. If the dog is comfy it will do a lot of sleeping, uncomfy and it will rebel (I'm not getting in THAT thing again)

Ranger wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2014 at 4:34am:

[quote author=prouboy link=1406152653/8#8 date=1406583978]'m thinking that we'll most likely use the Q17. I know that everything will fit in it, and I think it'll minimize the sail affect when empty.

Interesting.  My old 18'6" Bell Northwoods is actually more stable for fishing than my 17'6" canoe! 

Have a great trip! 

puckster

Ah, but Puckster, that's because the Northwoods is a Yost design and there is no one who has ever designed more "sea friendly" small craft than DY.  My wife and I paddle a Northwind (16'-8") and it is the finest tandem (flat water) canoe I have ever paddled - incomparable.

I just got back from up in that area that you are going to in the Q. I've got a SR 17 and it worked great. I'm 230#s and my bow man is around 170# plus we had 4 good sized packs. The canoe was easy to handle and very stable. Went over to Chatterton lake one day for a day trip to fish and had no problems with handling while it was empty. I'd say go with the 17 ft . But depending on how much gear you have in the boat you may want more room for the dog.