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10 Solo canoes: a penny for your thoughts! (Read 15751 times)
screamingwindigo
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Re: Solo canoes: a penny for your thoughts!
Reply #10 - Mar 12th, 2009 at 5:14pm
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Now is the time to look. The selection right now has never been this big. There are so many solo gems my paddle lusts for. I currently have a Mohawk Blazer I converted to a solo with a Perception 3 in 1 C1 seat and I love it.
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But I find myself thinking I want to replace it with something more elegant. Something cleaner and easier to paddle.
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Happy hunting.
Hope you find what you're looking for
SW
  
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ProRecreator
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Re: Solo canoes: a penny for your thoughts!
Reply #11 - Mar 15th, 2009 at 3:07am
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I have not paddled the Bell, but it sure does look cool, and has a lot of loyal fans.

I paddled an Encounter last September and loved it.  Plenty of capacity, works good for fishin and very seaworthy.  I don't think you can make a bad choice, given your two options.

Good luck with your shopping.
  
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Fishpig
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Re: Solo canoes: a penny for your thoughts!
Reply #12 - Apr 9th, 2009 at 5:26am
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Hello neighbor, I live in Cambridge. I think you can't go wrong with either choice. I like Bell canoes. I've paddled a prism, and I liked it . It was fast , And it tracked straight. To straight in my  opinion. Now I know that might upset some folks, so what. I own a Merlin2 and a 1989 CJ, both are wonderful in their own way. If you're under 200lbs, I would suggest trying a Merlin2. It is a great boat. Very manuverable, quick and easy to paddle. It doesn't have alot of capacity however. The magic is a sweet ride but Its to narrow for my taste. Check out the new bell Rockstar. It has the exact deminsions as my old CJ +more rocker. I'm 260lbs and they finally built a new solo boat just for me. Did I mention that my "89" CJ is IVORY WITH DARK ASH TRIM -spotless. Roll Eyes Sale? Anytime you want to check either boat out I'm right off the Rum River. Midwest mountaineering inMLPS will let you test drive any boat you want.PEACE.
  
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arkansasman
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Re: Solo canoes: a penny for your thoughts!
Reply #13 - Apr 9th, 2009 at 12:26pm
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I have the  Wenonah Wilderness, and while I have not paddled it loaded for a trip I have paddled it quite a bit in various situations.  I have paddled it on creeks, rivers, and lakes and it is a good little boat.  I am a bigger guy (6'5 and 290lb) and I just set the adjustable seat in the lowest position, and paddle it with a 7 degree bent shaft and it moves, it can be over steered though... but you learn how to correct that easily.  handles waves and wind pretty well too.  I got it for a good deal also.  It is royalex and weighs in at 47 pounds.  I do plan on taking it to the BWCA sometime next year if possible!

Bruce
  
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Bannock
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Re: Solo canoes: a penny for your thoughts!
Reply #14 - Apr 10th, 2009 at 6:29pm
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I like the Bell Magic fine.  A buddy has one and I've paddled it.  To me it does seem to have limited capacity.  It'll will probably be fine for 3 weeks, but things might be a bit tight.

I owned an Encounter and I didn't care for it.  Too much depth/freeboard.  Really caught the wind and because it rode so high even when loaded it felt unstable.  IMHO, the Prism is a much better solo tripper especially for a moderate length trip.  Personally, I'd choose a Prism over either a Magic or Encounter.

I paddle a Sawyer Autumn Mist for tripping and I like it a lot, but I like a bit shorter boat.  I also own a wenonah Argosy which I also like.  I have not used it for a trip, but the thought has crossed my mind.  I think it would perform well.
  
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