Greetings all,

What is everyone's preferred Solo canoe?  I realize there will be many different answers based on personal preference, and I ask the question with fishing and travelling in mind.  Last year I took a Prism and I liked it with a kayak paddle, but not a regular one.  This bothered me because I really don't like the kayak paddle.  Is there another good solo canoe out there that works better with a regular paddle?  Perhaps one where you dont' sit right in the middle?  Or, maybe I just didn't like the regular paddle on the Prism because I had the boat loaded wrong?  I'm lost.. Help!

I bet your going to get a lot of opinions on this one. I'm no vet as I've only been doing this for about 10 years but I'll put my 2 cents in for what it's worth. I own a bell merlin in black gold and since it is the only solo I have ever paddled I cannot speak comparatively. What I like about the boat is it seems to be an excellent all around craft. Some might be faster, others might be better is swift whitewater etc. But if you like to fish this boat has good stability, decent speed and handles rough water very well. It can also handle a good cargo. I have had her out for 13 days at a time with no regrets.

mastertangler wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2010 at 7:21pm:


MT -- did you find weight distribution made a big difference?  I have the same boat, with a whole lot less experience.  I found if the weight wasn't right, it made paddling very tough.  Maybe that's true with any solo.

Loved the Italian Pepsi commercial, by the way!

prouboy

gfy_paddler,

The Prism is definitely finicky when not loaded correctly.  Bow-heavy going downwind is definitely trouble.   Stern-heavy going upwind also presents challenges.  I found initial stability not-so-hot but, once you get going & if the vessel is loaded evenly, it handles wind & waves in exemplary fashion.  You may want to experiment with your seat position (if that is possible) & then mark the best position when level-loaded.  I can't say that I have had issues with mine when fishing.  Your comment re: preferring the double-blade with the Prism seems to run counter to prevailing preferences that I've seen expressed on QJ.  I use BOTH, preferring a 9 foot double-blade when I am trying to make time and a 54 inch bentshaft when I seek better control.  I go about 6/2", have long arms, and weigh in at 225 lbs (or so) &, with my size in mind, selected the Prism largely based on a recommendation from a guy who is MUCH taller & heavier than me (& owns & has paddled multiple solo canoes to compare to).

I think I'd experiment with seat position (including height) & level-loading before giving up on the Prism.  Good luck!

Jimbo  

If you go Bell check out the difference between the merlin and the magic before you commit. The magic is what Bell calls a "performance" touring boat. A bit thinner and quicker and more nimble but I bet the trade off is less fishability. A tad less stable maybe? I could be wrong but I checked into both of them and while I never paddled either before I took the plunge the merlin on paper just looked like the more stable of the two as a fishing platform. Anyway like I said I could very well be mistaken as I have not paddled anything other than my merlin in the solo arena.