Looks like we might have 5 going to the Q this summer.  

I know that this issue has been discussed before, but couldn't find a comprehensive discussion of the issue via search.

So I'm hoping you'll bear with me and offer some insights:

1)  3-person canoe plus a tandem, or one solo plus two tandems?  Upsides/downsides of each?

2)  Can a solo newbie safely handle a solo canoe in the Q?  Would he/she be able to keep pace with a tandem?

3)  If solo, any thoughts on the SR Tranquility?  I believe that's what our LLC outfitter offers.

No one in our group has any solo canoe experience.  Won't have a chance to paddle one before going to the Q.  

Thanks for your insights!

PhantomJug wrote on Apr 9^th, 2010 at 8:05pm:


A little bit of both!  Bottle-Crooked-Argo-Darkwater-Minn over 7 days.  Planning 4 different camps. 

The kayak idea intrigues me.  How does one handle a kayak on portages?

Traveller,

I like PJ's idea of the 2 tandems and a solo with the switching around paddling partners. The solo probably wouldn't keep up with the tandems, but in a group setting with everyone rotating I think things would stay pretty even. It would be a great opportunity for everyone to develop strong skills in a solo, plus it gives you an extra boat for the fishing days and more room in the tandems.

Those are just my thoughts on the matter.

Making a canoe go isn't hard. Any chance someone will drop out between now and then?

It is dreaded in some ways. We use to tell people to find a partner or stay home. That worked out ok but we soon learned to tell the odd person that s/he was 'responsible' for the person they brought.

Just like any group, you wait for the slowest canoe or watch for them if you do/go something/somewhere unusual.

I guess I"m with Drewfus... 2 tandems & a solo, rotate solo assignments, build solo skills, stick relatively close together as a group.  I've seen Kingfisher's 3-in-1 option work nicely but I wouldn't touch it in a canoe of lesser size than his 18 footer. 

Also, KF's citation of the adventure/fubar potential can work TWO different ways on group morale.  On one hand, please note Magic Paddler smiling contentedly with his feet propped-up as KF & Dede cheerfully chauffeur him about WCP like the King of Siam.  This is a case involving a well-tuned group with a generally constructive positive approach to the challenges & hardships of any given day.

ON THE OTHER HAND, sometimes personalities don't mesh so well.  Putting three persons in the tub together merely catalyzes underlying issues with group dynamics... especially when hardships arise.  My case in point involves this story of hardship: (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links);  Never, ever, ever should I have put my Type A wild man brother in the same canoe as my more laid-back & reflective buddy Tom who preferred to slow down & smell the roses, so to speak.  Bad choice... very, very bad!  Strangely enough, on that particular (first ever) trip to Quetico, the three of us consciously elected the three in a boat option while we TOWED a perfectly functional solo canoe (into which most of our packs, etc., were loaded).  Ultimately, we came to our senses after a few days, & put the wild man into the solo where he could have his "space" (& before he could kill Tom).  As a result, camp morale quickly soared.

Bottom line: group dynamics should be closely considered before selecting the 3-in-1 option.

Like I said, I'm with Drewfus on this one.

Jimbo