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solo canoe dilemma (Read 10883 times)

Puckster Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1208 Location: St. Paul, Minnesota Joined: Feb 10^th, 2009	solo canoe dilemma Apr 10^th, 2010 at 3:33am	Quote Print Post
	I have Bell Merlin II and a Souris River Quetico 17. I'm planning a solo trip, and have always assumed I'd take the Merlin. However, I've read (on this website I think) that the Quetico 17 can also be paddled as a solo. I want to take my dog with me, so while Puck and gear fit into the Merlin, the added room of the Quetico 17 is attractive. 1. Can the Souris River Quetico 17 be paddled solo fairly easily? 2. Would you take the Merlin or the Quetico 17? prouboy


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marlin55388 Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1230 Location: Watertown, MN Joined: Mar 6^th, 2009	Re: solo canoe dilemma Reply #1 - Apr 10^th, 2010 at 5:57am	Quote Print Post
	U know Puck. U know yourself, and you know your boats....trust your gut. I found it difficult to paddle the Q 17 solo on those early mornin' fishin' 4rayz, but I am 140 # soaked, backward-forwards...but it was doable heeled up at the midship. I have had my son(4-8 yrs old) and 10 days of heavy gear in a Creekrunner, and felt aOK, with peaked 30"ers on Brule and larger on Sawbill. But I know her, and she is my dear friend. Hope that helps your gut.


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db Web-lackey Inukshuk Voyageur Offline Posts: 5465 Location: Just off the beaten path. Joined: Sep 14^th, 2002	Re: solo canoe dilemma Reply #2 - Apr 10^th, 2010 at 6:06am	Quote Print Post
	Is there room for Fido in the Merlin? I'd take the tandem if you asked Prism vs a 17'9" Cruiser. Even then, where do dogs 'like' to be in a canoe? Neither of us would appreciate mine by my feet.


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Kingfisher Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1814 Joined: Mar 8^th, 2004	Re: solo canoe dilemma Reply #3 - Apr 10^th, 2010 at 9:18am	Quote Print Post
	Puckster wrote on Apr 10^th, 2010 at 3:33am: 1. Can the Souris River Quetico 17 be paddled solo fairly easily? prouboy Short answer is no. I've spent alot of time fishing with mine solo usually lightly loaded. A 10 mph crosswind will give you fits. The SRQ17 is really too wide to paddle from the middle unless you heel it over but check with the dog about doing that. With the light load you're going to have, there is going to be alot of canoe exposed to the wind no matter how she's trimmed. Still, depending on your dog's behavior the bigger canoe may be your better alternative.


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nctry_Ben Inukshuk Offline Posts: 401 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Jan 12^th, 2010	Re: solo canoe dilemma Reply #4 - Apr 10^th, 2010 at 11:54am	Quote Print Post
	You could load the front of the 17 ft SR with a few rocks so you could paddle it from the back, but I think if you had any wind it would still be tough. I'm getting the bigger solo just because of the dog factor. The two of us together is over 300 lbs. I've paddled my old tandem solo a lot of years ago, but it's only 15ft and I wieghed like 150 lbs. so I could paddle it from the rear empty... well with my dog. That dog was made for canoeing. If you leaned one way she'd keep the canoe balanced leaning the other. If I asked her to move forward or back she would.


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Magicpaddler Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1321 Location: Chicago Burbs Joined: Jan 7^th, 2004	Re: solo canoe dilemma Reply #5 - Apr 10^th, 2010 at 12:24pm	Quote Print Post
	The better trip would be with a well behaved (will stay still in one part of the canoe) dog and the solo canoe. With my dog you better take the barge. Magicpaddler


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Jim J Solo Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1195 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Joined: Apr 6^th, 2007	Re: solo canoe dilemma Reply #6 - Apr 10^th, 2010 at 1:58pm	Quote Print Post
	How big is your dog? Try a test paddle at home first, loaded and unloaded.


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Puckster Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1208 Location: St. Paul, Minnesota Joined: Feb 10^th, 2009	Re: solo canoe dilemma Reply #7 - Apr 10^th, 2010 at 11:53pm	Quote Print Post
	Quote: How big is your dog? Try a test paddle at home first, loaded and unloaded. Jim -- Puck is a 52# small golden retriever. We've been taking the Merlin out on local lakes, loaded, for both of us to get used to things. (Going out again tomorrow.) It seems a little cramped, but I can make adjustments with gear and packs. prouboy


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Puckster Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1208 Location: St. Paul, Minnesota Joined: Feb 10^th, 2009	Re: solo canoe dilemma Reply #8 - Apr 10^th, 2010 at 11:55pm	Quote Print Post
	Thanks to all of you for your advice! Your responses, especially Kingfisher's note, have convinced me to take the Merlin. What-the-hell, that's why I bought it! prouboy


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Ranger Voyageur Inukshuk Offline Posts: 850 Location: West MI Joined: Oct 16^th, 2002	Re: solo canoe dilemma Reply #9 - Apr 11^th, 2010 at 4:39am	Quote Print Post
	Can you describe where your packs and dog will ride in the canoe? I've always wondered if I could do a true solo boat on a trip with the dingo. I'd like to envision how this works for you.


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