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.

Puckster wrote on Apr 10^th, 2010 at 3:33am:


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.

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

Quote:


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

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.

Ranger wrote on Apr 11^th, 2010 at 4:39am:


I'm still learning.  There are many solo canoeists on this site that have this all figured out. 

As for me, after several practice trips on local lakes, the configuration I'll start with is:
A small pack wedged in the bow,
then the dog,
then me,
then a large pack immediately behind me,
then a small pack wedged up in the stern. 

On portages, I'll double pack my first trip over with the big pack and a little one. 
Second trip I'll wear the other small pack and carry the canoe.  Paddles and rod get attached to the thwarts.  Life jacket zipped around the seat. 

I'm sure when I'm in the bush I'll find the need to make adjustments to this arrangement.

The balance is good.  The boat handles fine.  The dog is getting his sea legs.  I'm feeling more confident with each day trip I take. 

prouboy

Old Salt wrote on Apr 11^th, 2010 at 7:53pm:


Neither am I!  Good idea.

I've attached a picture of one of my recent "practice" day trips.  Since this pic was taken, I've replaced the green Duluth pack with a longer, slimmer,lower profile pack made by Lowe Alpine.  Now I won't have  to wedge the Duluth pack in there. 

prouboy

I should also note the paddle in the pic -- made by our own Paddlemaker! 

Sweet paddle.

prouboy

nctry_Ben wrote on Apr 11^th, 2010 at 9:56pm:


Puck can lie down, but so far he has chosen not to.  He gets excited (a bad thing), when he sees loons, and likes to put his front feet on the little pack, in essence, standing up.  I'm sure a deer or moose will get him really going.  I'm training him to always stay seated.  He already knows one rule -- can't leave the canoe until he gets my okay.  I think that'll help in approaching sketchy shoreline portages. 

I've got a large dog pack, but it's too big for him.  Not sure I want to go to the hassle of packing him. 

As for portaging, until now, I've always gone with others, and what to take over first is never an issue....  I portage the canoe and a small pack, and the others grab packs.  So the order of things hasn't been an issue.  I'll have to think about this some. 

Haven't been on choppy water.  Today I was chasing the wake of powerboats, but it wasn't the same.  I'll just go slow and careful.  Each time out I feel more comfortable in the boat and confident about making a trip.  I'm getting excited.  Being a fairly strong extrovert, soloing might not be my thing.  But Puck should help, and the freedom to just meander when and where I want seems so appealing. 

prouboy

As one of the most quoted contributers to this thread, let me clarify, that I was not suggesting that the canoe should be free-floating when you go back for second trip. Obviously, one would want to be sure the canoe was secure, before returning for second load. It could be loosely tied to a tree, or the guard K-9... [/quote]

Being the most quoted can only mean your one of the most liked. I have a deep respect for you and all on the list.

Mad_Mat wrote on Apr 12^th, 2010 at 1:33pm:


M_M -- good advice on the down command.  I use one of those old yellow dense foam pads, cut to fit.  It seems to work okay, and I can always use it in camp. 

prouboy