Just comparing specs it's shorter and wider than the tandem I normally solo. Last trip, I borrowed KF's Prism. I didn't like it all that much but it really shined in the wind. Times where I'd might hold up with a tandem and two paddlers, the thing plowed thorough no problem. It was an enlightening moment for me yet my tandem has been paddled backwards for a whole lotta miles. Mine is quite a bit narrower though and you didn't give any clue as to your experience. Everything works with the right whatever.... Never had a problem....

One thought is for traveling loaded you shouldn't have to paddle the canoe backwards from the front seat. I've always been able to paddle my short tandem from the stern when loaded and only paddled it backwards sometimes when empty. Just put your packs and such up front to hold the canoe down. You have a ton more power and control from the back seat in MHO. I sold an Aderondak to a guy not having a chance to paddle it or anything. I think it would be a good boat. But like db when I saw the specs, I was surprized at how wide it is. If it is possible borrow the boat for a day and put about the amount of wieght you'll be carrying in the front and try it out. The only thing about soloing and especially from the stern is without a bow man you don't get to see those hidden rocks and react. So you might bump a few... I never flipped and it was rarely a problem for me. Good luck...

I agree with ben. The last solo I did I just put my gear as far forward as I could and paddled it normal. The only time I had any problems was on the way out I had to cross Snowbank with a hard cross wind so I kneeled on the floor slightly ahead of the rear seat. Other than that I rode nice. I paddle a Penoscott 17.

I'm referring to paddling the canoe backwards vs from the stern. I find reaching out so much farther in a wider canoe from the reversed bow seat vs paddling closer to your body in the stern I have a lot better control, power, and able to paddle a lot farther without tiring. I agree, a solo canoe would be more efficient and all, because your width of the canoe is made for that kind of paddling. I don't think I'll ever go back to a tandem canoe for solo. Another factor in my thinking the tandem he's considering is okay besides the money factor is I found getting used to the solo took a little getting used to. I'd want to paddle one a bit before taking it on a trip vs getting in and paddling one loaded on possibly a windy day having not paddled one before. You'd enjoy the trip a lot better. If it was so much better to paddle canoes backwards we'd all be doing it.

I guess you could try it both ways... But I have 32yrs paddling my rather wide tandem solo and I hate paddling it from the front seat backwards very far. I do it a lot as I live on a lake and paddle it a lot to go across to visit my dad vs driving a couple miles. I paddle it backwards since I put on so much wieght and put a fat guy in the back of a canoe alone... Just putting someone in the bow and not paddling, I can way out perform me olone paddling backwards. Maybe I'm just wierd... I know another member of this forum paddles a Minn 2 and when he goes off fishing alone he puts a rock in the bow and away he goes. He might have tractor seats and a thwart... So it would be kind of awkward to sit backwards. I would be up to learn some techniques to improve my abilities if I'm totally out of whack here. I just experianced what they mean by sit and switch in my solo on my last trip. I did a good stretch in very good time. I normally can paddle one side for hours otherwise.