Have enjoyed reading the threads on solo tripping. Have done some, first with tandem canoe, later with solos (various Wenonah models) rented.  Will one day purchase a solo, maybe a Bell Magic if I can find one.  Anyhow, not real keen on those screw-on yokes I had with solo rentals (ended up just carrying the canoe with gunwale on one shoulder, if carry was under, say, 60 rods).  What rigs or methods do you folks use? PS, I usually do a double: big pack and paddle on one and small pack and canoe on the other; the double back is a pleasant delay.

Nothing major, just dinking around to put it on and off on the short hops; and more used to one piece across behind my head, as opposed to the box configuration of the solo yoke I rented.  Certainly no deal breaker, but I'm aware that there're plenty of ideas and experience out there...

Interesting!  Thanks for the link; course I notice he is rigged on a tandem with a centered thwart.  Will check out the Souris yoke, too.

edit:  first link didn't work - this one does

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see the link above for my portage set up  (or search for " Knupack" and or "frame pack" and or "pack frame" there are several threads I posted comments in) - I use a frame pack to carry the canoe - has the option to hook the straps of a daypack on to carry canoe and pack together, and I can lash a duffle bag to the frame for second carry (equiv to large gear pack)

Wenonah canoes with tractor seats are probably best portaged with their
clamp on to the seat frame yoke.  I have a bench seat in my Wenonah Rendezvous and have the clamp on the seat frame version yoke for that - but I don't like it very much - the pads seem to want to slide off my shoulders, and I'd probably break my neck in a twisting fall - but I don't have a framepack rigged for it.

My other two solos and tandem lake boats I do have frame packs setup for, and I much prefer to use them than a shoulder yoke - more comfortable, easier on the neck and shoulders, better control of the boat. - it can be a bit tricky to get the boat onto the frame by yourself, but once its up, its superior to a shoulder yoke in my not so humble opinion.  You do need to customize the frame setup to match the seat frame of the solo, so it wouldn't be too good a choice for a rented canoe unless you had the spacing ahead of time.


edit:  Just looked at that link that ST posted - I also use my painter line in a similar fashion, thouhg my hand is down at my side on the rope - helps a lot in changing the angle of the boat when going up or down steep slopes.  I will say I'm not a fan of the tump line concept - seems a bit "dangerous" to the neck

I feel your pain ripple. It seems like such a hassle to put on and take off. For me it's the first thing that gets stowed, so when I forget to take it off before I put in my packs I'm just stashing it best I can. I normally have a bungee thing that it clips to. Mine is a curved bar with pads.