I've done 7 or 8 solo BW trips.  I triple portaged on one of the first ones, when I was carrying 90+ lbs.  Since then I've trimmed the load to about 85 lbs, and that includes a chair.

Double portaging, on the first trip I carry the boat and the small pack, 20-25 lbs.  With a heavier boat, say, 55 lbs, I'd take the day pack instead.  With a lighter boat, say, 40 lbs, it's much easier.

On the second trip I carry one large pack of about 50 lbs and my 10-12 lb daypack.  The daypack goes in front where it helps counterbalance the weight behind.

The boat comes across first so that when I arrive on the second trip I can put the boat in the water and drop the pack in without having to pick it up a second time.  It saves wear and tear on this 66-year-old body.

More info and pictures of loaded and unloaded boats on my website, (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links).

Wally,  Thanks for the photos of some of your solo gear, but I am afraid that prompted more questions.  I was glad to see your footbrace pics.  I had already bought a Wenonah brace and was wringing my hands about drilling rivet holes.  I ordered stainless perforated studs from Mcmaster-Carr and planned to use clear 100% silicone caulk.

Do you think the silicone will be strong enough?  I was also surprised to see the brace mounted so high?  I searched for a standard dimension off the floor but came up empty?

Can I assume the blue squares are just painters tape to limit the epoxy?

What is the purpose of the 2 short pieces of black pipe insulation?  Knee pads for Gunwales maybe?

Standard apologies for all the questions.

Regards,

MossBack

Mossback, sorry for the long delay in getting back to you.

Thanks for the nice comments on my website.  I enjoy taking the time with those details.

The Independence has 2.5" of rocker in both ends so it's pretty maneuverable.  I found that paddling it level involved a lot of strong correction strokes.  Leaning it 10-20 degrees made it more sensitive to correction strokes, thus easier to maneuver.  This is all well and good in moving water and flatwater with minimal wind.

When the wind picks up it's hard to control unless the wind is either directly ahead or astern.  I can't attach a picture of me paddling my Indy in a quartering tailwind but you can see it in the bottom half of this page: (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links).

I'm doing a strong sweep stroke on the left side, but the wake indicates the boat is slewing to the right.  And that's with my main pack behind me.  I just could not get the stern to stick deep enough to resist the yawing force of the wind.

Earlier in this trip, I was in a quartering headwind and crosswind, having the devil of a time controlling the boat.  So I lashed my two paddles together with a couple of velcro straps and made a short double paddle.  It's the only time I've done that and it worked great.  So your idea of doing it makes a lot of sense.

I sold the Indy two years ago.  It took two boats to replace it, a Blackhawk Ariel for rivers and a Hemlock Peregrine for tripping and other flatwater.