I know everyone is waiting on Spring to break and planning their own trips, but I thought I would give this a shot anyway.

I have hopes of buying/ordering  a new, lighter solo this summer and have poured over  the specs of nearly every manufacturer as well as canoeing  books of wide vintages, finding a considerable amount of confusing and conflicting information.

I understand that most of the seaworthiness of a given boat is more in the hands of the human wielding the paddle than in the hull design, but I am hoping to buy whatever edge I can.

I like TomT’s choice of a Swift Shearwater and a family member just bought a Swift Keewaydin 18.6 and was very happy with his own choice. (not for solo)   Both beautiful boats.

The Bell/Northstar  Magic seems to have a cult following.  I talked to an employee of Northstar who has owned a Magic since it was Bell and claims he will never own any other solo.

I have also seen many Prisms in my travels and occasionally had a brief conversation with the owners who think they are great.

I would appreciate suggestions or comments of any kind.

I am looking for something lighter than my older Mad River Independence at 45 lbs. including  yoke, a bit faster hull would be a plus, but mostly something that will help me get off the water if I find myself in more lively conditions than I should be out in.

I know all of these characteristics are a compromise, but I am just looking for suggestions and the reasons for them.

I looked for a previous thread on the subject, but came up mostly empty.  If I missed one please point me toward it.

Thanks for listening.

Regards,

MossBack

MB,

Whatever you decide to get, I'd strongly suggest when you take it for a test paddle you bring your packs with you, loaded to there tripping weight.

I like to keep my packs below the gunnell's so they don't catch the wind and you have the lowest center of gravity possible.

The ONLY time I've ever dumped solo was in an SR Tranquility. It WASN'T the canoe's fault, my packs set-up/size made it impossible to lay my packs flat.

I was too top-heavy. You can always buy packs to fit the canoe you choose but do you want to do that?

Either way, something to consider besides the quality of the canoe.

Mossback -

I like my Prism, especially how nicely it handles going INTO the wind.  On the other hand, level-loading has proven critical & it took some experimentation - and a few hairy moments - to get it right under various wind & wave conditions.  ST's comments re: "loading" practice are well-founded.  I've found that initial stability isn't so hot (you get used to it) but secondary stability is pretty good.

Having said that, I've long had my eyes on the SR Tranquility that BillConner speaks of... and now I am even more encouraged by his report because I am of a similar size to Bill.  I love my Souris River tandem so much (stability in all weather conditions) that I gotta believe their solo holds similar merit.  Anyway, I may be looking to test-drive and then possibly switch my Prism for that boat.

Hey, in late June I'll be paddling with a flotilla of solo vessels (at least six).  Some of our participants may be in a better position to offer you "comparisons" when we get back in July.

That's my two cents' worth....

Jimbo   

TomT wrote on Apr 29^th, 2018 at 1:56pm:


I have this boat as well. It's a bit longer in length and wider to accommodate larger packs & gear. It still only weighs 32lbs which makes it lightweight to portage.

Quote:


  If I recall you have/use older style paks?
If you get a new pack that can hold your gear and food for a trip and then just a bring a small daypack for raingear etc, you should be able to 2x portage most places even if you use the shuttle technique?

Here's a pack I ran across that might fit your needs.
Narrow enough it should lay vertical in any solo canoe but with enough volume to hold gear and maybe food if you pack right?

I have an old Eureka canoe pack that looks like the modern portage style packs with padded hip belt/shoulder straps that is over 25 yrs old and still in good shape. If this pack is even half a good it's a deal at this price. CDA price too.

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