Quote:

   
    If you go that route which is probably the best idea if you can swing it, I would advise you to do this as well.
    Bring your big portage pack(s) with you loaded to the approximate weight you'll be tripping with.

  Then you can see if they load easily and more importantly how the canoe handles loaded?

   One of the reasons I didn't like a true solo was because I like to keep the load below the gunnels.
  My gear pack and food pack both have side pockets I added on. I keep my stove fuel and ropes etc in them. Things I want access to without opening the gear pack. They won't lay cross-ways in a true solo or sideways either.
   With the tandem, they lay either way. I'd have to change my pack/loading system if I got a true solo.

  Right now I don't want to do that. Maybe in the future when weight becomes a critical factor I'll have to go that route.

  I hoping PD's anti-gravity portaging discs get invented by then. 

Probably too far but Paddlefest in Old Forge is a chance to test paddle quite a few: Northstar, Wenonah, and Swift among others. Lots of nearby camping opportunities.  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

   

  I wonder if you could use just ONE float and do the OUTRIGGER thing? That would fit right in with the PINK FLAMINGO camp motive! 

one thing I'd recommend you do is to start now, watching Craigslist and your local paper want ads for used canoes.

If you see a really good deal on something that meets your needs, jump on it.  you can always post a question here like - I see a xyz solo for sale - will that work for me?  or how much is it worth ?   

generally, really good buys go fast, though this is still the "Off Season"

and something to keep in mind - these boats are relatively cheap when compared to buying  a house or a car - if you get one that you don't like, just resell, likely for a small loss, but perhaps even for more than you paid - its not as complicated as getting a divorce!

I'd recommend buying an ultralight solo boat and learning to paddle it with a single blade, but whatever works for you.  Just keep in mind that ultralight boats don't want to be abused - you need to wet foot the landings and be somewhat careful with them - they aren't fragile, but they aren't super tough either.  if you are used to letting your fishing kayak grind up on shore to get out or shove off, you won't be doing that with an ultralight boat.

TomT wrote on Feb 15^th, 2020 at 3:49pm:


Not sure how I missed this post & thread from way-back-when but I did.

TomT, please be advised that I have previously OWNED one of those stabilizer kits AND the rowing kit that came with it!  Bought it at Spring Creek, too.

You know the stabilizers/outriggers worked great on the water BUT, I'm telling you, they were a real pain-in-the-ass to portage while still attached to the canoe!  My other issue with them... well, with the whole "rowing rig", was that I was ALWAYS ROWING BACKWARDS!  There is DEFINITELY something to be said for "forward vision."  While this device might work OK in a canal or a wind-less day, it truly sucks on big water with big wind when you can't gauge the wave that's rolling at you.  I felt like I was surfing those monster rollers on the north end of Kauai during their "big wave" season!  It's not that I was in danger of capsizing. It was more the "bath of surprise" thing going on, smashing into those waves.  It takes some getting used to!

Anyway, those outriggers were quite the experience.  I paddled that way for a couple years, in fact.  Then, I decided that "canoeing" was not meant to be done that way.

Thanks for the tip.  Been there, done that!  Just another footnote/blip in a long list of misadventures in the wilderness.

Jimbo