WTB Source to Sea Expedition Canoe (Kruger, Sea-1)

Hello All,

I am looking for a decked expedition canoe to paddle the Missouri and Mississippi.) while near Olympic National Park will to drive nearly anywhere for the right boat.

Grew up in Eastern Montana and looking to paddle through there to the gulf.

Thanks,

Bob
three six zero five oh seven three nine seven one

Hi Bob, welcome to the Forum!

That sounds like a great trip. Are you planning for this summer or later? Going solo or as a group?

Another Kruger designed boat to look for is the Mad River Monarch. I had one and sold it last year because I didn't have big enough water or a big enough trip in the near future to justify such a great canoe. They do paddle nicely and should be very tough. You may possibly run into a Sawyer Loon that would also fit your need.

Since these are not very common canoes, and if time becomes a factor, have you considered an expedition lay-up open canoe with a fabric spray deck. It sounds like you will not be crossing the Great Lakes or ocean size bodies of water where offshore swamping would be an issue, and the ease of storage in an open canoe could help with packing.

Good luck with the trip and keep us informed of the progress.

Hi SouthernKevlar,

Ideally this summer but the clock is ticking [fast].... in any case, I plan on going solo.

Thanks for the suggestion on the Monarch, I will definitely keep my eyes open for that boat also. I have thought about a Wenonah Prism w/ a spray deck as a fallback plan. There aren't many solo c1 options on the west coast, so I am looking anywhere I can.

I like the assurance of a hard deck due to living in Washington State on the Puget Sound. In researching this trip, there are some big winds on this trip paddling the big lakes on the Missouri that can wind bound paddlers. Not saying I wouldn't be laidover by wind, but it gives me some comfort.

Appreciate the input and suggestions!

Savage River makes the Falcon, which is a decked canoe. I know nothing about it other than what their website says. The obvious benefit would be that you might find one already made and ready to go and that you're getting a new boat rather than a 20 year old boat.


Alan

Clipper Sea 1 would be worth looking into also, and in the neighborhood (southern B C)

The Falcon is definitely a day boat designed for racing
I had a hard time fitting me alone in it
Has not much cargo capacity
Wish I had a pic of my hubby paddling it
His legs were so high
Cool boat for sure but not a good for this trip

So thanks all for the input. I was able to get a Loon from a canoe tripping member.

I spent half a day hanging out with HankPC including a paddle. What a great day.

Took the boat to 3 Forks Montana and splashed it at the start of the Missouri near 3 Forks Montana.

While empty, I was able to attain, eddy out and peel out. Couldn’t have been happier with the performance.

Lord willing and the creeks rise I will launch the 3rd week of May ‘25 for my Missouri Source to Sea. Will post info as it happens.

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Hank great to meet you and thanks.

bxh360 said:

I spent half a day hanging out with HankPC including a paddle.

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Do you mean member @Halpc or do we also have a Hank reading the site. It's rewarding that the site can be of service in bringing buyers and sellers together, and so swiftly.

A belated welcome. I'll look forward to watching your progress.

If you can't find a decked canoe, would you consider a large tripper and putting a spray cover on it?
Big trippers are easy to find.

Glenn MacGrady said:

Do you mean member @Halpc or do we also have a Hank reading the site. It's rewarding that the site can be of service in bringing buyers and sellers together, and so swiftly.

Click to expand...

Thank you Glenn. Yes - @Halpc.

Good luck on your Big Journey!

Just an aside, I did a double-take when I saw your Missouri Headwaters State Park photo. Three years ago I camped there while on a motorcycle trip. I went down to the water and tried to imagine what this river and land must have looked like to the Lewis and Clark expedition. I also wondered what they would have thought if they could look through the veil of time and see it two hundred and seventeen years later.

Hey Bob- glad to see that you and Jack made it up to Three Forks and that you liked the performance of the Loon in moving water. Your trip will be an inspiration to many of us here. It was a pleasure meeting you and your pup- good luck and enjoy the preparation for the journey. Have you decided after your trip on whether to start at 3 Forks or farther up on the Beaverhead or Big Hole?