Solo Canoe Recommendations Needed for Rocky and Low Water Rivers

[Black_Fly]

I’m thinking I need a beater. I’m not sure what canoes to consider, but here are some features I’m hoping to find:

- Under 50 lbs.
- Royalex or some rock resistant material
- forward floor space (wider bottom) for pup, paddler comfort. Not tandem wide, just not a round, narrow floor.
- Adequate Rocker
- Modestly priced

This will be an Ohio boat mostly, although it may take an occasional trip north for novice guests or my own use during low water periods. My Swift P14 has a perfect hull shape for the purposes described. Lots of dog comfort, agility, room. Hull material not ideal for a beater. Ideally, I’d find a similar hull in royalex or t-formex, etc.

I’ve been searching for models like the YS Solo, NS Northwind, etc. I previously commented about an Argosy I once had that was a great solo steam boat but not a dog craft. A canoe I’ve owned that would suffice for this application is a Wehnonah Wilflderness in Tuffweave. It lacked rocker but worked on the Little Miami well enough, and I’d just repair the gel coat as needed.

I’m not up on all the models and materials out there these days. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Nick Pending]

- Under 50 lbs.
- Royalex or some rock resistant material

I’m not up on all the models and materials out there these days. Thanks for your suggestions.

BF: I think the "Royalex" and "under 50 pounds" are probably mutually exclusive? Possibly not, me also not up on all the models available now or earlier. There might be some at around 50 pounds or just over it. Good luck in your search.

 

[Mason]

BF: I think the "Royalex" and "under 50 pounds" are probably mutually exclusive? Possibly not, me also not up on all the models available now or earlier. There might be some at around 50 pounds or just over it. Good luck in your search.

Yeah, my 14'10" Mad River Courier, Royalex, is 59 pounds.

 

[snapper]

You might find a Royalex tandem that you can use as a solo if the bow seat is accommodating to your needs. Just a suggestion...

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[jdeerfoot]

I have a Wenonah Wilderness solo (15’6”) in T-formex that weighs 54#. A great river boat and very tough. I bought it very lightly used intending to use it in the rocky streams of the UP. But I have only been up there a couple times and probably won’t be doing much of that kind of padding anymore. I think I am moving into more base-camping-in-the-woods type of trips.

Good luck in your search for an appropriate boat.

 

[Rivercane]

I have a Vagabond in Royalex that's 44#. I weighed it myself with a hanging scale I trust.

It's certainly not fancy nor does it have much rocker. But it's a nice boat for smaller streams and has pretty good primary stability IMO.

It will be for sale soon. I just bought my first composite boat and it's a better fit for my uses. I'm in North Alabama.

 

[Black_Fly]

Maybe 15’ would be a good length to get agility and dog room without excessive weight? Just eyeballed the river today and confirmed that my Blacklite boat shall never touch its water.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Can't say I know what's best, but I do have one solo I'm keeping around to fill those roles. My Mohawk Solo 14 doesn't display noticeable rocker, but I've never wished it did. It does okay on class 2, but can ship water on big waves. The previous owner made some extended kydex decks for it to handle that issue, but I don't usually have them on. It's primary stability is good enough that novices (read - those who have never been in a solo canoe) are comfortable in it. I haven't had a dog in it yet, but I think a calm 30 lb canine wouldn't be a problem at all. Secondary stability is good enough to edge the boat for turns, but that usually isn't necessary anyway. IIRC, it weighs just over 40 lbs.

I'd suggest a Mad River Guide, but that's a bit over the target weight.

 

[Nomad]

I’m thinking I need a beater. I’m not sure what canoes to consider, but here are some features I’m hoping to find:

- Under 50 lbs.
- Royalex or some rock resistant material
- forward floor space (wider bottom) for pup, paddler comfort. Not tandem wide, just not a round, narrow floor.
- Adequate Rocker
- Modestly priced

This will be an Ohio boat mostly, although it may take an occasional trip north for novice guests or my own use during low water periods. My Swift P14 has a perfect hull shape for the purposes described. Lots of dog comfort, agility, room. Hull material not ideal for a beater. Ideally, I’d find a similar hull in royalex or t-formex, etc.

I’ve been searching for models like the YS Solo, NS Northwind, etc. I previously commented about an Argosy I once had that was a great solo steam boat but not a dog craft. A canoe I’ve owned that would suffice for this application is a Wehnonah Wilflderness in Tuffweave. It lacked rocker but worked on the Little Miami well enough, and I’d just repair the gel coat as needed.

I’m not up on all the models and materials out there these days. Thanks for your suggestions.

Hey From Denver, Co. I came here to ask others their thoughts on how to price a Wenonah Rendezvous that’s been in the water (three reservoirs and one short river). It’s 42#, 15’8”, Kevlar, great tripping canoe, 2”/2” rocker. Saw your request and thought I’d share my situation, although almost o the other side of the world (west of the Mississippi). Need to ask Glenn what I can share, and how, but at least you have an idea something’s out there that wants to find a new owner.

 

[BurkeJ]

I wouldn't rule out composite boats, unless you're paddle serious WW. Gelcoat/resin slides over rocks when royalex grabs 'em. Sounds and feels awful but, surprising how well quality composites hold up. Years ago I bought a royalex Wildfire to save the wear and tear on my composite one; usually regretted taking the royalex boat out instead of composite. Couple summers ago I picked up another composite boat that the previous owner had done some serious tripping with and the bottom had a full record of the memories. Aside from the occasional gelcoat/epoxy filler, the cloth was untouched. I've added many memories to my composite boats since without fear and rarely paddle my royalex boats anymore.

 

[eckilson]

I'd say go for the Yellowstone Solo, but it you didn't like the Argosy with the dog you probably wouldn't like the Yellowstone Solo with the dog. A friend of mine showed up for a trip last week with a Royalex Bell Rockstar. I had heard of them, but never seen one - nice boat. Larger version of the Yellowstone Solo. Looks big enough that it might work for you with a dog, but you'll probably never find one.

 

[M Clemens]

Can't say I know what's best, but I do have one solo I'm keeping around to fill those roles. My Mohawk Solo 14 doesn't display noticeable rocker, but I've never wished it did. It does okay on class 2, but can ship water on big waves. The previous owner made some extended kydex decks for it to handle that issue, but I don't usually have them on. It's primary stability is good enough that novices (read - those who have never been in a solo canoe) are comfortable in it. I haven't had a dog in it yet, but I think a calm 30 lb canine wouldn't be a problem at all. Secondary stability is good enough to edge the boat for turns, but that usually isn't necessary anyway. IIRC, it weighs just over 40 lbs.

I'd suggest a Mad River Guide, but that's a bit over the target weight.

I wish I had kept my Solo 14; when I bought it she was fully outfitted for WW. Turned well enough for as little rocker as it had. Had my heart set on a Dagger Sojourn, longer, lighter, less rocker yet, but tested one and fell in love.

 

[PaddlingPika]

My beater solo is a 46 lb Mohawk Odyssey 14 in R84. These days I mostly paddle lighter weight kevlar or carbon-kevlar solos but the Odyssey is a stable, roomy, easy to maneuver river solo that would be good for what you describe. Good luck finding one though.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

I wish I had kept my Solo 14; when I bought it she was fully outfitted for WW. Turned well enough for as little rocker as it had. Had my heart set on a Dagger Sojourn, longer, lighter, less rocker yet, but tested one and fell in love.

That's funny, because I sold the Sojourn and kept the Solo 14. The Sojourn is a great flat water solo, but I couldn't justify the storage space after getting the Clipper Solitude. Had I unlimited storage space, I never would have let it go.

 

[ppine]

In the West we paddle the snow melt and early runoff. In the summer even the big rivers can have low flows and plenty of rocks. Paddling a loaded canoe for a week can really beat up a good boat. I would vote for a rock boat, just like having a pair of beater rock skis. Plenty of good boats would work fine. Just see what you can find.

I have used tandem canoes for paddling plenty of times. They float higher in the water with a load. If you know your strokes they are not that hard to control. I like the added width. When I finally got a hold of an OT Canadienne to paddle solo, it was the 15'7" version with a beam of only 32 inches. It was rocket fast, but felt very tender to me and I sold it at a profit.

 

[Pseudonym]

For me, my YS Solo (née Wildfire RX) would feel too twitchy with a dog, unless the dog were very well habituated and stayed put right in the center of the bilge.

My own dog imagines the gunwale is a perch to obtain a better view.

 

[ppine]

It is easy to train a dog to be a good canoe dog. I do not let them put their paws on the gunwales. They ride in the sitting position. For rougher water and make them lie down. I can adjust the ballast by asking my dog to move and then lie down.

Teach a dog about how their movements affect a canoe by putting them in an empty boat by themselves. Do it several times. They quickly figure out that they need to stay on the keel line. I have herding dogs that do not chase waterfowl or jump out of the boat. The only time I ever had a capsize caused by passengers was 2 unruly kids that dove off the gunwale like it was a dock.