Which Canoe For Summer Solo?

[Black_Fly]

Anyone used a 14’ canoe for solo tripping? I’ve got that Swift Prospector 14 that I love on local waters. It has a bigger weight capacity than my Magic, is more stable, and has the expedition kevlar hull opposed to the flimsy UL of my NS Magic. Not as good tracking or hauling loads across big water, I imagine.

 

[recped]

I paddle a Mohawk XL14 (it's about 14' 5") for tripping up to 50 days and I do not travel light.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

I took my 14'6" MR Guide on the John Day river for a week. Can't drink the water there - way too much farm runoff. We had raft support, so he carried most of my water. Otherwise, not a problem. Had there been no significant rapids, I would have been fine with the extra weight.

 

[SouthernKevlar]

I've not had it long enough to try a river trip but I have been surprised by the Wenonah Argosy in Royalex that I picked up a couple of months ago. It's 14'6"long, 30 1/4" wide and 13 1/2" center depth. It is a good handling canoe that I could see doing a river trip in and I will probably be giving it a try on a local overnighter in the spring or early summer. I have only had it in slow to medium moving water and lakes so far, but it is a fun canoe.

When I got the Argosy I read a lot of reports about it being unstable, but I have not found that to be the case. Maybe learning in whitewater boats has skewed my sense of initial and secondary stability.

 

[stripperguy]

I have my carbon copy Kite at 14'6", design load 283 lbs. It's a versatile hull.
With me as a welterweight, that leaves plenty of freeboard, my gear is generally less than 35 lbs...

 

[billconner]

Anyone used a 14’ canoe for solo tripping? I’ve got that Swift Prospector 14 that I love on local waters. It has a bigger weight capacity than my Magic, is more stable, and has the expedition kevlar hull opposed to the flimsy UL of my NS Magic. Not as good tracking or hauling loads across big water, I imagine.

Where's your solo? I prefer my Tranquility in BWCA - mostly lakes and some big - and Swift Prospector in ADK streams and small waters. I'm doing a stretch of NFCT from Saranac to Eight between work weekends and it seems more like broad flat water, so thinking Tranq.

 

[NikonF5user]

Anyone used a 14’ canoe for solo tripping? I’ve got that Swift Prospector 14 that I love on local waters. It has a bigger weight capacity than my Magic, is more stable, and has the expedition kevlar hull opposed to the flimsy UL of my NS Magic. Not as good tracking or hauling loads across big water, I imagine.

There is pretty much nowhere I wouldn't go with a Prospector 14 - that boat can haul a considerable load, is stable and deep enough to drive you through some nice rapids and big water, and in expedition kevlar is pretty tough to boot. I took my Merlin on the Yukon this past summer and ended up wishing I had a P14 for the extra load and freeboard it offers. While there are certainly better tracking boats, if you're going on a longer trip with rivers and/or lakes, you could do MUCH worse than your P14. It really is a "go anywhere do anything" boat, perhaps not the best at either, but very good at both lakes and rivers. This all being said, if I were doing mostly lakes I would take my Merlin without question. But if I had both a Merlin and a P14, the P14 would be going with me on a river trip for sure...

 

[eckilson]

I have a Wildfire and a Yellowstone Solo, and use them both. Here is the Wildfire.



The longest I have gone unsupported is 5 nights. I could go longer if I packed careful. Two big bags - one in the bow and one in the stern. I usually put my cooler behind the seat and water jugs if I need to carry water in the stems. If I don't need to carry water there is room for my Dutch oven or whatever else I want to bring. I've done windy lakes and easy rapids with no problem.

 

[Black_Fly]

I've not had it long enough to try a river trip but I have been surprised by the Wenonah Argosy in Royalex that I picked up a couple of months ago. It's 14'6"long, 30 1/4" wide and 13 1/2" center depth. It is a good handling canoe that I could see doing a river trip in and I will probably be giving it a try on a local overnighter in the spring or early summer. I have only had it in slow to medium moving water and lakes so far, but it is a fun canoe.

When I got the Argosy I read a lot of reports about it being unstable, but I have not found that to be the case. Maybe learning in whitewater boats has skewed my sense of initial and secondary stability.

I had an Rx Argosy for several years. It was great to use on the local rocky streams. I do not think I’d use it with a load on big lakes. Best for moving small water, loaded modestly. Not real good hauling an antsy cow dog, which is why I sold it. Probably should have kept it. My dog is pretty sedate these days. Royalex is a great material for that boat.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

There is pretty much nowhere I wouldn't go with a Prospector 14 - that boat can haul a considerable load, is stable and deep enough to drive you through some nice rapids and big water, and in expedition kevlar is pretty tough to boot. I took my Merlin on the Yukon this past summer and ended up wishing I had a P14 for the extra load and freeboard it offers. While there are certainly better tracking boats, if you're going on a longer trip with rivers and/or lakes, you could do MUCH worse than your P14. It really is a "go anywhere do anything" boat, perhaps not the best at either, but very good at both lakes and rivers. This all being said, if I were doing mostly lakes I would take my Merlin without question. But if I had both a Merlin and a P14, the P14 would be going with me on a river trip for sure...

I think I have to agree with all of this. I replaced the Guide with the Wildfire. While I haven't tested it yet, I have no doubt that I can go a week in most cases without overloading it. That probably wouldn't include my dog though. A Prospector 14 is going to have more capacity, so I'd probably even have room for the dog.

 

[kahel]

Oh how nice it would be if I also had such a luxury problem ... to have to decide which canoe to take.
I only have one canoe (Old Town 146k) and that's more than enough for all my needs.
Be it just for a short day tour

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or for a multi-day / multi-week tour with lots of luggage and equipment.

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.

.

 

[BWCA66]

I "solo" all the time with my 14.5' Merrimack. I say "solo" because there is almost always a 70lbs freeloader aboard.
Works well for me, longest I've been out is a week at this point.

 

[ABT]

There is pretty much nowhere I wouldn't go with a Prospector 14 - that boat can haul a considerable load, is stable and deep enough to drive you through some nice rapids and big water, and in expedition kevlar is pretty tough to boot. I took my Merlin on the Yukon this past summer and ended up wishing I had a P14 for the extra load and freeboard it offers. While there are certainly better tracking boats, if you're going on a longer trip with rivers and/or lakes, you could do MUCH worse than your P14. It really is a "go anywhere do anything" boat, perhaps not the best at either, but very good at both lakes and rivers. This all being said, if I were doing mostly lakes I would take my Merlin without question. But if I had both a Merlin and a P14, the P14 would be going with me on a river trip for sure...

I always considered the Swift P14 to not be much of a river boat with only 1” of rocker and a shallower depth at midship compared to many competitors’ river offerings such as SRT, Phoenix, Dragonfly, Argosy, Supernova, etc.
Because of this I always thought it was more for flatwater/lakes. Perhaps this way of thinking is incorrect? I’ve never paddled one, is it actually pretty good in rivers compared to the others listed? I know rocker specs don’t tell the whole story, especially between different manufacturers.

 

[NikonF5user]

I always considered the Swift P14 to not be much of a river boat with only 1” of rocker and a shallower depth at midship compared to many competitors’ river offerings such as SRT, Phoenix, Dragonfly, Argosy, Supernova, etc.
Because of this I always thought it was more for flatwater/lakes. Perhaps this way of thinking is incorrect? I’ve never paddled one, is it actually pretty good in rivers compared to the others listed?

I wouldn't claim to have a "ton" of time in the P14, but from what I could see in the few times I have paddled one it is more maneuverable than its 1" of rocker would suggest. I think it's sort of like the Penobscot 16 in that way, perhaps a better downriver boat than a whitewater boat. It really is a prospector in design - jack of all trades, master of none. I would still love to try and compare it to the Nova Craft P14. As far as center depth, I am actually surprised that it's smaller than the Phoenix - with respect to freeboard the P14 doesn't feel lower to me when I've paddled one. I wonder if the hull shape keeps it higher up in the water than the more rounded Phoenix? I may be totally making this up however.

To me the big things the Phoenix has over the Prospector 14 are a 2" narrower hull making it more sleek / faster and a more rounded bottom, faster to heel. Plus of course the IXP layup is amazing. But I'd bet money the P14 will haul a bigger load and be more stable doing so. The others you mention I wouldn't lump with the Phoenix and P14 personally, more "hotrod boats" that are superb river trippers to be sure (especially the SRT and Supernova), but also require a deft touch or you will be swimming down that river! Not that you couldn't flip a P14 or Phoenix (heck, I've been known to flip an Old Town Camper at times ), but they are far more forgiving than the others...

 

[Jim Dodd]

At 220+#, I prefer a longer canoe, for tripping.
15.5' - 16'.
For the biggest reason, speed. If you don't need to keep up with a group of tandems ? And prefer a lighter Portage load, a shorter hull would be fine.
Fishing would be easier too with a shorter hull.
Lastly if the shorter hull has the capacity you need ?
Me ? I need the capacity, and the speed.

My $.02 worth.

Jim

 

[ABT]

I wouldn't claim to have a "ton" of time in the P14, but from what I could see in the few times I have paddled one it is more maneuverable than its 1" of rocker would suggest. I think it's sort of like the Penobscot 16 in that way, perhaps a better downriver boat than a whitewater boat. It really is a prospector in design - jack of all trades, master of none. I would still love to try and compare it to the Nova Craft P14. As far as center depth, I am actually surprised that it's smaller than the Phoenix - with respect to freeboard the P14 doesn't feel lower to me when I've paddled one. I wonder if the hull shape keeps it higher up in the water than the more rounded Phoenix? I may be totally making this up however.

To me the big things the Phoenix has over the Prospector 14 are a 2" narrower hull making it more sleek / faster and a more rounded bottom, faster to heel. Plus of course the IXP layup is amazing. But I'd bet money the P14 will haul a bigger load and be more stable doing so. The others you mention I wouldn't lump with the Phoenix and P14 personally, more "hotrod boats" that are superb river trippers to be sure (especially the SRT and Supernova), but also require a deft touch or you will be swimming down that river! Not that you couldn't flip a P14 or Phoenix (heck, I've been known to flip an Old Town Camper at times ), but they are far more forgiving than the others...

Very helpful insight, thank you!

 

[gumpus]

Not trying to be argumentative but I'd call the Swift P14 and 15 lake boats for sure. In my limited experience the P14 turns nicely with a gentle lean but that's all it's got; it does not want to lean to the rail or spin on a dime or get horsed around...so not a good choice for someone that needs a true Prospector with generous rocker for swift current or dangerous rivers. My friend had a P15 and it was one of the most stubborn boats to turn (solo or tandem) that I've paddled; the 14 is better but it is far from a Phoenix or Wildfire or SRT or Dragonfly. My take is that Swift is using the Prospector name for marketing.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

My take is that Swift is using the Prospector name for marketing.

I have to agree with that. But isn't that true for most so-called Prospectors?

The Clipper Prospector 14 has established a reputation of being a competent river tripper up to class 3. Clipper claims 1.5" of rocker, but of course it's hard to compare that on paper.

What I do know is that some class 2 is do-able even in the Mohawk Solo 14 with the right preparation, skill and technique, and it has little or no apparent rocker - not to mention its flat bottom (I'd load that one really light). I think the question in the OP is going to depend entirely on what the intended rivers are like and how skilled the paddler.

When I think about it, I don't think I'd have a problem doing my local c2 river stretches with a load in that boat, but I'd plan on sneaking or lining some spots. At any rate, a 14' 32 lb solo shouldn't be too difficult to portage. I'd choose that over the Magic for any non-flat river I would trip on, and adjust my load accordingly.

If I know the whole river is flat and wide, yeah, the Magic would get the nod.

 

[NikonF5user]

Not trying to be argumentative but I'd call the Swift P14 and 15 lake boats for sure. In my limited experience the P14 turns nicely with a gentle lean but that's all it's got; it does not want to lean to the rail or spin on a dime or get horsed around...so not a good choice for someone that needs a true Prospector with generous rocker for swift current or dangerous rivers. My friend had a P15 and it was one of the most stubborn boats to turn (solo or tandem) that I've paddled; the 14 is better but it is far from a Phoenix or Wildfire or SRT or Dragonfly. My take is that Swift is using the Prospector name for marketing.

No argument - I agree. I do not think the Swift P14 handles like a true Prospector (the only big Prospector I have paddled is a Nova Craft P16, and that boat solo turned similarly to the Swift P14 from what I can remember, but I paddled them years apart so it's not a fair comparison).
A couple of years ago I paddled the Swift P14 and WildFIRE back to back and was surprised by how easily the P14 turned compared to what I was expecting, but I FULLY agree it is no WildFIRE. Much much much more tame - and not nearly as fun.

What I was trying to get across is that I wouldn't hesitate to take a Swift P14 on a wilderness trip if I had one. I just see no need to go out and get another boat if that's what one has (although in reality there is ALWAYS the need for another boat! ). In no way did I intend to imply that the P14 has the performance of the WildFIRE or Phoenix, rather I think it can carry more of a load than either and will be adequate on a river / lake expedition.

 

[Pook]

But isn't that true for most so-called Prospectors?
Thank you!!!