Nice looking fleet. It is unfortunate that your state requires disfiguiring your beauties with those danged ugly numbers.
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What are your current solo canoes and how do you like them?
- Thread starter Glenn MacGrady
- Start date
Have had a Wenonah boats. Still have my Prism after 30 years. Picked up an Encounter a few years ago. Latest and not used yet is the 20 pound 12.5 foot ADK. This because it can slip inside an Otter floatplane. I keep a Pakcanoe 165 for the same reason. Only two canoes on the outside of an Otter float plane so allows more paddlers on the same flight. We get by with 5 in the plane and squeak by on weight. If we had to we could be more efficient and haul 6 paddlers.
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Right now, I have a Northstar Northwind solo, in Blacklite and an Esquif Echo.
I would say the Northwind is better at whitewater but slower on the flats than I thought it would be.
The Echo would be everything I thought it would be except it's low freeboard rules it out for anything more than the lower end of class II.
I think my ideal two boat solo quiver would be a Northstar Magic and Phoenix.
I too think the Echo would be a good NFCT canoe. Been thinking about one.
Me too, the wood rails are nice. And durability vs weight is not to bad, with the aide of some wheels. but after reading a recent post I wonder how tformx is in the cold as for as storage. Also i have heard of people narrowing them, for different effects. A little higher sides would be nice! Cool boat.
Pulling in an Echo has been on my mind - it has enough rocker so that it should be possible without much negative impact on maneuverability. I think there were some Royalex Echos made early in their run - that would be a cool boat to find and experiment with!
I did test paddle an Echo - 2019 paddle fest in Old Forge - and liked it a lot. Albeit, calm flat water. The weight was the only negative, and still may be a factor. 45 lbs vs my current 29 and 34.
what-are-your-current-solo-canoes-and-how-do-you-like-them?
i only have one canoe and of course i think it's great.
and then when I'm rich ... I'm sure I'll get a second one. If.
;-)
i only have one canoe and of course i think it's great.
and then when I'm rich ... I'm sure I'll get a second one. If.
;-)
Unlike some folks, I have room for 3 canoes ... that means 2 solos and a tandem.
Currently I have a modified Freedom Solo 16'3"
and a 15' stretched copy of a Keywadin 14
Love the Freedom Solo, but it is 39#, but built for heavier paddler.
The stretched KeyWadin 15" is a really nice design (31#). I am used to the extra room of the 16 footer, but it has taken me out for a week without too much squeezing for space. There will be a 17' stretch underway, as soon as I can get the shop free of the current projects. I would like a bit more water line and a bit less draft.
Brian
Currently I have a modified Freedom Solo 16'3"
and a 15' stretched copy of a Keywadin 14
Love the Freedom Solo, but it is 39#, but built for heavier paddler.
The stretched KeyWadin 15" is a really nice design (31#). I am used to the extra room of the 16 footer, but it has taken me out for a week without too much squeezing for space. There will be a 17' stretch underway, as soon as I can get the shop free of the current projects. I would like a bit more water line and a bit less draft.
Brian
As an aside Allan, thank you for a) the build posts b) posting the Baracuda build
I was rereading this post and I always wondered about how the Baracuda would handle, almost made that the first boat .... when I read that build threat it answered something else that has been nagging me since I started planning my next boat.
You built a narrow 17' boat with 4 oz cloth, without extra layers ... and apparently the world didn't end. To save weight, I am planning on using 4 oz cloth on the next build and was having second thoughts about it being strong enough and was going to add some extra layers, even though I am using S glass ..... now I think maybe I'll just stay with the original plan and not overthink it.
So thank you for taking the time to post that build
Brian
I'm glad you found the build Barracuda build useful. I'm as guilty as anyone when it comes to adding extra layers and trying to make things stronger but it almost feels, anymore, that people are leery of even building with a single layer of 6oz. glass when that was the standard for years.
I remember finding some old threads before I built the Barracuda of boats being built with 4oz cloth and 3/16" strips and then being used on trips. I knew the Barracuda would never be used for anything other than workout paddles and maybe races and those threads gave me confidence to go for it.
Looking forward to seeing your next build!
Alan
I've got a fiberglass Mad River Independence. Quite like it for the most part. Wish there were a touch more room under the seat for my big feet, and my ankles can really get to hurting after a couple hours of kneeling and paddling, but it seems to be a great jack-of-most-trades boat.
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I currently have 5 canoes and I pretty much love them all.
#1. Hornbeck New Tricks 14
#2. Hemlock Canoe Works Eaglet
#3. Northstar Northwind Solo with custom wood trim
#4. Placid Boat Works Shadow
#5. Swift Canoe Dragonfly
#1. Hornbeck New Tricks 14
#2. Hemlock Canoe Works Eaglet
#3. Northstar Northwind Solo with custom wood trim
#4. Placid Boat Works Shadow
#5. Swift Canoe Dragonfly
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Man, I've really enjoyed looking at all the photos of solo canoes!
Some real eye candy.
I'd add one thing about my Echo. The low sides make it pretty ideal for paddling like a pack canoe, with double bladed paddle.
I really need to get some photos. It's a pretty sweet setup.
Some real eye candy.
I'd add one thing about my Echo. The low sides make it pretty ideal for paddling like a pack canoe, with double bladed paddle.
I really need to get some photos. It's a pretty sweet setup.
I have a Bell Yellowstone Solo in blackgold with gold Al gunwales. I use it mainly for exercise in a small flatwater river. I removed the seat and normally sit on a foam pedestal.
It works good, and I think it just looks gorgeous. But I think I'd rather have a longer, faster exercise boat. The Yellowstone hull probably makes the most sense in Royalex so it's more at home in mild whitewater.
I have a Old Town Appalachian 16 that is my solo whitewater canoe. It works pretty well for me. I like having a large boat that doesn't draw much water. If the river is too high or technical for the Appy I switch to the (gasp!) kayak. Bonus the Appy is a tandem.
I still paddle my fiberglass MR Explorer solo a few times a year. It's fine.
I can't decide whether I'd like a longer exercise boat or to upgrade the old Explorer to something in carbon Kevlar
It works good, and I think it just looks gorgeous. But I think I'd rather have a longer, faster exercise boat. The Yellowstone hull probably makes the most sense in Royalex so it's more at home in mild whitewater.
I have a Old Town Appalachian 16 that is my solo whitewater canoe. It works pretty well for me. I like having a large boat that doesn't draw much water. If the river is too high or technical for the Appy I switch to the (gasp!) kayak. Bonus the Appy is a tandem.
I still paddle my fiberglass MR Explorer solo a few times a year. It's fine.
I can't decide whether I'd like a longer exercise boat or to upgrade the old Explorer to something in carbon Kevlar
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I love the Echo looks wise. Never paddled one.
This is a boat I'd like to experiment with - pull in the sides a bit to see if it could get a bit deeper and narrowed. But every one I have seen used for sale is too new and too expensive to alter at the moment!
I just scrolled up and realized I made this same exact post almost about a month ago! I guess if nothing else I am consistent!This is a boat I'd like to experiment with - pull in the sides a bit to see if it could get a bit deeper and narrowed. But every one I have seen used for sale is too new and too expensive to alter at the moment!
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