Solo Composite Canoe that can do it all 😉

[TheIndian]

Am considering a new canoe. Composite. Solo. Webbed seat (preferably adjustable) that would allow me to kneel. 17’ long that has enough initial stability to allow me to fish with a light load but has enough capacity for several days worth of gear. Sounds like I’m asking a lot yes haha. I’ve tripped a lot with my Argosy but unloaded, it’s not great to fish out of….would like a bit more stability. Over time, my interest has been more about the fish. My Mad River Freedom (modified from a tandem to a solo) is great for what I do it’s just getting too darn heavy with its all wood trim.

The Wenonah Encounter seems great except for the seat. Guessing I can kiss any dreams goodbye about having them install a hung webbed seat? Afraid to ask Lol.

Would love to hear your input about boats you’ve paddled.
Thanks.
Chris

 

[lowangle al]

I never used a large solo, but I've tripped solo in 17' tandems a lot. All of the you tubers I watch trip solo in tandems. I don't see the advantages to tripping from a centralized position in a solo boat. Most of the you tubers I watch are paddling backwards from the bow seat, except Adam Shoalts who like me, paddles from the stern seat.

As far as the material, that would depend on the kind of trip. I recently did a trip in my 17' light weight composite Seliga (40 lbs) and it was perfect. It did take a beating though crossing beaver dams with it loaded. The stability was great for fishing, poling and getting in and out while crossing those dams. I did the trip from the stern seat, standing with either the pole or paddle when I had to adjust trim.

I'm not sure if a solo narrow enough to efficiently paddle from a center seat would have enough stability for me.

 

[Alan Gage]

i know just the boat but unfortunately it's not for sale so you'd have to build your own.

Composite Bloodvein build

Version 1.0 was a success so V2.0 will be a carbon/kevlar version. Best case scenario is cutting 10 pounds, from 48 to 38. I think 7 or 8 pounds will be more realistic though. Made a couple very minor changes to the hull. The entry and exit lines were pretty hollow on V1 which made it a little...

www.canoetripping.net

Stable enough for fishing and great for day paddles. Easily switch from sitting to kneeling. Good speed and tracking and but handles CII rapids as long as you don't want to play around in them. Loaded up for tripping it's good for 30+ days.

I'm curious why you're focusing on a 17' hull. A 15-16' hull would be more common for your intended purposes. Usually people go longer for more speed or more capacity, neither of which seem to be very important to you.

Alan

 

[gumpus]

The only solo 17's I know of are the Encounter and Savage River Blackwater. Both are made for sitting, not kneeling. Could be 2 of the least maneuverable canoes available...not sure why you'd want to kneel in one.

Argosy is not particularly stable. Boats such as Keewaydin 15 (15'), Hemlock Peregrine (15'9"), Northstar NW Solo (15'6"), Swift Shearwater (16'2") would give a nice improvement in stability over an Argosy. The 14' Swift Prosector is extremely stable...even more than the longer boats. If you want the massive capacity of a tandem I'd recommend the Northstar Polaris (16'9") since it solos well for a tandem

 

[Gamma1214]

i know just the boat but unfortunately it's not for sale so you'd have to build your own.

Got plans? I'll put one together when I finish the Raven.

Chris, I'm also curious about the length...

Like Alan, I think building is a great option and you can build quite a few for the price on a new composite. Downside, of course, is the weight. If you're worried about hoisting your wood-trimmed MR Freedom, you might not like the strippers either unless you (like in Alan's link above) go all in & use the stripper as a plug for a DIY composite. (Nice part about that is you already know how it paddles)

Good luck on your quest, let us know where you land and what compromises you choose to accept.

 

[TheIndian]

I'm curious why you're focusing on a 17' hull. A 15-16' hull would be more common for your intended purposes. Usually people go longer for more speed or more capacity, neither of which seem to be very important to you.

Alan

Wouldn't mind the speed Alan but you probably right...17' not necessary. My longest boats are around the 16' mark, and they've done just fine in terms of capacity (sometimes I like to bring a lot of stuff ). A shorter boat - good way to save weight as well. The seaworthiness of a long boat just appeals to me though.

The only solo 17's I know of are the Encounter and Savage River Blackwater. Both are made for sitting, not kneeling. Could be 2 of the least maneuverable canoes available...not sure why you'd want to kneel in one.

Argosy is not particularly stable. Boats such as Keewaydin 15 (15'), Hemlock Peregrine (15'9"), Northstar NW Solo (15'6"), Swift Shearwater (16'2") would give a nice improvement in stability over an Argosy. The 14' Swift Prosector is extremely stable...even more than the longer boats. If you want the massive capacity of a tandem I'd recommend the Northstar Polaris (16'9") since it solos well for a tandem

Thanks gumpus. Love the extra control when kneeling whether it be in the wind or dodging a small set of rapids. I added a kneeling thwart to my Freedom and it's a lot of fun. When I converted the Freedom to a solo boat, I pulled the hull in about an inch. Helped a bit but still pretty wide at the center.

I've sat briefly in an unloaded Peregrine...really nice canoe but right away I noticed it had very little initial stability. Will have to give it another test paddle. A tandem might be the way to go...paddling reverse from the bow. Wonder if anyone has even gone so far as to remove the stern seat. Seems like a good idea. I'm sure it's been done.

 

[TheIndian]

Like Alan, I think building is a great option and you can build quite a few for the price on a new composite. Downside, of course, is the weight. If you're worried about hoisting your wood-trimmed MR Freedom, you might not like the strippers either unless you (like in Alan's link above) go all in & use the stripper as a plug for a DIY composite. (Nice part about that is you already know how it paddles)

Good luck on your quest, let us know where you land and what compromises you chose to accept.

Thanks Gamma...weight definitely a concern now Lol. Hoping for 40lbs max Will keep exercising.
The idea of building a boat sounds great but not sure I want to do that. I'm guessing the initial cost of tools and materials isn't really worth it unless I plan on building multiple boats - especially a composite boat? (hmmm Lol). Will keep you posted

Just took a quick look at some Nova Craft canoes...there could be something there. Thanks All! Would love to hear more about your preferences...

 

[Will Derness]

Suggest you look at a Northstar Polaris, equipped with a center seat and foot bar. A narrow tandem nearly 17 feet long, with kneeling drops on the center seat you can sit or kneel. Enough volume overnighting is possible, taking the bow and stern seats out gets you below 40 lbs.

 

[Gerald]

If you can fish out of an empty Argosy, then you can fish out of almost any canoe. I've had 2 Argos and found them stable when loaded, but not so unloaded. I've seen Robin fish out of one empty often, and he did not seem uncomfortable. I sold both of mine as age now demands a lighter solo boat for portaging.

If efficiency on the water if not a concern of yours, then I think the Swift 14' Prospector may be of interest. They are light, well-made, stable and come in a choice of layups. I don't fish much anymore but like to put in the kms so I am considering Swift's 16.8 Cruiser in the canoe or pack boat set up because my knees just can't hack it anymore in the keeling position. I've been told the 16.8 Cruiser is quite stable empty and very efficient in rough seas.

Good luck with your choice and let us know what choice you make,

G.

 

[SouthernKevlar]

I'm not sure where you are located, but if you are in the Mid-West you may run up on a Souris River Tranquility. I like mine and have tripped in the BWCA with it. It's 15'5" long with a 28" beam so it is a foot longer and an inch wider than the Argosy, and mine weighs in at 33 lbs. in Kevlar. I find it to be a good "all-rounder" solo canoe, leaning towards the Tripping end of the spectrum. It has more initial stability than my "new to me" Royalex Argosy, but I have only had the Argosy out a few times. Neither have the stability of my NS Phoenix, but I wouldn't want to trip in my Phoenix if large lakes were in the cards. It is a bit slow but maneuvers well.

I have thrown some lures out of the Tranquility, but the stability of a tandem would be hard to beat for fishing. Unless you get a wide, slow solo canoe (i.e. OT Stillwater, Wenonah Fisherman, etc....) you will not have the stability of most tandems. But then you do generally have a bigger canoe and more weight.

Ah, the trade-offs of life.

 

[ScottS]

Wenonah Solo Plus. 16-6 long, a little wider than most pure solos, reasonably fast and stable.
Catches a little wind when empty, but plenty of volume to carry weight.
I took the bow and stern seats out of mine. mine is kevlar/flexcore with gelcoat - 50 lbs true. I have about 900 days in mine.

 

[Bob B.]

Like Al mentioned, tandems paddled solo is the way I travel in the back country. My first suggestion would be to second the NorthStar Polaris canoe.

Next on my list would be the Nova Craft Cronje, read the review from Darren Bush, he explains it nicely.

Very nimble, light and fast. 17 feet, holds more gear than you will ever want to portage. Good in wind and waves, easily solo paddled in my opinion.

Cronje 17' Canoe | Cruiser Series | Nova Craft Canoe

The Cronje 17' is ideally suited to paddlers who want to challenge big, open water by covering distance with ease. Contact Nova Craft for more details.

www.novacraft.com

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

If you really want a tandem, Swift offers many of their tandems as "combis," which have three seats. The seats can be ordered with the Swift quick detach system, which allows you to remove whichever of the three seats you don't need on a particular trip. They can be made in the low 30 pound range, which would lower even more if you removed seats. The most efficient hull for flat water paddling would likely be the Keewaydin 16. They are all very pricey.

 

[Jmharrick]

The Hemlock Eaglet is a stable boat that tracks well, has good capacity, and has a lot of stability. I stood up in one at the WPASCR event this past summer and was able to rock back and forth without any stability issues. I wouldn’t hesitate to stand up and fish out of it in flat water. I also wouldn’t hesitate to take it out on bigger water with some wind and waves. It’s number 1 on my list of solo boats I would like to purchase.

I have a Curtis Northstar which is an older tandem built by the same person. It shares a lot of the same characteristics as the eaglet and I’ve taken it on a solo trip in some nasty waves and fished out of it quite a bit. Great boat.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Bob B.]

I have an Eaglet, and find it excellent as it is narrower and symmetrical, both traits that speak to me. I love mine, even in ultra light layup it is robustly built from the waterline down. I did not mention it as it is under 17 feet. Still, as a solo it remains nimble and holds a lot of gear.

It can be rigged as tandem, solo or a 3 seater. I am 6’2” about 220 pounds, and trip with a 70 pound dog. We can paddle with enough kit for several weeks of back country travel.

The solo boats you mention are excellent including the Solo Plus mentioned by ScottS. They are straight rocketed boats. I prefer a boat that has more rocker and is able to turn easily. I find this a welcomed trait when fishing reefs in wind, as well as navigating the narrow twisties for exploring off the main larger bodied lakes.

Lots of good canoes out there, good luck with your search.

 

[Bob B.]

You have a pm.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Am considering a new canoe. Composite. Solo. Webbed seat (preferably adjustable) that would allow me to kneel. 17’ long that has enough initial stability to allow me to fish with a light load but has enough capacity for several days worth of gear. Sounds like I’m asking a lot yes haha. I’ve tripped a lot with my Argosy but unloaded, it’s not great to fish out of….would like a bit more stability. Over time, my interest has been more about the fish. My Mad River Freedom (modified from a tandem to a solo) is great for what I do it’s just getting too darn heavy with its all wood trim.

The Wenonah Encounter seems great except for the seat. Guessing I can kiss any dreams goodbye about having them install a hung webbed seat? Afraid to ask Lol.

Would love to hear your input about boats you’ve paddled.
Thanks.
Chris

If my "between the lines reading" is correct, you're not looking to stand while fishing. Also, other than fishing, you're comfortable in the Argosy. You didn't mention whitewater, and your suggestion of 17' indicates no expectation of any.

So, I'm surprised that no one has yet mentioned the Wenonah Prism.

ETA: I fish out of my Clipper Solitude very comfortably. It isn't available with bench seat, AFAIK. The Prism, IMO, is a slightly better boat anyway.

 

[gumpus]

So if a Peregrine feels a bit tender to you then it seems like you want one of the largest solos...or a light tandem. The Wenonah Prism, Swift Prospector 14, maybe the Wenonah Wilderness are the extra stable solos....more stable than Peregrine and 3-4 tads more stable than Argosy. The light tandems recommended (Polaris, Eaglet, Starfire) have relatively narrow (30-31") waterline widths for tandems so will be easier to manage and will solo better than a more bulky boat. An Eaglet would be a great choice. You might be perfectly happy with lots of other boats...perhaps a lightweight kevlar Bob Special.

 

[Jim Dodd]

Just curious where the nearest Swift dealer might be ?
I live in Iowa.
The OP wishing for a 17' solo, seems a little long.
I would max out closer to 16', or maybe a little long.
I started building cedar strip canoes to satisfy my needs,
I've come close, but still building ! Ha.

Good luck in finding that " Do All canoe"

Jim

 

[gumpus]

I don't know if it's the closest for you but Rutabaga in Madison carries Swift.