Wenonah Solo Yoke Options/Alternatives

[Tryin']

Good afternoon!

I have a new-to-me Encounter for which I will need to purchase or fabricate a carrying system. I have looked at the Wenonah offering, and may end up biting the bullet and purchasing one. But before I do, I wanted to ask the experts whether they have had success with other options, store-bought or home brew.

The trouble with a regular yoke on these boats is the radical tumblehome, which put a lot of stress on the chines when weight is applied to the gunnels. My boat is Tuf-Weave, which makes the stresses even higher due to the increased weight.

So, I would love to hear from anyone who has used the factory version or created their own!

Factory:

 

[Alan Gage]

I would be really surprised if the weight of the boat being carried with a traditionally mounted yoke would be enough to damage the hull. If that was the case then the hull should crumple if, while paddling the canoe, you placed a hand on the gunwales and lifted your butt off the seat. I expect the bigger reason for a seat mounted yoke is the gunwale profile that Wenonah uses.

That being said I don't have any experience carrying Wenonah solo canoes with a yoke. If I wanted to DIY something I'd be tempted to epoxy wood blocks to the hull just below the gunwales for a solid place to clamp a yoke.

Alan

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I have no experience with that Wenonah yoke.

Just looking, it might carry the canoe too far above my head than I would prefer, and I'd be concerned that the the immovable (?) attachment spot wouldn't balance the canoe properly. I'd prefer a fore-aft movable clamp-on-the-gunwales yoke unless that type simply will not grab the gunwales. Also, some folks here have expressed dislike of the springiness of the Chosen Valley-type sling pads. (Others like them.) A clamp-on yoke, whether bought or DIY'ed, would also be a lot less expensive than the Wenonah factory yoke, plus it could be used on other canoes.

Wenonah makes kits to attach a wood yoke, to which you can add foam pads or sling pads from other sources.

Wenonah Canoe :: Portaging

Wenonah canoe portaging, wood canoe yokes and padded yokes.

wenonah.com

 

[PaddlingPika]

The problem with attaching a yoke to the gunwales on a Wenonah solo with a floor mounted seat is that the seat frame is where your head would need to be. When getting my voyager on or off the car I briefly end up with it the seat frame tubes resting on the top of my head and the gunwales above my shoulders. The canoe is close to balanced there but not a recommended carry method!

 

[gumpus]

not a recommended carry method!

Hmmm. That's how I carry my Advantage and I like it for short carries. I use thick high density foam. You need to fiddle around to leave some room for the seat to slide while making sure the foam stays in place. With the boat balanced on your head you can still support most of the weight with your arms.

Tryin, I also have a Wenonah yoke that I could sell. I'll PM you.

 

[PaddlingPika]

Hmmm. That's how I carry my Advantage and I like it for short carries. I use thick high density foam. You need to fiddle around to leave some room for the seat to slide while making sure the foam stays in place. With the boat balanced on your head you can still support most of the weight with your arms.

Thanks for the picture gumpus! I need to try adding some foam. My arms and neck aren't strong enough to safely carry much this way though.

 

[Whit30]

Ive seen people make a yoke with a swimming noodle and a rope around the canoe. Im gonna try that with my T-Formax Lite Esquif Echo solo boat. I dont do long portages but it might be a good cheap lightweight solution for the put in/take out. It does get kinda uncomfortable resting the canoe on my head going further than 20-30 yards.

 

[gumpus]

Thanks for the picture gumpus! I need to try adding some foam. My arms and neck aren't strong enough to safely carry much this way though.

My boat is an ultralight so probably 35 pounds. If I needed a little more head padding I thought about maybe adding a padded baseball cap and clipping it to the seat frame so I don't forget it. I also wonder about using a hard hat wirh internal padding since that would protect your head and maybe reduce pressure points but I never tried it since I'm content with my current system. Just sharing ideas

 

[Tryin']

Tryin, I also have a Wenonah yoke that I could sell. I'll PM you

PM'd you back, friend.