As stable as a Camper but lighter

canoekevin said:

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Today the tide and wind predictions were just about perfect for one of my favorite paddles.
Paddle Plan:
•Launch at Robinson Preserve south ramp
•Paddle through the preserve to the north cut into Tampa Bay.
•Get to the cut at high tide (current can be strong at other tides)
•Head west to Perico Bayou with a tail wind
•Return to the ramp through the mangrove tunnel.

The trip started out great. I got to the pass at high tide and Tampa Bay way calm with a nice view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (first pic).
Tail wind paddle through Perico Bayou and found the entrance to the tunnel without having to cheat with my phone map.
The tunnel was navigable with a few obstacles to get around (second pic). About ¾ of the way through the tunnel there was a medium sized branch blocking my way. It was too high to scoot over and too low to limbo under. I was about to head back the way I came but I really did not want to fight the wind and the outgoing tide at the cut.
I decide to try to move one end of the branch. It was tricky maneuvering myself close enough to grab the branch but I was able to pull one end of it into the water enough for me to scoot over.
I would not have tried this in a canoe less stable than my Camper.
I don’t love lifting the 65 pounds but the stability and Royalex durability are too good to give up. I guess that I will keep it until
I can not lift it anymore then figure something else out.

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Sounds a little like what I contend with when I paddle up the local lake inlet to get close to the heron rookery there. It's a narrow passage, littered with fallen limbs and partial logjams. I sometimes have to slide over floaters, duck under low hangers, and wrestle waste high limbs out of the way. Then on the way back I'm often fighting a headwind and rollers from the long fetch.

The canoe I'm usually in is the Clipper Solitude. As I read your post, I was thinking that seems like you need something similar. It's a very stable solo. Not the fastest for its size, but reasonably fast. I sometimes stand in it to pole the shallows. The bucket seat is very comfortable and it's adjustable. I keep it in the middle height position, but it's even more stable when lowered. It has an adjustable foot brace, and that also helps with stability. It's my favorite fishing and photography canoe.

I had a Camper, so I know what you mean about its stability. But that flat bottom isn't so great if things get sporty when the wind comes up. Neither is that high shear line. You need not be in a hurry to replace it, but I'd suggest that you keep thinking about a more suitable (and lighter) solo.

Oh, another that would feel more like your camper but less effected by wind is a Mohawk Solo 14. It will have to be a used one, as it's no longer made. Weight is right at 40 lbs. Also very stable, although a little slower than the longer solos. I have that boat too, and I've poled it as well. Fished out of it too with little care about balance. It's the boat I keep for introducing novices to solo canoes