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This has been an enlightening discussion. Think I’ll need to test paddle a Phoenix somewhere. Like ABT I enjoy being able to sit in the canoe, blade out of the water and soak up my surroundings without feeling I need to actively manage the canoe.

Wished you would have pushed off a gave the DF 15 a test paddle. I'm interested in that canoe because the specs look very similar to the Swift Raven which I like a lot. However, I'm quite surprised you like the Phoenix because the specs has it 2 inches narrower at the water line. I've not...

I’ve had success using WD-40

I’m like Kahel, I always have a bag in the canoe. Most of my current paddling is flat water solo paddling so I outfit the canoe with small end bags and lacing. The bag also serves as a spare paddle support. For the infrequent whitewater trip the canoe will be completely bagged out except for...

I saw an OT Cascade for sale in Alabama https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1916374009129096/

Concur. I solo a BL Northstar Polaris. Ordered with 3 seats, after taking out bow and stern seats it weighed 37 lbs. By myself and day gear it doesn’t draw much water. Bigger cockpit eases sit/kneel transitions.

In the summer of 1986 4 canoes paddled an overnighter on the upper Potomac, the classic Paw Paw bends trip. One guy brought his 6/7 year-old son. The previous year, 1985, the Potomac experienced a major flood. As we paddled down stream, we happen to go under quite a few (4-6) railroad...

The OT Cascade is a shorter and narrower version of the OT Appalachian. Both the Cascade and Appalachian perform very well in WW. For quite a few years I had been looking for a replacement Cascade when I chanced upon a used Raven. After paddling the Raven for awhile I came to prefer it over...

2 canoes come to mind that would fit your use case. Old Town Cascade and Swift Raven, both of which are Royalex hulls. Obviously used market only. The OT Cascade is a 15’ tandem which paddles quite well set up as a solo for a bigger guy. The Swift is a dedicated solo with enough volume for...

Home made drops. I used some dimension lumber (3/4x4, I think) and hand drew the curves. Cut with a jig saw, these have all the imperfections of something drawn by hand.

I bought one of those Northstar mini cell foam carry pads. It worked OK but moved around which I didn’t like. And after you arrive at your destination it is another piece of gear to stow. It turns out after I fabricated knee/leg cushions for the canoe they double as a shoulder carry. Since...

This photo should help you visualize how these alternative seat drops help with inhibiting seat back and forth sway. Compared with dowel seat drops there is much more surface contact area on both the gunwale and seat stay. Much less precision needed during installation than truss drops.

Well to minimize my conversion work I used the gunwale holes of the old seats closest to the ends of the canoe for the thwarts. I didn’t notice any flex in the hull after adding the thwarts. However I don’t have a dog so I’m not sure if those locations will work for you. There shouldn’t be a...

Out for a dawn paddle on the Waccamaw River, NC. Coffee break spot on the return home.

Late to the show, but here's what I remember from the solo conversion I did. I've been rooting around for useful photos and will post if I find them. 1. The canoe heels quite readily so a wide seat allows you move easily to either side. Well worth it in my estimationn. 2. Replace the OT...

Coffee break spot on Rice Creek, NC. I bring along a 1 pint thermos of coffee and some where after the mid point of the paddle I’ll pour myself a mug to sip on the way home.

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.

When the occasion arises that has me paddling rocky gravel bed streams my usual choice is the Swift Raven. This past spring here I am in the teal Raven on the Jacks Fork River in Missouri.

I have not paddled the Pearl, but looking at the specs I noticed the Pearl is 2 inches wider at the waterline. The Polaris would be the faster canoe.

Just finished reading “Madhouse at the End of the Earth”. Very well researched and written story of the voyage of the Belgica, one of the early explorations of the Antarctic. The Belgica becomes frozen in the sea ice over the winter and endures a very difficult time. Not yet famous, Roald...