If you could take one boat on a Western road trip...

[Alan Gage]

This is mostly just a fun mental exercise for now. I'm thinking of taking a 30+ day road trip to the PNW next summer and, of course, have been debating whether or not to take a boat. And, if I do, which boat to take.

I think that for me personally paddling exploration will mostly take a back seat to land based excursions (foot and pedal). Rivers can be tough because there is no one to run a shuttle (bike shuttle if possible). I can think of a couple possible places I might like to do an overnighter but otherwise I think 99% will be day paddles. I'm leaning toward a 16' canoe with moderate volume and decent speed (for paddling upstream).

I'm also considering not taking a boat at all. I've done similar trips to the PNW twice in the past and both times was surprised how little paddling I actually did.

So, if if were you taking this trip what boat would you take and why?

Alan

 

[SouthernKevlar]

I'd say "Just pack your most versatile canoe and have fun on whatever comes your way".

 

[Steve in Idaho]

That's a tough one. I guess it would depend on how much I was planning to do in places I'm familiar with. The last time I took a trip like that which included places I wasn't familiar with, I took the Mohawk Solo 14. I thought I might find myself on some bony river. But as it turned out, I would have been better off with my Clipper Solitude. I did fine with the Mohawk though, and never did make it to the one river it would have been the better choice. I ended up doing all flat water.

I think if I was to do another extended PNW trip without a specific goal I would take the Solitude - with upstream paddling in mind, as you suggested. There are more good places to do that than a person could see in 30 days.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

OTOH, I could easily put together a trip with all easy class 2 river stretches a shuttle options - but that takes a lot more planning, and possibly a strict schedule. In that case, I would take something like the Wildfire.

 

[PaddlingPika]

I have family in the PNW and also used to do more road trips to square dances (my other main recreation besides paddling) so about 27 years ago I bought a Mad River Escape 14, a folding canoe which was made by Pakboats. A year or two later when there was a close-out sale I bought the Escape 12.5 which was designed as a sit-on-the bottom pack canoe. I have used the 12.5 kneeling with the regular PakCanoe canoe seat, though it is a bit cramped for that. I didn't end up using either one all that much, but I still like the idea of a PakCanoe for a road trip. Neither one that I have is speedy, but the 14 ft PakCanoe is what I would take for a road trip that isn't primarily focused on paddling. The advantages are no loss of gas mileage from a car-topped canoe and less concern about theft than if leaving a car-topped canoe parked at a trail-head or elsewhere while doing other activities. A disadvantage is that it takes awhile to assemble.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

@PaddlingPika - your reasoning is part of why inflatable SUPs have become so popular. Pretty good idea, IMO - but I'm not quite there yet.

 

[Alan Gage]

OTOH, I could easily put together a trip with all easy class 2 river stretches a shuttle options - but that takes a lot more planning, and possibly a strict schedule.

Yes, no planning for me so no scheduled trips or shuttles unless one falls into my lap.

I didn't make it very clear in my original post but while I'm happy to have suggestions for myself I was mainly curious what everyone else would take for their one boat on a long road trip and why.

Alan

 

[gumpus]

My Swift Keewaydin 15 is my travel boat because of it's river/lake/pond versatility, and sturdiness (guide fusion lay-up), and because I'd enjoy paddling it almost anywhere, and because it's a safe boat (stable, predictable), and because I'm confident in it and because it's replaceable if it got stolen.Even though I'm an upstream paddler and own more efficient solos, none of them are as safe as the Kee15 in high/fast water. I think a Wildfire would be a great choice too...fun anywhere.

 

[MrPoling]

I'd take my old fiberglass Mad River Explorer. The Explorer is adequate to do most canoe things.

Bonus is the old Explorer isn't going to be hurt by a month in the elements. I'd lock it and wouldn't worry more about someone stealing it.

I do worry that any gear like boats or bikes invites intrest in parked vehicles.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I'm thinking of taking a 30+ day road trip to the PNW next summer

I was mainly curious what everyone else would take for their one boat on a long road trip and why.

Ah, those were the days. Young. Strong. Time. Cross-continent travel. Base camping. Day paddles. No plan.

Pictured several times before, this was my "travel kit" for many years: My 1997 Dodge van conversion, in which I'd travel, sleep and cook, and on top of which semi-permanently resided my Lotus Caper canoe, Surge sea kayak and Huki V1-B outrigger (now living in Nantucket).



Oh . . . just ONE boat? (You mean aside from the surf ski I wouldn't mention on this site.)

Well, that's easy. Because a canoe that can paddle anywhere, in any kind of water, with more than reasonable speed and maneuverability, and with a tough but light-enough SK layup, is exactly why I bought my omnicompetent, and almost omnipotent, Hemlock SRT.



But now I'm less young, less strong, don't paddle significant whitewater, and don't take many gear-laden or overnight trips anymore.

So, for my day tripping month in the PNW next year, I'd now take a much lighter and liftable solo canoe that is pretty fast, pretty stable and quite competent in flat, quiet, quick and windy waters all—joining @gumpus in a Swift Keewaydin 15, which in my case is a 29 lb. Carbon Fusion laminate.



All the featured foci in the last picture above plan on being, not in the PNW, but at the WCHA Assembly in Paul Smiths, NY, next week.

 

[Gamma1214]

I may still be doing a similar (but shorter duration) cross-country trip this Sept and, at this point, I'll be taking my Freedom Solo stripper because I am familiar with it, it has proven very reliable on the past two trips and (because I built it and can build another) it's probably more expendable than my other hulls.

The choice of boats may change this weekend, however, as I'm hoping to get the seat in the Raven & test paddle it. I'm really liking the lines and the colors of the woods and I can easily see it becoming my new favorite.

 

[tketcham]

This is mostly just a fun mental exercise for now. I'm thinking of taking a 30+ day road trip to the PNW next summer and, of course, have been debating whether or not to take a boat. And, if I do, which boat to take.

If you include whitewater paddling the answer is not straightforward, amateurish pun intended. But at my age I wouldn't be planning on any whitewater, maybe some Class I or low Class 2 stuff but mostly flat water. There are some nice ponds and lakes to visit as well as bottom-land rivers and small creeks. So my canoe of choice would be my 14' 9" Hemlock Kestrel. (If I weighed more I'd probably own the Hemlock Peregrine.) It's not really fast but having a 27.5" max width it moves along with a bent shaft paddle, it's not a sport canoe but having a bit of rocker it can do the moves and comfortably maneuver small streams. A versatile canoe that can handle windy chop conditions fairly well but the 11.5" center height does mean you need to pay attention to wave height.

 

[Erica]

If I were unsure of plans and rivers, I’d probably take my Mohawk solo 13’ in Royalex. It is sturdy and handles good enough in most situations. It’s banged up enough that no one would steal it.

 

[Alan Gage]

My 1997 Dodge van conversion, in which I'd travel, sleep and cook,

I have a new (to me) van scheduled to be delivered today for this purpose.

Oh . . . just ONE boat? (You mean aside from the surf ski I wouldn't mention on this site.)

That "boat that shall not be mentioned" is definitely in consideration for this potential trip.

Alan

 

[BWCA66]

For me it's going to be my 14.5' Merrimack Tennessean, can use it solo or tandom and has room for my ever present 70lbs pup.

 

[Alan Gage]

The van arrived. Looks like a winner so far. I'd like to get back into traveling more and a minivan is the best way I've found for myself.

 

[stripperguy]

A MINIVAN!!
OK, I'll confess to about 7 years of minivan ownership...they (2 different ones) would carry everything and everyone on camping, paddling, skiing trips and get reasonable fuel mileage as well.
Back to your original post, I would take my carbon copy Kite. Versatile, fast enough, a dry ride in the rough stuff too. At 28 lbs, easy enough to carry. And since I built it and have little monetary investment in it, I fear not any rocks, razor clams or even concrete ramps.

 

[Alan Gage]

A MINIVAN!!
OK, I'll confess to about 7 years of minivan ownership...they (2 different ones) would carry everything and everyone on camping, paddling, skiing trips and get reasonable fuel mileage as well.

I drove one for quite few years. With all the rear seats removed there was plenty of room for a cot and all my gear. I lived out of it for a couple months while traveling with plenty of other 2-3 week trips.

Easy to drive, decent mileage, lots of room, and no one will look twice at it no matter where you park. It got me down, and back up, some trails that made my heart sink being almost positive I was going to get stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Alan

 

[Chip]

Alan, that's aood looking van. I have a '21, but the cargo version. Mine is really noisy. Wind noise is probably about the same, but I'm curious to know if the vans that are outfitted for passengers are more quiet. Most of the noise comes from the tires and the road and it reverberates through the body. I get a lot of solar heating through the windshield, so if its hot, drive west in the mornings, east in the afternoons.

I made a cross country trip to join the Whatcom Area Kayak Enthusiasts on a trip from Vancouver Island. That trip started in Kyoquit Sound and paddled out to camp on beaches and islands in the Pacific. It was a sea kayaking trip, so I brought a sea kayak.

In between, I paddled in Lake Erie, The Mississippi near La Crosse, The Missouri near Chamberlain, Lewis and Shoshone Lakes, Jenny Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Lake Coeur d'Alene, Bellingham Harbor and in the Pacific at Trinidad, CA, Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Mountain Reservoir, Wilson Reservoir and Bucks County Reservoir. All these were out-and-back trips.

My choice of paddling venues was influenced by the boat I had with me. On your PNW trip, you will pass a lot of big water venues where out-and-back trips are most practical, IF you have a big water boat. If I had been carrying a small solo canoe, I wouldn't have paddled where I went. I like to think I'd have found small water venues, but I wasn't looking for them, so I can't say. So, I'd say make some plans. Identify the places you might want to paddle. Bring the boat that works for those locations.

 

[Alan Gage]

I have a '21, but the cargo version. Mine is really noisy. Wind noise is probably about the same, but I'm curious to know if the vans that are outfitted for passengers are more quiet. Most of the noise comes from the tires and the road and it reverberates through the body.

I initially did not ever consider this as an option because that's what I expected but after hearing some people say the passenger version was much better I test drove a couple and was pleasantly surprised. Even driving on a windy day there was no noticeable wind noise. Road noise is negligible and it rides fine. I'm not saying a more expensive minivan wouldn't be better but, to me, this seems more than adequate. It does not look/feel like a cheap van and I'd take one over a regular minivan because it does not have power sliding doors, no rear entertainment systems, and a few less gidgets and gadgets.

This one is a 2019 and has a longer wheel base than the cargo version.





Alan