Hi Monel, I don't have any input as far as what boat to use but I have experience doing trips on that system. It sounds like you want to do a single carry and keep the weight down to about 65lbs. That was my goal for a single carry, but with 40-45lbs of gear and my Mohawk 13' solo at a little over 40 lbs. I could never get there. A total weight of 85lbs. was doable but a little too much for comfort. I did my solo trips on the Swanson River system on the West side of the road, which is a lot hillier than the Swan Lake side. I double carried the big uphills and single carried everything else.
I also didn't have the patients to install my carry thwart for every portage. I left it installed and paddled kneeling on the thwart with my gear up front. This worked fine, but after three days my knees got sore. If I could have found a 20 or 30 lb boat it would have been a lot more manageable. The single carry really cuts down your travel time, but if I had the time and only had a 40 lb. tandem, I would be OK with a more comfortable double carry. When I'm on the water I prefer to be in a tandem anyway, so that would be another benefit.
Have fun with whatever boat you decide on and I hope you catch some rainbows small enough to eat.
I also didn't have the patients to install my carry thwart for every portage. I left it installed and paddled kneeling on the thwart with my gear up front. This worked fine, but after three days my knees got sore. If I could have found a 20 or 30 lb boat it would have been a lot more manageable. The single carry really cuts down your travel time, but if I had the time and only had a 40 lb. tandem, I would be OK with a more comfortable double carry. When I'm on the water I prefer to be in a tandem anyway, so that would be another benefit.
Have fun with whatever boat you decide on and I hope you catch some rainbows small enough to eat.
