What are your current solo canoes and how do you like them?

[Steve in Idaho]

@dutchlennart , tell me about the Next. People who have never paddled a solo canoe occasionally ask me about it, and I'm always reluctant to say much because I have yet to even see one in person. I'd like to be able to assume (as I suspect) that it's a good non-intimidating intro to solo canoeing or canoeing in general.

You apparently removed the seat and use a kneeling thwart, correct? Have you weighed it in this configuration?

Can you compare its efficiency to similar length kayaks or similar composite canoes?

Do you use a single blade, or a double? Would you describe it as OT suggests, as extremely user-friendly?

Maybe this should be its own thread.

 

[Whit30]

Old Town Pack, Royalex
Esquif Echo in T-Formax Lite
The Pack is still my go to for small protected & difficult to access water. It's pretty much perfect for poking around on my local slow moving wood infested TVA controlled creeks and sloughs.
The Echo is faster and sportier, better for camping and river running. Although I managed those things pretty well in the Pack for ages its nice to have a new boat.
Id like to have something in a composite, long light and fast, to paddle the big open water on the TN River and other local reservoirs, but I can't really justify the expense for a boat that I would probably only use for the exercise. Would probably get used about as much as a stationary bicycle or something, lol. I think a sea kayak would actually be the best boat for that purpose, but the canoe or yak debate is pretty irrelevant because I can't see myself spending the bucks for either.
Unless....I could get a decent price for the pedal fishing yak. That would go a long way towards the cost of another boat and free up room in the garage. Talk about a white elephant, something I thought Id use but dont, that thing is just a PITA taking up valuable garage space.

 

[Rusty Ole' Bucket]

Just getting going in the canoe world, so just one to date, Old Town Sportsman 119. I'm sure there will be more, I'm kinda wanting a pack canoe now.

The Hornbeck canoes that Black Fly posted a link for in another thread look pretty cool and sound amazing. The 14' Classic sounds perfect at 400lb capacity for the mid profile, 25.5 pounds is LESS than half the weight of my OT. I'm sure shipping would be redonkulous to Louisiana, but it's only 21 hours from here to the MN location. I'd also know it wasn't being thrown around by a shipping company if I go pick it up. I just did the math, $450 round trip from here for gas. I kinda hinted at the wife about a vacation to Minneapolis next summer, pick up a new canoe and hit a bunch of cool paddle locations on the way home. I didn't get a no!

I've been searching up some of the boats you guys are listing. Y'all have some NICE boats!

 

[SouthernKevlar]

My wife doesn't mind my canoe addiction as much since I bought her one of the 10 1/2 foot, 14 pound Hornbeck "Lost Pond" canoes. Maybe one for her would help your cause.

Watch the Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I found my wife's Hornbeck for cheap (really!) on Craigslist. Sometimes they do pop up in the South.

 

[Rusty Ole' Bucket]

My wife doesn't mind my canoe addiction as much since I bought her one of the 10 1/2 foot, 14 pound Hornbeck "Lost Pond" canoes. Maybe one for her would help your cause.

Watch the Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I found my wife's Hornbeck for cheap (really!) on Craigslist. Sometimes they do pop up in the South.

Not a bad idea, thanks. It would have to be a surprise, she loves her kayak. 14 pounds though, man! I'll have to keep my eyes peeled.

 

[Woodpuppy]

Not a bad idea, thanks. It would have to be a surprise, she loves her kayak. 14 pounds though, man! I'll have to keep my eyes peeled.

14 pounds would earn a whole lot of like no matter how much you think you like your kayak!

 

[yknpdlr]

A 10.5 foot Hornbeck has taken me on frequent trips well off trail to many remote Adirondack ponds, and on a 185 mile cross-Adirondack SW to NE diagonal trek from one side to the other and beyond with all gear and food I needed for a full week. Wind and waves on the larger lakes (including crossing Lake Champlain) were not any major problem. Keep weight well centered and bow and stern will simply bob up and over large waves without taking on water.

 

[Rusty Ole' Bucket]

Maybe we drive up to Minnesota next summer with an empty canoe rack on the truck and get two boats. Tell her we're going to get my boat and surprise her. Hmmmm....

 

[Penns Woods]

@dutchlennart , tell me about the Next. People who have never paddled a solo canoe occasionally ask me about it, and I'm always reluctant to say much because I have yet to even see one in person. I'd like to be able to assume (as I suspect) that it's a good non-intimidating intro to solo canoeing or canoeing in general.

You apparently removed the seat and use a kneeling thwart, correct? Have you weighed it in this configuration?

Can you compare its efficiency to similar length kayaks or similar composite canoes?

Do you use a single blade, or a double? Would you describe it as OT suggests, as extremely user-friendly?

Maybe this should be its own thread.

In 2022, I was in the market for a solo tripping canoe and was considering everything out there. I finally got things down to two models. I was considering a Hornbeck and a OT NEXT. I watched dozens of videos and read everything I could on the subject and decided on the OT NEXT. for my tripping. After 4 years and many trips to the Adirondacks I am very pleased with my decision. The light weight of the other solo boats would have been great but considering everything the NEXT fits my needs the best.

Since I was going to use the canoe for tripping on lakes only, some factors were more importin than others.
First on my list was getting in and out. The NEXT won this argument easily over the Hornbeck. No need for wet feet with the NEXT.
Other factors were tracking, load capacity and toughness. I was sure the NEXT could carry my gear and track for a comfortable ride.
After reading reviews and watching the NEXT on You Tube channels like Adirondack Addicts, I was confident the NEXT would handle everything I wanted to do.
With most conversation concerning the NEXT the seat comes up. With my legs and back condition, I found the seat helped me the most to be able to continue canoeing. Not only does the seat provide a very confortable ride but I remove it and use it at camp for a chair. I found it much better than sitting on the floor or bench seats like other canoes.

Since no canoe is perfect, I wish the NEXT was a little longer for more room and maybe cut some of the weight. But, since I carry and load the NEXT on my car at 77 years old maybe that's not a real issue.

Since getting and using my NEXT, I've had a chance to look and compare many different canoes. There is a lot of very good tripping canoes out there all with good qualities, but for my needs the value of the NEXT is best for me.