I Need A Bit Of Advice

[drew03cmc]

In a month or so, I will be actively seeking a solo canoe. I would prefer to buy a used boat to keep the cost down. What should one look to spend on a solo canoe that has been used, but not killed? Also, what should I look for with a boat? If anyone on here has one they wouldn't mind parting with, let me know please, as well as a price. Thank you in advance, and I look forward to picking one of these up.

[Jack Jones]

Drew, the only thing I can tell you is that I have periodically looked for the same and found very little out there on the used market. The lowest new one I've found is Old Town's Pack Angler and that runs almost $1,000.00. I figure for that price I can get a john boat, trailer, and trolling motor. So if you find a good source, please share and good luck to you!

[P_L]

I have a few suggestions that might help you. If it was me I would stick with a tandem even for soloing. You can stand fish on one foot in a tandem(if you wanted to lol), its much harder to do that in a solo. Its easy to paddle a tandem canoe if you turn it around backwards and sit in the bow. Sit with your legs over the thwart and use your hips to steer. A 14ft prospector would work great for this. Also you could learn how to paddle "Canadian style" then the seating becomes irrelevant plus you get the benefit of far greater maneuverability and speed that a normal paddle style wont allow. There are videos on utube of people soloing at 35/40mph using the Canadian style while boats pace them and verify the speeds. If you have your heart set on a solo try expanding you range when looking. We are only about a 20 hr drive from what is considered the mecca of canoeing(BWCA/Quetico) There are hundreds of guides up near Ely, Isabella, or International falls Minnesota. Id start with Piragis if it were me. All of those places sell used stuff and will ship. Good luck in your search

[Greasy B]

Don't give up looking, A buddy found a used penobscot 16 on craigs list a few weeks ago. Saved almost a grand not buying new. The 16 is a smallish tandom, works well as a solo if your a big boy and carry alot of gear. I personally would avoid fishing or recreational type canoes they are for people who are not adept at paddling and do not perform well.

[MoSportsmen]

I think your idea of a solo canoe is a good one..........but I agree it will be pretty hard to find a used one. If it were me I would make one, but I realize this little hobby is not for anyone. I will say there are a lot of designs you can make that are great little solo fishing boats that you would never find made commercially. I also agree that you would do well with a short tandem canoe and paddle it backward. Added benifit you can take a friend along when you want.

Didn't find any of those 35/40 mph youtubes, aint no paddle craft I have ever heard of. Best racers I know might hit 12 mph with a current and wind in their backs.

Tom

[Bill B.]

Check out the Buffalo Canoes Pero:

http://www.buffalocanoes.com/10_foot.htm

It sells for $700, sometimes less, but I've never tried one.

[Gavin]

Used solo's are hard to find...but I'd avoid anything shorter than 13'. Dan Kreher had one listed in the buy sell trade not long ago, dont know if he still has it..Or get a tandem and solo it..You will get blown around on occassion..but its not hard to solo a tandem and its easy to stand and fly cast out of most 16-17' models.

[drew03cmc]

Yeah, I know the tandems can be soloed, but honestly, when I am going out myself, I would rather not have to toss around an 80 pound boat.

[eric1978]

If you buy Royalex it won't be 80 pounds.

[ColdWaterFshr]

hit craigslist every couple days

had a buddy pick up a 16 foot Wenonah w/ paddles and only used twice, and new yakima bars and towers for only $600

Now that I think about it, Ness has a nice Wenonah tandem that might be better suited for solo paddling than it is for tandem. Shoot him a PM and see if he's taking offers, but check the carfax on it -- that boat has been wrecked!