Chief Grey Bear Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 To begin this story, let me start a few years ago when I was hearing a lot of talk about solo canoes. Everyone was wanting them. I didn't see much use in them. I grew up in a 17 footer and that is all I was ever going to own. And I have stuck to that. I just always figured I didn't need a couple of canoes laying around. One would serve every purpose I would have. If I was doing a multi day float, I had room for all of my gear. If I had a friend that wanted to go, I had a seat. If I wanted to go myself, so be it, I could that too. One canoe would serve every situation. And one will. But I have been doing some thinking over the last couple of years. I am not one to just jump head first into something. I'll think about things for a long time. As in this case, a couple of years. In the last couple of months though, I have decided I wanted to get a solo canoe. When I first thinking about this, I planned on getting one in about 4-5 years when I thought Dylan would be gone from the house and I would be back to doing more fishing on my own. Well, I have upped that a few years and started putting back some cash. So yesterday, while eating lunch with the wife, I broke the news to her. I hadn't told her a word up to this point. I was all prepared for her to give me all the cons without any pros. I was stunned when she said "get one now before we spend the money on something else." She didn't even know I had been hording the money until now. My current plan is to find a nice used one.(got anything for sale Al??) But I may bite the bullet and get a new one. I guess now is as good a time as any to start some real research on the subject. God love our women! Chief Grey Bear Living is dangerous to your health Owner Ozark Fishing Expeditions Co-Owner, Chief Executive Product Development Team Jerm Werm Executive Pro Staff Team Agnew Executive Pro Staff Paul Dallas Productions Executive Pro Staff Team Heddon, River Division Chief Primary Consultant Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Executive Vice President Ronnie Moore Outdoors
Wayne SW/MO Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 Good for you. I have had no complaints on my Mohawk 13, so you might want to put it on your list. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Feathers and Fins Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 My old Ocean Kayak was all a man could ever want for fishing, hunting and it held plenty of gear for overnight trips you may want to look into them as well https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beaver-Lake-Arkansas-Fishing-Report/745541178798856
RSBreth Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 You are going to get plenty of advice - but mine is to paddle as many of the models you think might be "the one" before you purchase. I will say that owning a solo expanded my fishing so much that words can't explain it. I can go upstream or down, wherever whenever - time is the only limit. I blame Al mostly. Or thank him, really.
Al Agnew Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 Yeah, I got one I'd sell, but it's out here in Montana. Probably going to get a new one sometime before next spring, which would make my old Vagabond available. One nice thing about solo canoes, as opposed to kayaks, is that you really don't have a whole lot of choices unless you start looking at obscure companies.
Jack Jones Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 My Old Town Pack is one of the best things I ever bought... "Thanks to Mother Mercy, Thanks to Brother Wine, Another night is over and we're walking down the line" - David Mallett
duckydoty Posted October 15, 2012 Posted October 15, 2012 Canoe once owned by Al located in Montana? Sounds like a good excuse for a road trip! A Little Rain Won't Hurt Them Fish.....They're Already Wet!! Visit my website at.. Ozark Trout Runners
Chief Grey Bear Posted October 16, 2012 Author Posted October 16, 2012 What ya got there Al?? Got any pics? What is the condition??? Chief Grey Bear Living is dangerous to your health Owner Ozark Fishing Expeditions Co-Owner, Chief Executive Product Development Team Jerm Werm Executive Pro Staff Team Agnew Executive Pro Staff Paul Dallas Productions Executive Pro Staff Team Heddon, River Division Chief Primary Consultant Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Executive Vice President Ronnie Moore Outdoors
ColdWaterFshr Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 I'd recommend trying out a few before buying. I seems to recall some video footage that you're a tall feller, Chief. Some of these solo boats can feel very tippy for us bigger dudes, especially when you're used to 17 feet of solid, battleship plastic stabilized with a low-centered cooler full of ice and about 139 beers. My problem is, my tree-trunk biceps along with a cranium of considerable mass cause a top-heavy effect, and most of the boats I have paddled that are shorter than 15 feet feel quite tippy. If you're over 200 lbs, I would go no shorter than 15 feet and just switching to a royalex boat is a big improvement. Just my $.02 worth.
Mitch f Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 I'd recommend trying out a few before buying. I seems to recall some video footage that you're a tall feller, Chief. Some of these solo boats can feel very tippy for us bigger dudes, especially when you're used to 17 feet of solid, battleship plastic stabilized with a low-centered cooler full of ice and about 139 beers. My problem is, my tree-trunk biceps along with a cranium of considerable mass cause a top-heavy effect, and most of the boats I have paddled that are shorter than 15 feet feel quite tippy. If you're over 200 lbs, I would go no shorter than 15 feet and just switching to a royalex boat is a big improvement. Just my $.02 worth. Agreed "Honor is a man's gift to himself" Rob Roy McGregor
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