Thinking about a solo craft but really have no idea what I really want/need

[OzarksExtremeOutdoors]

When I take that much gear I also prefer a canoe, I own two, as well as five different kayaks for lighter river trips and lake fishing.  Of the five kayaks they range from 45 pounds up to 80 and all have handles on the sides making it very much the same as picking up a canoe and lifting it overhead.  As far as rods tips over the gunwales, unless your fishing with rods less than six feet in a solo canoe such as the OT Guide 119 your rods tips are more than likely going to be over the gunwale near the bow.  I carry four to five rods with me every time I am fishing whether it be the river/lake kayak/canoe and I have never once broken a rod tip in either a kayak or canoe.  The standing is for people doing more site casting with fly rods in clear streams as many do and are very successful out of kayaks.  As for creative thinking when you start modifying automotive accessories to fit a canoe for storage ideas or make your own bells and whistles, well that is creative thinking my friend. 

The angling kayaks have all kinds of neat bells and whistles like rod holders, drink holders, paddle holders, fancy seats, etc.  But I'd much rather make my own modifications (most of which are easily removable when you want to get the thing on and off your racks) than depend upon somebody else's idea of what's cool.

 

Anyway, go to Walmart and buy an auto battery box, one of those black plastic boxes, the larger one.  Get five Plano 3701 tackle stowage boxes...those are the ones that are only about an inch thick.  By a very happy coincidence, five of them fit tightly and perfectly in the battery box.  Throw the lid of the battery box away.  Get some double sided velcro stripping.  Cut slits in the edge of the bottom of the battery box and run the strips through the slits and out the open top of the box.  Now all you have to do is make sure the battery box will fit underneath your bench seat--in a couple of canoes I've owned, I had to raise the seat an inch or so for the box to fit underneath it, but that only makes the seat more comfortable as far as I'm concerned.  You strap the box to the seat so that it's underneath it with the open end facing forward.

 

 

4.  I also don't want to have to be creative and spartan with overnight gear.  

 

I never said one thing about overnight gear. 

    

But here is a picture of gear, 7 days and 67 miles later reaching the north boundary of Quetico.  Wouldn't have even tried to attempt that in a Malibu Stealth 12.  

[Mitch f]

Remember when you tried to ice skate for the first time? That's what I feel like in a solo canoe. I feel like I'm in a constant state of falling. Couple that with the fact that you're trying to cast to the perfect spot, and you're conscience keeps telling you "forget casting dude, you're just trying to remain above water".

i have to agree with wrench on the weight issue. The weight of the canoe or kayak means little to me if I can't even feel comfortable fishing out of it. If you go to the gym, before you even start adding weight, the bar already weighs 45 lbs. big deal. It's not like you're carrying it the whole way down the river. 

I completely understand the lack of storage and maneuverability you get with a kayak. But only 3 rods is a sacrifice that I can live with, Because I usually don't do an over night float.

[Flysmallie]

Just another Ford vs Chevy debate. 

[jtram]

Just another Ford vs Chevy debate. 

C'mon now, there is NO debate on that one.....

[Al Agnew]

I'm not trying to debate, just pointing out what I've learned about my own wants and needs in nearly 50 years of floating rivers in various watercraft, and why I think some things won't work well and some things will.  Indeed, to some extent it is a Ford and Chevy thing, and it's all in what you are looking for and what your priorities are.  But there are some definite advantages and disadvantages to any watercraft.

I've tried all kinds of things in that 50 years, from various tackle systems trying to keep things convenient AND dry, to anchor systems, a foot control trolling motor on the canoe, various seat backs and cushioning.  Very little of it was written down anywhere, it was all trial and error, and I enjoy making the journey just possibly a little easier for others.

The whole kayak vs. canoe thing is getting to be a moot point, anyway.  Solo kayaks have largely replaced canoes for the paddling angler, and the choices in kayaks continue to multiply while the choices in solo canoes are more and more limited.  Solo canoes are a victim of the difference between a clunky rental tandem canoe (or the Grumman at the Boy Scout camp) and a sleek, nimble solo kayak...most people buying kayaks have never paddled a good solo canoe.  The learning curve with kayaks is a lot less steep, which is partly what Mitch noted.  And with the demise of Royalex, the solo canoe is probably going to become more and more of a novelty.  

Perhaps the most important thing is to get something that will get you on the water, and then spend the time in it to get completely comfortable with it, and you'll be happy with it.  You'll figure out what it can and can't do and what you can do to make it fit your needs.