Solo canoe thoughts

[Fishfighter]

I am looking at solo canoes for the rivers here in the ozarks. Primary usage is fishing but I do a lot of upstream paddling and an efficient canoe is a must along with decent secondary stability. Weight must be kept close to 40lbs and length at least 14 feet. I currently paddle a perception pescador sport 12 kayak. It does really good and I can make good time traveling upriver and floating back but I think a solo canoe will be more comfortable and better for this usage. I am 6'4" and 230lbs but handle the kayak really good. Its only 28 inches wide and I'm not to big for it.

I really, really like the looks of the nova craft fox 14 in tuff stuff material. Does anyone have an experience with these? Nova crafts material sounds like it may be superior to royalex even.

 

[Fishfighter]

Other strong candidates are the wenonah wilderness or argosy.

I also like the looks of the Bell Yellowstone solo. They still show this canoe in royalex. Not sure if its true or not.

[Al Agnew]

I haven't had experience with Nova Craft canoes, but they have an excellent reputation.  That Fox 14 really looks like a great solo canoe for what you want.  I don't know what the price is; I didn't delve that deeply into the website.  But the specs look just about perfect.  If I was in the market for another canoe, I'd look very seriously at that one.

[Fishfighter]

Glad my thinking is on with this.  The finish looks great on the nova craft.

[Fishfighter]

Now I'm thinking of considering the nova craft supernova as well. Its also a solo, 14'10" with more rocker. It of coarse does weigh slightly more.  Any thoughts on this one?

[tjm]

I always ask why solo? when you get into 14'+ , I think I'd want to give similar tandems a shot,  just looks like more potential for bang/buck. Of course its just curiosity on my part, my experience is all with aluminum boats.

[Fishfighter]

The super nova is also higher so in thinking good for rough water but bad for windy days. We get alot of windy days...just saying

 

[Fishfighter]

Weight is one reason.  And responsiveness and efficiency should be better with the solo is what I'm thinking.

[timinmo]

Any canoe that is as short as 14 or 15 feet is hard for two people to fish out of, you are just too close to each other.  No tandem paddles like a true solo.  I have heard all the arguments of turning it around and paddling from the front seat but believe me it is not the same.  When it comes to rocker a short canoe is better on "our" streams with little to no rocker.  On true "whitewater" streams rocker is necessary for maneuverability.  On most if not all Ozark streams a person would be better off with little to no rocker.  A 14 foot canoe does not track as well as a 16 or 17 foot one would, all else being the same.  If you were to paddle some of the 12 canoes on the market you will find going in a somewhat straight line is hard.  As far as the high sides that is a double edged sword, yes that may help on rough water but yes they also catch the wind more and will let it blow you around more.  I think your thinking on your original choice seems spot on.       

[Gavin]

Love paddling solo canoes, have owned several. 14-15' is the sweet spot. Would not want one shorter. No problem soloing my 17' tandem, but wind can make that work. Think that Novacraft looks good, Wenonah Wilderness looks good too. Current solo is a Mad River Slipper 14' 10" from the mid 1980's.need to replace the wood gunwhales, and patch some gel coat but it paddles great. Solo's paddle differently than tandems. Learn to brace, and sweep. A long kayak paddle that breaks in half is a plus if heading upstream or if windy but usually use a single blade. Get one a bit longer than you would use with a tandem. The Mitchell open boat WW paddle is my fav. Will make to length for you, chin high should work.