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Solo Canoe advice?

BigandSmall

BigandSmall

Paddler
Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Messages
432
Location
Northern BC
I’m looking at solo canoes and wondering if anyone here has any input on them. I like the sounds of the Clipper Caribou S but the Hellman Solitude also looks interesting. I don’t know much about canoes only having owned a Costco Coleman years ago. I’m mainly interested in the alternate seating positions offered by a canoe. I’m re-habilitating a back injury and I don’t want to miss yet another season of paddling. I’d be looking at potentially taking it on the Bowron chain and likely some river tripping under class II. Can anyone provide any insight on these two models?
 
Your story is similar to mine: long-time kayaker moves to canoeing due to back pain.

I don't have any paddling experience in either of the boats in question, but you are lucky in your range of choices: two local companies with longstanding reputations in the paddling community.

There is one feature in the Clipper boat to consider: they can install a sliding and height-adjustable tractor-style seat at your request, or you can go for the traditional webbing seat for both sitting and kneeling.

The Hellman has a lighter published weight in all layups. That's a consideration for those of us with back pain. My canoes are kevlar for that reason.

I can put you in touch with the designer of the Caribou S, if you wish. He's generous with his advice -- I had an email convo with him a couple of years ago when I was looking for a solo. I ended up getting the Clipper Solitude, a very different boat from the ones you are looking at, but only because my local padding conditions require a boat with more tracking and less windage.

Finally, have you considered a 16' prospector style canoe, paddled backwards from the front seat? That gives you the option of taking someone else or going solo. Then again, if you are sure you will be solo all the time, a dedicated solo boat is the way to go.

Cheers,
Andrew
 
As you will find there are a variety of solo canoes , some for flattish water such as the fast Clipper Freedom and others for serious white water. To be taken in account is what kind of water you will be paddling in and the weight of the canoe for transport on a vehicle .

Solo canoes I have owned are the Clipper Solitude , WeNoNah Advantage , Jensen WW1 and last the Clipper Packer . The Solitude I bought new in the mid 80's and is my overall favourite it checks the boxes quite well . All the others are more specialized. Then there are larger canoes that some people like for paddling solo of which I have no experience .... save for my very first canoe a 17' Coleman from around 1981 which was sort of the model T but got the job done .
 
I was originally looking at paddling a tandem backwards but saw a few people complain about wind if you didn't weight the bow or the width if used with a kayak paddle when set up as a solo. Those reasons and my wife prefers to be Captain of her own boat (I make boats tippy) has me just considering solos.

That's a solid quiver there Redcedar. The first time I did the Bowron chain a friend rented what I belive was a Solitude. I was impressed with it's speed and capacity compared to my overloaded kayak.

Are you guys using a kayak paddle? If so what length and high or low angle paddle?

I like the idea of light weight but easy repairs of fiberglass and lower initial investment also sound good until I see if I like it. The Hellman Duralite sounds interesting but I'd have to see if it is repaired with standard glass/epoxy or if it needs something special.
 
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BigandSmall said:
I was originally looking at paddling a tandem backwards but saw a few people complain about wind if you didn't weight the bow or the width if used with a kayak paddle when set up as a solo. Those reasons and my wife prefers to be Captain of her own boat (I make boats tippy) has me just considering solos.

That's a solid quiver there Redcedar. The first time I did the Bowron chain a friend rented what I belive was a Solitude. I was impressed with it's speed and capacity compared to my overloaded kayak.

Are you guys using a kayak paddle? If so what length and high or low angle paddle?

I like the idea of light weight but easy repairs of fiberglass and lower initial investment also sound good until I see if I like it. The Hellman Duralite sounds interesting but I'd have to see if it is repaired with standard glass/epoxy or if it needs something special.
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I occasionally paddle a 17' Bluewater Freedom Tripper solo from a DIY minicell foam kneeling saddle just behind the yoke. A centre paddling position reduces the windage effect of one end way up in the air (a load would also do this) and is preferred for asymmetrical designs like my canoe that don't behave as nicely when paddled backwards from the bow. I usually use a canoe paddle but this summer I picked up a kayak paddle to try out. I use the kayak paddle in windy conditions, when trying to cover a lot of ground, for variety, or when paddling tandem and my kid bow paddler runs out of steam. It works really well actually, and I'm not too bothered by the idea of using a kayak paddle in a canoe - if it works, then why not?

Using a kayak paddle in a canoe does require a longer paddle because of the higher seating position and wider boat. Usually longer paddles are marketed as kayak fishing or kayak angling paddles as they are designed for use with wider SOT fishing kayaks. I followed the recommendation on Bending Branches' solo canoe paddle sizing (here - scroll to the bottom) and advice from a fellow paddler with the same canoe and ended up with a 280 cm (huge, I know) high angle kayak fishing paddle based on my 6'+ height and 33" gunwale width. Clipper's solo canoe gunwale widths are in the 27" to 29" range so you may be able to use a shorter paddle.

Now when I got out for a solo paddle I take both a canoe paddle and a kayak paddle. The canoe paddle for finesse, style, and fine control close to shore, and the kayak paddle for speed and power. I really like having both options.
 
Lifelong canoeist here: whatever canoe you get, I'd strongly recommend paddling the traditional way canoes are paddled—on your knees. This might sound painful, but it's actually wonderful for your back (this is why so many people love those "kneeling" office chairs). Kneeling naturally positions your spine in a much more comfortable position that promotes better posture. It's also easier to paddle this way—you have greater leverage, and a lower center of gravity. And you can outfit your canoe with very comfortable kneepads that will feel cushy. (Plus you can still sit up on the seat if you want.)

I agree that while it's not "illegal," there's no reason to use a kayak paddle in a canoe as long as you have a good forward stroke and (most importantly) master the J-stroke.
 
BigandSmall said:
Are you guys using a kayak paddle? If so what length and high or low angle paddle?
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Re: paddles. I have several bent shafts of various lengths and several straight shafts. My favourite for the Solitude is a Werner Churchill, which I use sit-and-switch style. I'm not sure that either boats you are looking at are good for that style of paddling -- too much rocker, perhaps?

I am definitely planning on getting a kayak paddle, likely a Camano or similar low-angle blade. I was thinking 250 cm but really have to test the waters first, which is hard to do -- not many people have super long kayak paddles to loan out!

Cheers,
Andrew
 
AM said:
I am definitely planning on getting a kayak paddle, likely a Camano or similar low-angle blade. I was thinking 250 cm but really have to test the waters first, which is hard to do -- not many people have super long kayak paddles to loan out!
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Andrew, feel free to PM me if you're in the Vancouver area and find your recommended length is 280 cm per the Bending Branches' sizing chart below. I'd be happy to loan you my paddle for a bit to try it out.

As far as trying out other sizes, I know Mitchell's Canoe up on the Sunshine Coast rents extra long kayak paddles for use with their canoe rentals, you could contact them to see what lengths they have and recommend.

Simon

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BigandSmall said:
I’m looking at solo canoes and wondering if anyone here has any input on them. I like the sounds of the Clipper Caribou S but the Hellman Solitude also looks interesting.
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It will be winter up your way soon enough, and surely you have 'leftovers' from your kayak builds. You could build a stripper canoe in no time - it is a LOT (lot!) less work than building a kayak. :) Just sayin'....
 
A bit of advice from a former whitewater canoe slalom racer: going with a longer (canoe) paddle is a good thing if your top-hand shoulder is in good shape, because having your hand/arm higher on planting the blade gives you more downward power, which translates to a stronger stroke. It also gives you more leverage with turning strokes (draws, crossdraws,, stern rudders, etc.

Some canoe paddle guides suggest your top arm should be level at the plant (or catch as some call it); I'd say that's too short—but again, only if your shoulders and arms are in fairly solid shape.
 
Well I put a deposit down on a fiberglass Caribou S today. Once I finish up the work project I'm on I can make the long drive to pick it up. Buying without trying isn't ideal but I was able to find enough information scraping around forums on the internet that it sounds like this model should work well for my intended purpose. Fortunately the designer of the Caribou S that Andrew mentioned (Lloyd Beaule) had a couple of threads discussing his design.
 
Congrats! Please post pics once you get it. The Caribou is a really nice looking boat. I hope you get a chance to paddle it before the water hardens up there!

Cheers,
Andrew
 
Made the long drive to pick up the boat and got to try it out last night. We had really high winds in town and were happy to have no wind at the lake when we started. Even with new wrist gaskets in the drysuit it took me a bit to remember that the 3 R's of kayaking apply to canoeing as well. Relax,relax,relax. It seems weird being so high up.

Initial impressions are positive. It reminds me a lot of the Dagger Stratos L both in length and handling. Tracks well enough on flat water but still plenty loose for the river. It's also faster than I thought it would be. The only negative so far is how much room it takes up on the roof rack.

I borrowed a 250cm paddle from a friend. When kneeling this length seemed decent, when seated it was a whisker short. It was way too short seated at first until I moved the foot rest further forward to get my knees out of the way. I read a bunch threads on canoeing forums about "double blade length". There seemed to be a lot of opinions that one might burst into flames or be struck by lightning for daring to use a kayak paddle in a canoe but there was plenty of good information too. As Sthwaits mentioned solo canoes are narrower than regular canoes and this design has what they call tumblehome. A term describing a hull which grows narrower above the waterline than it's beam. It helps keep you from knocking your hands against the gunwales which is nice. After getting home I ordered an inexpensive 260cm Pelican Catch paddle to see if the length is right and to have as a spare once I get the length dialed in. I also emailed Werner to see if they sell extensions that I can use with my Cyprus.

Hoping to get out again today but winter arrives here on Sunday. With any luck it won't stay just yet.
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It's good, nice to be able to move around to different positions. Kneeling, one knee, cross legged. With feet straight out it could use a backrest. Pretty light to move around compared to my plastic boat.

I do need to learn some self rescue techniques though. I made a short crossing yesterday and didn't like the idea even though conditions were good. I had my drysuit on and my wife had her towline if required. Would have been a long swim for me had it gone sideways.

2 week forecast doesn't look good, hopefully it changes. Don't know if that new paddle will get tested this season.
 
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