hey joe,
what canoe (solo) would you suggest for an individual 6 ft 7 inch 300 pound for lake and very mild current fly fishing applications? i own an old grumman aluminum 17 ft whitewater model that was good for me 80 pounds and 30 years ago but not the best choice now i suppose. i enjoyed the last 2 articles and photos of canoes. thanx!
If Joe can’t answer you, I have a friend who can by the name of Tom Watson. You can get through to him at [url=http://www.prairiewaters.com:885ee]www.prairiewaters.com[/url:885ee] and leave a message. Tom is a former guide in Alaska and has worked with Winnonah Canoe, and has contacts throughtout the industry. He’s also 6 ft. 8 in. and a very big guy. Drop my name if you wish. JGW
[This message has been edited by white43 (edited 13 February 2006).]
Jalama,
As far as brands, there’s probably lots of solo canoes that would work for you. But depending on your sitting style, it’s possible that a tandem canoe would be better.
I’m something of a rarity in that I prefer to paddle from the kneeling position exclusively. I’ve removed the sliding tractor seat from my Wenonah and use a hand-built foam paddling saddle instead. This saddle is taller than the sliding seat, so it keeps my butt higher, which in turn keeps the angle of my knee joint more open, which allows better blood flow to my feet. Also, the kneeling position gives me 5 points of contact with the boat (knees, tops of my feet, and my butt) resulting in better balance and stability.
But most people prefer paddling from the sitting position (see the photo of Cap Gray in my last article). In your case, the sitting position necessitates finding room to put your long legs. That extra room is easier to come by in a wider tandem canoe IF you paddle it by sitting in the bow seat facing aft. Doing this puts your body weight more in the center of the boat, resulting in handling characteristics that are close to what you’d have with a true solo canoe.
Whatever you decide on, I suggest getting the lightest canoe you can afford. My first canoe was an 82-lb. Grumman Standard (a tandem). Since switching to fiberglass and kevlar canoes about 20 years ago, you couldn’t pay me to lift another 82-lb. boat over my head whether it’s made of aluminum or whatever. You will find that the lighter your canoe is, the more often you’ll use it.
BTW, my Wenonah Rendezvous would probably work for you as it’s a bigger solo, plus it has a rockered hull that enables turning. If you’re ever in my neighborhood give me a holler; you’re certainly welcome to try it. Cap Gray paddled my boat and fished out of it using my 2-anchor system before buying his Vagabond.
Joe
“Better small than not at all.”
thanks guys for the excellent info guys!