Very cool Kevin. I always keep three stones by the shore ready to put in the bow of the canoe when soloing around home. When on a trip soloing I use a dry bag and fill with water and place it in the bow. Then when I’m portaging I just empty it at the start of the portage and then refill at the end. That works really good for me anyways and I’m not carrying anything more then I need to. Usually I base camp and take long day trips so packs are at camp.
@@TheHappyCamper I use two bags, a 20L I fill with water, then put inside a 35L - the 35L catches any leakage from the inner bag. Picked the hint up from an article in an older Paddling magazine article. Also - I find using the "sneak" or "Indian stroke" from Bill Mason's Path of the Paddle works well to control in the wind. The paddle blade never leaves the water, so the wind can't grab the boat and take it away from you. I end up with a progression, depending on wind speed - for calm, a classic "J", then move to a "slicing J"/Canadian/"Northwoods" stroke with a underwater recovery if the wind picks up (or just as a break), and finally to the "sneak" when it starts to blow. I'm still new to all this single paddle stuff (long boat kayaker for a bunch of years), but really loving it - thanks for all the hints and info.
That's brilliant! I've always just shifted forward in the canoe to adjust trim, but as I get older and kneeling becomes more of a hassle, that dry bag idea seems like a great system for adjustable ballast - just add more or less water, as needed for trim!
I just found this. Thank you for posting it--I felt like a failure for strugging in the wind when I started solo tripping, but seeing you work hard is validating! Great tips too--esp. tacking and remembering to sit it out if needed. Instead of rocks, I take extra water bags and fill them with water for ballast. So far no leaking.
When I'm on a trip, I use gunnel bobbing then getting back in the canoe again as practice, and kids love it! I've practiced bailing a canoe then getting in again. It takes FOREVER and is exhausting! I'm now fairly certain if I capsized in the middle of a large lake in cold water with only one boat, I would be dead.
Nice vid, boat looks light and kitey. I have an Esquif and a fast cedar stripper, but big lake paddling- I like my Grumman. Paddle a lot on the St Lawrence where wind and waves are always big and the G17 is out when most of the canoes and a lot of the sea kayaks have packed it in.
We have a Grumman and we love it for lake trips as well. We want to expand our fleet a bit as we get into river tripping, but we're definitely not replacing the Grumman for big lake tripping!
Love this idea. I was trying to figure out how to add ballast without actually lugging ballast to the lake. A dry bag full of water is a fantastic idea. With my boat I think I can do this without having to secure it in the boat so if I capsize the boat would actually shed the weight.
@@chrise2321 exactly, you only have to carry the bag :-) never thought about the capsize thing, good point, but you only have to undo the clip to release it.
Went out solo with just my pup and I in my 15ft on a small lake. I'm very novice, winds were 15 with gusts 25mph. It was a challange and quite a workout!
Had a long downwind stretch one sunny day on Georgian Bay and used an emergency space blanket tied to a paddle. I think we may have blinded some people on the beach at Killbear Prov. Park but we were flying.
Much appreciated! I also was really happy to see it's just fine to use the gunnell... any chance you have a video on paddle repair for wear and tear from the gunnell rub?
I put two 10L water filled wwiper jugs in the bow (stern) of my canoe. In the bay was ok, couldn't get into the open lake, large rollers, then some breaking. Kayakers were way out there in the big rollers though. I'm not experienced enough. C stroke came in very helpful... kept me straight, unless a blower came upon me. Tried to tack, worked a bit, but not experienced enough to stay out there. Fun fun, though.
Im so nervous. ive been telling my buddy im gonna try and get a kayak but i just havent found one and he messaged me today telling me he got me a canoe and im really nervous. I have canoed once and would love to do it alone but im really nervous. Your video is really great
Hello Kevin, I know I can count on you for some help. I solo canoe in a 50# 15'8 canoe seated just aft of center. I have a hard time keeping the canoe tracking well and have to utilize a corrective stroke more than I would like. This can occur when heavily loaded and when not. Either the canoe has a bad shape or there could be weight problem. Ha, set myself up there. So would you recommend moving my location back in the canoe or offsetting with more weight forward or backward? The constant correcting can be very tiresome during long paddles. I know the best way to find out is by testing but thought you might have some insight. Thanks for all you do for canoeing an camping! Cheers. Oh and do you have a recently discovered whiskey I should try on my next outing?
Another enjoyable video of yours! Do you have any recommendations (in an existing video form is fine if you could point me at it) on fishing rods for canoe trips? I am having a conflict between going with a full sized pole (2 or 4 piece) versus considering some of the telescoping or pen rods (ease of carry/less bulk/lower weight?). Would love your opinion on this topic.
First, I agree, sit and read a book. Paddle in the morning. Depends upon the route vs the wind direction. I tend toward the gooney,, but that is normally a correction every 3rd stroke,, sometimes every 2nd , sometimes every 4th stroke. Bow straight into the wind,, switch paddle, no correction strokes,, or at the bias,, paddle one side only at a balance point and zero correction strokes. If I paddle 5 days out of a week and sit and eat and read two or even three days per week,,, It is all good. But most 'bad' days,,, if you left the bank at sunrise or before,, you are there before the winds come up,, you've done your 20 or so miles for the day; Western rivers you must, must pack the canoe the night before,, leave out only sleeping gear. Before sunrise, coffee, roll up the tent and blankets, breakfast bars and an apple or orange to eat as you travel, butt in the seat at or before sunrise. It makes life soooo much easier. Ballast is of primary importance. The bow must be heavy enough to keep it down, and you balance the windage of your chest and body in the stern vs. the windage of the bow. Two different forces,, you just have to find the place where the effects cross each other. When wind becomes a huge problem is big rivers, big rapids, fast currents. I paddle rivers and rapids. My GPS speed over the ground has many times peaked at 18mph+. (Lava Falls has a 38 foot drop in 150 yards) I have never seen 19 recorded, so there must be some arcane physics of hull speed at play. Out west the normal wind direction is upstream, against the current. Well, I am here to tell you,, barely,, sometimes it just don't work worth a spit. Accelerate into a rapids,, hit 10+or- mph water speed,, into a 12 mph wind and right then you must have pin point control to hit the 'tween the rocks, around a hole, over a standing wave. Fun,, but dicey at times. And wind, a balance of windage, a balance of fore and aft weight,, it all comes into play. A side note,,, My expedition canoe is a 20' McKenzie. You wanna talk windage??
great video. I usually prefer going into the wind , its a grunt but it makes sense running with the wind can be just weird I don't like it at all. many thanks
I agree, the canoe-over-canoe is just not practical. And if you have packs in the canoe it's even worse. When I guided, capsizing in big water was my biggest fear, so we stayed as close to shore as possible.
Some good solo paddling tips to those few willing to try it . You can always tell if a solo canoer has been on a site by noticing a 10 odd lb rock at the campsite put in . Used as ballast when out fishing
Whys that? Are you a lefty as well? Only stupid reason why you wouldn't want to canoe with him? If you're a right handed paddler he would be an amazing canoe partner? Or are you just a low life stupid human that thinks left handed paddlers are stupid? I hope you never get a chance to paddle with him or meet him. With such a stupid remark you made! Lefty or righty It would always be an honour to paddle with the Happy Camper! lol
@@pete3816 Ya because it would be a fucking honour to go on a trip with Kevin but this guy doesn't want to go now, all because Kevin is a lefty? The "that's some reaction there" should be towards Ron Lagraff! Lefty, righty or a no paddler it would always be an honour to go on a trip with Kevin Callan! Do you disagree? Also Kevin has been an idol of mine for over 15 years! So my heart actually got hurt reading that response! So yes that was some reaction! Just because Kevin is a lefty? Where I said that would be a good thing for Ron Lagraff because I'm guessing he's a righty! Ya he was probably being sarcastic but to me he's making fun of Kevin!
I have on long trips with lots of big lakes - but not with my prospector. The Fox Nova Craft, yes. I'm too high up on the prospector to make it worth while. I find with a double blade you need to be low as possible to make it efficient. Of course, it might be because I'm so used to the j stroke on one side. I've been doing that for years and it works for me.
Very cool Kevin. I always keep three stones by the shore ready to put in the bow of the canoe when soloing around home. When on a trip soloing I use a dry bag and fill with water and place it in the bow. Then when I’m portaging I just empty it at the start of the portage and then refill at the end. That works really good for me anyways and I’m not carrying anything more then I need to. Usually I base camp and take long day trips so packs are at camp.
some great ideas... I will try the water bag trick.. Thanks... Dennis, Canoehound Adventures
Water bag is a great tips. Thanks.
@@TheHappyCamper I use two bags, a 20L I fill with water, then put inside a 35L - the 35L catches any leakage from the inner bag. Picked the hint up from an article in an older Paddling magazine article.
Also - I find using the "sneak" or "Indian stroke" from Bill Mason's Path of the Paddle works well to control in the wind. The paddle blade never leaves the water, so the wind can't grab the boat and take it away from you. I end up with a progression, depending on wind speed - for calm, a classic "J", then move to a "slicing J"/Canadian/"Northwoods" stroke with a underwater recovery if the wind picks up (or just as a break), and finally to the "sneak" when it starts to blow.
I'm still new to all this single paddle stuff (long boat kayaker for a bunch of years), but really loving it - thanks for all the hints and info.
That's brilliant! I've always just shifted forward in the canoe to adjust trim, but as I get older and kneeling becomes more of a hassle, that dry bag idea seems like a great system for adjustable ballast - just add more or less water, as needed for trim!
A dry bag filled with water works well. Rocks may end up sinking your canoe if you capsize.
I just found this. Thank you for posting it--I felt like a failure for strugging in the wind when I started solo tripping, but seeing you work hard is validating! Great tips too--esp. tacking and remembering to sit it out if needed. Instead of rocks, I take extra water bags and fill them with water for ballast. So far no leaking.
Glad it helped. I've used water bags as well. Easier than rocks.
When I'm on a trip, I use gunnel bobbing then getting back in the canoe again as practice, and kids love it! I've practiced bailing a canoe then getting in again. It takes FOREVER and is exhausting! I'm now fairly certain if I capsized in the middle of a large lake in cold water with only one boat, I would be dead.
Life-preservers are the move... wearing survival gear too in those conditions...
Nice vid, boat looks light and kitey. I have an Esquif and a fast cedar stripper, but big lake paddling- I like my Grumman. Paddle a lot on the St Lawrence where wind and waves are always big and the G17 is out when most of the canoes and a lot of the sea kayaks have packed it in.
We have a Grumman and we love it for lake trips as well. We want to expand our fleet a bit as we get into river tripping, but we're definitely not replacing the Grumman for big lake tripping!
Thanks for the tips on solo and into the wind
Love the pooch helping you out.
She's an amazing dog. I love her.
I used to use a dry bag and fill it with water and hook it to the front to ballast out the canoe.
Great idea! Easier on the canoe than rocks
@@scottw1732 when I would solo with no gear it would really level things out
Love this idea. I was trying to figure out how to add ballast without actually lugging ballast to the lake. A dry bag full of water is a fantastic idea. With my boat I think I can do this without having to secure it in the boat so if I capsize the boat would actually shed the weight.
@@chrise2321 exactly, you only have to carry the bag :-)
never thought about the capsize thing, good point, but you only have to undo the clip to release it.
Approximately what size dry bag were you using? I'm gonna put this tip to use!
Went out solo with just my pup and I in my 15ft on a small lake. I'm very novice, winds were 15 with gusts 25mph. It was a challange and quite a workout!
Hey Mr Callan!! Good tips - heading out on my first solo this weekend in Algonquin - some wind expected so good chance to put things into practice!!
Thanks Kev, tons of great advice! Would love to see some methods on creating a sail for a canoe 🛶
That would be awesome. I'll see what I can do.
Had a long downwind stretch one sunny day on Georgian Bay and used an emergency space blanket tied to a paddle. I think we may have blinded some people on the beach at Killbear Prov. Park but we were flying.
@@Alsatiagent appreciate it, nice thinking, I’ll have to pack some sunscreen for the next trip. :) Peace.
Much appreciated! I also was really happy to see it's just fine to use the gunnell... any chance you have a video on paddle repair for wear and tear from the gunnell rub?
Good tips Kevin!
I put two 10L water filled wwiper jugs in the bow (stern) of my canoe. In the bay was ok, couldn't get into the open lake, large rollers, then some breaking. Kayakers were way out there in the big rollers though. I'm not experienced enough. C stroke came in very helpful... kept me straight, unless a blower came upon me. Tried to tack, worked a bit, but not experienced enough to stay out there. Fun fun, though.
I had to paddle once with some whitecaps while solo..Crotch Lake by highway 7..tacked all the way back. took a long time but I got back safely.
That's a good lake.
Im so nervous. ive been telling my buddy im gonna try and get a kayak but i just havent found one and he messaged me today telling me he got me a canoe and im really nervous. I have canoed once and would love to do it alone but im really nervous. Your video is really great
Always need to keep moving, as tough as it may seem, keep the canoe moving.. Dennis, Canoehound Adventures
Momentum is your friend.
At the beginning you released your grip instead of thumb down, I call that the rolling J, and I like it better in the wind
Hello Kevin, I know I can count on you for some help. I solo canoe in a 50# 15'8 canoe seated just aft of center. I have a hard time keeping the canoe tracking well and have to utilize a corrective stroke more than I would like. This can occur when heavily loaded and when not. Either the canoe has a bad shape or there could be weight problem. Ha, set myself up there. So would you recommend moving my location back in the canoe or offsetting with more weight forward or backward? The constant correcting can be very tiresome during long paddles. I know the best way to find out is by testing but thought you might have some insight. Thanks for all you do for canoeing an camping! Cheers. Oh and do you have a recently discovered whiskey I should try on my next outing?
What design of canoe do your have? I am guessing a three keel old style. More weight in the front would help - but not too much weight.
Another enjoyable video of yours! Do you have any recommendations (in an existing video form is fine if you could point me at it) on fishing rods for canoe trips? I am having a conflict between going with a full sized pole (2 or 4 piece) versus considering some of the telescoping or pen rods (ease of carry/less bulk/lower weight?). Would love your opinion on this topic.
Good video! Appreciate the detailed advice. What type of canoe are you in in what type of bottom is it? Thx
15 ft Pal Nova Craft - no keel. It's asymmetrical so it cuts through the water without needing one.
Always good
First, I agree, sit and read a book. Paddle in the morning. Depends upon the route vs the wind direction. I tend toward the gooney,, but that is normally a correction every 3rd stroke,, sometimes every 2nd , sometimes every 4th stroke. Bow straight into the wind,, switch paddle, no correction strokes,, or at the bias,, paddle one side only at a balance point and zero correction strokes. If I paddle 5 days out of a week and sit and eat and read two or even three days per week,,, It is all good. But most 'bad' days,,, if you left the bank at sunrise or before,, you are there before the winds come up,, you've done your 20 or so miles for the day; Western rivers you must, must pack the canoe the night before,, leave out only sleeping gear. Before sunrise, coffee, roll up the tent and blankets, breakfast bars and an apple or orange to eat as you travel, butt in the seat at or before sunrise. It makes life soooo much easier.
Ballast is of primary importance. The bow must be heavy enough to keep it down, and you balance the windage of your chest and body in the stern vs. the windage of the bow. Two different forces,, you just have to find the place where the effects cross each other. When wind becomes a huge problem is big rivers, big rapids, fast currents. I paddle rivers and rapids. My GPS speed over the ground has many times peaked at 18mph+. (Lava Falls has a 38 foot drop in 150 yards) I have never seen 19 recorded, so there must be some arcane physics of hull speed at play. Out west the normal wind direction is upstream, against the current. Well, I am here to tell you,, barely,, sometimes it just don't work worth a spit. Accelerate into a rapids,, hit 10+or- mph water speed,, into a 12 mph wind and right then you must have pin point control to hit the 'tween the rocks, around a hole, over a standing wave. Fun,, but dicey at times. And wind, a balance of windage, a balance of fore and aft weight,, it all comes into play.
A side note,,, My expedition canoe is a 20' McKenzie. You wanna talk windage??
We're new to canoeing. And we've noticed something. Going downstream, wind is against us. We turn around and go back upstream, wind is against us.
LOL... welcome to canoeing... Dennis, Canoehound Adventures
Yep. That's nothing new. It's life out on trip. Wind always seems to be against you. LOL
You can make a catamaran like the Bairds.
great video. I usually prefer going into the wind , its a grunt but it makes sense running with the wind can be just weird I don't like it at all. many thanks
Have you ever dumped on a shoulder season?
Thankfully, no.
I agree, the canoe-over-canoe is just not practical. And if you have packs in the canoe it's even worse. When I guided, capsizing in big water was my biggest fear, so we stayed as close to shore as possible.
Some good solo paddling tips to those few willing to try it . You can always tell if a solo canoer has been on a site by noticing a 10 odd lb rock at the campsite put in . Used as ballast when out fishing
Dang, I dream about winning a lottery to go on a paddle with you. Now I learn you’re a lefty paddler. WTF?? I might need to reconsider. 🤪.
Whys that? Are you a lefty as well? Only stupid reason why you wouldn't want to canoe with him? If you're a right handed paddler he would be an amazing canoe partner? Or are you just a low life stupid human that thinks left handed paddlers are stupid? I hope you never get a chance to paddle with him or meet him. With such a stupid remark you made! Lefty or righty It would always be an honour to paddle with the Happy Camper! lol
@@pete3816 Ya because it would be a fucking honour to go on a trip with Kevin but this guy doesn't want to go now, all because Kevin is a lefty? The "that's some reaction there" should be towards Ron Lagraff! Lefty, righty or a no paddler it would always be an honour to go on a trip with Kevin Callan! Do you disagree? Also Kevin has been an idol of mine for over 15 years! So my heart actually got hurt reading that response! So yes that was some reaction! Just because Kevin is a lefty? Where I said that would be a good thing for Ron Lagraff because I'm guessing he's a righty! Ya he was probably being sarcastic but to me he's making fun of Kevin!
Ever tried with a kayak paddle when the water is difficult? I find it easier and it demands less efforts.
Thank's for the tips Kevin
I have on long trips with lots of big lakes - but not with my prospector. The Fox Nova Craft, yes. I'm too high up on the prospector to make it worth while. I find with a double blade you need to be low as possible to make it efficient. Of course, it might be because I'm so used to the j stroke on one side. I've been doing that for years and it works for me.
👍👍🧔👍👍