Hi all,
A quick summary and update to an earlier post:
I have two boys ages 7 and 8. They've been in canoes their whole lives, but we have only recently started taking them on extended trips. And by we, I mean me. We are going on a longer family trip later in August that will involve two boats, but so far it has just been the boys and I for up to four days in the cedar strip Redbird that I built over 20 years ago. Until this year it was mostly just used for casual day trips, but my 16' prospector was destroyed during the winter when one of my outbuildings collapsed due to snow load. My plan had been to replace it this year but then Covid hit and plans changed.
Not buying a canoe early this year was probably a good idea as it turns out that most of the trips are just myself and the kids. All flat water so far, but I wouldn't avoid class I or (depending on the situation) II. We haven't avoided any long portages and so far so good. We are actually heading out again for a few days tomorrow.
I enjoy paddling my Redbird, although I also admit that a lot of that has to do with having made it myself. But, it isn't ideal for the three of us. Initially, I assumed we would be a two canoe family this year (and will be when my wife is able to get time off work), but because it has turned out to be primarily just myself and the kids, I'm going to look for a more appropriate boat for next year. Three seats would be ideal, with enough room for gear, and light enough that I can carry it along with my portage pack (my cedar boat weights 61lbs, and I manage it along with the pack - barely). I pack fairly light (same equipment used when backpacking), and can fit all of our gear and food for four nights into one large portage pack and one 60L barrel. We haven't taken the dog yet, but he has been canoe tripping for 11 years and I'd likely bring him if we had room.
Just to get an idea of the size of various boats, I sat in a Trailhead Prospector 17' (three seats) in the store today and was amazed at how big that boat felt. We put a 60L barrel as well as a pack behind the bow seat and my 7 year old still had room to lay down with his arms and legs spread out, without the third seat even being a problem. Quite clearly, that boat (or Swift - apparently the Trailhead boats are made by Swfit) would easily fit the bill. A Swift 17 Prospector with the carbon or aluminum trim would provide more than enough room, and would be light enough for the portages.
Another option would be the Keewaydin 18.6. Odds of being able to paddle this model before next spring are probably zero, so if I did buy it, I'd be doing so without having first taken it for a spin. If anyone is able to weigh in on their thoughts I would appreciate it. My guess is that I'd be happy with either purchase and it is somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison. The Keewaydin would be faster, but the narrower width might make it a bit harder to fit all the gear behind the bow paddler? Although the boys "help", I will still be basically paddling solo and I imagine the Keewaydin would be the clear winner in this regard. As I said earlier, my kids are well behaved in a canoe, as is my dog. However, sh*t happens, and I imagine the prospector wins out on a 'do not tip' contest. I also have years of experience with various 16' prospector models (my old man still has the original chestnut hanging in the carport that I learned to paddle in), so they are within my comfort zone considering the complexities of solo tripping with two kids.
Any and all thoughts are welcome!
Thanks,
Keith
P.s., If anyone has experience with other large family friendly tripping canoes, please share.
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