Paddle Your Own Canoe
In my Slipstream Wee Lassie with Maddie
Paddling is one of our favorite activities, and partly the reason why we ended up with a residence in the Adirondacks. Similar to hiking, it’s something you can do as a group, as a family, or completely alone. All ability levels can enjoy the sport without much instruction.
Like many, when we first started paddling we rented tandem 2-person canoes. My husband now jokingly refers to them as “divorce boats” because different paddling styles and techniques can sometimes (ahem) result in disputes. Once we tried paddling solo canoes, we never looked back. PYOC! Paddle Your Own Canoe. It gives you the freedom to navigate where you want. You can hug the shore checking out the wildlife and water lilies. Stop and take pictures. Paddle lazily like you don’t have a care in the world. Or get a serious workout paddling at a good clip, leading the pack.
Of course, there are instances when having a friend or partner in a tandem boat with you might be the perfect day. The main point is to get out on the water and enjoy yourself.
Here’s why you might want to try a solo canoe and what you need to know.
Q: Is a solo canoe stable?
A: Yes, it can be more stable than a tandem canoe or kayak. First, you don’t have to worry about another person moving around and balancing or counter-balancing the weight of someone else. Also, with many pack canoes you sit on the bottom or have a low seating position, which offers greater stability.
Eric takes a leisurely paddle in his Swift Cruiser
Q: Will I get tired paddling all on my own?
A: Well, that depends. If you’re looking for your partner to do all the work — and all the paddling — a solo canoe might be a rude awakening. You won’t go very far in a solo boat if you aren’t paddling. On the flip side, you control your destiny, and you can go as fast or as slow as you want. Freedom! With most small pack canoes, you can choose to use a double-bladed kayak paddle, which is great. Also, many small solo pack canoes are ultra-light and therefore easier to paddle than a big, heavy tandem canoe. My Wee Lassie weighs just 12 pounds!
Q: Will I get wet?
A: As long as you don’t attempt to stand up in the boat, you shouldn’t get too wet. The times I’ve seen someone fall into the water has been when they were trying to get in or out of the boat standing up. If you’re doing it correctly, your feet are the most likely to get wet since you usually need to wade into the water in order to get into the boat at most put-in locations. In the fall, which is a gorgeous time to paddle, I usually wear wet boots that go above my ankles to keep my feet dry.
Q: What’s the correct way to get into and out of a solo canoe?
A: Check out these two short videos.
Q: What solo canoes can I rent?
A: Light weight solo canoes and pack canoes are popular in the Adirondacks, and you can find several different options at our favorite outfitters. At St Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake they offer the Wenonah Wee Lassie 10’6” and 12’6”, as well as the higher-end (and locally made) Placid Boatworks Spitfire 12’ and Rapidfire 15’. The first time we tried solo canoes, Eric (6’2”) paddled the Rapidfire and I (5’2”) took the Spitfire. Over at Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters, also in Saranac Lake, they offer a nice selection of high-end Swift canoes, like the Pack 12’6” and Cruiser 14’8”, as well as Wenonah. Now that we own boats, I paddle a Wee Lassie 10’6” by Slipstream, and Eric paddles a Swift Cruiser 14’8”.
Q: What’s the history of the Wee Lassie?
A: The original Wee Lassie design for a 10’6” undecked pack canoe was created in the late 1800s in upper New York State by a canoe builder named J. Henry Rushton. It was designed for a double-bladed paddle. The boat is easily carried by one person, and easily car-topped, so you can go canoeing whenever you want to and with only a few minutes of preparation. As I mentioned, my Slipstream Wee Lassie weighs just 12 pounds, which makes it easy for me to carry across portages and put it on the car without assistance. It also has a capacity of 300 pounds, so I can easily take my pup and extra gear in the boat with me.
Q: Should I choose a single or double bladed paddle?
A: We prefer paddling with a double-bladed kayak paddle in our solo canoes, and that’s what you’ll see most often in the Adirondacks. I find it easier on my wrists and arms. And easier to maneuver the boat, or to keep a straight line. A double-bladed paddle allows you to go upstream in shallow water, which makes round-trip river routes possible. And while a regular canoe paddle needs two feet of water under the canoe to be paddled properly, the double-bladed paddle works well in six inches. Here’s a video that describes the two options.
Q: What should I wear canoeing?
A: I usually wear the same type of clothing that I’d wear hiking — quick-dry pants or shorts and a quick-dry shirt. You can wear a swimsuit under your clothes if you want to jump in the lake on a hot day. Most of the time, I skip the swimsuit and wear quick-dry undies. Avoid cotton. Depending on the temperature, you might need a fleece, and a light-weight rain jacket is usually a safe bet. Importantly, you’ll need footwear that can get wet and stay on your feet.
