For a month long northern Ontario river solo?

prospector 16 or 15.
plastic or stronger versions of composite.

If you're not pounding it on rocks - The Hellman Prospector in Ecopoxy Duralite - Duratuff if you are. I've found it an efficient boat for long solo trips, and dry in waves up to four feet. With it's seats removed, it's a light enough boat to portage without too much effort. Good price too.

Being from Minnesota, I’d look at the Northstar Canoe solo line. The Northwind and Phoenix look interesting.

My gut says a Northstar Northwind solo in IPX layup but when i reread this, you say northern river. Are you running rapids a lot, or are you portaging? I'm a big dude, there for I need a bigger boat. We need more info to give you a solid answer on this.

Rapids, portages, lake and river travel, potential dragging through shallows, etc.
Looking for a canoe that can swallow up a lot of gear, be efficiently paddled solo, can handle lakes and rivers, take abuse but is not so much of a tank that it's a beast to portage, etc.
Trying to figure out if there's a dedicated solo that would do the trick (Swift Shearwater, Hemlock SRT) or if I'd be better off with a smaller tandem outfitted for solo use. Thanks all!

Esquif Pocket Canyon or Prospecteur 15.

I'd definitely go T-Formex.

Only you can know how much room you need. And there is an inverse relationship between tough and portageable. Here are some ideas I would consider. Northstar Phoenix in IPX. Might be a bit small. Novacraft Pal in Tuffstuff. Novacraft Supernova in Tuffstuff or Royalex if you can find one. Used Mohawk Odyssey 15. Used Mad River Guide/Freedom Solo. Esquif Pocket Canyon in Tformex. Pretty much any Prospector 15 in some kind of tough layup. Hemlock SRT.

I'd lean towards a novecraft supernova in royalex or tuff stuff.

I have a shearwater. I wouldn't recommend it. The volume is there but it's not a riverboat.

I had a supernova. I didn't paddle enough rivers to make it worth while. Sounds like the right fit. It's a big hauler.

I would look into north star anything in there ipx lineup as well.

Thanks all. I'd err on the side of tough over portageable. I have a Swift Osprey in expedition kevlar and a Mohawk Odyssey 14, I think in Royalite, both of which strike me as lacking in capacity for that long a trip.
I'll look into the suggestions listed above--keep 'em coming
I'm six one, about 165-170. Would prefer to sit mostly--kneel for whitewater.

The Osprey is big enough. For a month long trip the equipment list is the same as for a two week trip. And on a two week trip I have scads of room left over in my Nomad ( about the same size as the Osprey). Your only increase is in food and for an extra two weeks it must work down to 20 liters which is negligible in volume

For such a trip, a month solo in northern Ontario, I’d go for a dedicated solo canoe.

I like the following two suggestions.
Northstar Phoenix in IPX
Esquif Pocket Canyon in T-Formex

Both are great versatile canoes that can also deliver on the demands of such an adventure.

_________________
Brian
http://www.JohnstonPursuits.ca

 

You think so? I'll have to think long and hard about it. I've actually not paddled the Osprey on moving water, though I know it's quite capable. I'm guessing I'd be more comfortable in something like the SRT because of its greater depth, though maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to buy another canoe. Maybe Osprey with a spray deck....

I am a huge fan of Bell canoes. I have a solo 16' (bought used), a 16.5' Northstar (bought new) and an 18' Northwind (bought after blowing off some guys roof on the way to the Everglades for $100 and extensively repaired). All of them paddle great and haul a load well. We use the Northwind often for canoe camping (wife, 7 year old and me) and it is awesome. Fast, maneuverable, and hauls all our shit. Most of our canoeing is on Florida rivers and saltwater bays and estuaries.

A quality canoe, well maintained, will last forever. I plan to leave all three of these boats to my kid.

I have had Grumman aluminum boats. They are heavy as hell and impossible to repair, and cheap fiberglass boats that handle poorly. I had an old Wenonah that was primarily a solo race boat - great for a workout, but damn tippy.

I don't care for the molded plastic boats, regardless of the quality, unless I am running rocky whitewater.

If egress is by plane then a Pakboat (pakcanoe).

_________________
Brian
http://www.JohnstonPursuits.ca