Solo canoe choices?
 

So if you were going to buy a solo canoe (for our creeks and rivers)... what would it be?

Good maneuverability, handling, lighter weight. Is there such a boat?

-KenM

One of the best
 

Dan's Wenonah

How about a Silverbirch?

https://www.gnarlzoutdoors.com/

Ken, I spent many hours last year researching and shopping for my ideal solo. My criteria were different from yours, I wanted something that would handle a weeks worth of camping gear while crossing lakes, but also be good for day trips on local rivers. And be reasonably light for portaging. I ended up with a kevlar Wenonah Prism. If paddling mainly streams, I would go with a royalex boat so I wouldn't cringe every time I scraped a rock. There is really a big selection out there. If you can go to the Solo Canoe Rendezvous in Pa in June you'll be able to see and test paddle a wide range of designs.

Canoes I owned
 

Old Town Penobscot 16'
Mad River WW ABS 10'
Mad River Independence Kevlar 14'
Old Town Pack Royalex 12'
It was heavy but my favorite was the Penobscot, you could lean it, turned great and tracked well. Great hull design. Some tracked great but would not turn, a trade off. I found out and as you know all light boats get damaged easily.

Jerry and billie Lyra love there old town next canoes.
Very relaxing seat, and uses a kayak paddle

Mike

Western PA Solo Canoe Rendezvous
 

As Dan mentioned, the Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendevous would be a good place to compare some solo canoes. Attendance, boats, and gear may be tilted more to freestyle paddlers, though I can't say that with certainty. Check with Bruce Kemp whose contact information should be on the WPASCR website. Definitely worth attending, though one day this year conflicts with Riverfest.

Also check out some of the discussion on solo tripper canoe preferences for different perspectives.

Creek Boats?
 

Thanks guys. I'm not seriously concidering another boat. After all, I do own a "classic" Grumman. I could always dig out the old kneepads!

However, it would be tempting if there was some perfect, fun, lighter canoe to consider. Not resin/fiber construction. Under 50#. Probably doesn't exist.

But... Wouldn't that Silverbirch 10.5 or 11.3 be a hoot to try? These creek boats fascinate me but are waaay overkill for anything I'd ever paddle. Needed one 40 years ago. Ha! I can only imagine they would be tough to paddle in flat water? Anyone ever try one?

Mike, may JP and I be excused from Riverfest this year so we can go to the solo canoe rendevous?