Hello folks! I've tried searching for an answer to my question, but haven't been completely successful yet. I plan on going on a week long camping trip in the BWCA this September, starting at Moose Lake and heading to either Ensign or Birch Lake. My dilemma is this: I plan on buying myself a sit on top kayak for fishing the rivers and lakes here in North Texas. Would this be suitable for this trip? My biggest concern is water temp. I'm new to paddling, so I can be fairly confident I'll wind up soaked at some point, or at least wet in the seat of the pants from paddling a kayak. Does any one have any experience with this who's willing to share a little wisdom with a newbie? I really can't afford to buy a kayak and a canoe, so I'm trying to make a decision which to purchase. Any help is much appreciated!

Leave the kayak at home, rent a canoe from an outfitter when you get to the BWCA

Yeh, this is an application problem. There's nothing wrong with a sit-on kayak for what they were designed for, but there's almost no aspect that's suitable for a BW trip. You can rent a top notch solo canoe for about 30 bucks a day and you don't have to haul it.

From one that has used both solo canoes and kayaks in the BW. I can tell you that from my experience i prefer the solo canoe. I have a covered kayak and have done several trips, they are hard to portage and fairly heavy compared to a kevlar solo canoe. the solo canoe is much easier to pack full of gear, portage over from lake to lake, get in and out of at portages, and overall easier to use.

Again, I have used both vessels before and really enjoy and wish my kayak was a better boat in the BW, but it is not. So I will keep it at home and continue to use it only on local lakes.

I especially don't think that a sit atop kayak would work, I would think the amount of gear you could hold would be limited and that the possibility of tipping and loosing your gear much greater. I have never heard nor seen of a sit atop kayak in the BW.

Let us know if you decide to be the first...and how it went. good luck and enjoy the BW.

Thanks folks! That's kind of what I was afraid of. I've been doing a little more research. I'm looking into a "hybrid" canoe. The Old Town 12.5' Pack Angler. Reviews look promising. Maneuverable, easy/lightweight to portage, looks like it will fit any needs I have around here. So I may go for it or something similar. I'm hoping to schedule some other camping trips in addition to the BWCA trip, so this may be the better investment.

Have you seen any of these or similar up there? I have little experience in paddling camping trips like this, so I'm trying to do as much research as possible well ahead of time. Thanks again!

I also have tandem canoed and solo kayaked the BWCA and would strongly advise leaving the sit on top at home for this area. Lot's of solo canoe people here. I suggest you start another thread and tell them a little about your size, paddling preferences, whether you plan to carry a lot or go lean and mean. They will steer you where to go when researching the boat that fits you. A good boat is tailor fitted to the paddler. These guys got experience.

Welcome aboard. If you have not done so look around the rest of the site. Lots of direct information that can help even those who have been in the BWCA many times learn about its secrets and for all of us to drool over our memories and plans on these cold snowy nights.

Could always look for a trip partner with a tandem canoe. Many folks end up looking for tripping partners. Might be worth a shot.

The weather in Sept is changeable and, therefore, often quite windy. A sit-on-top kayak doesn't seem to be a very appropriate craft for those conditions. People have used the Old Town Pack as a tripper, but I think it's probably not ideal as a tripper and you'd be better served by something designed more for that purpose, something a little more efficient.

I have taken kayaks and canoes to BWCA. We just did a Sepember trip. I have used kevlar tandem canoes, and kevlar solos. When we did kayaks, I took a 16 1/2 foot touring kayak. and my friend took a 14 foot rec kayak.

what we found is that moving accross the numbered lakes (from entry point 30) in winds. . .the 16 foot sea kayak outperformed all boats. However, on the portages, it was a bear to portage (65 pounds).

Kayaks can work. . .but you have to pack differently. I am looking at taking a 17 1/2 foot Current Designs Storm GT this year. . .but will be using tapered dry bags with air bleeder valves in the front and rear hatches. I have moved to hammocks, ultralight sleeping bags, and higher tech cooking gear. Should be good to get all clothes and gear in the two bags. If I need another, I will use a rear deck bag made by Sealline that clips to the rigging on the back. Portages, just open the hatches, removed the two dry bags and the one on back. Attach the yoke and carry through.

All that being said, last year with the Wenonah Prism it was much easier at portages. I just like paddling a kayak far more then a canoe.

The one problem with solo canoes is that you are a double blader. While it surely is possible to double blade seated in a solo canoe , it might feel unsettling.

I don't necessarily equate tandem with canoe. I have been solo canoeing for some fifteen years on long trips. There is always a way to get started.

If you can find something like the Canyak it might work for you. In the East we have a number of boat works that make pack canoes. You sit in the bottom and paddle with a double blade. But the craft is a canoe and very portageable.

I dont know of any outfitters in the Midwest that stock pack canoes but then again I am not up to date since its been forty years since I rented.

Being a "double blader" is not the stigma it used to be. Therapy is available to help in serious situations!

I'd suggest to put off a purchase till after you have a bit more experience. Packing style, paddling preferences, camping systems, are all variable and you will need to discover your methods and desires. Borrow or rent at least the watercraft for your first (few?) trips to see what works best for yourself. An "Old Town 12.5' Pack Angler" might be perfect for you, or it could be a frustrating tub that dooms future paddling desires.

butthead

What makes the Pack Angler a hybrid? It looks like a little solo canoe to me.

I wouldn't get too caught up in trying to find a boat that does everything or you'll probably end up with something that doesn't do anything very well. Make sure you know what you really want out of it first.