Anyone doing this? I know it’s a lot to paddle but I’m thinking of getting it as a family boat instead of a canoe for 1 passenger who may not be able to paddle well or paddle at all (6 years old). I’d like to paddle it solo if possible and the front seat slides back for trim. 30 in. wide will be a chore but I suspect most canoes will be 36 in. or more with a single blade making it even slower?
single
i’ve paddled my 160t by myself its been a while though;i sat in the rear seat at the time i didn’t have a rudder on it, now i do and you have to set in the rear seat to us the rudder.i didn’t have any trouble with paddling it, it’s not real fast;i’ve paddled with a second person some times the would paddle and some times they didn’t and i didn’t have any problems.
yes
i paddled a loon 160 with a straight shaft canoe paddle for six months. mohawk paddle that seemed to weigh a ton. did 17 miles one day, circumnavigating several coastal islands north of the everglades. it hurt. it’s a slow boat, but i kind of liked it for what it was. i wouldn’t take it in big rollers or swells, but for dinking around in the bay on a calm day, not a bad boat for the price. heck, it floats.
Do It All The Time!
Yup, do it all the time. There are some things you need to consider.
The Loon is a two seat tandem. If you plan on seating more, you’ll need a canoe.
Trim is extremely important, especially in wind or waves. The less wind and waves the better. Heading into the wind or waves, you’ll probably want to sit in the front seat, with it most of the way back. Going WITH the wind/waves I prefer the back seat, maybe slid somewhat forward. If you are improperly trimmed, the boat will weathervane in the oppposite direction. I usually sit in the rear seat. This makes it far easier to turn and make course adjustments. But going into stronger wind/waves is just about impossible in that position. I don’t have a rudder, but if you get one it is controlled from the rear seat only.
You don’t really want to be in stronger wind/waves. It is a large open cockpit boat, and you must really respect the ocean! I’ve had it on the open waters of Lake Huron many times, but only when the weather was appropriate. Even with it properly trimmed, it can be difficult to make headway against stronger wind and larger waves.
Usually, I paddle calmer lakes and rivers. I have taken multi-day solo trips with no problem, even with the boat loaded like a barge. You wouldn’t believe all the camping gear I can stuff in this boat!
It is a very stable boat. I often snorkel from the boat and can get in/out without danger of flipping it over. However, I wouldn’t want to be out on the ocean in conditions that would swamp it. It holds a million gallons of water!
Get decent paddles, and not too long. I always carry two, a 230 and 220. I think I would like to get a 210 now. My paddles are Aquabound Seacludes ( not seaquels ). They have stood up to years of abuse and the shafts still fit together tightly without wobble.
I really like my Loon 160T. I understand its advantages and limitations, and it is a good boat for what it was designed for.
But again, I would think twice about using it on the open ocean in anything but calmer days with little waves.
Good Luck!
Done It
Done it was great success, even with a Hyper Active Gordon Setter on board.
You might try to find
a Loon 138T (tandem). It would have to be used - I think OT stopped production. It’s a little small for two full sized adults, but should be find if your front passenger is under 12 years old and not a future NBA all-star. I think it weighs 15-20 lbs. less than the 160, and should be easier to handle solo.
several times
Its not a bad solo platform. I paddle with the back seat slid forward. Ive usually got a 50lbs lab mix with me, he sits in the front seat.
By far the worst part of soloing the 160 is the weight. Its alot to carry to a put in, its alot to load on the roof, its just alot for one person to move around. I think its only 78lbs but because of its length and how much it flexes, it seems like more.
Yeah, It’s Heavy
With my Loon 160T, I always use a cart. It would be impossible for me to get around without one.
There are a number out there that can be broken down and stored in the boat. They’re not cheap, over $100 for most.
Getting it on the roof of my van is easy. I transport my kayak with foam pads and buckle straps.
http://www.prolineracks.com/riverside-205-deluxe-kayak-carrier.html
Here’s how I do it.
First…I hook two straps to the back of my van (underneath) and lay them out on the driveway. So, now the ends are about 12 feet behind the van.
Next, I position the kayak (on its cart)with the stern centered at this point and the bow at an angle along side the left tire. (or right…doesn’t matter). I connect the two ends of the straps, after leading them through the rear kayak carry handle. Then I push the kayak back until the straps are taut.
Then, I make any adjustments to ensure the stern of the kayak is centered with the van.
Now, I lift the bow of the kayak onto the rear of my van. (you might want to place a bathmat or something to prevent scratching the edge of the roof when you do this…with 230,000 miles, my van doesn’t warrant such effort). The taut straps prevent the kayak from slipping off. So far, the actual lifting has taken about 10 seconds.
Then, I place one of those foam pool noodles (solid, not with the hole through it) on the roof of the van just where the boat meets the roof.
Finally, I lift the stern of the boat and roll it onto the roof. 10 more seconds … very easy. Just make sure everything is lined up straight or you’ll roll it right off the side of the roof!!! Yup, I’ve done that.
Getting it off is the reverse.
This is VERY easy and quick to do. About 20 seconds of actual, leveraged lifting. It takes more effort for two people to lift the kayak than for me to lift it alone with this method. I have a bad back and can do this without trouble.
Of course, if you don’t have a van you’ll have to improvise.
Happy Kayaking!
The 138T is a nice boat too.
Last summer, I went kayaking with a friend who rented a 138. Out of curiosity, we switched boats and I was surprised to find that my 160T was virtually as easy to paddle solo as the 138. Although the 160T is heavier, the weight is distributed over a longer length.
Of course, the 138 was easier to turn, and would respond better in wind/waves. I really liked it. It is a nice, stable boat.
The 138 and 138T are identical boats, except for the little seat in the bow. It’s not made for two adults. But it would be nice for a dog or little kid.
boats designed for this
– Last Updated: Jul-15-06 1:05 PM EST –
Some boats are actually designed for this, so they would be a lot easier to paddle solo:
The Seda Amigo is meant for paddling either solo, or with someone in the bow who weighs 100 lbs or less. A long review is at http://www.canoecolorado.com/kayaking/seda/amigo/
Another option is a boat with a large cockpit, so you could fit your passenger in there with you on the occassions you take them. I used to do this with my neice (when she was 12 years and under) in my Necky gannet, no longer made. The necky zoar is similar and would also work for it:
http://www.necky.com/kayaks/day_touring/zoar_sport.html
My advice would be to buy a boat that's ideal for the vast majority of the paddling you'll be doing. If most of that will be solo, it's best to go with a boat designed for solo paddling and make do during the times you're carrying a passenger (or rent for those times). If you'll mostly be paddling tandem, then maybe buy the Loon 160T and then save up for a solo boat.