Cool
The Zephyr was one of the better BlackHawk designs, a very nice, compact, solo tripper. There is one hull, with a few variations, that might challenge Z, but all are above $3K.
vintage Sawyer DY Special for $899
This just showed up on the Pittsburgh Craigslist:
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/4944157776.html
Did not see the model mentioned in any of the recommendations but it dates from the '80âs. What do the canoe guys say about this one?
Iâve seen better river paddlers than me
use them effectively on shallow, twisty rivers, but theyâve got pretty much no rocker and you have to have good river reading and boat control skills to negotiate shallow, twisty or boulder strewn streams safely.
Iâve paddled with people in this and similar straight keeled canoes that negotiated the obstacles much more deftly than me in a shorter, rockered boat, just because they read the river better and have better boat control skills.
previous mention of the DY on here
Old P.net discussion of the model:
http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=761153
Nice tip on that oneâŚ
Will be out of the Mid-West for a week or so, and imagine it will be long gone by the time I get back. If not, Iâll probably take the drive.
What was the layup on these things, anyway? I assume 800 to be a fair price if in good shape?
Perfect vs. reasonable solo canoe
Youâve asked a very non-specific and open ended question and have gotten the usual wide spectrum of answers.
There is no perfect or optimal solo canoe, either as your first one or your tenth one. There are, however, many reasonable choices. If itâs your first canoe, your preferences are likely to evolve and change no matter how much you labor over your first purchase.
Itâs hard to get any quality canoe for less than $1000 unless you buy a used and worn canoe, which is a good idea. Some of the canoes mentioned above would not be stable enough for me to sit paddle other than on windless glass.
I wouldnât get too hung up on the perfect size either. You can learn to paddle solo in many different size canoes. I paddled my first canoe, a 16â Mad River Explorer, on everything from lakes to ocean to class 3 rapids as I was learning whitewater and flatwater solo technique.
A very reasonable canoe for both flat and mild whitewater, which can adapt to many size paddlers and both kneeling (preferred) and sitting, is the Bell Royalex Yellowstone/Wildfire . . . if you can find one used. The Mohawk Odyssey 14 would also have been a good choice.
Agree on all points.
Iâd love to find an RX Yellowstone/Wildfire. I understand theyâre not all that common on the used market, though.
Still have a shot at that Odyssey, too. Although, heâs offering it at $300, which seems pretty low. Iâm beginning to wonder if this is due in part to the fading of the hull, which the seller describes as having been âbleachedâ from the sunâŚ
I know that RX is susceptible to UV damage, but donât really know how to assess the hullâs condition if I end up looking at it.
Assessing a $300 hull
If it looks like it wonât leak, looks straight, and doesnât break it two when you pick it up itâs worth $300. 
Alan
Rx fading not a concern. Brittleness is
If itâs straight keeled, not obviously twisted and no significant deformations below the waterline, then itâs likely worth $300.
If the outer royalex is worn away on the stern or the bow, duct tape can take care of that temporarily or long term depending on your aesthetic sensibilities.
Royalex and UV
The outer layer of Royalex is vinyl, which is tinted in various colors. The sun will fade the colors, but that doesnât necessarily affect structure.
Under the vinyl layer is a layer of ABS, which is often black. If that is worn away or damaged, then there could be a structural issue at that spot. Under the ABS layer is ABS foam, and wear into that foam would even be greater structural damage. But all of that can be repaired.
The fading of the exterior color can be unaesthetic, but you canât expect Aphrodite (or even Xaviera Hollander, the happy hooker) for $300. Royalex can be painted. I did that once with a whitewater canoe. Waste of money.
Beggars canât be choosers
I was in your position a few years ago when I was looking to get into whitewater paddling. I ended up buying an old (1989) Dagger Encore for $200. It had some significant cracking on the inside and outside of the hull, and a lot of wear on the bottom. I fixed it up as best I could, and had a blast paddling it for another 3 years.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eckilson/sets/72157651578243785/
It must have looked OK, because eventually it got stolen from a nearby take out. I replaced it with a newer (1992) Encore that that cost me $300. No cracking on this one, but a lot of wear on the bottom.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eckilson/sets/72157646842117505/
As others have said, if itâs cheap and doesnât break when you pick it up, then buy it. Old Royalex boats are tough. You can probably fix it up and nurse years of use out of it.
Any Dry Hole
â Last Updated: Mar-26-15 10:12 AM EST â
Any Dry Hole in the water is worth $300. That said, the BlackHawk would fit the OP better than the larger MoHawk or the DY Special. WHile I kind of agree that we can solo paddle anything, something closer to proper size and function will increase the enjoyment and shorten the learning curve.
The DY Special is a marathon racer, dedicated to sit and switch style paddling with bent paddle, The Mohawk 13 would fit our compact OP better than the Solo 14. They have the same center section but the 13's reduced skin friction would be helpful. Odyssey's flares center will likely compromise the OP's ability to use vertical paddleshaft angles. It seems a huge boat.
Ha!
Great phrasing there.
But yeah, lost out on the Odyssey as of this afternoon, so will start keeping my eyes peeled for a Solo 13.
Solo 13âŚ
Mohawkâs site indicates remaining stock. Called them, and they have two left in camouflage, but theyâre now priced at around $1300.
Person on the other line was really friendly and said the Solo 13 was one of their most popular boats, and that itâs likely Iâll spot one on the secondhand market eventually.
I think Pete has one, and he âŚ
⌠surely has too many boats. You should try to talk him into letting it go.
Definition of oxymoron
Too many boats is an oxymoron.
Just ask Pete, thebob, wildernesswebb, and many others on this board
Solo 13 popped up on
Craigslist yesterday, in fine condition, and for a fair price, but the shipping rate to Michigan would probably be insane.
You never know
Till you check it out. Road trip maybe?
Second that
â Last Updated: Mar-27-15 9:53 AM EST â
A lot of boats have traveled long distances to their new owners with a bit of outside help. I've helped with that on two occasions already, and I know a number of others have as well. One boat that I sold hitched a ride to the new owner with a p-nettter too.
charming
B&B has nothing on you.