Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

I had a Sawyer Autumns Mist which was stolen several years ago after many miles and years of fishing and float camping.
Best boat for several days camp stuff and food, Buffalo, Ouachita, etc?
I can't go the solo Kevlar prices.

you might try out an old used Buffalo Canoe turned around backwards sitting in the bow seat.

Check out the blems at Mohawk's factory in Fort Smith. Odyessy 14, XL 14, XL 15 all make great solo boats for carrying the goods for overnighters. I'll gaurantee that the price will be nowhere near the kevlar range but neither will the weight. Even though the Mohawks will be heavier they are still very manageable.

Most of the sawyers are pretty fast boats aren't they?

That would point towards Wenonah, Bell, some Mohawks, but not others...

If you're getting for the Class II and easier, you might not want to switch to a slower boat even though they are better for WW...

I've got a 17 foot Bell Alaskan.... 72 pounds, handles like a charm, turns nice for a big boat... It is relatively fast too. It is the best canoe I've ever owned for canoe camping, and I bet I've had at least 10 since starting paddling back in the early 70's.

You can swap out the center thwart with a knelling thwart for solo, or just turn it around and sit in the front seat. It will haul a bunch of gear, days and days worth.

Got mine at OOO in Hot Springs. Don and Jeremy will do you right.

I've also get a Wenonah 16 foot Rendezvous, but the Bell actually turns better than the Wenonah.

Good Luck,
Martin

Bell rockstar, 15' 6" only 49 pounds in royalex.

The Autumn Mist was fiberglass. It was in fact, fast enough and could be paddled with a bentshaft sit n' switch style or with normal forward strokes. Good for flatwater and long pools on the Buffalo.
It tracked well, but laid a little on the side would turn adequately. (Eddy turns not very doable) It carried me in the Ozark Society 5 day trip from Tyler Bend to the White River.
I would seriously think of boat thievery as a hanging offense.

I also have a Bell Alaskan 17' royalex. This is still a new canoe to me but I've already put several miles solo with it. I managed a flood stage day #2-3 Buffalo trip several weeks ago which (wasn't planned).
This was a canoe that was a recommended canoe to me by others on this board. I tried it out and bought one only after several other name brand canoes were ruled out. It is a load master with the ability function well/fast.
I purchased this boat from Quapaw canoe company in Helena Arkansas.
Hope this helps !

Hey RespiratoryMan!

I don't mean to jack Eztouche's thread, but I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your new ride!

GutIt wrote:Hey RespiratoryMan!

I don't mean to jack Eztouche's thread, but I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your new ride!

Sorry Eztouche!
Terry, PM sent 2 ya!!