Finally pulled the trigger on a new canoe

[Powerstroke]

Today I made my order for a new Souris River Quetico 17 in red tiger kevlar. I've been dreaming of owning one of these for a couple of years now and I'm finally in a place to buy one.

The Souris River is one of the best kevlar canoes out there. There is always an ongoing debate about how they compare to a Wenonah canoe, but to me there is no comparison. The Souris has now become the standard in kevlar because of their design and durability. All of this is made possible by the 1-at-a-time building process.

Not to mention, I can get my "red" boat without adding any extra weight. It all started with my Coleman Ram-X canoe. Its bright red and has grown on me. I still have it and will use it for river paddling and putzing around home, but my Souris is my new tripping canoe.

Now to find some bent-shaft paddles.

Is the ice gone yet?

[Duffman]

Nice Rig!!!!! That's a sweet canoe, she'll treat you well.

I just got a couple of new Duluth type packs from Cooke Custom Sewing, so that's got me excited to plan a couple trips to the BW this year. I'm going to try a solo canoe for the first time, so I got some packs to fill that niche.

Yep, a bent shaft paddle is next on the list along with a new PFD. I think I got the new gear bug.

[bigfish21]

I got my quetico 17 last year. it is as stable or more stable than any aluminum canoe i have been in and i spent all day every day in an aluminum canoe for 3 years when i was guiding in the BWCAW. I have on several occasions stood in the back of my quetico while fly casting and casting big (one pound) musky lures. as well as setting the hook and fighting the fish. even then it does not feel tippy. wenonahs on the other hand....i'll never get in one again they are too tippy

[caseymcq]

If you get a chance check out Red Rock Wilderness Store's web site. They have an interesting blurb on Souris River Canoes with pictures. It is impressive that they had a tree dropped on one and once it was repaired you would have never have known it happened.

I have used those canoes for work and they are pretty sweet. They fly through the water and are light as a feather.

[MNice]

Nice ride!! I have a SR Q-16 in duralite I bought used and absolutly love it!!

Did you ever try making a bent shaft?? It's really not that had, I have made 2 straights & 1 bent and all 3 work well.

Heres a pic of one af the stratight shafts.

[image][/image]

Here's the canoe

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[Flatlander]

Nice boat. It's not a Bell, but a nice boat nontheless. I was torn between your boat and the Bell Northwind when I was looking 4 years ago. I almost pulled the trigger on the Souris River, but couldn't find one to paddle around here. You'll have to let me know what you think, once you can get her out a bit.

[Powerstroke]

I already love them. My wife and I went to the paddledaze in Ely last spring and got to test paddle one. Red Rock is the only "dealer" of SR canoes in MN, but many outfitters carry them. Thats one of the reasons I got one. We did buy from RedRock since they offer a great deal if you buy before the Sportsmens show and pick up in Mpls.

I found them a couple years ago, but I had never been able to paddle one since I alrady owned a canoe I never wanted to rent a boat from an outfitter.

Last year we decided to rent a kevlar canoe for our trip so we went to Ely to test paddle some and find the one we would rent. It was a tough choice between the Wenonah Champlain and the SR Q17. In the end we liked the SR for its durability and better design. In fact they were so nice our friends bought one on the spot. We had to wait till this spring. I've rented them twice and never had a problem, even with outfitter boats. Ram-X was 80+ lbs, the souris is ~42lbs.

Flat-We tried a Bell too, but we liked the SR better.

MNice, thats an awesome paddle. I'd like to do that someday.

I've had the BWCA gear bug since about 4 years ago. Thats when I started "guiding" some friends into the BWCA. We've taken many trips and I think we have something new everytime. Its hard to piece the right gear together, but you always find a better way to do something. This year I got a Katadyn 2.5gal gravity water purifier. No more pumping for me!!!

[fisherking01]

MNice, do you have plans for the paddle, or just design it on your own? What kind of wood? Nice looking and I'm sure performing! I need a project (like another hole in my head), Last week it was building spears. weeks before cutting firewood, this week cleaning house, gotta get a shop project going!!! Thanks for any info, Brent

My wife says I have too much time on my hands, and not willing to let me have a girlfriend (can't afford one anyway LOL) I think a paddle would be a great time consumer!

[MNice]

Here's my original post on the paddle.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=858634&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=all&fpart=1

When I do my woodworking, I just wing it, no plans, just rough sketches & real rough ideas. The shaft is laminated with cedar & pine, handle & blade has walnut added for the reason in my original post.

[fisherking01]

Thank you for the information, I can see why it turned out so beautiful. Nice work of art. Brent