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I bough my OT Penobscot17 from these folks years ago.Very large selection.
Its in Brick, NJ http://www.jerseypaddler.com/
Its in Brick, NJ http://www.jerseypaddler.com/
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Be careful, don't spread invasive species!!
When a dog runs at you,whistle for him.
Henry David Thoreau
CL50-#23 -
I have had my eye on one of those Hornbeck Boats for a few years, but I have this dilemma:
My wife is a city girl, and has very little confidence paddling alone, she only joins me on one or two trips per season; plus I paddle a few solo trips up in the Algonquin Provincial Park, with up to 20 portages, some of the carries are over a mile.
I can only afford one boat, should I get the 10’ so I can solo comfortably; then rent a larger boat when my wife joins me? Or will the 14’ be light enough to carry on my own and large enough to put us both plus gear for 5-7day trips (we’re both on the small side). Can the 14’ boat be purchased to be both a solo or tandem?
Has anyone out there with the same dilemma come up with a decision/solution? Are you happy with it?Comment
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As with anything else, no boat can do all things in the whole spectrum as well as you would want. Keep in mind that the 10.5 foot Hornbeck is meant to be a pondhopper. It will bob up and down handling big water with little trouble, but larger boats are better suited for bigger water. I have taken mine on week long trips and enjoyed what the boat offers... pondhopping and big water both. The small boat is a joy to carry if you intend to do long tough bushwhacks. The larger boat is still perfectly portageable either solo or tandem over any distance, but the longer length (more so than the extra weight) is more difficult to carry off trail.
Whatever advice you might get here, by far your best bet is to call or visit Peter Hornbeck. He will give you straight answers, no big sales pitch, and if you go you can try out the many styles he has on his paddling pond. He can also offer custom seating arrangements."Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth." -Walt WhitmanComment
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It sounds like you've got some research to do. I had a similar situation with my son. Since he is my son, and is always with me, I opted for years for the 14 foot kevlar that we portaged together. We had plenty of room for all our gear for camping. Boats tend to multiply. In the years between we picked up two small plastic kayaks (for solo use)and just a few weeks ago a lovely 10 foot Hornbeck came to live in my living room.
I would consider which task is the most important to you. If your wife went out a few times in a solo canoe but always by your side, would she gain confidence and be willing to go along more. I'm usually not keen on compromises but would a 12 foot Hornbeck be able to carry all your gear if both of you went but yet you could portage by yourself for your trips to Algonquin. What would be the cost of a larger canoe if you decided to go with the solo. Of course then you are precluding the option of your wife going along without the hassle of a canoe rental.
Good luck!Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance in the rain.Comment
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10 or 14 Foot Hornbeck
The Hornbecks are very nice boats and pretty much anyone I know who has one is very happy with it. They excel at small to medium sized water where lots of portaging is also involved, especially on tough trails or bushwacking. I paddle in the Adirondacks and have done a couple of 8 day backcountry trips in Algonquin, so I'm familiar with the conditions you'd be likely to be paddling in. I've seen and paddled a bit in the smaller Hornbecks, but not the 14 footer, so I guess the advice I'm offering is somewhat tentative. From my own experience, I don't think I'd be that comfortable in a 14 ft. Hornbeck with two people and a week's worth of gear, especially on larger bodies of water. If most of your trips are solo, and you want a lightweight boat, go with the smaller Hornbeck and rent or borrow a boat when you go tandem. At least in my experience, a week long two person trip, possibly on good sized bodies of water where wind and waves can whip up, requires something a bit bigger than the Hornbecks or any 14 footer with two people. Even the smaller Hornbeck solos can be challenging on a big lake with lots of wind. From everything I've heard, Wldrns's advice is also good-speak directly with Pete Hornbeck. He'll give you honest advice.
Good luck
Gerry MagnesComment
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Wldrns, Boral, Gerry,
Thanks for all the insight!
I do spend a lot of my outdoor time off trail, so I would like to keep the boat small. Maybe the 12’ Black Jack? Small enough to bushwhack with, large enough for two small adults and gear for 3 or 4 days?
Sold! The 12’ foot Black Jack it is!
Seriously, I think you folks are on the right track with your suggestion to visit Peter Hornbeck. I wonder if he would let me try the boats as if I was packing for a 3 or 4 day trip with my wife?
I guess I’ll have to give him a jingle.
Thanks again!Comment
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"If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." Lyndon B. JohnsonComment
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Make sure you take all your expected gear to really make sure the 12 foot can handle it. It's going to be tight and you'd have to pack real simple but you said that you and your wife are small. Then make sure you try the 10 footer. Remember that if you end up in a couple of years buying a 10 footer and a 14 footer that you may have been better off now getting at least one of exactly what you really need and renting the other.Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance in the rain.Comment
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Used Hornbecks
All this talk of Hornbecks, is there anywhere to buy a used one?
JerryComment
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Jerry, you might try Dave Cilley at St Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake and Floodwood. He rents Hornbecks and may have old ones available, or know who does. I believe Adirondack Canoe Outfitters in Tupper Lake deals with them also.
Again, Pete Hornbeck would be an excellent choice for information as well."Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth." -Walt WhitmanComment
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aDeeDeeDeeDee,
I plan on bringing a few different packs and dry bags to see how they fit with the two of us in the boats.
I’m afraid to try the 10’ Pond Hopper, as I only have enough cash and space for one boat, knowing myself I’ll be temped to get more than one :-)Comment
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I would agree that Mountainman Sports rates high. Knowledgeable people, large inventory, used demos, new. The paddlefest in Old Forge in May is a great chance to test paddle and ask questions. It is worth the time taken to get into the boat before you buy to ensure it meets your needs. Paddle.net has testimonials from all types of boat owners also, a good resource.
I had always used a canoe but have shifted to the Ocean kayak Drifter, a sit on top angler edition. Now I tow my canoe behind sometimes with the gear I need.
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Three o'clock is always too late or too early for anything you want to do.
Jean-Paul SartreSitting quietly, doing nothing, spring
comes and the grass grows by itself.
Zen ProverbComment
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Anyone looking for a canoe or kayak might check out Cold Brook Canoe on route 28 west of Kingston,NY. The guy sells out of his house and is retiring and selling the business. I stopped there a few years back, he had a nice inventory. Maybe there are deals to be had?Comment
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Man, too bad Kingston is ~ 5.5 hours away...-Rob
There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. - Steven WrightComment
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Just a quick add'l note:
Beaver Brook Outfitters rents canoes for $25/day for multiple days. If you're paddling around on the eastern side of the Adks, it's a good place to go.
They also sell Old Town Canoes. While I echo the sentiments of folks here in recommending a Hornbeck boat if you can afford one, the Old Town Pack canoe is a cheap alternative. They aren't nearly as light but they are manageable, can pack quite a lot more, and have more freeboard for choppy conditions.Comment
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