Verlen Kruger designed "Loon" Canoe

[KEENO]

Anyone on the forum a Verlen Kruger Fan? Not sure who Verlan Kruger is/was... Check out this link. http://www.krugercanoes.com/news.htm

Or simply.... The Greatest Canoeist that ever lived!

Over the weekend, I was lucky enough to purchase a Verlen Kruger designed / Sawyer Canoe Company built LOON (Kevlar) in Sanibel Florida. The Loon was the first Canoe that Verlen designed and him and Steve Landick set the record (Guinness Book of World Records) paddling this craft for 28,043 miles!!! Later Verlen went on to design the Monarch for Mad River Canoes and finally the ultimate Sea Wind before his passing in 2004 at 80 years of age.

http://www.krugercanoes.com/

Here's some pics of the one I purchased in Kevlar. Paddled with a Bent Shaft Single Blade Canoe Paddle or Kayak Paddle. Foot controlled Rudder to eliminate the "J" Stroke with canoe paddle.
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Look out Boundary Waters Canoe Area..... Here I come, as soon as I can get on top of the old Dodge!

SYOTW..... KEENO:)

[kerry]

Verlen was quite a guy. I was talking about him to a friend last night, wondering how he made it over the Continental Divide when he paddled up the Colorado from the Sea of Cortez. I've always wondered how he made it around some of the rapids in the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon.
He left his wife and paddled with that younger woman for a while. Odd move.
How did you find the Loon? What does it weigh?

[KEENO]

Thanks for the reply Kerry...

Yes, I've just ordered The Ultimate Canoe Challenge by Verlen Kruger thru Amazon, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I do however know much of achievements & history. Just an ordinary guy that set off to do many BIG things in his heart & mind. I do believe that his wife "Jenny" has the honor of being his first wife & also his 4th wife:Wow1: I'll let you know the details after a bit more reading...

How did I find the Loon? I was out on www.paddling.net looking for used Kevlar Tandem Canoes and fell off my chair when I saw a Loon listed in Kevlar. Dumb Luck, I Guess!!! I have looked on & off for over 10 years for one and saw my first example after reading a book on Isle Royale and the couple paddled 2 Kevlar Loons.

I would guess that this Loon weighs approx. 50 lbs and has the updated seat from the Sea Wind that flips to be an awesome Portage Yoke.

I plan to christen her on June 17th with a launch into the BWCA for a 14+ day trip.:elkgrin:

KEENO:)

[4Rescue]

I gotta object and definatly call that a Kayak... even if he does use a single paddle. That said: What a neat looking boat. I'd love to take that thing out and explore in it. Beautiful.

Cheers

Dave

[KEENO]

4Rescue....

I also have difficulty calling the Loon a canoe and catch myself constantly saying "kayak". If Mr. Kruger sez... "Canoe", I can definitely get comfortable with the term in the long run.:)

KEENO:elkgrin:

[kerry]

I believe the Oxford English Dictionary defines a canoe as "a craft used by primitive peoples, paddled not rowed." Whether you have a canoe or not is determined by how civilized you are.

[johnnyrover]

sweet find........

[KEENO]

Any relation to Verlen, John? Noting that the family name is the same?

KEENO:)

[upcruiser]

Awesome boat! Verlen's trips were epic and mind boggling at the same time.

[Mike S]

Verlen Kruger was an amazing guy. I believe that on his first big trip across Canada he made and paddled a Sitka spruce strip built boat.

[T.Low]

Verlen was quite a guy. I was talking about him to a friend last night, wondering how he made it over the Continental Divide when he paddled up the Colorado from the Sea of Cortez. I've always wondered how he made it around some of the rapids in the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon.
He left his wife and paddled with that younger woman for a while. Odd move.
How did you find the Loon? What does it weigh?


He ended up portaging 62 miles on that trip. Yeeow!

He paddled all those miles and didn't even begin paddling until he was 40 yrs old.

If its a single seater propelled by a single bladed paddle, its a C1.

Is that a Redfish in the background?

[KEENO]

Is that a Redfish in the background?

Not so sure what is in the background T.Low, these pics were taken at the shop of the previous owners friend before I purchased the Loon. She was in for a little TLC & a buff job..... Hence the GLOW!

I know it's NOT a "Nigel" Boat..... Either 'Foster' or 'Dennis', I have examples of those vessels also.... :snorkel:

Who made Redfish? (or is that the manufacturer?)

KEENO:)

[T.Low]

Redfish is a manufacturer.

I used to work for Great River Outfitters (prior to the sale and move from Michigan) so of course I've still got a couple of Romanys and an Explorer (and a VCP ALeut Sea II tandem, Greg Barton's personal Black Marlin that he used in the Finlandia Clean Water Challenge, a Necky Phantom, a Seda Glider, a Barcelona Jelly Donut Cut slalom boat, and 5 other white water boats, sheesh).

While working at GRO in Michigan I crosseed paths with Verlen Kruger every now and again. Nice enough fellow with increbible stories. With all due respect to him, I did work for Stan Chladek and his two time olympic medalist daughter Dana, and worked closely with Frank Goodman and the Nigels, Dennis and Foster. The Pioneers of the sport. Those were good times.

Between you and I and the internet, i like this picture because Nigel (F of course) asked my to race his personal Silhouette in the Annual SKi to Sea race a few years back. Its a fast enough boat alright even though I was a little heavy for it. Out of 400 teams I was 32 and probably 2nd fastest in the Sea Kayak category (as oppossed to the surf skis).

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee258/wannahuckmastinky/scan0059.jpg

[KEENO]

Great Shot T.Low....

Our pathes have probably crossed without knowing.... Either at GRO (in MI vs. RI) or at a symposium. I'm also friends with Nigel Foster thru his friendship and minor partnership with Sweetwater kayaks in St. Pete FLA. I've actually paddle w/w with him in N. Carolina.... Who sez, Nigel is a sea kayaker only!

I have a Legend & a Shadow of his designs and they are my favorites! I also have a NDK Explorer HV that is still residing in N. Baffin Island after our Immersion Research sponsored "Vacation to Hell" last Summer in the Arctic, as Team Sweetwater.

Here's a link if interested: http://devon.irvacationtohell.com/

And a pic or two: (Note: might have been a great day for sunblock with 24hours of daylight)
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Iceberg ahead.... from the bow of the Greenlander Pro
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Closer to home: Foster Boats on Dale Hollow Lake in TN.
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Off & away from the computer for a 4 or 5 weeks.... To the BWCAW with the Loon!

KEENO:wings:

[T.Low]

Holy moly, ice bergs! Way to go, KEENO! You're not at SweetWater any more, thats for sure.

Seems like the perfect trip for the Loon. 4-5 weeks, WOW. VK has a huge following on paddling.net. By the time you get this, you'll have returned from your trip. (any paddling trip you return from was a great paddling trip!)

GRO (self included) helped Scott Williams (previous owner) put on the first SweetWater symposium ("back in the day", already) and I have been back two or three times since. Relatively short drive from Mi., but a lot further now since I've moved to Bellingham, Wa (our and half from Nigel in Seattle). Nigel and I were guest observers for an ACA instructor rough water training session more recently, blah blah blah. He and Kristen are a blast to hang out with.



OK, I'm done name dropping now!:ylsmoke: Look forward to hearing about your trip.

Cheers.

[KEENO]

Back from a awesome 15 day solo paddle in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with my new (to Me) Loon. I think Verlen got it Right.... Sweet Canoe!

After first portage:
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LOON at Campsite:
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Dinner:
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KEENO:elkgrin:

[bucketosudz]

NICE!!! Beautiful surrounding, wonderful fishing, doesn't get much better. I cant remember the last time I caught a Walleye, Boysen Reservoir in Wyoming used to get some Lunkers. Man I miss that. Thanks for Sharing!

[upcruiser]

Keeno, GREAT shots! Both the Boundary waters ones and the ones from Baffin Island. Incredible. Wish I could spend 15 days up in the boundary waters. Some day!

[kerry]

What section of the Boundary Waters did you paddle? I'm getting the urge, I haven't been there in many years.

[KEENO]

Thanks for the kind words.....

Kerry: I chose the historic Voyageur Route long the US/Canadian Border due to my interest of Alexander Mackenzie & the Fur Trade History. Following the portages of 200+ years ago was literally 'walking thru History'. Often times, when portaging, one foot was inthe USA and the other was in Canada. I basically started at Gunflint Lake and followed it into the Granite River, onto Saganaga Lake and then further along the Border Route to Knife Lake before returning thru Sea Gull Lake. I used Sea Gull Outfitters as an Outfitter & safe place to park my truck for 2 weeks and found them to be over the top in service & staff.

Another advantage of going out of the Gunflint Area verses Ely hoping to avoid more of the canoeing population in the peak summer months. A visual disadvantage is that some of the Gunflint Area was burned in 2007 due to forest fires and is scared.

KEENO:elkgrin:

If you've never been to the BWCA and this type of vacation interest you.... I would say it's a must do on the list of life experiences. I certainly gave it a big CHECKMARK after returning.

[kerry]

I've done part of that route myself about 25 yrs ago. We paddled one way up into the Quetico and took out at ?????(Atikokan?). In 1979 or 80 I paddled the Mattawa River in Ontario at the eastern end of the Great Lakes. It was the fur trade route in/out of the Great Lakes from the east. There's a great exhibit of the style of birch bark canoes used by the voyageurs on one of the portages.
My daughter has attended Menogyn canoe camp for a couple of years. It's just off the Gunflint Trail and they paddle into the BWCA.

[KEENO]

Hey Kerry...

I definitely could have spent some more time in the BWCA/Quetico paddling thru history. There's plenty up there to keep us going for another 100 years of exploring. Next time.... Quetico! In 15 days of paddling I feel like I just barely scratched the surface of the paddling possibilities.

After leaving the BWCA, I drove around the Northshore of Lake Superior (Ontario) still dabbling in the history of the Fur Trade and then meet up with my mother to paddle 8 days in the North Channel of Georgian Bay (Lake Huron) near the Blind River/Spanish River. Still more history to investigate.

Sounds like you need a return trip to the area???:smiley_drive:

Here's a couple more pics:
"Goldie" w/ the Wildernest Camper Top, LOON & Sea Kayak:
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North Channel of Georgian Bay Ontario (Foxx Island):
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Bejamin Islands of the North Channel:
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SYOTR.... KEENO:)

[kerry]

Jeeez man, your putting me into a complete dither with these pictures. I've had thoughts and plans to take my Macregor 23' Venture Newport sailboat into the North Channel for a few years now. I've also had the maps for the Missinaibi for 30 years. Those plans got seriously diverted when I started canoeing western rivers.
You reminded me of a portage in that section of the BWCA that we did which marked the watershed divide E/W on the voyageur route. The voyageurs performed some kind of ritual there for newbies. Did you stop at Fort William?

[T.Low]

Wait a minute, Keeno. You're from "Tennesee", you paddle a boat from "Sweetwater" in Northern Minney and the Georgian Bay. Holy, cow, you get around.

[KEENO]

Hey Kerry & T.Low...

Kerry: I believe you speak of the Laurentian Divide which lies between North & South lakes on the historic Fur Trade Route. At this point, the waters to the north of the flow into Hudson Bay, and to the South, the waters flow into Superior and the Mississippi watershed. At this geological feature, voyageurs were initiated into the "Membership of the Nor'Wester's of the Great Lakes" which involved making a vow 'never to kiss another voyageurs Wife without her persmission' and not to allow another to pass without the same ceremony. More importantly... It involved drinking/draining large quantities of Rum from the kegs to lighten the load! :coffeedrink:

Note: I never made it this far East on my route to take in the Laurentian Divide and would have had to drink alone.:) Never made it to Ft. Williams either.... Always a next time!

Kerry, have you read "Canoeing a Continent (on the trail of Alexander Mackenzie)" by Max Finkelstein? It's about Max's journey across Canada in Sawyer LOON and was a great inspiration & read.

T. Low: I did have some time on my hands this Summer and love to paddle pointy vessels and drive that old Diesel Truck. After paddling for 5 weeks and wearing myself out, I got on a plane and went out to see my recently relocated girlfriend in Durango Colorado for a bit of Jeepin' in the San Juans for the last 2 weeks.
Pics Here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29693

Also.... This particular Shadow of Mr. Nigel Foster's design has been North before, I paddled it in Northern Labrador in 2005 with Team Sweetwater ( & Russell)... Hence the Sweetwater Logo & plug for the shop. Still trying to wear that boat out whenever I can!
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(3) Foster Boats & Russell's P&H Quest on the deck of our shuttle up the Labrador peninsula:
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Thanks for the interest.... KEENO:)

[Scott39]

Hey Kerry...

I definitely could have spent some more time in the BWCA/Quetico paddling thru history. There's plenty up there to keep us going for another 100 years of exploring. Next time.... Quetico! In 15 days of paddling I feel like I just barely scratched the surface of the paddling possibilities.

After leaving the BWCA, I drove around the Northshore of Lake Superior (Ontario) still dabbling in the history of the Fur Trade and then meet up with my mother to paddle 8 days in the North Channel of Georgian Bay (Lake Huron) near the Blind River/Spanish River. Still more history to investigate.

Sounds like you need a return trip to the area???:smiley_drive:

Here's a couple more pics:
"Goldie" w/ the Wildernest Camper Top, LOON & Sea Kayak:
30826

SYOTR.... KEENO:)

Nice Dodge, and super nice Kayaks also!

I saw your trip report to SW Colorado, it is great here, I just wish we had more mountain lakes to kayak.

I`m hoping someday I can get an Kruger canoe, I love his designs.
I received some older literature on his canoes back when he was still alive.
The literature came with all kinds of trip reports he did, just amazing.

[kerry]

I`m hoping someday I can get an Kruger canoe, I love his designs.
.
The literature came with all kinds of trip reports he did, just amazing.


I ran across a Loon for sale on Craigslist the other day. i was doing a Crazedlist search so I can't remember where it was, possibly somewhere in MN. Can't remember the price either.

here it is:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/1323158239.html

[KEENO]

Thanks for the compliment & interest Scott39....

I do love the Kruger designs and can somehow convince myself that I'll need a Sea Wind in the stable at some point. I do have to say, I think the LOON is a better boat for 85% of the paddling I plan to do (primarily Solo Canoe Trips), than the Sea Wind. The Sea Wind is heavier and more extreme in it's intended use & capability and comes in the regular version & 'Deep Dish" for even more gear hauling capacity. The LOON was awesome & a breeze to protage at 48 Lbs. I feel extemely lucky to have stumbled upon the LOON on paddling.net. :wings:

Kerry.... If you somehow run across a 2006/2007 Fuso FG & Sea Wind combo package.... Please let me be the first to know! :smiley_drive:

KEENO:)

[Scott39]

I ran across a Loon for sale on Craigslist the other day. i was doing a Crazedlist search so I can't remember where it was, possibly somewhere in MN. Can't remember the price either.

here it is:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/1323158239.html

Thanks a lot, I emailed the person to see if they still had it 4sale.


Thanks for the compliment & interest Scott39....

I do love the Kruger designs and can somehow convince myself that I'll need a Sea Wind in the stable at some point. I do have to say, I think the LOON is a better boat for 85% of the paddling I plan to do (primarily Solo Canoe Trips), than the Sea Wind. The Sea Wind is heavier and more extreme in it's intended use & capability and comes in the regular version & 'Deep Dish" for even more gear hauling capacity. The LOON was awesome & a breeze to protage at 48 Lbs. I feel extemely lucky to have stumbled upon the LOON on paddling.net. :wings:

Kerry.... If you somehow run across a 2006/2007 Fuso FG & Sea Wind combo package.... Please let me be the first to know! :smiley_drive:

KEENO:)

Would the Loon be good for my wife and I to paddle most lakes, maybe one night out?
Plus I would also use it for solo paddling.
Thanks,
Scott

[kerry]

Would the Loon be good for my wife and I to paddle most lakes, maybe one night out?


It's a solo boat so it won't work for the two of you.

[Valerie Fons]

Buy the Loon. I remember Verlen weighted so heavy with gear that the stern of the Loon was under water -- he characterized his spill in the Pacific in part due to the heavy weight of gear he was carrying and the stern riding near under water -- over loaded. Verlen was never a light-weight packer.

With the big cock pit of the Loon, I was able to carry several children aboard, dog. Why not wife? Ride behind the paddler for a taller passenger. I never rocked the cradle but my kids rode for miles on the floor of a Kruger crafted looking up at the sky.

Regarding Loon -- Verlen always said that Sawyer made them without enough layers of fabric. Build up the dck at the rise with fabric and resin. He modified quite a few of the Sawyer Loons for paddlers.

Thank you for reminding of fond memories.

Buy the Loon -- then go beyond the Loon like Verlen did -- have to have the right boat for the dream. Dream big.

Valerie Fons

[KEENO]

Valerie.... It's an honor to have you reply to this posting! Welcome to ExPo!

I read the UCC while paddling the LOON in the BWCA this Summer and can still visualize every word of the text. An amazing journey and amazing man for certain! What a blessing that you are part of that epic voyage & history!

Next... On my adventure reading list is the
Two Continent Canoe Expedition.

Re: The Lay-up of the Sawyer Loon: I agree that the lay-up of the Sawyer Built LOON doesn't rival the Sea Wind for durability and structual integrity. My comments about the LOON being a better canoe 'for my uses' were assuming a BWCA type solo applications & not multi-Day/Month Expedition use.
I also believe that this particular Loon has been back to Verlen's shop for the updated Sea Wind Seat & Rudder. No additional Kevlar was added to the deck & it does deflect a fair bit.:(

Thanks again for joining the discussion, would you be willing to post/share any of the paddle adventure experiences? It would be a wonderful glimpse of paddling history that many would enjoy!

Thanks again...

KEENO:)

[KEENO]

Here's my favorite Verlen/Valerie Pic..... What was the whale's name??? Who took the photo?
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KEENO:)

[Scott39]

Buy the Loon. I remember Verlen weighted so heavy with gear that the stern of the Loon was under water -- he characterized his spill in the Pacific in part due to the heavy weight of gear he was carrying and the stern riding near under water -- over loaded. Verlen was never a light-weight packer.

With the big cock pit of the Loon, I was able to carry several children aboard, dog. Why not wife? Ride behind the paddler for a taller passenger. I never rocked the cradle but my kids rode for miles on the floor of a Kruger crafted looking up at the sky.

Regarding Loon -- Verlen always said that Sawyer made them without enough layers of fabric. Build up the dck at the rise with fabric and resin. He modified quite a few of the Sawyer Loons for paddlers.

Thank you for reminding of fond memories.

Buy the Loon -- then go beyond the Loon like Verlen did -- have to have the right boat for the dream. Dream big.

Valerie Fons

I would love to get the Loon, but I haven`t received a response back from the seller. If you can, and would like to write up some small stories paddling with Verlen, that would be great.