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.
Loon PV.jpg
Loon Seat.jpg
Loon Peddles.jpg
Loon Rudder.jpg

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 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.

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

[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.