Basic Essentials Solo Canoeing, 2nd (Basic Essentials Series) Paperback – August 1, 1999

A good beginner skills book. Very basic

This is a great book for anyone who has or is thinking of buying a solo canoe. There are decided design and paddling differences between solo and tandem canoes and Cliff Jacobson covers most of these differences well. He begins telling his own history of using and building solo canoes since 1973 and gives an enthusiastic declaration for paddling solo canoes.Choosing, tuning and outfitting the solo canoe are thoroughly covered as well as paddle strokes from the midpoint of your canoe. There is a chapter by Harry Roberts on "sit and switch" paddling with a bent shaft paddle and another chapter on freestyle technique by Charlie Wilson. These 2 chapters are alone easily worth the modest price of the book. There is included a short chapter on quick water techniques in a solo canoe. Solo Canoeing also covers camping and portaging the solo canoe and finishes up with sources for canoes and gear as well as a great index and glossary.This is about the only readily available book on just solo canoeing and it is a really good guide to the nuances and pleasures of paddling solo. I hope to see the author expand this book in a third edition in the future and include a more comprehensive history of solo canoes from the time of the small native canoes (what we call rat boats in Alaska) to the time of Rushton and George Sears in the 19th century. Some of Mr. Jacobson's other books, like "Expedition Canoeing" have a chapter on solo canoes, but this is by far the most comprehensive treatment of the rediscovered and still evolving solo canoe.

Haven't been in a canoe for 35 years....No way I can portage carry a 90 lb canoe anymore, so it is lightweight solo canoes or nothing.This book has all the information I need to know, even about canoe tripping in solo canoes, plus further sources.50 years ago I got by on strength and dumb luck....This time around it has to be finesse and skill....Cliff Jacobsen's book gives me the tools and knowledge I need to regain a little strength and gain experience as well as having fun :-)Dave O.

I was looking for a little more.

I'm fairly new to canoeing, did a lot of kayaking (sit on top). I bought a solo canoe because I can't haul camping gear in the kayak. This book has been really helpfull, in bringing me up to speed on canoes and solo operations.It gives you info on choosing a canoe, paddles, accesories, safety, proper paddling strokes,and camping with your solo canoe. Cliff Jacobson has been plying the waters of northern Minnesota all his life, and knows a little something about canoeing and camping there.This is a very good reference for anyone new to the world of solo canoeing, I highly recommend this book, you'll learn a lot from Cliff and his vast experience.

A great book by one of the best in the field. Be sure and get one before they go out of print. There is not a whole lot of information out there about solo paddling specifically and this is one of the best. Jacobsen is one of the all time best at extending the message of proper and efficient canoeing. I have read this book several times and still occasionally still refer to it.

Good book, but info is duplicated from other books. Plus it's a very thin book with hardly any info. Very disappointed. This should have had more info in it. Only reason three stars is because of my respect for Cliff J.

My husband is always looking for anything related to canoeing, and he particularly likes this author. The first time we ordered, they sent the wrong book, but corrected the order for free.

Read too many canoe books and they all seem alike. There is about 10% that is really quality solo material that is difficult to find concisely online so it is definitely worth the price.

Beagun readig and happy with my purchasse. Fill with detailed and real facts.