Verlen Kruger designed "Loon" Canoe

[Valerie Fons]

Kruger Loon

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]

Favorite Verlen/Valerie Pic...

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

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.