They are versatile in length, ranging from just under 15 feet to more than 19 feet. When you pick the canoe up, give it a shake and listen for any water that might be sloshing around in the tanks, indicating a leak, most likely from the canoe into the tanks. Most beginner paddlers will find a model in this category that matches their paddling style. Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. The boat handle pretty well. It is less twitchy without a load than the Prism and handles trailing waves better because you sit lower in the water, and it's definitely easier to turn against a strong side wind. My Wilderness paddled horribly in its factory configuration, plowing a large bow wave and refusing to respond to anything less than the most exaggerated J-stroke. Also what about paddling options. Proving a very good choice, it fulfilled all my expectations for a touring boat. I usually have only gear fro the day and the boat is lightly loaded. No matter the type of canoe you're considering, there's a chance Wenonah has one to match your needs. WNY south of Buffalo (closer to Turtle than he rea, Northstar Firebird and Savage River Illusion, Solo Canoe for Ohio and Mississippi River. The adjustable aluminum seat mount is noisy and even at the lowest setting, I found the boat to be a little top heavy with me in it, so I reconfigured it and dropped the seat two additional inches AND it does not rattle anymore, thanks to a couple of wing nuts and nylon washers. Are there any quality differences between the Northstar and the Wenonah? I use a bending branches 240 cm wood paddle which is very light weight and has that small amount of give that is so nice about wood plus it's warmer in the winter to hold onto than aluminum or composite would be. I was really happy with the way she handled the wind and waves when loaded, and when empty in the evening while fishing. My first boat was a SoloPlus and it's great for moderately twisty rivers. Wenonah takes an interesting approach towards the specifications of their canoes. As well, leaving a canoe sitting upright on its hull deforms it. We also add extra fabric layers to strengthen specific targeted areas. Talking to ALOT of good folks and reps at the annual Canoecopia in Madison got me headed toward a Wenonah. Along with it's inherent stabillity it has the ability handle waves without any problem, in fact waves are fun in this boat, you don't feel like you are about to go over at any time and in big power boat wakes that is very re-assuring. I purchased a Royalex Wenonah Wilderness in June of 2010 as my first dedicated solo. I recently purchased a second canoe (one that would be more nimble and maneuverable in rivers), and looked hard at all of the Wenonah solo canoes, but ended up buying a Swift Keewaydin 14. The aluminum gunwales are very well done - smooth, nicely rounded, and no screw heads sticking up. Only initial deficit, is wishing seat was able to be adjusted "on the fly", but that's minor. The Prism is an very popular composite solo canoe. This article will help you find a high-quality Wenonah canoe that matches your needs. Wilderness 15' 4" Solo Tripper . Our best-selling solo, we recommend it to paddlers of all skill levels and for most types of canoeing. Turning is the compromise, but once you get used to leaning the boat, that imprves dramatically. Sit and Switch. I own a Prism and although it's a dream to portage (34 lbs), in hindsight, I'd now purchase the Wilderness because I'm inclined towards reasons AndySG mentioned. The width of 26" at the seat is great because it allows you to access stuff along side the seat pedastal like a water bottle or anything else that can get a little bit wet without hurting it. Find our answers to common questions about Wenonah canoes below. Any prominent creases might indicate that the canoe was wrapped or suffered a more significant impact. They have a range of composites available, varying in price, weight and durability. They build everything from stable recreational canoes to fast racing boats. Bought a kevlar/flex prism a couple of years ago. Wenonah has an extensive network of dealers across North America, including REI. If it has been kept inside and upside down on a rack, theres less chance of damage. These are solid canoes for recreational paddling, but much heavier than Wenonahs composites. Prism 16' 6" Solo Tripper The Prism 16' 6" Solo Tripper is an all-purpose solo with a good blend of stability, efficiency and capacity. I guess to summarize this boat I would say that she is a sweet boat that paddles very well light and loaded. If you use a J-stroke, it's so easy to paddle for a mile and not have to switch sides with the paddle. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Models in this line include tandem canoes from 14 to 17 feet long like the Fisherman, Kingfisher or Boundary Waters, as well as the square-stern Backwater. It tracked well on flat-water and turned responsively, satisfying my every expectation, but also quickly gave birth to an appetite for increased speed. $45.95 USD Ash Yoke Mounting Kit Kit to mount ash yoke to aluminum gunwales. I'm large, 6'2" 250lbs, I traded a solo plus which is longer and heavier. canoes. A Graphite Ultra-light canoe is made the same way as an Ultra-light with Aramid, but with Graphite as the outer layer. Good design with no gurgle when it comes up to speed. Help keep the flying moose flying and Once youve decided on a model, consider different material options. Because of their shallow sides, these canoes are best used for day outings if they arent being raced. Named in remembrance of Dick Proenneke, a legendary wilderness man who spent 30 years of his retired life living alone in the wilds of Twin Lakes, Alaska, the Wilderness is a solo canoe that can take you far away from it all. If you're on the fence about buying one, buy it. The yoke is very lightweight (2.5 pounds), very cleverly designed, and works exactly as advertised. These canoes have flat keel lines, with almost no rocker, and extremely pointed entry lines for speed and efficiency. I have been a little disappointed in the performance of the kevlar/gel coat however as I have found it has scratched extremely easily right through to the kevlar as the coating is very thin (to keep the weight down presumably). It does not require nearly the effort that it does to solo a tandem canoe. I paddled under those exact conditions (including the 60 pound dog) for many years with a Bell Magic. $99.95 USD Removable Yoke Kit Wenonahs Sports & Leisure canoes are the most stable of their models. PRISM SOLO TRIPPING 16`6" Compare. ESCAPE PERFORMANCE 17`6 . Presumably his dads starting point design for the paddler carried on. The Prism is more strongly Swede form but even my Merlin II did lousy with a dog 60 lbs and camping gear. Their composite canoes are lighter, making them easier on portages. T-Formex canoes are manufactured from multi-laminate sheets, painstakingly designed specifically for each model. Sports and Leisure canoes would be called recreational canoes by other companies. The Royalex Rendezvous is better suited to moving water, while the composite is more versatile. Fifteen to 17 feet seemed to be the right length and somewhere between 35 and 40 pounds was a weight that I could easily handle with all of the portages and ins and outs of such a journey. T-Formex canoes are incredibly tough and very affordable. The Prism paddles so easily that going off of my most direct path was not an issue. Aramid, the fiber used for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong. T-Formex canoes will tolerate just about whatever you throw at them and are excellent choices if you dont mind the extra weight. I generally use a bent shaft paddle with the sit-and-switch technique. Wenonah and Northstar have different design philosophies. As a result, maneuverability is the trade-off, but I haven't had any trouble turning. 02/18/2014 12:45PM (Thread Older Than 3 Years). It may not display this or other websites correctly. I usually use a bent shaft paddle, and it works extremely well with that. It just does not have the volume to bring gear for a weeklong trip. Some Wenonah canoes are among the lightest on the market, thanks to the use of ultralight materials. Don't get me wrong, the Wilderness glides, but on a 4-5 hour day trip it feels like a bit more work than perhaps it should. I have a Wenonah Prism in Kevlar flex core layup which serves my canoeing needs very well. They prioritize weight, with reinforcement in only the necessary places. The wood trim is reasonably well done but not perfect. The boat takes waves nicely at an angle or head-on. The Prism may be better for you if you want it for wildlife viewing and tootling around, carrying gear, etc., but if you want a fast and fun boat the Advantage is much better in my opinion. It tracks nicely, handles chop on a lake or light ww ok and it is faster than a lot of kayaks of the same length. I GPS'd a 3 mile paddle last night & I was maintaining 4.5 mph easily with a kayak paddle. Especially if you use a kayak paddle you can scoot right along in a straight line without having to make any corrections. I generally get about 3.5MPH when using the traditional single-blade canoe paddle. Renting canoes gives you a chance to take a trial run, helping you understand how some of the differences in specifications and design that you read about affect how the canoe behaves on the water. Reasonable stable to paddle and fish with. Composite canoes are finished with a gelcoat or a clearcoat to protect the resin and cloth. I cured this by widening the pedestal base 9" and lowering it 5/8". I paddled this boat up the Thoroughfare River in N. Idaho (between Upper and Lower Priest Lake) last Memorial Day against a very strong current from the snowmelt. The company founder, Mike Cichanowski, still owns Wenonah canoe. Choose to sort the canoes and narrow your selections by type, size, or material. With no "rocker" the boat doesn't turn as quickly as other designs. I've fished in it extensively. They are suitable canoes for families or paddlers on day trips or easy weeklong outings. I have been paddling canoes just over 50 years, and currently own four canoes made by four different manufacturers The Prism is my only solo canoe out of the four, I own a Kevlar ultra lite layup. Last week I finished a trip for 100 miles in frosty weather conditions on "Main-River" close to Frankfurt. You can really put some miles behind you. Forgot your password? It's only when you compare it to a 14' hull with rocker that you realize what you're giving up in maneuverability, but of course a 14' hull with rocker will generally not track as straight. Now though I really love this boat for the weight - it is so easy to carry and even though I am a retired woman of 61, I have no trouble getting it up on top of my high top camper van on my own. This cuts down on the number of places where I feel I want to use my otherwise fun little canoe. This content was made possible with the support of OntarioCreates. When I look at the new canoes being produced by companies like Swift, I can't help but wonder if Wenonah is stuck in 1978. Q-Star Sea Otter Kayak. Wenonah's Tuf-weave material is an interwoven fabric made of 50% polyester and 50% fiberglass that out performs either material alone. My max speed was over 6 mph. If youd prefer to shave some pounds off your canoe, composites are the way to go. It will also respond to a well executed C stroke when I want to stay on one side for a while. For more tips on what to look for when selecting a used canoe, read our article How To Buy A Used Canoe. Champlain 18' Tripper . Its working. and found the boat to be extremely steady and seaworthy. A little more expensive to buy it here than in Germany but its one of the best solo-canoes for longer trips I think. Innegra is a polypropylene-based fiber mixed with other materials like aramid or fiberglass to add strength without compromising weight. I'm a late starter, having waited until my early 60's to buy the canoe that I'd put off for 30 years, so I use it all I can. In this consolidated catalog, you can view each canoe models specifications and prices, as well as access insightful reviews. Or probably a few other solo hulls I can't think of right now. I did a lot of research before choosing the Prizm and it paid off in a great boat. Wenonah Minnesota 3: 3: 20-0 . I have not paddled a Prism, however the longer length would appear to make it track better, and possibly have more capacity. This system integrates their standard accessory rail inside the gunwale for mounting fishing rod holders and other equipment. The Wenonah Wilderness is available in Royalex and our proven light weight composite constructions at a price for all budgets. and the ultra light layup weighs 34 lbs. Also, I usually have only gear fro the day and the boat is lightly loaded. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is practically in Wenonahs backyard. For extra control, the Fusion has a rudder. These canoes are longer and slimmer than canoes categorized under General Touring. I bird watch with binoculars and make videos while parked and have found that a 2lb round fishing weight makes a great anchor and takes up little space. The bow and stern flare perfectly to deflect waves, and the (12"?) It'll take 3-4 strong strokes or 5-6 easy strokes in hit-and-switch mode, with a boat length or more for each stroke if I let it glide. The boat isn't that manoeuverable but then it is a trip boat after all and tracks well and fast. Holds all my fishing and camping gear--let's see a kayak do that!!! See and review all Wenonah canoes here. Her absolute favorite was a Mohawk Blazer tandem. Eagle K1 K-1 Orion Olympic Kayak K-2 Osprey Olympic Kayak. I agree with the awful rattly seat and have now fixed it in one position so that's ok. Dont be afraid to walk around with it for a while. I've always carried ballast in the stern to counter act the weight of the dog in the bow. If you're looking for a smooth ride this is it. Bigsilver could you take pictures of your two boats from the end at ground level? Aramid Flexcore has the benefits of aramid with some extra reinforcements. I would get a lighter layup but this was my first solo and I'm quite attatched to it. I test paddled a Wenonah Advantage and a > Wenonah Prism today. Wenonahs Expedition canoes are built for extended trips in wild spaces. The Tuf-weave layup results in our most durable composite canoes. I should add that in my part of the world there are few canoe dealers and none that stock lightweight boats. Come up and try them out, or our kayaks and paddle boards, for $20/ 4 hours (Poplar Lake only). Matt. Follow the "Live Social Media" Feed from Heeling over will allow a quicker turn though. All include a closed-cell, rigid foam core providing structure and buoyancy. I have gotten it to spear waves but I had to really work at it. Handles well in all conditions. A Spirit II 17-foot canoe built with Ultralight aramid weighs 42 pounds, or 45 pounds with a gelcoat hull. Great boat! Bucket seats from Wenonah also come on a slider to adjust forward and back. I use my Kevlar/tuf-weave model (44 lbs.) Having no rocker is a boon to me on the flat-water but if you are looking for a decent "all around" boat, this isn't it. I went shopping for a solo canoe suitable for BWCAW tripping and after looking for a couple of years settled on the Prism in ultralight kevlar. Rocker is all but gone so it tracks like it's on rails, but takes more effort to turn. They build their canoes exclusively with three-layer polyethylene, which explains the boats affordability and durability. During my training sessions on Emigrant Lake nearby my home, on the Klamath River with somewhat faster water then I thought a novice should be paddling and on the Willamette River I found that the Prism quickly inspired confidence. Only sissies paddle kayaks. It adds a bit of weight, but also, with the extra durability, youll worry less about damaging the canoe when youre out paddling. In our Ultra-light construction a structural-foam core and ribs are laminated into the hull and sides. Lets walk through them. Now it is an excellent solo canoe for overnight and longer trips - easily takes me at 100kg and as much gear and food as needed for a week or more - but I will install a footbrace to improve its speed and efficiency further. Knowing which type of material the canoe is made from is important, as they wear differently. Seats, footbraces, and all hardware is then riveted into these plates. They can range from $2,000 to over $4,000. The funky detachable yoke is serviceable enough. The composite construction is easily repairable, and the T-Formex is rugged enough that these canoes will last many seasons. (probably added 4 ounces and $10. I plan to sell her only because I have a fear of commitment (or so they say) and just want to try out a different design. Wenonah 's tripping models quickly became popular in the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, beginning with Circhanowski's original designthe Wenonah 17. I've never thought twice about loading up a week's worth of gear. They have deep, high-sided walls, adding volume to the canoe for a dry ride through rapids. Great stability, tracks extremely well, and handles waves very well. I agree with bowler 1. For any thing other than lakes and even then I would go with a DY (David Yost) that Northstar uses over a Wenona design. I've fished in the prism empty and it feels just fine. It also requires alot of leaning to make it turn upstream around hairpin turns. wenonah canoe; price. The Wilderness responds well when used with a kayak paddle (such as our 260cm double blade) for improved performance on calm water or better control in inclement weather. They have a combination of primary and secondary stability, so the canoeist will feel reasonably comfortable no matter if the hull is flat or on edge. All Wenonah Canoes come with standard aluminum trim. Aluminum plates are strategically laminated into the hull. Before we noticed to many alligators watching the dog waiting for it to become a snack the Mohawk solo 14 that has a flat bottom was her favorite solo. Solo paddlers can sit backward in the bow seat and paddle these canoes stern-first. I replaced a 1987 Wenonah Jensen C1 with a Wenonah Wilderness. visitors a day during peak season. The current just grabbed the bow and I couldn't make some curves w/o a few tries. center height with a good amount of tumble home makes for comfortable paddling. Incidentally, the Prism handled like a barge fully loaded until I rearranged the gear to improve the trim, after which it was fine; the sliding seat definitely helps the trim, especially when lightly-loaded. The materials and attention to every minuscule detail with Swift is, in my humble opinion, simply better. I'd highly recommend it. Tuf-weave is a blend of fiberglass and polyester. If you want more model options to choose from, and youre willing to pay a bit more, Wenonah canoes are the better choice. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community! Use this chart to help decide which canoe is right for you. Wenonah Kayaks. .35 lbs. With the rowing rig and 80-100 pounds of gear I can usually smoke the tandem paddlers, averaging 3.5-4 mph, even with a quartering wind. After taking over an abandoned factory in Winona, Minnesota, the company exploded, associating itself with the burgeoning canoe racing scene. It is qiute stable but with considerable tumblehome I dont lean it too far over. I decided to look for a boat that was light weight, strong and had good carrying capacity. It does not turn readily (due to its 16'6" length and lack of rocker) unless well heeled over. Have the Wilderness in Royalex for paddling and camping on a wild Highland loch close to my house. So I bought another one last season, in kevler/ultralite/wood. I moved the seat almost 4 inches further from to the bow and it became wonderful craft to paddle; great initial stability and secondary stability that encouraged sharp leaning turns. Well give an overview of these materials and their strengths andweaknesses. 2023 Wenonah Canoe Demo Days Events Rooster Rock State Park, Corbett, Oregon Saturday April 22nd - 10AM to 3PM - West End Boat Basin Hat Rock State Park, Hermiston, Oregon Saturday May 13th - 10AM to 3PM - West Loop Pond Text, or call Jeff @ (503) 956-0561 2023 Tandem Canoes Wenonah Itasca Expedition Canoe at Oregon City Cove Watch on It's not that Wenonah's quality is poor - my canoe has lasted 20 years without a single problem. . I had to work a bit harder to make her go straight, but I expected that. A good boat, a sports car compared to the solo plus. The Advantage is a joy to paddle for exercise and rewards your . This boat was fast, larger, but still lacked the boat ability for fishing and big water. It is a trickier affair than getting in or out of my wider canoes. You can also source epoxy or gelcoat from marine suppliers, and there are many good articles explaining these fixes online. So much so, that she stole the sucker, leaving me to paddle my beat-up ol' C1W. The following Wenonah canoes have received the highest star ratings by reviewers in our Paddling Buyers Guide. This Prism is a dream for me to portage. But when it comes to things like rattling seats that seem kinda cheap, yokes getting bent and stuck on pins, footrests that seen kevlar-taped in place vs. being integrated into the hull construction, the Swift wins in every way. To further save weight, gelcoat is not typically applied to the whole canoe, giving these canoes a signature clear coated look. This boat feels like it was built for me. You also can pay more to upgrade to a sleek black aluminum trim or a wooden trim. I recommend this boat for any intermediate paddler and above who wants to go solo! There are differences in the design of these canoes that affect their performance on the water. Well give an overview of the types of canoes available, as well as some tips for buying new and used models. Wenonah has more canoe models for backcountry tripping or paddling with more than two paddlers. Both techniques have their place. Its a good material for building canoes that are easy to carry. Choose one of these if you need the high storage capacity that comes with deep wells. If it wasn't for that I would rate the Prism a 10. It would not have been my first choice if other boats had still been available, but I wanted a brand new Royalex boat and the Wilderness was the best of what I was finding and I'm glad i pulled the trigger. Aluminum plates are strategically laminated into the hull. When I used her to paddle up a small windy river the Prism was clearly out of her element, even with a lot of heeling. It is Tuf-Weave center rib construction with aluminum trim and foot brace. The Fusion and Wee Lassie pack boats are compact, solo canoes that users can paddle with either a canoe or kayak paddle. The metal seat bracket arrangement is why I would only give the boat an 8 rating and Wenonah would do well to go back to a conventional wood drop system that a true canoer can easily adapt to personal preference. If youre considering buying a used Wenonah, youll want to know where to look, what to look for, and of course, to try it out if you can. Owner and founder Mike Cichanowski first fell in love with making cedarstrip canoes, which grew into a small business. From limited experience with dogs in canoes the larger the primary stability the better. Mine is the least expensive model. Aluminum plates are strategically laminated into the hull. The stability is very good for a roundy bottom canoe. Look at the range of boats in this category if you plan to dabble in different types of paddling and prioritize stability over speed. This is my own personal subjective opinion after 20 years of ownership and use of the Wenonah Prism. Also, I often have a 60lb dog with me. I wish Wenonah would take a few steps forward. This is a great all-around material, balancing weight and strength. It's a great canoe, but it isn't for somebody who thinks it's an unneccessary hassel to switch sides every five or ten strokes. Wenonah craftsmanship is top notch. At 34 pounds, I just pick it up and go. It's OK to paddle, but I prefer to use oars (available from Spring Creek Outfitters in Mountain Iron, Mich.). You are using an out of date browser. I think it's the perfect boat for an easy weeks worth of gear. In the wind it really helps to be properly trimmed. That is where you will notice a cross section difference that might help others You must log in or register to reply here. Wilderness 15' 4" Solo Plus 16' 6" Prism 16' 6" Compare All General Touring; Performance Touring. Wow. Used bare, this is a fine yoke for infrequent, short portages. > I have been paddling a Wenonah Oddysey on wilderness trips for about 15 years > now and want to go to a solo canoe. Interestingly, initial stability actually seems to improve when I've got gear in the boat. Just bought Sept. 09. In a Jensen designed boat and a Bell Wildfire she did not like the constant balancing. I love my Kevlar Prism. as a camping vehicle on northern Wisconsin's flowages. and it's handled the wakes of most of the boats that pass very well (gotta watch the massive wakes thrown by the car ferries though!) The canoes have always handled fine with the dog. Bucket seats restrict the paddler to sittingwhich may be the more comfortable option on longer trips. Wenonah canoes have maintained a presence in the Midwest for more than 50 years. It's hard to argue with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", but isn't that what Kodak said when digital cameras came out? Wenonahs composite canoes are easily repaired if they have any damage. Seats, footbraces, and all hardware is then riveted into these plates. I have had the boat out without cargo (just the dog and a small day pack) in about a 25 mile per hour wind (small bay w/o significant waves) and didn't have any problems with directional control. Not into is and not with it,sideways. They are good options for coastal canoeing, as the depth helps keep water out in rolling swells. I took a four day solo trip this past spring. I own a Prism and like it for speed and flat water paddling. These canoes use better materials and incorporate more workmanship and expertise than canoes found on the shelves of big-box stores. Taken it in and out of the Angleworm portage in the BWCA twice and the canoe carries great. Select canoes are available with woven graphite for a stiffer and more responsive canoe, and it also gives the canoes a sleek, dark aesthetic. Product descriptions may help give you an idea, but hearing other users experiences gives you valuable insight into where these canoes excel. Very good initial stability for a solo, and can be comfortably leaned if you want to do so to get faster turns. You may also want to bring your canoe pack or barrel along and make sure they fit inside (will two barrels fit beside each other between the thwarts?).
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