Carl Yost DY's son designs for Ted Bell. These boats have lots of rocker to navigate obstacles as they move in the current. It could be a little lighter (mine seems to weigh a touch more than advertised, though my scale may not be entirely accurate), but I ended up paying $700 for a brand new canoe. Just bought Sept. 09. Large roll top dry bag filled with water at the put-in is the best I've found so far. Hope you enjoy your wilderness as much as I do mine, without having to use a saw. My one complaint has been a lack of stability. If you have trouble getting this canoe to turn try contacting Wennonah. $ 3,899.00 $ 2,799.00. I have the Flexcore version in Tuf-weave. They are good options for coastal canoeing, as the depth helps keep water out in rolling swells. The aluminum gunwales are very well done - smooth, nicely rounded, and no screw heads sticking up. If you're looking for a smooth ride this is it. In summary, this is an excellent touring and tripping solo canoe for flatwater use which I would definitely recommend to anyone. Become a member of the bwca.com community to subscribe to thread and get email updates when new posts are added. When I went on my solo trip I found that I did a lot more poking around off of my most direct route. It carries a large load or a small load fast enough for me to keep up with any tandem and that includes a Minnesota II. Solo canoes in this category include the Wee Lassie and Fusion pack boats. Aramid, the fiber used for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong. 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. Ultra-light hulls are stiff and incredibly light. In our Ultra-light construction a structural-foam core and ribs are laminated into the hull and sides. I have been satisfied with the turning even without heeling over. this great site and online community alive by contributing your financial support. Presumably his dads starting point design for the paddler carried on. JavaScript is disabled. Heeling over will allow a quicker turn though. We also add extra fabric layers to strengthen specific targeted areas. Aramid, the fiber used for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong. Wenonah's Tuf-weave material is an interwoven fabric made of 50% polyester and 50% fiberglass that out performs either material alone. I have seen others comment how easy it is to portage. If I had only one canoe to choose from, weighing all factors, it would be my Prism. 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. At 6'4" and 240 the boat as it came from the factory was definitely running bow down, so the seat and rear thwart went back 5 inches. Many companies have their own takes on the Prospector model, but Wenonahs particularly sharp entry lines lend the canoe better glide. This is an easy fix with repair kits available from Wenonah. The performance is so good that I doubt you will be disappointed. Tuf-weave canoes offer improved impact resistance and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, and price. Wenonah and Northstar have different design philosophies. It is a trickier affair than getting in or out of my wider canoes. The boat now has increased tumblehome, narrower waterline and gunwales, and it paddles and glides like a rocket. We have an old tandem Wenonah ultralight Kevlar canoe which we use frequently, the ultralight Kevlar has lasted us two decades by taking care around rocks and gravel bars and storing it in the garage after use. I do not like the tractor seats so I ordered the canoe with cane and wood seats and wood gunwales. After a few measurements the seat placement was identified as the culprit. Our best-selling solo, we recommend it to paddlers of all skill levels and for most types of canoeing. This boat was fast, larger, but still lacked the boat ability for fishing and big water. The gunwales are stronger; its better to rest the canoes weight on them. I was testing the limits of the Keewaydin, and it turned over a LOT quicker than I thought it would, and not nearly with the effort it takes to intentionally capsize my Prism. Composite material is an all-encompassing term describing canoes made with woven fabrics and resins. The hull is quite stiff with absolutely no flex evident while on the water. MN II is stable under paddle (secondary) but may feel a little tippy when sitting still or moving slowly (initial stability). I should add that in my part of the world there are few canoe dealers and none that stock lightweight boats. Seats, footbraces, and all hardware is then riveted into these plates. In this process I change between straight shaft and bent shaft paddles. Owner and founder Mike Cichanowski first fell in love with making cedarstrip canoes, which grew into a small business. When crossing Brule Lake I was in 2 to 2 1/2 foot waves. It also requires alot of leaning to make it turn upstream around hairpin turns. Canoes like the Minnesota are very common in areas like the Boundary Waters, where the travel is generally across large lakes. The Wilderness carries additional freeboard and bow . Holds all my fishing and camping gear--let's see a kayak do that!!! I took a four day solo trip this past spring. Waves or wakes are not a problem. I like the Advantage a lot. I would choose again a We-no-nah Prism. Thanks to all. These canoes have wide, flat hulls, making them ideal for paddling in flat waters with families, dogs or nervous paddlers. .35 lbs. This is a new model for Wenonah. Kayaking the Mouth of the Columbia River's Tidal Influences, When Cities Meet The Water: Americas Top Urban Paddling Destinations, Paddling At Night - Tips and Safety Recommendations. Purists cover your ears. Capacity - This canoe can handle a load very well. Wilderness 15' 4" Solo Tripper Model + Weight Tuf. Direct sunlight can damage and discolor the canoe. This is a good option for a resilient canoe that compromises well between price, weight and durability. By taking one 100-liter drybag pack and placing it aft and sliding the comfortable tractor seat and foot brace all the way forward trims the Prism and gives me the ability to hike the portage trails just once. Want to know more? Compare. Have had 17 other canoes so can look back on some experience. With a small-to-moderate degree of rocker, these canoes turn readily enough and track reasonably well. I guess to summarize this boat I would say that she is a sweet boat that paddles very well light and loaded. We designed the Wilderness to carry plenty of gear and encourage distant exploration far beyond the reaches of smaller, less efficient crafts. Kneel exclusively, hopefully with straight? It does not turn readily (due to its 16'6" length and lack of rocker) unless well heeled over. This is the idea solo canoe if you get it in Kevlar. A Wenonah canoe is a significant investment, but youre purchasing a high-quality craft. It came with the carrying yoke, but I haven't used it yet. Their racing heritage and decades of canoe-building have given Wenonah designers the experience and time to make adjustments and modifications that result in a better boat. Well give an overview of the types of canoes available, as well as some tips for buying new and used models. at a comfy paddling pace with a kayak paddle. Follow the "Live Social Media" Feed from $5 and under ; $500 and over ; Selected Items . I am in my late 60's and the kneeling thing doesn't work for me any more except for brief periods. Well use the Wenonah Spirit II 17-foot canoe as a baseline to indicate the different weights of these materials. In the wind it really helps to be properly trimmed. Aramid UltraLite, Black trim - $3774. My max speed was over 6 mph. Glide-Wenonah glides farther and smoother with each stroke-SR slows if not being paddled. Learn more, We use cookies to enhance your experience, for analytics, and to support 3rd party content and advertising providers. Wenonah has more canoe models for backcountry tripping or paddling with more than two paddlers. As well, leaving a canoe sitting upright on its hull deforms it. It has the ability to be paddled with a kayak paddle or a traditional canoe paddle. Carried a weeks worth of supplies no problemo. The bucket seats are lower than bench seats, bringing the paddlers center of gravity down. Not into is and not with it,sideways. I am going to try a set of kneeling drops, just because I like to move around a little. Predictable stability is my favorite feature of the Prism. Come up and try them out, or our kayaks and paddle boards, for $20/ 4 hours (Poplar Lake only). I cured this by widening the pedestal base 9" and lowering it 5/8". I'm so anal retentive about weight that I had mine made without the sealed air flotation tanks at the bow and stern, alleviating approx. Brilliantly designed for extended solo . Find our answers to common questions about Wenonah canoes below. I can deal with the slight weight penalty. The total load I was carrying was about 340 pounds. Aluminum plates are strategically laminated into the hull. Racing canoes are highly specialized boats. The Prism is our most popular composite solo canoe. I have been paddling since I was 15, now I'm 43 and spent some of the most happy hours in this canoe, and it does everything I want it too, almost. Ultralight materials are Wenonahs lightest and most expensive canoe material options. In general the canoe is well made. Talk about a smooth operator! I usually use a bent shaft paddle, and it works extremely well with that. It's not that Wenonah's quality is poor - my canoe has lasted 20 years without a single problem. It does not require nearly the effort that it does to solo a tandem canoe. I loved it; so did the Ms. The boat isn't that manoeuverable but then it is a trip boat after all and tracks well and fast. I was really happy with the way she handled the wind and waves when loaded, and when empty in the evening while fishing. Tuf-weave canoes offer improved impact resistance and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, and price. I like the tractor seat and foot bar: comfortable and gives great leverage. I generally get about 3.5MPH when using the traditional single-blade canoe paddle. I wish Wenonah would make a model of prism with less bow and stern height like the advantage for instance, because it really is a wonderful canoe otherwise, every thing else about it is just fine. 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. 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! 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. Rocker is all but gone so it tracks like it's on rails, but takes more effort to turn. Wenonah craftsmanship is top notch. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is practically in Wenonahs backyard. I found the boat to track fairly well. Bench seats allow the canoeist to either sit or kneel. Inspect the entire canoe before you buy it. Wenonah uses five different blends of composite materials, varying in strength, weight and price. These plastic canoes, made out of Royalex or T-Formex, are long-lasting. While this may not always be possible with a used canoe, prioritize listings where its an option, like outfitters or waterfront locations. and it has not failed me in any way. Are there any quality differences between the Northstar and the Wenonah? 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. 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Designs for Ted Bell, is amazingly light and strong Feed from $ 5 and under ; $ and! Me in any way are good options for coastal canoeing, as well as some tips for buying new used! Do mine, wenonah prism vs wilderness having to use a saw tandem canoe on my solo this... Of Royalex or T-Formex, are long-lasting I cured this by widening the pedestal base &! A lot more poking around off of my most direct route trip boat after all and tracks well fast. Tracks well and fast the Northstar and the kneeling thing does n't work for me any except... Lassie and Fusion pack boats cookies to enhance your experience, for analytics, and.! Weight on them solo Tripper model + weight Tuf but I have n't used it yet predictable is! Load very well get email updates when new posts are added pedestal base 9 & ;... Your experience, for $ 20/ 4 hours ( Poplar Lake only.!