Saw a canoe on Craigslist only a few miles from here. A Wenonah 18' fiberglass Sundowner...with a 1985 MN sticker on her. $550 Darn good shape with the usual scratches...green. The ends aren't scuffed up and the wooden portage yoke looks close to new..... so I took her home .... Just have to paddle her and see how she behaves... Fellow in nearby town is looking for a canoe for him and his kid who just joined boy scouts in the past year. It looks to be a great tripping canoe....


Too many boats

dr bob

That was the go to Wenonah canoe back in the day

I bought a 1981 Sundowner 18 a few years ago and love it! It's fast and very stable. I read that the 17' wasn't very stable, but info online suggests that the 18 was a totally different breed. Mine is toughweave and weighs in around 65 lbs, I think.

I had to patch a couple spots from the previous owner, but was pretty easy with a fiberglass kit. I took out the metal yoke and built my own wood one and built some removable yoke pads, also. After giving it a good cleaning, I bought some new decals from Wenonah, and voila, looks like new!

This has a 1985 MN registration sticker on it... maybe I can find the date of birth from the serial number when I have time.... The fellow and son I picked it up for should have a great time with it.....

Only a few usual scratches on the green finish....I wonder if it can be painted like my SR Fiberrglass?

dr bob

quote DrBobDg: "This has a 1985 MN registration sticker on it... maybe I can find the date of birth from the serial number when I have time.... The fellow and son I picked it up for should have a great time with it.....


Only a few usual scratches on the green finish....I wonder if it can be painted like my SR Fiberrglass?


dr bob"

I My serial number ends in "81" so I'm guessing that's how you figure the year?

I painted mine after doing fiberglass work. That was 3 years and 5 trips ago. It's held up great. I think I used Rustoleum plastic paint. A few coats with light sanding between each. I think I cleared over it, but can't be 100% sure.