I currently own a Wenonah solo plus Royalex, always used as tandem. I've been on 10 BW trips and I'm looking to upgrade my canoe. The group I go with has Minnesota II's and they seem to glide with speed so effortlessly, while I must paddle constantly to keep up, even though it seems like my partner and I should be stronger paddlers. I noticed the difference in efficiencies when I have been lucky enough to be in one of the Minnesota II's. I found what looks to be in great shape, a 1992 Itasca Ultralight Kevlar, for a good price, $1200.?. The wife has put ~$1000 budget on what we can afford to upgrade, so I know that that puts most good used UL Kevlars out of range, especially a Minnesota II.

Does anybody have any experience with both the Itasca and the Minnesota II? We usually go for a week and cover some miles. I believe my Royalex weighs ~58 lbs, and I want a forever canoe since I'm getting older (32). The itasca is supposed to be at 49 lbs, and I believe the MN II at 42 lbs, both in the UL Kevlar. I'm just worried if I get the itasca I'll still be the "slow" canoe, and will wish I would've gotten the Minnesota II instead. According to the Wenonah website the itasca has an efficiency rating of 8 while the MN II has a 10.

Any thoughts/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. We've already booked our permit for our August trip, so that is my 'deadline', but there is another guy coming to look at this Itasca on Saturday, so that's my new potential deadline.

Thanks,

Mike

I've only experienced an Itasca as a 3 person canoe. My understanding is it's essentially a stretched version of the Spirit II whereas the MN II takes its design from racing hulls.

I'm sure others who are more knowledgeable will chime in. Good luck in your search!

I own a mn2, I haven’t used it in two years. I’ve heard it being called the Kevlar coffin. I should note I’ve been paddling wenonah no rocker canoes sinse the seventies when I owned the wenonah ww2. They are without question very fast but a real pain when you need maneuverability, like when the wind picks up and you’re trying to hold the canoe in a certain position with the waves. I’ve been fortunate that my bow paddlers have always been competent with bow draws and the like. For me paddling a canoe should be more than a means of getting somewhere fast. A canoe should also be responsive, you get this by adding rocker, it’s a compromise. The itasca has a small amount of rocker, like most bell canoes, not as fast but a much more pleasurable boat to paddle.

The Itasca is noticeably larger, it's a big boat, but still easy to paddle due to some tumblehome near the stern paddler and bow seating that is tight to the gunwales. It is slower than the MNII and a bit of a wind catcher. I find the MNII responds well to direction and is relatively easy to maneuver. I am little troubled by its lack of rocker and tendency to go straight. The only real flaw in the hull is a sort of uneasiness in large following seas. Larger bow paddlers can find it snug. If you liked paddling the MNII I would hold out for finding one- it is one of the more popular hulls made by Wenonah and used by many outfitters, finding a used boat should not be difficult.

jwartman59: "I own a mn2, I haven’t used it in two years. I’ve heard it being called the Kevlar coffin. I should note I’ve been paddling wenonah no rocker canoes sinse the seventies when I owned the wenonah ww2. They are without question very fast but a real pain when you need maneuverability, like when the wind picks up and you’re trying to hold the canoe in a certain position with the waves. I’ve been fortunate that my bow paddlers have always been competent with bow draws and the like. For me paddling a canoe should be more than a means of getting somewhere fast. A canoe should also be responsive, you get this by adding rocker, it’s a compromise. The Itasca has a small amount of rocker, like most bell canoes, not as fast but a much more pleasurable boat to paddle."

Although I don't own a Minnesota II, I have owned and paddled a Wenonah Odyssey for thirty years. My Odyssey is actually a slight redesign of the original Odyssey and it lacks the more pronounced upper bow flair, which in turn makes it more similar to the Minnesota II. Like the Itasca and Minnesota II, the Odyssey is also a Gene Jensen design and is very similar to the Minnesota II, especially below the waterline, albeit the Odyssey is 1 1/2" narrower at the waterline than the Minnesota II.

I love the Odyssey and I personally feel it's not only seaworthy, but with proper technique, it's also very maneuverable for an 18' 6" canoe in my opinion. Its a somewhat technical hull, for lack of a better description. I personally prefer a more "lively" hull, although that may be unsettling for some paddlers.

The Odyssey has also been a great family canoe for my family and me as well. So much so, on a 2004 BWCAW canoe trip, my wife paddled her Sawyer Summersong and I paddled the Odyssey with my 11-year old daughter in the bow with our golden Retriever, and my 7-year old son riding on a Duluth pack. We did a far eastern route in the BWCAW, which included the entire length of Pine Lake. Despite major wind and whitecaps on Pine, we all felt quite secure in the Odyssey. (Not so much for my wife, who swamped her Summersong on Pine Lake.)

Aside from paddling the Odyssey on extended trips in the BWCAW and Quetico, I've also paddled it on Lake Superior and rivers such as the Wisconsin River, St. Croix River, Namekagon River and the Kickapoo river, just to name a few.

That being said, I will agree that the Itasca is a tick slower than either the Odyssey or the Minnesota II. The Itasca is more initially stable, turns slightly easier than an Odyssey or Minnesota II, and in general, is a more user friendly tripping canoe than the Odyssey and/or the Minnesota II.

Hans Solo

Don't know about the Itasca. Have paddled a MNII a few times. My opinion is that they light and fast, but for me the front seat is very uncomfortable. So purchased a used Quetico Souris 3 man. Not as fast not as light but fast and light enough plus comfortable front seat and can carry a ton of gear.

I narrowed down my purchase interest to the MN II or the Champlain. I went to a canoe dealer in my area, took one look at the MN II, and decided it was not for me. I am 6'-2" and there is no way I could have fit comfortably in the bow. Even my wife, at 5'-4" would have been right on the edge of discomfort. The hull narrows considerably at the ends and the poor bow paddler ends up with little leg room.

I have also seen an Itasca in person and it appears roomier, although it also has noticeable taper. I think this is partly an optical illusion because the middle of an Itasca is so wide.

The Spirit II and the Champlain, a stretched version of the Spirit II, have a wider form throughout the length of the hull and thus have more bow leg room than the MN II (definitely) and perhaps also the Itasca (can't say for sure).

If you have the ability to go to a canoe dealer and see these canoes in person I highly recommend doing so. Best of luck to you.

Thank you all for the valuable input. I think I'm going to hold out a bit and go for the MN II. While they would both be an upgrade from my current situation (solo plus Royalex), I would hate to still be suckling hind teat in an Itasca while the rest of my group is gliding past me in their MN II's.

What's this called, peer pressure? Or is it pier pressure ????

Thanks!!

Mike

I owned a a MN II and it works great in the BW. Lots of capacity and tracks very well. Something to consider is a Jensen 18. It's not in their catalog but you can still get them last I herd. It's faster than the MN ll with less capacity but I used it for many BW trips with plenty of gear. I loved my Jensen 18. I actual sold it to get a MN ll and I regretted it. BTW you can maneuver any canoe in the BW with basic paddling skills

I wonder the difference in material on your solo plus? I delivered a few UL solo pluses and I would think that would be a good tripping boat. To me the Itasca is more than a tick slower than the MN 2, but the Itasca I traveled in had aluminum gunnels and in converting lost the effects of the wood. It actually looked like a Champlain. One time paddling my encounter across Nina Moose I witnessed a pretty sweet looking MN 2 being paddled extremely efficiently by me. I picked up my pace to get a look at the paddlers. It was Sam Cook the writer. I shot him a compliment and in his own gracious way shot one back at me. I paddled a MN 3 once. We were too loaded down as to why I think I didn't like it.

Welp, so much for holding out. Got a good deal on a really nice Itasca for $1200. This will give me time get it shined up and get some accessories for it... Rear foot power bar, compass, seat backs for the formed seats.

wikemeis: "Welp, so much for holding out. Got a good deal on a really nice Itasca for $1200. This will give me time get it shined up and get some accessories for it... Rear foot power bar, compass, seat backs for the formed seats."

I have this compass:

https://www.rei.com/product/408083/suunto-m-9-wrist-compass

Seems to work nicely for general canoe navigation, just be sure you understand that although the north arrow points in the correct direction, all of the bearing numbers are 180 degrees reversed due to the intended use of sighting down this compass while it's on your wrist.

wikemeis: "Welp, so much for holding out. Got a good deal on a really nice Itasca for $1200. This will give me time get it shined up and get some accessories for it... Rear foot power bar, compass, seat backs for the formed seats."

Don't forget to post pictures. I tried out out an Itasca the day before I picked up my MNII 20 some years ago and was surprised how well it handled for a huge canoe. It turned very nicely.

mr.barley: "

wikemeis: "Welp, so much for holding out. Got a good deal on a really nice Itasca for $1200. This will give me time get it shined up and get some accessories for it... Rear foot power bar, compass, seat backs for the formed seats."

Don't forget to post pictures. I tried out out an Itasca the day before I picked up my MNII 20 some years ago and was surprised how well it handled for a huge canoe. It turned very nicely."

Pictures following shortly, home sweet home. Evidently this Itasca is from 1992 and looks like it's never had any thing redone on it. The keels are in incredible condition! That's my green solo plus next to it. Now time to get to polishing, on both I suppose. Any tips for me on either model, Kevlar or Royalex?

The only time I was in a MinII, the bow paddler was cramped but it was fast enough. Another year it was a rental toss up to return to a champlain or Itasca. I LOVED the handling of the Itasca for a payload/fishing canoe ,we were well satisfied with its speed.

Beautiful boat. You need to secure your garage better I see evidence of a deer infestation.

I think you made a good choice getting the more sturdy boat. I have feared for my life a few times in a small canoe in rough water and vowed to buy the most seaworthy boats I could find after that. I currently own a Champlain & a Seneca- couldn't be happier with either. An Itasca would be the only other canoe from this manufacturer I would consider owning. Buy another boat if you want to race on calm waters.