For the past several months I have been looking for a used kevlar and this is what I learned.
-If you want to buy from an outfitter you should put up a down payment before August, next August.

-A trip to Ely or especially the East side in February to look at boats that should be used in the front yard as flower planters is not free.

-Craigslist is a lot more main stream and busy than it was 7 years ago, and not just under the casual encounters heading.

-One man's trash is often another man's trash.

-If you bought a beat up boat from an outfitter 5 years ago and did nothing but use it, it is not worth $500 more than you paid, due the stories it could tell.

-Your time is valuable, mine is irrelevant.

-To you they are stories, to me they are friggin gouges.

-Some folks think fiberglass and kevlar are one and the same, if you believe this put on a fiberglass vest and have your buddy shoot you.

-Just like with women a canoe often has a good side and a bad side, you don't get to see the bad side online.

-Stored inside, and stored inside a snowbank are not the same thing.

-The better a deal seems, the quicker it's gone, and the more disappointed you become.

-You can order a new boat on the internet, from the couch, in your underwear, and have it delivered the next day.

you sure got a good education on buying a used canoe!

Mocha: "you sure got a good education on buying a used canoe! "

Except delivery time... Them guys are slowwwww!

I think you have it right.
If you are patient you can have success at estate or garage sales when the person selling has no idea of the value of a kevlar canoe.
I picked up a Prism solo Kevlar in very good shape for $400 on Craigslist about seven years ago. Absolutely great deal.

What you found to be true is so true.....

That's pretty funny!

....though how do you know about the busy-ness of Casual Encounters?!? :)

carmike: "That's pretty funny!


....though how do you know about the busy-ness of Casual Encounters?!? :) "

What do you mean casual encounters... The encounter is a serious canoe.

nooneuno: "For the past several months I have been looking for a used kevlar and this is what I learned.
-If you want to buy from an outfitter you should put up a down payment before August, next August.

-A trip to Ely or especially the East side in February to look at boats that should be used in the front yard as flower planters is not free.

-Craigslist is a lot more main stream and busy than it was 7 years ago, and not just under the casual encounters heading.

-One man's trash is another man's trash.

-If you bought a beat up boat from an outfitter 5 years ago and did nothing but use it, it is not worth $500 more than you paid, due the stories it could tell.


-Your time is valuable, mine is irrelevant.

-To you they are stories, to me they are friggin gouges.

-Some folks think fiberglass and kevlar are one and the same, if you believe this put on a fiberglass vest and have your buddy shoot you.

-Just like with women a canoe often has a good side and a bad side, you don't get to see the bad side online.

-Stored inside, and stored inside a snowbank are not the same thing.

-The better a deal seems, the quicker it's gone, and the more disappointed you become.

-You can order a new boat on the internet, from the couch, in your underwear, and have it delivered the next day.

"

One more for your list: When they say it just needs a little TLC, they mean tools, luck, and cash.

i did like "to you they are stories to me there friggen gouges"

This applies to more than just canoes!

Somehow the scrapes and gouges I've put in my used from outfitters canoes don't seem nearly as bad had it been a new canoe for 3 to 4 times the price. Thereby hangs a tale.

Lotw: "This applies to more than just canoes!
"

And a lot of the same or similar sentiments apply to trying to sell something on Craigslist! ;)

LOL, that's beautiful!

Their idea of excellent condition and my idea of excellent condition are way different!!! If I try to sell something on Craigslist, I say I can't answer texts and won't answer e-mails. The first few responses will be texts or e-mails. delete, delete.

Lotw: "This applies to more than just canoes!
"

I felt the same way about 10 years ago when I was looking for a hot tent. I ended up just buying new as I found I would only be saving a couple hundred dollars buying used. I think what keeps the value up is the demand. People are always looking to save a few bucks and buy used so anytime there is a high quality used canoe on the market it gets bought right away at the listed price.

If it has been posted for more that 24 hours don't bother.

I checked craigslist one day on break and saw a recently published ad for a prism. I clocked out, drove to duluth and bought it, and returned to work in st paul to finish my shift :)

Amen brother! I have bought my last canoe sight unseen from an outfitter. The first one I bought was a deal with minimal issues. The second looked as though someone had taken a ball peen hammer to the bottom of the hull. Obviously one seasons use by an outfitter equates to 3 lifetimes of personal use.

That is so sad and so funny. My buddy bought a used boat off someone on this site and is thrilled with it and with the opportunity to make a new friend. I can sure see how that is not the norm. Experience is what we get when we don't get what we want. Thanks for the laugh though.

Heheheh, I love "One man's trash is often another man's trash." Amen to that!

I've never purchased an outfitter's canoe, but have actually had some very good fortune on a couple of boats on Craigslist as a buyer. You have to actually wade through some trash to find the treasure and, like you said, the best deals get snatched up fast.

My "Go to" advice is always to watch here on BWCA.com and Paddling.com. for more reputable sellers and buyers when interested in canoes and gear.

I must have had the rare good experience buying a used canoe. My prism came from the guy who owned the canoe shop, a self proclaimed collector. If I remember correctly, he had 17 boats in the building that were his. This must be the key - buy it from someone who couldn't possibly have had time to use it.

As with buying any thing cash is king knowing the product and market is huge.

Buying quickly is normally bad, passing up a good deal trying to save a few dollars just as bad.

If it is a good deal buy it.

And yes I have brought more then one canoe I think I have 7 in the stable now only brought one new.

I'd say this is generally true, although I think the time I've spent refurbishing the Northstar has been time well spent & a valuable learning opportunity. Now if I could get over this damn urge to start making my own paddles....

really these apply to the the dating sites ive been on too.

shock: "i did like "to you they are stories to me there friggen gouges""

A mantra for life...

mirth: "I'd say this is generally true, although I think the time I've spent refurbishing the Northstar has been time well spent & a valuable learning opportunity. Now if I could get over this damn urge to start making my own paddles...."

You and me both, I actually just started making one...

Excellent post!!

Sadly it's all true, a one year livery boat runs $1500, a well traveled one runs $1200, $1000 bucks and $400 in repairs on Craigslist will get you a boat worth about $800. Supply and demand continues to skew in the wrong direction for a buyer.

Buying a used canoe is like treasure hunting. You have to turn over a lot of rocks before you find a gem.

Was on craigslist one day and did a search for 'Kevlar canoe' and found a like new Bell Yellowstone Kevlite for $1000.

Keep your nose to the ground, cash in hand and be ready to buy when the deal pops up. Be quick.

HayRiverDrifter: "Buying a used canoe is like treasure hunting. You have to turn over a lot of rocks before you find a gem.

Was on craigslist one day and did a search for 'Kevlar canoe' and found a like new Bell Yellowstone Kevlite for $1000.

Keep your nose to the ground, cash in hand and be ready to buy when the deal pops up. Be quick."

Not me I surrendered, I literally bought a new boat, from my couch, in my underwear. 2018 Spirit 2 UL, white gelcoat, black alum rails and foot brace, curved web seats. No more chasin unicorns for me.......

I'm glad that I'm not in the market for a canoe right now. This post brings back all the memories of tying to find a used canoe, makes me glad I found a good one.

I found my Magic and my Northwind on CL. The Magic was listed for sale, the Nothwind I posted a want to buy ad. Paid a fair price for both, in good condition. Yes, you have to be ready to move quickly when the right one comes along. On the other hand, I'm usually quite amused at what people list on CL, especially the pictures they post. Either it's on the back 40, full of water and leaves, or it's hanging in the rafters and they're too lazy to take it down to take a decent picture.

nooneuno: "...-Some folks think fiberglass and kevlar are one and the same, if you believe this put on a fiberglass vest and have your buddy shoot you."

Keep in mind that the old BELL website recommended you not try this with the kevlar used for a canoe also. ;)

jhb8426: "I found my Magic and my Northwind on CL. The Magic was listed for sale, the Nothwind I posted a want to buy ad. Paid a fair price for both, in good condition. Yes, you have to be ready to move quickly when the right one comes along. On the other hand, I'm usually quite amused at what people list on CL, especially the pictures they post. Either it's on the back 40, full of water and leaves, or it's hanging in the rafters and they're too lazy to take it down to take a decent picture."

And SOMETIMES the picture is one they "Steal" from the internet! I once had someone use this picture of my old Kevlar MRC Courier in his listing selling a MRC Malecite:

I enjoyed your post. A rather eloquent ‘mini rant’. Nicely played. I bought both my canoes used from a dealer. Both were returned to him with hardly a scratch. Both for $700 each. Both are lightweight tuffweave. I got my SpiritII in ‘99 and my Prism in 2001 I think.
Glad to see you bought a boat. I love my SpiritII. Been on many trips. Yours is white, won’t show any scratches.
Here is my burgandy Prism after 18 years, about 30 canoe camping trips, mostly in BW, and being my primary fishing boat at home. She’s a tad faded, but still lovely. Cheers.

I bought a used livery canoe (Spirit II UL) from Rockwood Lodge last spring.

It has some rivets that could stand to be replaced very soon, but it is usable. And rivets should be an easy job with cheap hand tools (which I have, I'm just being lazy).

I thought the price was fair - it was a typical price for a two year old outfitter's canoe.

Maybe I had a good experience because I wasn't looking for a "steal" but for something at typical used prices.

Loved this hilarious post.