Hi all,

For reasons I won't get into, I'm faced with deciding between the Phoenix and the Solo without paddling either one. Ideal, no - I'm aware, but still willing to take the chance. I'm coming from many years in a Current Designs Solstice kayak and more recently messing-about in a Wenonah Fusion.

The boat must be capable of fly-fishing from. If I don't have the stability to fish in it, I won't use it. That doesn't mean every time its on the water, I'll be fishing but it will be asked to fish. It also needs to do light-duty on Class I rivers. No whitewater, nothing serious. I'm leaning towards the smaller more nimble Phoenix but I might be biasing myself based on the length - maybe the Solo is plenty maneuverable given my modest needs?

Thoughts.. opinions?

-a

I don't have any experience with either boat, but you should consider the stability and paddle-ability (is that a word?) from a sitting position. I have a friend who has been fly fishing from a Wenonah Vagabond for years and likes it very much. It's used on flat and moving water. The only downside is weight since it is Royalex. The current Kevlar layup is 30 lbs.

I have a Solo and it's very maneuverable. I love mine. All solos have a bit of a stability learning curve over tandems. Can't go wrong with the NW Solo

I have a Phoenix and regularly fly fish from it......mine came with longer seat drops for sitting and I have no issues fishing from it. I went with the Phoenix because 90% of my usage is on local rivers and small streams and it's perfect....with that said, there is enough room to load my gear and head to the Bdub for a week. Not the ideal boat for that, but it will work. you can get shorter seat drops from the factory or make your own if you prefer kneeling. If you plan on taking a dog with you, I would opt for the longer boat. To be honest, either one would probably work just fine for you.

Mike

I raised the seat up on my Northwind solo. Way too low for my liking. I Just cut the wood seat hangers.

Blatz, what height is your seat at now, i was thinking the same but have a gci seat backer that might do the trick?

Blatz: "I raised the seat up on my Northwind solo. Way too low for my liking. I Just cut the wood seat hangers."

I have a Northwind Solo. I also found sitting drops undesireable (uncomfortable and less powerful postion for paddling). I swapped out the sitting drops for the kneeling drops but, still sit 80% of the time. Even with the seat in the higher position, the canoe still feels stable.

Sorry, I have no Phoenix experince so, cannot offer any comparison.

Good Luck

My seat is currently 3 1/4 inches from the top of the aluminum gunwale. I took off about 2 inches as I recall. For me it's the sweet spot. I did the same with my Northwind 17. Seems like seats too low is a common complain with Northstars

So, it wasn't just our imagination. Steve and I thought the seats in the NW tandem were low.

Do not have or have used a Northwind Solo. Have paddled Rockstar, Magic and the Phoenix. I do flyfish regularly from a Wenonah Advantage. If you cannot get the opportunity to try each (when I spend that much I make the opportunity), I'd suggest the Phoenix. It is on my next solo canoe purchase list (at the top)!

I'm long time used to solos so will not comment about stability (jaded perspective), the Phoenix struck me a a solo that will be a beauty of a flyfishing platform roomy, responsive, comfortable, just the thing for positioning and casting, yet a ball to paddle over distance.

butthead

butthead: "Do not have or have used a Northwind Solo. Have paddled Rockstar, Magic and the Phoenix. I do flyfish regularly from a Wenonah Advantage.


butthead"

The Advantage is a great canoe. I've owned 2 of them. It may be my next canoe, I miss it. Not in the Wenonah catalog, but you can still get them.

Blatz: "

butthead: "Do not have or have used a Northwind Solo. Have paddled Rockstar, Magic and the Phoenix. I do flyfish regularly from a Wenonah Advantage.



butthead"

The Advantage is a great canoe. I've owned 2 of them. It may be my next canoe, I miss it. Not in the Wenonah catalog, but you can still get them."

Yes, I called in 2010 to ask if they would, and subsequently ordered mine made to my specifications.

butthead

butthead: "Do not have or have used a Northwind Solo. Have paddled Rockstar, Magic and the Phoenix. I do flyfish regularly from a Wenonah Advantage. If you cannot get the opportunity to try each (when I spend that much I make the opportunity), I'd suggest the Phoenix. It is on my next solo canoe purchase list (at the top)!
I'm long time used to solos so will not comment about stability (jaded perspective), the Phoenix struck me a a solo that will be a beauty of a flyfishing platform roomy, responsive, comfortable, just the thing for positioning and casting, yet a ball to paddle over distance.
butthead"

I've been watching this thread as my back has recently warned me that I'm done with carrying tandem boats around. Butthead I sure wish you had paddled the the Rock Star, the Phoenix AND the Northwind Solo. Maybe someone here has? I'd be curious how they compare to the Rock Star? I REALLY like that boat and I'm pretty certain it will be in the barn until they "Tag" my toe? But I'd certainly like a similar boat in lighter weight for trips up north.

Terry, I'm short but wide, 5 1/2ft over 200lb with a long arm reach, and a preference for lake canoes. The Northwind solo seemed more like a Wenonah Encounter than than the Magic so I've put no time in one. The Phoenix stuck me as a very close comparison to my Wenonah Mocassin, now in cowdoc's hands. It was and more so, hardly noticed the foot length difference yet it responded to a stroke much the same while feeling more comfortable. The Rockstar was not something I would use often, but may have more to do with size, deep hulled, and more rocker effect than I liked.
It's a very personal choice as I'm sure you know!

butthead

butthead: "Terry, I'm short but wide, 5 1/2ft over 200lb with a long arm reach, and a preference for lake canoes. The Northwind solo seemed more like a Wenonah Encounter than than the Magic so I've put no time in one. The Phoenix stuck me as a very close comparison to my Wenonah Mocassin, now in cowdoc's hands. It was and more so, hardly noticed the foot length difference yet it responded to a stroke much the same while feeling more comfortable. The Rockstar was not something I would use often, but may have more to do with size, deep hulled, and more rocker effect than I liked.
It's a very personal choice as I'm sure you know!
butthead"

Gosh, the Moccasin is something I've never paddled but I remember paddling with a guy from Wisconsin with one and he loved it. Never paddled an Encouter either, hmmmm. Magic is too small for me so that Northwind solo MIGHT be about right? I actually wish the Rock Star had a bit more stern rocker, so that makes me wonder about that Phoenix? Any way, "Thanks," Butthead! Heheheh, I always feel a bit guilty saying that (LOL)!

Anyway, to a big guy like me the Rock Star's a nice boat even empty. I think I recall someone mentioning it should have been called the "Bubba" Star (LOL)? Well, if the shoe (and the canoe) fits (LOL)?

"