Has anybody paddled both of these? Can you give your opinion on how they differ? I'm leaning towards the 16 because I plan on an occasional solo trip, but I'm worried it might be a little small for longer trips with 2 people. I'm also curious about how stability differs between the two. I plan on fishing out of it. Thanks!!!

No experience with any SR canoe, but have found that size matters...

I paddled a 16 ft Ranger Otter for a long time. Got to feeling a bigger boat would be better so I bought a Bell Northwind (17.5 ft). It's a nice canoe with lots of room and capacity. As time went on it got to feeling too big for my current needs. Bought a Bell Northstar (16.5 ft) recently. They're only a foot different, but the Northstar feels like a better fit now. Granted the Northwind and Northstar are different boats, but sizewise the Northstar fits my needs at this point.

I know this doesn't directly answer your question, but just wanted to point out that while a foot doesn't seem like much, it makes a big difference in a boat. The bigger boat handles different, and handling it on land and putting it on your vehicle are different as well.

I haven’t paddled the Q16. I do sometimes paddle our Q17 solo using the trick of paddling backwards from the bow seat and with some ballast in the front to trim the boat. I’ve done some modest day trips this way and it does work. But I also find it a tiring way to paddle. I’m sure others do trips like that but I would want a smaller boat . Both should be quite stable loaded and unloaded. They have the same hull shape and are only an inch difference in max width. SR does say the Q16 is a good solo. I’d want to give it a try and see.

Hmmm, I remembered someone on this site besides me had owned a Ranger Otter. I concur, it needed more volume for tandem paddling IMHO.

As for the Souris canoes, they didn't make the Quetico 17 when we traded in our Wenonah Adirondack for one. We tested the Quetico 16 and the Wilderness 18. We really loved the Wilderness 18 but we needed a boat that could be used solo also. The more I paddled the Q-16, the more I liked it. And it not only got paddled solo, it did tandem trips with a pair of 200lb guys.

I reviewed it on Paddling.net years ago. Here's the link and look for the review from "Wildernesswebb." As for the Q-17, sorry I can't give you a review on it. It would still be in my barn if not for a plethora of medical bills.
Quetico 16

i have owned both. yes i paddled the 16 solo. it worked ok. it was slow, caught some wind, but with the packs up front, it was doable.
it was a little tight with my packs and my wife on the few trips we went on in it.
i upgraded to the 17 and was much happier.
more room, rock solid stability.
i have sold that and moved into wenonah boundary waters model, roomier yet.
i own a prism as well for my solo adventures.

The two of us now travel in the SR 16. We base camp and have been able to carry everything including the proverbially kitchen sink. If the wind were high, we would have a delay due to the high center of gravity as opposed to what you would have with a longer craft. We risk that as we usually enter smaller lakes or early in the AM.

The two of us now travel in the SR 16. We base camp and have been able to carry everything including the proverbially kitchen sink. If the wind were high, we would have a delay due to the high center of gravity as opposed to what you would have with a longer craft. We risk that as we usually enter smaller lakes or early in the AM.

I've paddled both and currently own a Q16. I have not paddled the Q16 tandem yet but will be going on a trip with it next week w/ my 13yo daughter and 90lb dog so I'll report back for you after the trip. I did chat w/ a group of 4 guys in 2 SRQ16s at a portage a few years ago and asked them your same questions. They said they've never had a problem fitting their gear for a week long trip and and that it's very stable including while fishing even though it's smaller than a 17.

We had a Q18.5 that worked great for the ducklings sitting in the 3rd seat starting when they were 4 and 2. They are now 13 and 11 and last fall was the last time they'd fit side by side so we decided it was time to sell it because they are too big and we will hopefully end up as a 2 tandem canoe family. We used the money from selling the q18.5 to get the 16. We went w/ the 16 because I was confident it would work well both solo (I rented one for my 1st ever solo) and tandem based on conversations w and reading reviews from people that used them tandem.

As far as using it solo...... it's not as fun to paddle solo as a true solo canoe but it definitely gets the job done and is a good combo if you can only get 1 canoe. I've done 2 solo trips in it and I look forward to doing more.

I own a Q16, and the guy I usually trip with owns a Q17. Half the time we take my canoe, and take his the other half. Our trips are usually 5 days in length and we've been on both big and small lakes. Both canoes have performed very well, although the Q17 is less cramped. My Q16 always has enough space, it's just that all the space is pretty much taken up. Packing weight is never an issue. I think the ideal weight is something North of 600 pounds.

I've done a number of solo trips with my Q16. As others have said, it works very well paddled backwards, and with a pack in the front. Once I'm set up on a site, I tend to stay put if it's at all windy. When my Q16 is not loaded with gear, it is definitely tougher to keep on track. I've tried weighting down the bow with a big dry sack filled with water as recommended by some. That did help a bit, but it's not as good as a full pack.

I've never tried to paddle a Q17 solo, so can't help you there.

I have a Magic and a SRQ16. For just solo trekking I think I prefer the Magic but if you fish at all, especially vertically, I much prefer theSRQ16 as a solo(more stable in waves when not moving). I prefer the tandem model over the solo for several reasons. I don't have to mess with changing the yoke on the tandem. I turn the yoke around because I have more weight in the bow(stern when solo) and the only thwart is nicely positioned to act as a handle when portaging. I have used my SRQ16 on tandem trips with my wife and it is OK. A SRQ17 would handle bigger waves a little better for tandem use. As with any canoe, correctly trimming for your weight and conditions can make a big difference in handling and performance.

What is more important to you?
1) a lighter weight boat
2) more leg room for bow paddler
If not sure,
3) how often do you paddle large lakes with wind driven waves?

Both should handle all the gear you need, more bow space and large lake capability with the 17'. I own a Wenonah '17' and Adirondack 16....would take the boat that best suits paddler size and lake conditions. If bow paddler would be okay in 16' and going on smaller lakes, I'd take the 16' because of 6-7 lbs less weight; however if I would only have 1 size for all boats, it'd be 17'.

Check the actual space for the bow paddler. On some of the SR Q series, the difference in length is taken up in the mid-section but I am not sure whether that applies to the Q16.

ozarkpaddler: " "

Is this the current river? I think i remember seeing this canoe last year. How does it hold up on the rocks? I exclusively use aluminum Grumman 17' canoes on the river.

Spauldo: "

ozarkpaddler: " "

Is this the current river? I think i remember seeing this canoe last year. How does it hold up on the rocks? I exclusively use aluminum Grumman 17' canoes on the river."

Actually that's the St. Francis, not too far from here. The friend I sold the Q-16 to moved to Alaska years ago and we lost touch with him? I guess it's possible he could have come home? He would be thin, tall, and an excellent paddler. My wife and I also each have a similar colored canoe; she has a Mohawk Solo 13 and I have a Mad River Independence:

Thanks for the insight everyone! I think I'll go with the Q16. It's a compromise for both solo and dual paddlers. I just can't envision myself soloing the Q17. Seems like it would get a bit unruly with any wind.

thomps33,
just saw your op. your concerns about the sr17 as a solo boat are spot on. i have an sr17 and have paddled it extensively both solo and tandem. great tandem boat, but does NOT handle well as a solo especially in wind.