Can anyone who has paddled both compare the Wenonah Spirit ll and the Mad River Eclipse? Both are Royalex. Of the two, I have only paddled an ultra light Spirit II. The use would be exclusively small lake recreational paddling, unloaded with the combined weight of two paddlers at 360 pounds. Maybe fishing from, but probably not.

The boat will stay at a lake house with no portaging or transport so really only concerned with how they do on the water. They are pre-owned boats and I like the color of the Eclipse better than the Spirit II, but I'm wondering how they compare in performance. Specifically, I'm thinking of speed for us, but also stability or "tippiness" for inexperienced guests. Unfortunately, I can only buy one.

Thanks to anyone who can weigh in on this. Knowledge, experience and opinions are welcomed.

I think either of these boats would be well suited to your intended use. The Spirit II is basically flat bottomed. The Eclipse has the typical Mad River shallow-v, like an Explorer if you have ever paddle one. The Eclipse has a little more rocker to the keel line, but the V bottom helps it track every bit as well as the SpiritII. The Eclipse is a little shorter and with the secondary stability the V-bottom gives it will be a nice canoe to paddle solo leaned to one side a little.

If they are reasonably priced I would buy them both, use them for a season and sell the one you like the least! I enjoy dealing in canoes, but thats not for everyone.

One thing to look closely for on the Eclipse, which I am assuming has wood gunnels, is "cold cracks" in the hull around the screws in the end of the gunnels. These would show on the edge of the hull material right above the screw and below the gunnel at the screw. It certainly would decrease the value of the boat considerably. They are repairable, but you may not want to get into that.

On both, look for stiffness in the bottom. Older Royalex boat have a tendency to oil-can a bit. I have sprung a wooden rib at the center of my old Mad River Explorer and it works great.

Thanks, sedges. I appreciate the tips, especially what to watch out for.

I had a royalex spirit ii and only sold it because I hated portaging it. It will shine for the use you describe. Good speed, very stable, wide enough for a few children or dogs