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11/05/2007 05:36PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
thought I'd start this group out by seeing what everyone else is paddling. As for me a Bell Magic, that I purchased in 2006.
 
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11/05/2007 05:42PM  
Merlin Cedarstripper that I built three years ago.

 
talusman
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11/05/2007 05:50PM  
I have a 17 ft cedar/canvas which I take the front seat and a thwart out and paddle backwards (that sounds strange, but I don't know how to describe it otherwise). I do a couple of canoe solos a year but mostly I backpack.
The canoe can be a bit heavy but I made it with a canoe builder, so I guess it's my burden. When I get too old to carry it I'll have to find some youngun to paddle with.
 
11/05/2007 05:58PM  
the solo i paddle is a....a....a....well, i dont have one yet but overtime begins at work this week, so....

:)
 
Kurps
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11/05/2007 06:30PM  
i guess you could say im in the same boat as Kanoes, currently without.

Rented a prism and was fairly happy with it in September.

 
11/05/2007 06:30PM  
I did my first solo in '06. I used my sons Bell Magic.
 
nibi mocs
member (7)member
  
11/05/2007 07:07PM  
cedar strip Kootenai that I purchased from a friend.

Shown here on the shores of Hudson Lake, October, 2005
 
11/05/2007 07:56PM  
Well I have to say I have the sister of the above canoe. Sitting in Missing Link
 
Beemer01
Moderator
  
11/05/2007 08:39PM  
And I have the other sibling stripper. Quite a family resemblance.
 
11/05/2007 09:06PM  
On my one and only solo trip, I paddled a rented Prism. I liked it a lot, but I had a little trouble turning in the wind.
 
11/05/2007 09:42PM  
i would fall into the category of "those new to this unique type of trip"...i really want to pull the trigger on the bell magic, my girlfriend may have something to say about that however. purchase may have to wait awhile.
tg
 
eglath
Moderator
  
11/05/2007 10:30PM  
15ft cedar strip Prospector Ranger with walnut trim. It's a tandem canoe, but works just fine as a solo paddled backwards from the bow seat...

mr.barley
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11/05/2007 10:57PM  
I haven't paddled my solo in the BW/Q , but I have a Wenonah Advantage, which I bought last spring. I'll get it up there one of these days. Edit: got to take it on a trip this past September (2008)
 
StillTruckin
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11/06/2007 05:49AM  
I bought a Bell Magic last year and took it into the BW last May. The severe tumblehome made loading the portage packs a challenge, and I felt just a little claustrophobic inside the narrow gunwales. Nevertheless, it was wonderfully light on the portages, and stable even in brisk winds. My friend Jim was paddling another Magic and we both had a little trouble with weathercocking in strong winds. Our friend Frank was paddling a Wenonah Prism (carbon) and he seemed to track a little better (less rocker).

Then disaster struck. The three of us were camping in Northwest Pa. and Frank and I left our canoes on the beach the last night because we planned an early morning paddle before striking camp and going home. Jim was smart enough to have loaded his boat on his car. We awoke to the shocking sight of an empty beach. Someone had stolen Frank's Prism and my Magic. After much soul searching, I bought a new Prism and Frank bought another Prism as well. We've had them both out many times since and I must say I'm very happy with the choice. It's light as a feather (32 pounds), has a little more room for gear (though it's still narrow) and it feels a little more stable, but perhaps that's because it came with a sliding seat and foot brace. I also got the portage yoke that clamps into the sliding seat which is pretty neat.

Needless to say, I can't wait for our annual BW trip in the spring.

Doc

 
bogwalker
Moderator
  
11/06/2007 06:31AM  
I own a Wenonah Prism in kevlar with Wood Gunwales and thwarts.

I have also been fortunate to paddle a Bell Magic, Bell Wildfire, Souris River Quetico 16, Satch's cedar stripper and Nibi Mocs cedar stripper.

Looking forward to the conversation here.
 
airmorse
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11/06/2007 07:34AM  
I built my kayak about 8 or 9 years ago and I love it. 17ft long just over 50lbs. and I can put anything I want in it. And if it wont fit in it then I lash it to the top. It's made the BWCA trip 4 or 5 times and done great. Very stable and very very fast. Pictures to follow.
 
11/06/2007 07:42AM  
Merlin cedar stripper I built the summer of 2006.

 
airmorse
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11/06/2007 07:53AM  
Here are a few pic's of my boat.
 
11/06/2007 08:38AM  
I have a Sawyer Autumn Mist. I have owned several solos and paddled many more, but as Bogs said, that can be another discussion.

 
11/06/2007 09:58AM  
Although I currently paddle my Merlin, I've also rented a Wenonah Advantage, Wenonah Prism, and a Bell Magic. I tend to agree with StillTruckin that the Bell is pretty narrow. The sides of my knees were constantly rubbing on the gunwales. Other than that nuisance, though, I liked the Magic over the Prism and Advantage. It seemed a little lighter and came with a webbed seat over the plastic tractor seats in the Wenonahs.
 
11/06/2007 10:35AM  
Allen Lake

This is my Kevlar Prism, I bought used from an outfitter last April. It has a sliding webbed seat and foot brace with a portage yoke that twists into place on the gunwales.

I have only been on one solo into the BWCA but the Prism and I have had many floats near home. It has given me a new freedom. I examine every body of water I see, as a new adventure. I can paddle up rivers with it and fish back to the truck. It has been my best investment in a long time.

The cedar strippers are beautiful and some day I would love to paddle one but for now I am very happy with my Prism.

I thank everyone for sharing.
 
canoedog
member (44)member
  
11/06/2007 02:47PM  
Hey All,
I to am a solo canoe fan. I have only done one short trip in the BWCA,I solo the rivers and streams and lakes here in Iowa all the time.
I have even converted many of my friends to solo.
I am in the process of building my first stripper canoe.
The question I have for those of you who have built strippers, did you worry much about the weight, or just go with the plans as is.
Beavers, where did you get the plan for your Merlin? It is a sweet looking canoe.
Canoedog
 
11/06/2007 04:31PM  
Dog,

The Merlin comes from Northwest Canoe Company. Try www.northwestcanoe.com. It looks like they are updating their website so I don't see their models, plans, and prices displayed but you can give them a call. Be sure to order the Builders Notes if this is your first build. They are a great help.

Jim
 
11/06/2007 04:38PM  
Dog, Another option for canoe plans is for the 38 special. I saw that canoe when I was at NW and from my understanding it is a bit bigger than the Merlin. More capacity for gear.
 
Beemer01
Moderator
  
11/06/2007 04:39PM  
My stripper weighs 42 lbs. Probably a bit more than the Prisms, and I'll wager about the same as Beaver's craft.

 
11/06/2007 06:27PM  
I am plannning my first solo for June. Based on comments made on this board, over the last year, the rental will probably be a Prism.
 
11/06/2007 07:16PM  
suggestion....DONT basecamp. :) Jan
 
CIIcanoe
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11/07/2007 08:58AM  
I have three solo canoes, but only one of them for BWCA/Quetico type paddling. It’s a Wenonah Prism (Kevlar) and I’ve had it since 1995, maybe 1996. I’ve covered many miles and trips with this canoe.It has taken some beatings on some of my trips. I’m not too concerned about being too gentle with it, but don’t get me wrong that I purposely try to damage the canoe. It’s simply the landscape that I paddle. I can only recall one trip that was all sand and that was on the Manistique River in Upper Michigan.

What I like about Kevlar is that it’s light for the portages and it’s easily repaired in the field if needed.I use carbon fiber bent shaft paddles.

Here is a link of some photos from this past summer’s trip and at the end are some before and after photos of my Prism after I repaired it.

Prism
Here is the link to the Quetico pictures, Quetico

My two other solo canoes are racing canoes. I have a wood strip J-190 and a carbon fiber J-193. I’ve more or less retired the wood strip.

I paddle the J-193 almost on a daily basis on the Mississippi River or the Rum River here in the Twin Cities. These canoes were designed by Gene Jensen. The wood strip was built by Cal Stenso-Velo and the carbon fiber was made by Everett Crozier.

Gene Jensen

Chuck
 
Blackstick
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11/07/2007 12:55PM  
I have three solo canoes. My tripping boat is a Wabash Valley Dynamic that I got in 1984. It was a downriver, whitewater race boat. It’s extra deep to keep the water out, so it will carry a lot of weight. Unfortunately, that also helps the wind push it around on the lakes a bit more than other C-1s.

My other two solos are also race boats built to USCA specs. One was designed and built by Gene Jensen and the other was designed and built by Tom Bell.
 
11/07/2007 02:04PM  
Wabash Valley Canoe was Ted Bell's first canoe company. He later founded Bell Canoe Works.

 
Scrubb
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11/07/2007 04:28PM  
Bell magic for me


 
Shooz
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11/08/2007 08:17PM  
I have Five canoes 4 of them are solos. My first was a Mad river Lady Slipper(fiber glass) I bought in 1985. Next I bought a Old Town(fiber glass).In 1999 I bought a Wenona Prism (Kevlar). Then I found a Souris River( Kevlar for $300)I had to by it it was on sale. I use the Prism in the BWCA the Old town for friends, the Souris River for fast work outs and Lady Slipper I look at or let my friends give it a try( not alot of initial stability. I love them all I wish my wife did too.
 
Two Flies
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11/09/2007 06:42PM  
I live in the southwest, and have a Pakboat Puffin. I can fly to Minneapolis, rent a car and do my trip cheaper than driving to the BW. The Puffin is easy to put together and fits into a small duffel, and only weighs 38 pounds. I have used it a couple of times in the BW and it has held up fine, although since it is a skin on frame boat it is a bit different, it feels strange to glide over a rock that you did not see and feel it slide under your butt.
 
longpaddler
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11/30/2007 10:49AM  
I paddle a Bell Magic on lakes and a Bell Yellowstone on rivers. The Magic has performed superbly on big lakes w/ up to 2' rollers and a load. Had to move the seat up a bit to be able to kneel in it tho.

The Yellowstone just came back from a 7-day trip on the Buffalo River in the Ozarks and performed like a champ. Lots of Class I-II chutes between long stretches of flat water. Tracked well andfairly fast in the quiet stretches and was pretty nimble in the chutes..even w/ a load.

 
quetico152
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12/03/2007 09:11AM  
Ive only went solo once in BWCA/Quetico, and i used a friends semi-racing style canoe. i dont remember what mfg it was, but it was way too unstable. (pic included, but that big pack wasnt in there too long) anyways, im looking for my own solo but im a college kid, and am on a tight budget. any suggestions?
 
quetico152
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12/03/2007 09:15AM  
Now that i think a little while, that canoe is a Sawyer. Not too good in the wind...
 
12/03/2007 10:53AM  
Since you’re a college, student the first thing that comes to mind is to look at your own college. Many colleges have an outdoor club or recreational gear rentals. My alma mater (University of Wisconsin - La Crosse) has such a thing called Outdoor Connection. They usually have very good quality gear and much cheaper than outfitter prices. Of course, if you are solo you might be paddling a tandem canoe backwards instead of a true solo or you might opt for a kayak. Anyway, it is much cheaper than owning or renting other places.

Otherwise, borrowing is your best option.

 
quetico152
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12/03/2007 10:54AM  
I go to UW-Milwaukee, and we do have something such as your outdoor connection, however I don't live really close to Milwaukee, and they don't have any solos, and aren't selling anything. I have a Souris River Quetico 17 back home, and do paddle it backwards when i go solo on my local river, but even fully loaded i find it a little sluggish maneuvering due to its width. I have been looking into kayaks, but id prefer a canoe just so i can get gear in and out easily. ive been looking on ebay at caonoes and kayaks, but nothing is close enough that i can go see it myself. Right now im really just looking for a used solo at the right price.
 
mwd1976
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12/03/2007 12:33PM  
keep an eye on www.canoegear.com I bought a beat up Magic from them for $450, then put about $150 and some elbow grease back into it and it's in pretty good shape now. Great people to work with. Their stock changes and they should be getting some stuff in this winter.

Also check out craigslist. I've actually seen a surprising number of solo canoes on sale in the twin cities area.
 
12/03/2007 01:23PM  
Well, I think, then, you are off to a good start. You need to ask everyone you know. Chances are you find a great deal through a friend of a friend whose uncle has one hanging in the barn that hasn't been touched in 10 years. They are out there, but hard to find.

I recently bought a 17-year-old canoe (the Sawyer Autumn Mist mentioned earlier). It was used twice and stored in a basement since. Excellent condition. It looks like it is 17 weeks old instead of 17 years.

The thing about Craigs list and ebay is that everybody knows about them.
 
quetico152
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12/04/2007 12:01AM  
Thanks for all the help guys. And if anyone has a solo for sale, please contact me.
 
timberwolf
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01/06/2008 03:12PM  
I paddle a tuff-weave prism with all wood gunwales and thwarts.I use a bending branches kayak paddle and found I like a kayak paddle over a single paddle any day.I've only done 1 solo in the bwca but several on the rivers around my home(which I found were to shallow).Also the Mississippi,Minnesota,and Wisconsin rivers.My prism is a part of me.
 
Rambler_Dog
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01/06/2008 05:11PM  
Madriver Guide & Bell Magic
 
StillTruckin
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01/06/2008 06:19PM  
Timberwolf, what length double blade do you use in the prism?

Doc
 
timberwolf
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01/06/2008 06:58PM  
240cm but thinking of something longer as I tend to get alot water on myself.Maybe a 280cm?I started a thread on this,waiting on answers.
 
outdoors4me
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01/06/2008 09:03PM  
Bell Merlin II for me.
 
magillicuddy
member (29)member
  
02/06/2008 10:47PM  
The post has been around for awhile, but I'll throw in my two cents. I mostly paddle Ozark Rivers so my canoes reflect that. A Mad River Guide for multi day trips with lots of gear and the dog. It's manueverable with plenty of rocker and carries a load. And a Wenonah Vagabond, which is my day tripping boat and what I use on the local lakes. It's what I took to the BWCA last August and it worked out just fine, but I had very little open/ big water to worry about. Trying to save the coins for a Bell Merlin in primo condition owned by a friend of mine for BWCA trips and beyond.
 
02/07/2008 02:33AM  
My solo is the Wenonah solo plus. Its huge for a solo boat. I took the front seat out so I dont have worry about trying to fit my packs in.





tony
 
02/07/2008 08:26PM  
Prism for me...
 
Merlin
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02/09/2008 10:05AM  
I paddle a Bell Merlin II. Sold my Prism to buy it.
 
02/09/2008 03:16PM  
I use a Blackhawk "Starship". Gonna get new gunwales put on this summer. I've done all I could do to try to save them. The wood was in bad shape when I bought in 2000. I think it was made in 1994. Tough to find info on this company.

 
sloughman
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02/18/2008 09:18PM  
I have the Wenonah Voyager. I have not taken it on a solo trip yet, but I've had it out on lakes and the Mississippi. I love its speed, but haven't tested in loaded. I plan to do this next spring before any trips. It's supposed to be more stable once loaded.
 
02/18/2008 09:44PM  
ive decided. its not a prism. its not a magic. im planning on exporing the smaller rivers and lakes of the bwca for the rest of my career. im getting a vagabond. and, heaven forbid...in royalex. :) a correction...itll be the wenonah winderness.
 
Cedarboy
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02/18/2008 10:33PM  
38 Special, stripper of course.
CB
 
magillicuddy
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02/27/2008 01:27AM  
A Mad River Guide is my multi day river tripping boat. A Wenonah Vagabond is the day tripper. And by the end of this week, a Bell Merlin, FG/Kevlar layup will be in my stable. I am excited about the Merlin! It's gonna be my BWCA and big river canoe. The Missouri and Mississippi are close by. And yes, the canoe dog RockC is always in the boat.
 
02/29/2008 01:43PM  
if you happen to be driving by Prior Lake and see a HUGE fire on the ice...thats me, just trying to make a little open water. (i picked up my Wenonah Wilderness today...smile)
 
03/01/2008 09:37AM  
Kanoes, did you get skid plates put on?
 
03/01/2008 09:49AM  
negative. i figure why add weight right away. ill put them on when they are needed. i had the penob for 14 years and never put skid plates on it.
 
quetico152
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03/01/2008 03:21PM  
kanoes,
What does that thing weigh in royalex?
 
03/01/2008 03:29PM  
 
03/01/2008 06:40PM  
Must be a wet footer...

I'm currently arguing with my wife about buying one of these in the future. The plan is to break her down gently. :) I figure in 5 years she'll be so tired of me talking about it that she'll actually buy me one for Christmas.
 
03/01/2008 08:21PM  
i was never a wet footer with the penob. good luck on the breakdown! :) dont you have a cool solo ride already?
 
03/02/2008 06:23AM  
I do but I always dream of taking trips with just solo boats. My son, friend, or what have you, could use my Blackhawk and I could cruise in the Wilderness. A man can never have too many rides. :)

The wife said if I get another canoe I would have to get rid of my Old Town Canadienne. HA! Like THAT would ever happen :)

About the skid plates - I went without them until a couple years ago. I got tired of really pussyfooting it around landings and shallow rivers/creeks. The edges on my Old Town fiberglass were getting to the point where they were fraying. I put the skid plates on and now don't worry anymore. Hardly any extra weight and just peace of mind.

 
quetico152
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03/02/2008 10:42AM  
The skid plates only weigh 1lb, so its really not even noticable. and you do get a more peace of mind knowing that your canoe is a little more durable. if you are in good physical shape, you really arent going to notice the skid plates.
 
Cornboy
member (26)member
  
03/03/2008 07:10AM  
I just got a Wenonah Wilderness Rx over the weekend. No skid plates for me either - I am more of a put them on when you need them kind of guy.
 
bogwalker
Moderator
  
03/03/2008 08:42AM  
Hope I see you in the BW kanoes. Hope you find open water to try your new ride out before May. You can always head south!!!
 
Kurps
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04/24/2008 07:32PM  
Here is some info i got from Joe over at red rock when i asked about the SR Tranquility sliding seat option...

Here's a clip from what I just emailed to another guy. We do have one Tranq coming with the seat slider for those who are convinced that I don't know their particular situation.

Cost for the canoe is $2395 plus $125 for the sliding seat. The sliding seat is intriguing to many, but ultimately you will gain absolutely nothing with the sliding seat except about 4 lbs. of weight and increased expense. Everybody, and I mean every last one of them who use the sliding seat end up with the seat being in it's back-most position and slanting down in the front. Well, guess what? That's the EXACT position of the fixed seat. I have yet to see anyone happiliy position the seat in any other position including myself. It's an unnecessary gee-gaw that seemed like a good idea at the time. Ultmately, you save $125, and about 4 lbs. of extra weight. But, if you want one configured like that anyway, we'll happily order one for you.

The slider in the Tranq is just not that important. The low position is more stable feeling, but if you are short-torsoed, the gunwales are up to your armpits and you feel like you're now stuck in a Wenonah, butt sitting on the floor, legs stuck out in front. The canoe doesn't need the slider and none of our customers appear to need it as well. Like having power windows on your car. They are great, but if you never open the window because you use air-conditioning all the time, how important are they? Just extra junk to rattle around in the car door or on the roof.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to email or call. Thanks!

Joe
Red Rock
1-800-280-1078

PS: If you fish, skip the Tranq and ALL other regular solos. Get SR's Q-16 solo. When researching this model, do not rely on anything you read from the canoeing bulletin boards. I've never seen such a large, mis-information-giving group of so-called experts. Cynical perhaps, but very true, unfortunately.
 
bogwalker
Moderator
  
04/25/2008 09:54AM  
Hmm-Interesting last comment from Joe.

Not quite sure how or if any response is needed to that.

 
04/25/2008 11:17AM  
When I was solo shopping a few years ago I contacted Joe, too, about the Tranquility. Actually from the posting above it looks like he has mellowed some. He emphatically told me I did not want the Tranquility. I think he told me he was so convinced that no one would like the Tranquility that he didn't want to order them because people would want to return them or would never order another canoe from him. The only solo he wanted to deal with was the Q16 ... and that was before the Q16 Solo.

The unfortunate part is that I never got to test paddle the Tranquility to find out if I liked it or not, but did get to test the Q16 outfitted as a solo and found I did not like it. So I had to go to different brands. Maybe, I would have liked the Tranquility and he would have made a sale and had a satisfied customer. Instead I walked away disappointed.

BTW - Personally I like Joe. I've stayed at Northwind Lodge with my family and have shopped at Red Rock Store, etc. I think he is character and he has a huge amount of practical knowledge, but he is opinionated. Still, I'd have a beer with him anytime.
 
MagicPaddler
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04/25/2008 01:58PM  
I had been a Bell Magic Paddler for a long time and found my self with no solo boat and decided to try the Tranquility. My brother and I each rented one and went for a one week trip. I rented one with the slider seat. The slider seat allows you to set just a little too far forward (center of boat) or way to far forward (The front of the boat). If they mounted the seat correctly I think it would be useful. After paddling the Magic with its tumblehome I continuously banged my knuckles on the flared gunnels of the Tranquility. Compared to the Magic it was slow but not effected by the wind quite as much as the Magic. Shortly after that I purchased a Magic to replace my stolen Magic.
 
Merlin
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04/25/2008 04:17PM  
Smart business move by Joe. If potential buyers hear/read/test paddle all the fantastic solo canoes available I can't think many would choose the tranquility let alone a converted tandem like the Q16. If your going to spend over $2000 (now that SR doesn't benefit from the weak US dollar)on a solo canoe there are many better choices than those two. I hope people aren't really going to buy the idea that you need a "solo" canoe 34" wide to fish out of. Jeesh talk about a so-called-expert.
 
Cedarboy
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04/25/2008 05:04PM  
bogwalker is on it
No response is needed here.
Very disappointing to read that. Very disappointing.
CB Its a conspiracy, I tell you, they are all against me!
 
MagicPaddler
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04/25/2008 05:07PM  
To get a little back on topic what canoes do I paddle and have I paddled.

Tranquility. I would have loved it if I had not paddled more than one boat that I liked much better.

Prism. I paddled one for one day on a trip and I liked it.

Magic. First time I paddled this boat I was in love with it. You need to be able to retrim as the wind changes but it will handle the big rollers and a big load. One time I was headed across Cache Bay in high wind. Headed out from Silver Falls I was quartering into the wind and would drop into troughs deep enough that I could not see the shore just the trees on the shore. As I crested each wave I could feel the wave come over the edge and slap me in the lag.. Then I would race down the back side and stick the nose in the nest wave and have a small curl of water over both sides of the bow. Stopped behind every island to bale out. When I made the turn to Hook island the wind was at my back. I got it up on a big roller and surfed the wave man was I moving. Then I out ran the wave and stuck the nose into the next wave and she began to rise. That left the nose on one wave and the tale on another and the middle hardly touching. In about 1/4 of a second she turned 90 degrees. I was really moving fast sideways in the bottom of a trough. She kept me right side up. I took my time the rest of the way to Hook Island.

Rob Roy Well Bell calls it a covered canoe. It is what I have done my trips in for the last 3 years. I can pack enough in it for 12 days and still get in my self. Its fast! Its light! Its stable! More stable then the Magic but I think it would take water over the bow sooner. On a 10 day trip I can double portage and at 60+ I don’t carry as big a load as I once did. Hope you can see this video shot in Quetico 2 years ago. The blue on the nose is to hold the end of the paddle while portaging and fighting the big ones. You can see a pole sticking up in the pole holder that I use for trolling and to keep it handy to get that spot that looks like there must be one there. On the dash is a shoot through the hull fish detector. This was a moving day so it is fully loaded. My food bag is under the front deck and my tackle, lunch and rain ware is between my legs and the rest is in the back. My water bottle is tied to the rear deck.

http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/qpassion/?action=view¤t=100_2516.flv

We are not racing but I like to keep up with the tandem and with this I can.
Video
 
05/17/2008 11:06AM  
now that im back id thought id give a little review of the wenonah wilderness.

as far as im concerned...an awesome little canoe.

id only paddled it twice before my trip began...and it still seemed a bit squirrely to me.

when at the sawbill landing i was immediately worried about getting into the canoe. a wooden wall at the waters edge, and water too deep to stand in. well, i didnt dump it anyway.

by the time i got across a couple lakes i was totally comfortable with it. by the end of the trip, i felt at one with the canoe...i could step in it with one foot while it was floating, balance myself, bring my other foot in...and then sit down.

decent glide. fantastic initial and secondary stability.

heavy for a solo (mine is the rx layup)

i ABSOLUTELY HATED the height/angle adjustable seat. im definately going to fix it in one position.

other than the POS seat brackets....best $879 ive ever spent.


 
buffalodick
distinguished member (204)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/18/2008 08:48AM  
Mine is a 38 Special stripper and I love it. 42 lbs with a slider seat/portage yoke combo.
Dick
 
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