I am looking into getting a new/used canoe. I presently have a Sawyer Cruiser and also borrow one when I go into the BW. I have never tipped in the Cruiser in 24 years and have seen some rough water. Would buy another Sawyer Cruiser in a heartbeat, but they went out of business. I think I have narrowed my choice to the MN III or the Quetico 18.5. Any help on this decision would be greatly appreciated.

canoe42

We paddled a Souris 18.5 this last summer.
Very stable and the load capacity is amazing....you could pack a piano in one and still have freeboard.I have never paddled the Wenonah, but have heard they are tippy....just someth'in to check out!

fishguts

We paddled a Wenonah Champlain (18 or 18.5?) loaded to the gills for base camping. Not tippy at all (if anyone was going to tip it would be my wife). The capacity was enormous, and it only weighed 43 pounds. I've become convinced the Souris River would be even better (check out the info at RedRockStore.com)

lol after doing about 3 days worth of casual research on both canoes (casual research = playing on the internet at work when I have down time :))I was about to make this exact same thread and ask the same question. What exactly would make a canoe "tippy"? The curve of the gunwale, or the flatness of the bottom or smthg? I'm gonna get a wenonah (all the outfitter I'm using carries) so I guess it doesn't really matter, just looking for input from those who have used either canoe :)

While I have never paddled a Wenonah, let me say this about the SR Quetico 18.5... I own one, I live in Arkansas and carry it to Minnesota for my trips every year. I am a big guy, and wanted a stable canoe, and the 18.5 was it... an example... My wife and I paddle it for exercise here in our hometown. One day while paddling a storm came and hit us sideways as we were trying to get to the dock about 100 yards away with about 25-35 mph gust... we were unloaded and riding high... blew us about 10 feet sideways... never tipped!!! We turned went with the wind and quartered to bank about a half mile down the shore... I then walked and got the truck. Would I ever want another canor for tandem... NEVER!!

Bruce

I've had the chance to paddle both and there are few noticable differences. The Souris River boats, in my opinion, feel a little more sturdy and don't flex as much as you might find with a Wenonah. They can both feel like sails on a windy portage and both paddle the same on the water--- but I did find that Wenonahs seem more fragile and depending on who's paddling it, you might not choose that option.

Overall, I have paddled Wenonahs more and the MN III is a fast, sleek boat that has gotten me from Moose to Prarie Portage in less than an hour and a half many times and heads up into wind like a dream. They both have limited initial stability (the tippy feeling when you step in, as compared to a wider alumnacraft) but secondary stability is wonderful and I have yet to see anyone tip either canoe.

I have a Wenonah Mn II, which is the 18.5 footer. The Mn III is a twenty footer. I am very happy with the Mn II. It's fast and light handles well in any waves I've had it in. We've had it out in the whitecaps several times and never had a scare.

Not to change the subject but ARE you talking about the MNII or MNIII?
The SR Quetico is 18.5 and so is the MNII. I have been trying to decide between the MNII and the BELL Northwoods 18.5 and decided on the BELL as it is more stable vs. the MNII which is faster. Now I suppose I will have to do some comparisons on the Northwoods vs. the SR Quetico. Any opinions on that match up?

I've only examined the SR on dry land, but it seems far sturdier and much better built than the Wenonah. I've paddled the Wenonahs and they seem really fragile... Once the wind took it from me after unloading and threw it down on a sharp rock (thank God for duct tape). Last year we got hung up on a submerged rock (couldn't reach the bottom anywhere with our paddles) and while it didn't totally fail, we heard it crack-crack-crack. We examined it at the next portage, and there was a 2 foot diameter "spiderweb" of cracks on the bottom. Since my outfitter never blinked at either of these "incidents" they must expect these results with the Wenonahs. I'm enough of a "good customer" they've always let me pick my boat (or veto the boat they select for me). I don't know if a first time customer gets that option... I suppose others end up with the patched up damaged boats!

A COMMENT FOR THE ORIGINAL POSTER (Canoe42):I've never encountered another living, breathing Sawyer owner. I have a 1994 Sawyer Oscoda 13' Solo, purchased new in March 1995 from Chicagoland Canoe Base (corner of Narragansut and Irving Park Road). It's way too small for BWCA tripping, but it's a nice little 45 pound river rat! I use it when my Scout Troop paddles the Fox River here in northern IL (2 day, 1 night floats), and on occasional solo river trips. I think it's too bad they went out of business.

I have only paddled Wenonah canoes so I cannot compare. However, I have nothing but good to say about any of them I paddled. The 16.5 foot echo we have is over 22years old and still bashes down the river all summer. The Minn 2 is very fast. I have easily outpaddled companions in other brands with less effort to do so. It is awsome on big water, and holds more gears than I will ever want to portage.

As for tough... We had a minn2 get blown off a Chevy1500 in a major gust of wind before we had it tied on. It flew 15 feet and bounced across a parking lot. While it has a number of black skuffs it has been back to the bwca 3 times since and had no major dammage.

Again, I cannot comment on the Souris, but I love the Minn2.

I've had my MN II for 9 years and 13 trips and I gotta say, they are a fine canoe. I've never tried out a Souris River, but I've often thought about heading over to Red Rock to test paddle one. The MN II is a fast straight running canoe. A few years back I was on a trip to Lac La Croix with 2 other canoes and we wanted a specific campsite on an island across from Warrior Hill. About a quarter mile ahead of us were 3 canoes headed in that direction. So my brother and I kicked it in. The group of canoes ahead of us decided to take the back side of the island, I assume to get out of the wind barreling down Lac La Croix, and we took the front side approach. Well, we beat them by about 30 seconds spotting them a quarter mile and taking the windy side. I guess I'm partial to the MN II's, though I'd really like to try a Souris River out.

quote Canoe42: "I am looking into getting a new/used canoe. I presently have a Sawyer Cruiser and also borrow one when I go into the BW. I have never tipped in the Cruiser in 24 years and have seen some rough water. Would buy another Sawyer Cruiser in a heartbeat, but they went out of business. I think I have narrowed my choice to the MN III or the Quetico 18.5. Any help on this decision would be greatly appreciated.



canoe42"

Personally I solo in my Bell Magic, but I have a Souris River 18.5 in my fleet. It's a wonderful canoe that gets used every year by others in our group.

I considered the MN III but decided on a Souris River after reading the following comparison.

http://www.redrockstore.com/canoecompare.html

I think both are excellent canoes and will do the job. The Souris River costs more. I won't get into which is a 'better' boat. That would open up WWIII I think.

Scott Smith bought the mold for the Sawyer Cruiser Sawyer Cruiser and is making them again. Unfortunately he doesn't have the mold for the Sawyer 222 (the 18.5' big water tripper).

BR: while the Quetico 18.5 is the same length as the MN II it is generally set up as a three-person boat like the MN III. So, functionally it is reasonable to compare the Quetico 18.5 to the MN III.

Oops just saw that this thread is a blast from the past. Thought it was the other thread we've been having on this recurring topic. Guess you can't beat the classics.

It's all a matter of personal opinion really.

I would say that to make an informed decision you should paddle both boats.

Even if you look at the red rock store for advice keep in mind that he sells Souris River canoes... of course he's going to say they're better.

Personally for me... I would rather buy a canoe made in my home state of Minnesota and the USA.

I own a Souris River 18' that is no longer in production, and a Mn II, and good friends own a MN III and a SR Quetico 18.5. I personally have tripped in all these canoes. The kevlar makeup of the SR is different/better than the Wenonah. A scratch into the thread on a Wenonah is only a scratch on the surface of the Souris. Both Sourises feel sturdier, even tho by weight they are only a pound or two heavier. Both Sourises are a bit wider, a little slower, and may carry a little bit more, but they are still fast.

The differences, to me, are when paddling either of the big canoes empty vs loaded. The big Souris felt like a cork, bobbing around on top of the water, and quite tippy, with two 200 lb men and fishing gear. This canoe needs to be loaded with about 500 to 600 lbs or more to feel comfy. The smaller Souris was fine. The MN III didn't feel as "corky" with only two and no load, but it feels best with two and a load or three and a load. The MN III tended to hold a line and not want to turn easily, but when turned, didn't want to stop turning, due to the long length and lack of rocker. The big Souris had similar characteristics, but not as pronounced.

I don't think you can go wrong with either big canoe, but they are designed to carry a bigger load than you would put in a Mn2. You will do more repairs on the Wenonah, but it will get you there a bit faster.

Canoe42: "I am looking into getting a new/used canoe. I presently have a Sawyer Cruiser and also borrow one when I go into the BW. I have never tipped in the Cruiser in 24 years and have seen some rough water. Would buy another Sawyer Cruiser in a heartbeat, but they went out of business. I think I have narrowed my choice to the MN III or the Quetico 18.5. Any help on this decision would be greatly appreciated.



canoe42"

I'm fixing a cruiser and need the beam of the rear thwart that is missing.....I'll double check the forums but I think I read they were slightly asymetric.....great boat