Posted this over on Canadian Canoe Routes too.

Plan: Wife and myself drive out to Wisconsin, Ontario, Western NY end of September beginning of October with a trip in mind. Hopefully identify a boat ahead of time through CL, dealer inquiries, maybe here or directly through manufacturers. Looking to have 1500 to 2500 set aside for a canoe by then. Buy boat, paddle the waters and drive the boat home and have a long and happy life together. Guessing Ontario has the best prices. Road trip would be pretty open ended and decided largely on where we find the boat.

First Question: Are there canoe dealers you can recommend contacting to ask about what they have on hand?

Second Question: We all ask it: What kind of boat for me? Weight is important to me. Picking up a 65 pound Penobscot 17 tomorrow and even though there are handling characteristics and feel that are much different in a composite boat, I want it to be at least 10 pounds lighter for that kind of money. I like efficiency and have been using a zre carbon paddle except for white water and coastal landings for a long time. Want to be able to pack for a week (or longer if comforts are sacrificed for more food/ fuel) tandem. I have run class 2/3 ww for many years and want a boat that is capable with care (would put end bag flotation in the boat) to run on a trip. Boat should be easy on/off the car, efficient in its movement through the water, strong and stiff to turn in moving water, able to carry a tandem week long trip, not so tippy it feels twitchy all the time.

Looking online the boats I am drooling over are:
Swift Keewaydin 17-Place in Connecticut is having a demo in April I hope to get to
Northstar Northwind 17
H2O Paramount and Boundary
Souris River Quetico 17

Wenonah are boats I have prejudices about their build quality, but it is not grounded in much. Spirit II in Kevlar are fairly common and not too pricey. The Minnesota 2 just seems too long for portaging. Escape 2 seems interesting.

Older Bell Northwind, Bluewater Freedom-if I get lucky

Grew up admiring Mad River's quality, but need to look into what older models might work.

Lots of folks are making a modified Prospector model, and they are popular and pretty to look at and I am sure paddle very nice, but the windage and less efficient shape have me looking away, but open to change until I settle on a decision.

Third question: Can you expect a cared for kevlar boat to maintain it's original integrity for 30 or 40 years? If I am shelling out the prices people want used I would want the boat to last me at least 20 years.

Cheers

The folks at Souris River often have reconditioned or factory seconds.
They would hold it for you and the exchange rate is good.

They do seem to have a nice price/strengh/weight combination.

Bell Northwind
Northstar Northwind 17
Souris River Quetico 17


Those would be my top choices based on their combo of weight and stability. The Quetico 17 will probably be the best deal if you can find a reconditioned or used one in good condition. The Bell's are tough to come by since they are no longer made and the Northstars are pricey, but an amazing boat.

I have a Northstar Northwind 17 awesome boat. But I've also owned Wenonah MN ll, Jensen 18, and numerous solo canoes.. Nothing wrong with the build quality of Wenonahs. It's a tie for me with the Northstar and Jensen 18. They both have they're advantages. The Jensen 18 is fast where as the Northstar is more maneuverable. I don't think the Jensen 18 is in the Catalog but you can still get it. Kevlar canoes cared for and stored properly will last a life time.

Appreciate folks taking time with feedback. Been a plastic boater since the mid 70's and so this is a bit out of my depth.

Thanks for input on Wenonah's. Suspected my prejudice was wrong and hope it came across that was my belief. Also guessed that was the case with older kevlar boats. Way back in the day there was talk that they became more brittle over time, but that probably was up there with microwave ovens poisoning us.

The Wenonah 18 sounds like it might be a bit more of a straightline boat than what I am after.

My experience is mostly with Wenonah canoes, so I'll confine my remarks to those boats.

If you want to run class 2-3 rapids, don't get a Wenonah Minnesota 2 or an Escape. Those do not have any rocker and the end depth is not large enough for that purpose IMHO. Those boats are designed for fast paddling on flat water. By the way, the Minnesota 2 is not too long for portaging; I can't begin to count the number of portages I've taken with a boat that length or longer.

The Spirit 2 is ok for class 2 and might be ok for class 3 if you use flotation bags. I think that the Flex-core composite layup would be better than the Ultra-light for whitewater. A used Royalex would be even better, although heavier.

Wenonah made dedicated whitewater canoes until Royalex was discontinued.

This guy sells Northstar canoes for a good price

This guy sells Winonah seconds

I would for sure give the Souris River factory a call and stop by there Souris River Some great paddling in the Turtle River Provincial park north of Atikokan.

Most outfitter sell off their canoes in Oct. Check for some sample prices. Piragis used canoes

Don't forget to watch the For Sale thread on this site.

Sounds like a great trip with a prize to boot. Test paddle as many canoes as you can.

Wenonah made dedicated whitewater canoes until Royalex was discontinued.
T Formax (Royalex replacement) is being introduced by Wenonah as we speak at Canoecopia

Thanks for all the replies.

I am not buying the boat as a river runner-would look at different boats-but I also want a boat I can run rivers if that is where the trip takes me.


Here in Maine, I have found some portages more difficult with a longer canoe-again could be a perception thing.

I'm a Souris River devotee. Got my Q17 for I think $1275 and with care and a refinish (first in 6 years this spring) expect it to out last me (albeit I am on Medicare this year). I still think it was a good deal. I think they are $1350-1400 from same outfitter - they always have a stock to sell in fall.

But are you a flatwater canoer? What kind of water is a big factor.

I am in Maine. I have averaged at least 1 4 night overnight trip for the last 20 years. Probably another 20-30 day trips/year split between ocean, rivers, lakes.

I live near the ocean and am paddling a kayak more now on the ocean. I will be picking an OT Royalex Penobscot 17 up tomorrow to replace an OT Tripper mostly because of the weight savings-same weight I'm keeping the tripper. This will serve as my river tripping/ rec ww racing boat and the one I will use this Spring and Summer.

I want a boat that is lighter on and off the car rack so I am more likely to bring it with me for a paddle. Hoping for weight in a 42-52 range.

I don't see the concern for a canoe in class 2.

We really like the SR Q17. Used from an outfitter might be more beat up than some boats on CL. But you should be able to purchase for the low end of your range. I don't know the folks in Canada but in Ely you could call ahead and reserve a boat for that time of year. Piragis turns their boats over after a season with higher prices, as is reasonable, than other outfitters. Voyager North is also in Ely. They use their boats longer but the price will be lower and they will give you very honest info over the phone to set up a deal. Lots of other choices in town. I think you will have lots of choices.

Well, if I had my druthers, I'd take advantage of the exchange rate and look at Novacrafts and Swifts. There are always end of season sales up there. I've met few Novacrafts that I haven't enjoyed and have a friend that lives in London, Ontario. And Swift has my favorite designer, David Yost, designing for them. I would love to try out some of his. Sounds like a really nice trip!