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mc2mens
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I have the 17' Wenonah Boundary Waters kevlar canoe and really like it. It's stable - good for fishing and canoeing with kids - and it carries a load.
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carmike
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I have two Minnesota II's and am very pleased with them. I don't quite understand the "stability" issue...do people feel the MNII isn't stable? It's efficient, light, easy to find, and plenty steady for me. And while I'm usually in no hurry when out paddling it, I do like getting to camp earlier while having to expend a bit less energy to get there.
But they're ALL good boats, and there will always be tradeoffs. The best advice is to paddle them before buying...You'll find one that just feels best for you. Midwest Mountaineering has an event in the spring that gives you the chance to paddle everything your heart desires.
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jhb8426
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I prefer the Bell Northwind or similar Northstar over a MN II/Wenonah primarily due to the bow shape. The Bell/Northstar have much better room for the bow paddler than the Wenonahs do. Plus they tend to ride over waves rather than slice through them and soak the bow paddler.
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pilot
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I am really fond of my Mad River Malecite Ultralite... Jus sayin.
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timatkn
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quote carmike: "I have two Minnesota II's and am very pleased with them. I don't quite understand the "stability" issue...do people feel the MNII isn't stable? It's efficient, light, easy to find, and plenty steady for me. And while I'm usually in no hurry when out paddling it, I do like getting to camp earlier while having to expend a bit less energy to get there.
"
The MN II isn't unstable just isn't as stable feeling as other canoes. At least that is how it felt to me. Must be to others as I have pulled up to more than a few portages with people waiting it out cause it is "too windy" in waves that were really no big deal to me. For example my Quetico 18.5 is almost impossible to tip over... the dog and kids can lean way over the side, they can stand up and walk around, the dog can jump out and climb back in...not recommending any of this but that is what I call stable.
Probably a bigger issue keeping me from having one (MN II) is my bow partner hates the narrowness in the front. Fine for a few hours but for longer days it is hard on the feet for some people. I still consider the MN II a fine canoe, just a personal preference on characteristics.
T
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ISRO
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quote timatkn: "For stability you can't go wrong with a Souris River Quetico 17 or 18.5 but I feel ya give up some efficiency especially on flat water...I wouldn't want to race a MN II for instance on flat water...now if ya put 2 foot rollers on the lake I'd take on the MN II and feel good about beating it.
T"
It is funny that you mention that, when we entered Agnes from Silence the wind was rocking and we had those waves breaking over the top. We all headed to the large island to the north east, with us in the MNII waiting there about 10 minutes until the three Q17s showed up.
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timatkn
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Touché that's funny...
I've seen the opposite too though, there are a lot of factors that weigh in such as experience and skill, that's why the OP really needs to paddle a canoe to make a decision.
T
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Blatz
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quote jhb8426: "I prefer the Bell Northwind or similar Northstar over a MN II/Wenonah primarily due to the bow shape. The Bell/Northstar have much better room for the bow paddler than the Wenonahs do. Plus they tend to ride over waves rather than slice through them and soak the bow paddler."
I've owned a MNll and like most Wenonahs they move well and track nicely. But like mentioned the Bow paddler space is a bit cramped. My wife is my bow paddler and she appreciates the extra room up front that our Northstar Northwind 17 provides. Actually my favorite Tripping canoe back when I had a need for speed was my Jensen 18. You can still get them.
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mschi772
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Might be better to ask which canoes are real turds to avoid.
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Bunk
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Looking for a 2 person canoe 17-18 feet long
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Jackfish
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Pretty tough to answer because everyone likes something different. Best to look for boats in the 17-18' range and try different models. Even then, what you buy may not be what you prefer down the road.
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mr.barley
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Bell Northwind
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HighnDry
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I have a Q17 but I try to paddle at least one rental a year on a family trip. The Bell Northwind 17 would be my next choice. I've canoed the Wenonah Escape and the Spirit II. I like them. Quite responsive and stable as well but not as solid as the Q17 in terms of stability on the water. Test paddle a couple and see you what you prefer.
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jcavenagh
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quote mr.barley: "Bell Northwind"
Well, I can't argue with that boat.
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DeanL
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A Souris River Q17 or Q18.5.
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overthehill
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I personally like the Bell NWind
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Blatz
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quote mr.barley: "Bell Northwind"
That's the one
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unshavenman
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quote jhb8426: "I prefer the Bell Northwind or similar Northstar over a MN II/Wenonah primarily due to the bow shape. The Bell/Northstar have much better room for the bow paddler than the Wenonahs do. Plus they tend to ride over waves rather than slice through them and soak the bow paddler."
+1. I would take a Bell Northwind 17 or a Souris River Quetico 17 over a MN2 for these reasons any day of the week.
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MHS67
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Might want to take a look at the Mad River Explorer in Kevlar.
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ISRO
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I spent 8 days traveling in Quetico in a Minn 2 along with three other parties paddling the three Souris River 17's.
No doubt they are a nice canoe but the design difference showed quickly when we decided to "GO" and get there. They are not as efficient and it showed.
Now if your not worried about being efficient then no worries, just take your time and cruise.
We had about 575 lbs total in the boat on our trip all up. For two up traveling the Minn 2 is for me "the" boat to paddle.
JMHO
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missmolly
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paddling.net and canoekayak.com and oodles of reviews of pert near every boat you can buy.
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timatkn
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For stability you can't go wrong with a Souris River Quetico 17 or 18.5 but I feel ya give up some efficiency especially on flat water...I wouldn't want to race a MN II for instance on flat water...now if ya put 2 foot rollers on the lake I'd take on the MN II and feel good about beating it.
There are so many variables though and difference in skills/preferences you really need to paddle several canoes yourself in the conditions you normally encounter to know what is best for you. All of the models mentioned so far are good choices.
T
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Bunk
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I'm in the market to purchace a canoe. Any suggestions on the best kevlar canoe? Want a stable canoe that can haul a load.
Thanks
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jcavenagh
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Souris River Quetico 16 or 17.
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MrBadExample
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Yep
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boonie
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Solo, Tandem, 3 or 4 man? How big a load? How will it be used? Etc.
There are a lot of stable kevlar canoes that will carry a big load, and opinions will vary.
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deerfoot
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quote jcavenagh: "Souris River Quetico 16 or 17.
"
+1 - Souris River canoes are tough and stable.
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mr.barley
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quote Blatz: "quote mr.barley: "Bell Northwind"
That's the one" I actually have been paddling a MN II for 20+ years, but it's not a hull for everybody so I suggested the Northwind. It's probably what I'd paddle if I didn't have a MN II. :-)
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Paul Sexton
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You may want to talk to a couple outfitters who manage their mainetnance on these canoes. I just returned from a solo in a Winnoneah. The canoe was awesome...stellar actually. Their bracing support system is superior to just about everyone else out there, especially the SR. The outfitter, Canoe Country, was busy daily reparing the cracks on their SR canoes. Not so with the Winnies...
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mastertangler
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quote mr.barley: "Bell Northwind"
I have not paddled lots of different canoes but I cannot imagine a better tandem canoe. The Northwind has it all. I have yet to find a single thing about them which could be improved, at least for flat water tripping. I prefer metal gunnels because they can be machined much easier than wood (adding things like mounts for depth finders etc) plus they require zero maintenance.
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Cedarboy
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quote Bdubguy: "I believe the Champlain is a stretch version on the Spirit II. "
Not stretched but increased in size proportionatly.
Wenonah guy told me a few years ago the the Spirit II, Champlain and Seneca were all the same hull shape just blown up in size ie, medium ,large , extra large.
CB
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Bdubguy
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I believe the Champlain is a stretch version on the Spirit II.
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mirth
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I like my Spirit II.... Mine's a tuf-weave layup but was in a kevlar version up on crooked during the winds that blew up the Pagami fire back in 2011. Big waves, hard winds. Nice capacity for lots of gear and people.
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hwdhusky
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quote unshavenman: "quote jhb8426: "I prefer the Bell Northwind or similar Northstar over a MN II/Wenonah primarily due to the bow shape. The Bell/Northstar have much better room for the bow paddler than the Wenonahs do. Plus they tend to ride over waves rather than slice through them and soak the bow paddler."
+1. I would take a Bell Northwind 17 or a Souris River Quetico 17 over a MN2 for these reasons any day of the week."
+1 But I went with the Quetico 18.5
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Winemaker
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Talked to four outfitters on the gunflint this past week and they all had wenonah, Souris river, and bell made boats. Asked them what boat is most popular with newer boaters, three said wenonah spirit II. Carries a load, stable, and more comfortable then some higher performing models. They had kind words for the other makes and models, felt good suggesting many other models, but the Spirit was literally mentioned first by three, second by one after Souris river 17.
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Bdubguy
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I think you are describing my Champlain perfectly. My Northwind is definitely a faster boat, but does not compare to the champlains load and stability. I would be much more comfortable in big water in the Champlain.
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carmike
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Certainly fair points re: the narrowness of the bow of the MNII. I never sit there, so I have no idea what it's like up there. It certainly does look cramped, and enough people have complained about it online for me to believe y'all. None of my partners have, though, so I don't readily remember the discomfort some have up there.
I tend to think that if the waves are so large they'll swamp a MNII but not cause trouble to others in a different boat that I probably wouldn't be out in them either, no matter what canoe I have. :)
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Moonpath
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I have owned a Northstar (Bell) Northwind 17 for 3 years now and have taken it on several trips. It is a fast stable canoe. I have the kev lite layup. I bought it for several reasons. First, it is a compromise from the very flat bottom SR17 which while probably a bit more stable, is not as fast nor nimble. The NW 17 rides waves well and is roomy. It has more rocker in the bow and less in the stern. Second, the NW 17 at the time I purchased mine was several hundred dollars cheaper for a new canoe. Third, I was able to get all wood trim on my NW 17 but this was not possible with the SR's which only have alum gunwales. I simply like the aesthetics of wood and so for me, this was an important issue. Finally, even with the wood trim, my NW 17 weighs almost 2 lbs less than the SR 17. Not a big deal but not a bad one either. Downsides. The NW kev lite layup needs attn at landings because it scratches easily and the bow and stern do not have gel coats protecting the Kevlar. This can result in a fuzziness from abrasion. I think I will need to put skid plates on at some point to protect the layup. SR 17's may be tougher this way which is a plus. As others have said, all of these are very good canoes and one is best served by testing various models to see what works best for them. My 2 cents. Jerry G
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