Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Wenonah Itasca vs. Minnesota II
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wikemeis |
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Banksiana |
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Captn Tony |
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Kendis |
I have also seen an Itasca in person and it appears roomier, although it also has noticeable taper. I think this is partly an optical illusion because the middle of an Itasca is so wide. The Spirit II and the Champlain, a stretched version of the Spirit II, have a wider form throughout the length of the hull and thus have more bow leg room than the MN II (definitely) and perhaps also the Itasca (can't say for sure). If you have the ability to go to a canoe dealer and see these canoes in person I highly recommend doing so. Best of luck to you. |
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nctry |
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wikemeis |
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Kendis |
wikemeis: "Welp, so much for holding out. Got a good deal on a really nice Itasca for $1200. This will give me time get it shined up and get some accessories for it... Rear foot power bar, compass, seat backs for the formed seats." I have this compass: https://www.rei.com/product/408083/suunto-m-9-wrist-compass Seems to work nicely for general canoe navigation, just be sure you understand that although the north arrow points in the correct direction, all of the bearing numbers are 180 degrees reversed due to the intended use of sighting down this compass while it's on your wrist. |
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wikemeis |
mr.barley: "wikemeis: "Welp, so much for holding out. Got a good deal on a really nice Itasca for $1200. This will give me time get it shined up and get some accessories for it... Rear foot power bar, compass, seat backs for the formed seats."Don't forget to post pictures. I tried out out an Itasca the day before I picked up my MNII 20 some years ago and was surprised how well it handled for a huge canoe. It turned very nicely." Pictures following shortly, home sweet home. Evidently this Itasca is from 1992 and looks like it's never had any thing redone on it. The keels are in incredible condition! That's my green solo plus next to it. Now time to get to polishing, on both I suppose. Any tips for me on either model, Kevlar or Royalex? |
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JustinLinnell1 |
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mirth |
I'm sure others who are more knowledgeable will chime in. Good luck in your search! |
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wikemeis |
Does anybody have any experience with both the Itasca and the Minnesota II? We usually go for a week and cover some miles. I believe my Royalex weighs ~58 lbs, and I want a forever canoe since I'm getting older (32). The itasca is supposed to be at 49 lbs, and I believe the MN II at 42 lbs, both in the UL Kevlar. I'm just worried if I get the itasca I'll still be the "slow" canoe, and will wish I would've gotten the Minnesota II instead. According to the Wenonah website the itasca has an efficiency rating of 8 while the MN II has a 10. Any thoughts/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. We've already booked our permit for our August trip, so that is my 'deadline', but there is another guy coming to look at this Itasca on Saturday, so that's my new potential deadline. Thanks, Mike |
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jwartman59 |
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Banksiana |
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HansSolo |
jwartman59: "I own a mn2, I haven’t used it in two years. I’ve heard it being called the Kevlar coffin. I should note I’ve been paddling wenonah no rocker canoes sinse the seventies when I owned the wenonah ww2. They are without question very fast but a real pain when you need maneuverability, like when the wind picks up and you’re trying to hold the canoe in a certain position with the waves. I’ve been fortunate that my bow paddlers have always been competent with bow draws and the like. For me paddling a canoe should be more than a means of getting somewhere fast. A canoe should also be responsive, you get this by adding rocker, it’s a compromise. The Itasca has a small amount of rocker, like most bell canoes, not as fast but a much more pleasurable boat to paddle." Although I don't own a Minnesota II, I have owned and paddled a Wenonah Odyssey for thirty years. My Odyssey is actually a slight redesign of the original Odyssey and it lacks the more pronounced upper bow flair, which in turn makes it more similar to the Minnesota II. Like the Itasca and Minnesota II, the Odyssey is also a Gene Jensen design and is very similar to the Minnesota II, especially below the waterline, albeit the Odyssey is 1 1/2" narrower at the waterline than the Minnesota II. I love the Odyssey and I personally feel it's not only seaworthy, but with proper technique, it's also very maneuverable for an 18' 6" canoe in my opinion. Its a somewhat technical hull, for lack of a better description. I personally prefer a more "lively" hull, although that may be unsettling for some paddlers. The Odyssey has also been a great family canoe for my family and me as well. So much so, on a 2004 BWCAW canoe trip, my wife paddled her Sawyer Summersong and I paddled the Odyssey with my 11-year old daughter in the bow with our golden Retriever, and my 7-year old son riding on a Duluth pack. We did a far eastern route in the BWCAW, which included the entire length of Pine Lake. Despite major wind and whitecaps on Pine, we all felt quite secure in the Odyssey. (Not so much for my wife, who swamped her Summersong on Pine Lake.) Aside from paddling the Odyssey on extended trips in the BWCAW and Quetico, I've also paddled it on Lake Superior and rivers such as the Wisconsin River, St. Croix River, Namekagon River and the Kickapoo river, just to name a few. That being said, I will agree that the Itasca is a tick slower than either the Odyssey or the Minnesota II. The Itasca is more initially stable, turns slightly easier than an Odyssey or Minnesota II, and in general, is a more user friendly tripping canoe than the Odyssey and/or the Minnesota II. Hans Solo |
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mr.barley |
wikemeis: "Welp, so much for holding out. Got a good deal on a really nice Itasca for $1200. This will give me time get it shined up and get some accessories for it... Rear foot power bar, compass, seat backs for the formed seats."Don't forget to post pictures. I tried out out an Itasca the day before I picked up my MNII 20 some years ago and was surprised how well it handled for a huge canoe. It turned very nicely. |
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overthehill |
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wikemeis |
What's this called, peer pressure? Or is it pier pressure ???? Thanks!! Mike |
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Blatz |
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