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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Grey Duck canoes
 
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andreej
04/26/2023 09:21PM
  
Has anyone had a chance to paddle one of Grey Ducks new "Vision 17"?

They look nice and cost a lot!!
 
Frenchy19
04/28/2023 08:57AM
  
Speckled: "tumblehome: " There is no beauty in a Wenonah canoe. Plenty of functionality but that's it.
Tom"



I completely agree and have never been able to understand why. I mean, why not make your boat more aesthetically pleasing. Your could do it with little to no added weight and you'd have a boat that looked so much better."


I have owned two Wenonah canoes, and I also agree. Additionally, the quality of build on both of them was subpar.
 
andreej
04/27/2023 12:51PM
  
Frenchy19: "Show me a new canoe that does not cost a lot!"


Right but these are getting close to $6k!!
 
tumblehome
04/27/2023 10:10AM
  
Their canoes do look very nice and will definitely give the other two Minnesota composite canoe companies some well needed competition.


They combined the functionality of composite construction with the beauty of wood. There is no beauty in a Wenonah canoe. Plenty of functionality but that's it.
Tom
 
sns
04/27/2023 10:59AM
  
adam: "
I believe Midwest Mountaineering has water demos coming up which you can try this canoe. You can also contact Grey Duck and arrange a demo."


Isn't one of those today from 3 to 7pm at Lake Nokomis?
 
sns
05/08/2023 09:23PM
  
Arcola: "Paddled the Vision 18, set my speedo on my phone, cruised easily at 5-6 mph and dead silent. Glide was phenomenal. Paddled the vision 17 too and was just as awesome."


Very encouraging Kent! The 18 is not shown on their website; regardless this bodes well for the future of MN canoe manufacturing…
 
keth0601
04/27/2023 06:34PM
  
Frenchy19: "Show me a new canoe that does not cost a lot!"


No kidding. During the pandemic when demand was insane and supply lacking or non-existent it was understandable, but now it's like base price for a decent composite canoe is creeping toward $4k which is crazy for what they are...
 
Speckled
04/28/2023 07:55AM
  
tumblehome: " There is no beauty in a Wenonah canoe. Plenty of functionality but that's it.
Tom"


I completely agree and have never been able to understand why. I mean, why not make your boat more aesthetically pleasing. Your could do it with little to no added weight and you'd have a boat that looked so much better.
 
catadromous
04/27/2023 07:53PM
  
I went to the demo today and did paddle the Grey Duck 17. I took it out solo and was very pleased to find that it handled nicely solo. It had a kneeling thwart that was comfortable, but I would not want to paddle all day with it. I am very interested in trying a Northstar Polaris with a third seat and would like to try the Gray Duck at the same time. I aslo paddled a Prism and an Advantage for the first time and will make a separate post about that. Jack
 
Frenchy19
04/27/2023 10:57AM
  
Show me a new canoe that does not cost a lot!
 
adam
04/27/2023 06:55AM
  

I believe Midwest Mountaineering has water demos coming up which you can try this canoe. You can also contact Grey Duck and arrange a demo.
 
bwcamjh
05/10/2023 04:30PM
  
Thinking about a Grey Duck Saganaga.


We had a Souris River and spouse did not like it for multiple reasons. Sold it last summer.


We have Wenonah Prospector 15 in Royalex but a Saganaga at 36 to 41 pounds for various lay ups with wood or composite gunnels sure sounds a lot easier to put on ones back as we age.


Anyone paddle this model yet?


Looking ahead to summer, I do plan on calling GreyDuck to see about a test paddle.
 
Frenchy19
04/28/2023 09:00AM
  
andreej: "Frenchy19: "Show me a new canoe that does not cost a lot!"



Right but these are getting close to $6k!!"


I hear you. I wonder how much of that price is determined by their build process. Their vacuum resin infusion technology appears similar to that used by Swift, and their boats are also noticeably more expensive than, say, Northstar, who do not employ that technique in their builds. Northstar also no longer apply gel coats to their canoes while Grey Duck and Swift do. That also has to consider in the cost (and added weight).
 
amhacker22
04/28/2023 04:33PM
  
Side note about gelcoat. I think it’s totally worth the weight.


Mine took a ton of bangs, and never needs more that a small resin fix. On a solo I’d get it gelcoated 10 times out of 10.


An 18 footer with gelcoat…oh to have my youth back.
 
Arcola
05/08/2023 07:07PM
  
Paddled the Vision 18, set my speedo on my phone, cruised easily at 5-6 mph and dead silent. Glide was phenomenal. Paddled the vision 17 too and was just as awesome.