I'm going this Sunday to look at canoes. I found a place "near" here that has enough to do a comparison. If I find what I'm looking for out of what I've narrowed down to, I'll purchase and bring it home.

Huzzah!

When I read the title, I thought it was an early Easter post :-)
Good luck on the canoe shopping!

Good Luck and have fun! Many memories to be made.

happy shopping!

The process leading up to a purchase like this is agonizing. Other than a Saturday going down a small river with a bunch of people, I've not canoed before. I'm operating on theory and wanting to make the best choice is a killer. Once I put the money on the counter it will be done and I'll be fine.

I think the place I'm going has enough that are on my list that I should be able to come away with something.

Huzzah! Congrats in advance! Everyone's fleet has to start from one. :-)

Now become a site supporter to get some flying moose decals for your new ride!

mirth: "Huzzah! Congrats in advance! Everyone's fleet has to start from one. :-)

Now become a site supporter to get some flying moose decals for your new ride!"

I should do that. I've gotten enough value from here.

Good luck. Just sit your butt down in a boat and buy a $12 paddle. It’s all the same.

Cheers, scat

Just be careful. Fellow on this site needed an intervention: Too many boats

Well........WonderMonkey, I'll throw a "Halleluiah!" your way and wish you luck. Let us know what ya get.

rtallent: "Just be careful. Fellow on this site needed an intervention: Too many boats "

I'll do my best. I have two kayaks now, one for me and one for my wife, and this boat will be for tripping in areas that don't get as much abuse as I'd use for my kayak(s).

No canoe for me! The place I went to had a Wenonah Spirit II in Royalex and nothing else. The person I spoke to earlier this week told me they had what I was looking for (I said specifically) but as it turns out that person was just there for an hour at the counter helping while the owner was out. The person, most likely, heard "Wenonah" and agree they had them. I even repeated myself on the models and he said they had them. By "them" I'm sure he meant Wenonah canoes. When I drove 2 1/4 hours to get there and then asked where the other canoes were the owner said "This is all we have". I told her about my conversation and my drive and she looked like someone had punched her in the stomach. She felt terrible. The guy on the phone was trying to be helpful and I'm sure he answered as accurately as he knew how.

However .... I drove there and back and did nothing more than sit in an older Royalex Spirit II.

No canoe for me.

WonderMonkey: "No canoe for me! The place I went to had a Wenonah Spirit II in Royalex and nothing else. The person I spoke to earlier this week told me they had what I was looking for (I said specifically) but as it turns out that person was just there for an hour at the counter helping while the owner was out. The person, most likely, heard "Wenonah" and agree they had them. I even repeated myself on the models and he said they had them. By "them" I'm sure he meant Wenonah canoes. When I drove 2 1/4 hours to get there and then asked where the other canoes were the owner said "This is all we have". I told her about my conversation and my drive and she looked like someone had punched her in the stomach. She felt terrible. The guy on the phone was trying to be helpful and I'm sure he answered as accurately as he knew how.


However .... I drove there and back and did nothing more than sit in an older Royalex Spirit II.


No canoe for me."

OUCH, I would have been really ticked off driving to see ONE canoe!

ozarkpaddler: "

WonderMonkey: "No canoe for me! The place I went to had a Wenonah Spirit II in Royalex and nothing else. The person I spoke to earlier this week told me they had what I was looking for (I said specifically) but as it turns out that person was just there for an hour at the counter helping while the owner was out. The person, most likely, heard "Wenonah" and agree they had them. I even repeated myself on the models and he said they had them. By "them" I'm sure he meant Wenonah canoes. When I drove 2 1/4 hours to get there and then asked where the other canoes were the owner said "This is all we have". I told her about my conversation and my drive and she looked like someone had punched her in the stomach. She felt terrible. The guy on the phone was trying to be helpful and I'm sure he answered as accurately as he knew how.

However .... I drove there and back and did nothing more than sit in an older Royalex Spirit II.

No canoe for me."

OUCH, I would have been really ticked off driving to see ONE canoe!
"

I was a bit upset but the owner felt really bad and let me know she would order whatever boat I wanted and drive it personally to my house. The guy on the phone messed up for sure but he was trying to help. If I had driven to Chicago and that had happened then may have been more upset.

I'll triple verify before I make any more trips.

rtallent: "Just be careful. Fellow on this site needed an intervention: Too many boats "

LOL! I still do need an intervention!

OneMatch: "

rtallent: "Just be careful. Fellow on this site needed an intervention: Too many boats "

LOL! I still do need an intervention! "

Speaking of which, I miss the days when some said that I was the one of those guys with "Too many boats." But then a friend of mine verified that wasn't true He said "There's NO SUCH THING AS TOO MANY BOATS (LOL)!"

Though it was an older model and one of the heavier versions, I did like the feel of the Spirit II. I thought real hard about buying it but that would have been me making an emotional decision. I'm there, it was there, I had the money ....

Maybe this summer the perfect deal will come your way and you'll be adding a lightweight canoe alongside your 12' river kayak.

The Spirit 2 is wa nice canoe to paddle if you can ever find it in the layup you like. Mine is fiberglass and is not the worst on a portage. Keep searching and good luck.

dr bob

WonderMonkey: "Though it was an older model and one of the heavier versions, I did like the feel of the Spirit II. I thought real hard about buying it but that would have been me making an emotional decision. I'm there, it was there, I had the money ...."

It seems like you have your heart set on a Wenonah and that's fine, but it wouldn't hurt to look at some other brands as well. I (for many reasons) am a Northstar/Bell fan and think you would be very happy with a Northwind in a Kevlar layup. They are out there if you don't wanna buy new. Try one out.

mjmkjun: "Maybe this summer the perfect deal will come your way and you'll be adding a lightweight canoe alongside your 12' river kayak."

I'm hoping so. I am going to look at a Northstar Northwind 16 today. I know that would certainly fit my needs, just have to put my hands on it and make sure. I'd like the 17' due to my size, but that would make solo a pain. The 16' will most likely do.

OneMatch: "

WonderMonkey: "Though it was an older model and one of the heavier versions, I did like the feel of the Spirit II. I thought real hard about buying it but that would have been me making an emotional decision. I'm there, it was there, I had the money ...."

It seems like you have your heart set on a Wenonah and that's fine, but it wouldn't hurt to look at some other brands as well. I (for many reasons) am a Northstar/Bell fan and think you would be very happy with a Northwind in a Kevlar layup. They are out there if you don't wanna buy new. Try one out.

"

I like the Northstar as well. I only seem to focus on Wenonah as that is what is available around me to put my hands on. However, today I'm going to look at a Northstar Northwind 16. Chances are high I'll end up getting it.

I have a 16.5 ' Prism (34 lbs.) and the only times the length is challenging is a portage with significant turns w/ trees tight to portage. A steep climb is another instance. Just have to slow my pace down to compensate. Is one foot longer going to make that much difference in weight? (rhetorical)
Get what you really want not what is a compromise. You'll bond stronger with canoe. Ha! (but true!)

Never paddled the newer composite Northwind 16 but we owned a Bell royalex Northwind. It was a nice boat, tons of secondary stability, and a well mannered, easy paddling hull. I can only imagine the composite version is better? Actually, we traded the Ranger at Carl & John's in Madison for the Northwind. Had it for about 5 years and sold it to Dedgrass here on the forum. If you're interested, I'll type up the story about OUR unplanned "Stability test."

Unlike the Q-16, Adirondack, Pal, Bob Special, et al I don't think it would work turned around backwards? For one thing, unless they changed the placement, there will be a thwart behind the bow seat. If you plan to solo this, better to use a center seat or kneeling thwart. That's what I, Dedgrass, and two other friends whom owned them did. Then, later since we only paddled it tandem or me with a load, I moved the stern seat up further and ditched the center seat. Here's a couple pics of the Northwind 16' (it's actually 16'6").

mjmkjun: "I have a 16.5 ' Prism (34 lbs.) and the only times the length is challenging is a portage with significant turns w/ trees tight to portage. A steep climb is another instance. Just have to slow my pace down to compensate. Is one foot longer going to make that much difference in weight? (rhetorical)
Get what you really want not what is a compromise. You'll bond stronger with canoe. Ha! (but true!)"

My wife already knows that it would be tough choice between my outdoor gear and her if made to choose.

ozarkpaddler: "Never paddled the newer composite Northwind 16 but we owned a Bell royalex Northwind. It was a nice boat, tons of secondary stability, and a well mannered, easy paddling hull. I can only imagine the composite version is better? Actually, we traded the Ranger at Carl & John's in Madison for the Northwind. Had it for about 5 years and sold it to Dedgrass here on the forum. If you're interested, I'll type up the story about OUR unplanned "Stability test."

Unlike the Q-16, Adirondack, Pal, Bob Special, et al I don't think it would work turned around backwards? For one thing, unless they changed the placement, there will be a thwart behind the bow seat. If you plan to solo this, better to use a center seat or kneeling thwart. That's what I, Dedgrass, and two other friends whom owned them did. Then, later since we only paddled it tandem or me with a load, I moved the stern seat up further and ditched the center seat. Here's a couple pics of the Northwind 16' (it's actually 16'6").

I just got back from purchasing the Northstar Northwind 16. Photos to follow, to include the seating and thwart.

Congrats on the canoe purchase! I'm sure you'll be happy with that. Personally, I'm looking forward to the boat auction at the Midwest Adventure Expo at the end of this month. Always find it hard not to pull the trigger and bid on a good deal!

djwillco: "Congrats on the canoe purchase! I'm sure you'll be happy with that. Personally, I'm looking forward to the boat auction at the Midwest Adventure Expo at the end of this month. Always find it hard not to pull the trigger and bid on a good deal!"

Thanks! I had actually looked for shows but didn't see this one. I may have targeted it to attend. However, I'm happy with my purchase. I'm happy because of the help I received here allowed me to feel that what I got is among the canoes that would do me well.