Narrowed down my next canoe purchase to the following:
Swift Prospector 14, keeywayden 15, cruiser 16.8
Wenonah Advantage

Uses is going to be 1 trip a year to the boundary waters for 1 to 2 week trips. And day trips to remote mountain lakes and ponds to fish. I am 5'7 240 pounds (losing weight). I know its a trade off for a wider more stable canoe but slower and the more narrow and longer the faster but not as stable. Having a hard time deciding on which to go with. I don't have the opportunity to test paddle ahead of time due to time of year and distance to any dealers.

The Advantage is deceptively stable

Some dream boats on that list, but some very, very different hulls. The Prospector is wildly different than their Cruiser 16.8 or an Advantage.
You've given us your size - how are your paddling skills? Have good balance/coordination?
You may also want to consider some of Northstar's solos, like the Northwind Solo or the Magic.
The answer may lie in your compromise boats, like the Keewaydin 14 or the Northstar Northwind Solo. In the middle for speed and for stability.

Of your list, I've only paddled the Advantage. I'm 6' and 160ish and it was a very nice boat to paddle. Never felt unstable and I fished out of it some and raced it twice. I'm not a huge fan of Wenonah's tractor style seat, so if it was my boat I would swap that out for a webbed or some other style. (not sure if they all come that way)

Since you mostly fish and only travel longer such as BWCA trips I suggest one of the wider boats. The more you paddle the more stable all boats become.

sns: "Some dream boats on that list, but some very, very different hulls. The Prospector is wildly different than their Cruiser 16.8 or an Advantage.
You've given us your size - how are your paddling skills? Have good balance/coordination?
You may also want to consider some of Northstar's solos, like the Northwind Solo or the Magic.
The answer may lie in your compromise boats, like the Keewaydin 14 or the Northstar Northwind Solo. In the middle for speed and for stability. "

I grew up in old town canoes. In my teenage years I've done several extended trips to places such as Algonquin, Colorado River, Shenandoah River, etc. For the last 10 or so years I've been paddling and fishing from various SOT fishing kayaks. And had a stint of whitewater canoe's for a short bit 2 years ago.

And to complicate things, there will be an occasional trip that I'll do an overnight paddle trip on some of our larger lakes.

As SNS has pointed out those four hulls are very different. A suggestion would be to write down the specifications for each boat, length, beam width, rocker, bow and stern heights, etc. That will help to give you a factual look at each boat and a way to compare one to the other. As suggested the Northwind Solo is worth considering. I highly recommend pre paddling at a minimum and better yet renting a boat before buying. If you pre paddle bring all your gear so you can paddle the boat fully loaded with a full tripping load. I have purchased a two boats through Piragis in ELY, MN, and both times I brought my complete outfit and paddled three different hulls over the course of a day. You will have a much better understanding of the hulls characteristics after such a comparison. Good luck and enjoy making a choice!

whitecedar: "As SNS has pointed out those four hulls are very different. A suggestion would be to write down the specifications for each boat, length, beam width, rocker, bow and stern heights, etc. That will help to give you a factual look at each boat and a way to compare one to the other. As suggested the Northwind Solo is worth considering. I highly recommend pre paddling at a minimum and better yet renting a boat before buying. If you pre paddle bring all your gear so you can paddle the boat fully loaded with a full tripping load. I have purchased a two boats through Piragis in ELY, MN, and both times I brought my complete outfit and paddled three different hulls over the course of a day. You will have a much better understanding of the hulls characteristics after such a comparison. Good luck and enjoy making a choice!"

Unfortunately that isn't so much of an option anytime soon. I have to travel to upstate NY to find the closest dealer and I believe they have hard water right now. Where I live we paddle year round. And I would rather have some time to paddle whatever I get before I take it on an extended trip late spring/early summer.

Your photos show a Swift Prospector solo. Own or rent? What do you like and dislike about it to desire change?

For what its worth, I'm very close in size and paddle an Advantage, owned a Wenonah Moccasin. Have paddled a large variety of solos from, SR Quetico 16 down to Bell Flashfire.

butthead

Sounds like you need a lake boat with stability to fish out of and ability to haul gear. But, you listed some very fast boats on your list (cruiser and Advantage) so maybe you want performance too? Normally I’d say a Magic would work but it is narrow and not as stable. But, its manageable at your size and you’ll get used to that pretty quick. The magic is quick and forgiving. I think the Northwind Solo would be better though. You will be more comfortable in it, more stable, it still paddles quick and it will take you anywhere. If you want a Wenonah I’d look at the prism first for speed then Wilderness second if you want a shorter boat. They both are stable and haul gear but the Prism is faster than the Wilderness. Only issue you may have at 5’7” is the reach to the water because they carry more freeboard up the sides and are a little wider. I’ve seen people smaller than you that love those two hulls. The Prism isn’t a best seller for nothing. The Northstars will have an easier reach to the water. Swifts Keewaydin is also a good option from your list. They also make great boats. The Cruiser and Advantage will definitely work too but dont carry gear as well and aren’t as stable as the others. It’s manageable once you get used to them. Still both great canoes and they can take you and your gear far and wide. If I were to narrow down to two boats that meet your criteria (lake, fishing, speed) it goes to the Prism and Magic. At your specs you’ll probably like the magic. If you want to trade speed for better capacity and fishing you’ll like the Wilderness or the Northwind. Of those two at your specs you might really like the Northwind Solo.

If you stick to just your list, the Keewaydin is the better all around canoe. That being said I just bought a brand new Advantage because I want speed and glide and want to use it for exercise. If I had one available to me, the Cruiser would have been one I’d consider for sure. I believe the guy that won the Adirondak Classic 90 mile race in the C1 stock class paddled the cruiser 16.8. I think I saw that on Swifts facebook page. So why not buy the new hot hull everyone is talking about???

I love my Wenonah Wilderness.

I am 5’7” and really like my Northwind Solo. It is just enough wider than the Magic to allow for easier gear loading and unloading. No issues paddling with either a single or double bladed paddle.

butthead: "Your photos show a Swift Prospector solo. Own or rent? What do you like and dislike about it to desire change?


For what its worth, I'm very close in size and paddle an Advantage, owned a Wenonah Moccasin. Have paddled a large variety of solos from, SR Quetico 16 down to Bell Flashfire.


butthead"

I had owned one but never got to paddle it. Long story short, I let the wife convince me to sell it to pay for medical bills from an accident I was in. Insurance didn't pay for my med flight.
Now that is behind me and I got a bonus this year at work, I'm purchasing another canoe.

Writing down the specs and what I am looking for, I'm leaning towards the Advantage.

I'm glad you are leaning away from the Prospector, based on all the info you've given...think you'll be happier in something faster.
That said, you may want to ask about the advantage's storage - do the narrow gunnels limit your choice of portage packs (& does that even matter for you)? I've never paddled an advantage, so I do not know (but I tend to pack very light so it would not be an issue for me.)

sns: "I'm glad you are leaning away from the Prospector, based on all the info you've given...think you'll be happier in something faster.
That said, you may want to ask about the advantage's storage - do the narrow gunnels limit your choice of portage packs (& does that even matter for you)? I've never paddled an advantage, so I do not know (but I tend to pack very light so it would not be an issue for me.)"

My camping/backpacking style is UL. All my gear is minimal and UL as well. Packing for overnight and extended trips shouldn't be an issue. The advantages waterline width seems is the same as the keeywaden but longer and looks more efficient. The prospector even though would be more stable, I'm wanting something more efficient and faster to paddle to.cocer those distance days. The cruiser is the narrowest bit at 27" so not going to be as stable. By the specs, the advantage seems to be the one the fits the bill the best.

sns: "I'm glad you are leaning away from the Prospector, based on all the info you've given...think you'll be happier in something faster.
That said, you may want to ask about the advantage's storage - do the narrow gunnels limit your choice of portage packs (& does that even matter for you)? I've never paddled an advantage, so I do not know (but I tend to pack very light so it would not be an issue for me.)"

In my Advantage I've use a Granite Gear Quetico, CCS Explorer ( with room to spare), and a Kondos Outfitter Special. All of these packs where belly down and easily removed and loaded.

As to packing an Advantage I do have examples,
Packs used Camptrails Torrid 2, GG Nimbus Trace 60L, REI Traverse Ptarmigan, main packs. GG Nimbus Core or random 20L daypacks. 2 paddles, baitcaster or flyfish gear. All the packs and gear fit at or below the gunnels, cept for me and what I'm using.
The photo of me in the Advantage is on a travel day Quetico 2017, about to filter a bottle of water for cowdoc.

butthead

butthead: "As to packing an Advantage I do have examples,
Packs used Camptrails Torrid 2, GG Nimbus Trace 60L, REI Traverse Ptarmigan, main packs. GG Nimbus Core or random 20L daypacks. 2 paddles, baitcaster or flyfish gear. All the packs and gear fit at or below the gunnels, cept for me and what I'm using.
The photo of me in the Advantage is on a travel day Quetico 2017, about to filter a bottle of water for cowdoc.


butthead"

Thanks for the pictures/examples. I will check out some of those packs. I have 3 different backpacking backpacks and Dry stuff sacks. As well as a couple of SeaLine dry packs that I might look at upgrading as they are old and abused.

Good luck on the packs all are discontinued, maybe even the Nimbus Trace is being discounted heavily. I put them here for size comparisons.

butthead

butthead: "As to packing an Advantage I do have examples,
Packs used Camptrails Torrid 2, GG Nimbus Trace 60L, REI Traverse Ptarmigan, main packs. GG Nimbus Core or random 20L daypacks. 2 paddles, baitcaster or flyfish gear. All the packs and gear fit at or below the gunnels, cept for me and what I'm using.
The photo of me in the Advantage is on a travel day Quetico 2017, about to filter a bottle of water for cowdoc.

butthead"

Great Solo Porn photos. 'Cept that last one.

Try as a may perfection is an unreachable goal!

butthead

Well decision is made. Picking up a 2020 advantage in carbon on Friday.

Awesome, welcome to Team Advantage! Advantages are hard to find in stock. Where did you find one in Carbon? Make sure you post pictures for us.

singlebladecanoe: "Well decision is made. Picking up a 2020 advantage in carbon on Friday."

I second the request for photos!

Ole496: "Awesome, welcome to Team Advantage! Advantages are hard to find in stock. Where did you find one in Carbon? Make sure you post pictures for us. "

Will do. I found one at Mountain Man Supply in Old Forge NY.

Talking with them about the canoe when I saw it on their site because I couldn't find any info about it on Wenonah's site, they said Wenonah's doing a relaunch of the model and they haven't got it back on Wenonah's site yet. That they are doing a soft relaunch of the model.

My Black gold Magic I had came from Mountainman so I’m familiar with the place. Such a rare find to get one in black! That is going to look wicked cool on the water!

Nice! Very cool

singlebladecanoe: "

Ole496: "Awesome, welcome to Team Advantage! Advantages are hard to find in stock. Where did you find one in Carbon? Make sure you post pictures for us. "

Will do. I found one at Mountain Man Supply in Old Forge NY.


Talking with them about the canoe when I saw it on their site because I couldn't find any info about it on Wenonah's site, they said Wenonah's doing a relaunch of the model and they haven't got it back on Wenonah's site yet. That they are doing a soft relaunch of the model."

Very exciting news. I'm hopeful to see more of these on the portages through our favorite wilderness! Share pictures please! I think there's a "show me your advantage" thread that started recently.