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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum BWCA Solo Canoe Comparisons |
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03/20/2020 12:12PM
Not sure if you want comments, but here I go!
I have paddled 2 of the canoes you have listed. The Prism, and the Magic. The Prism belongs to a friend, and the Magic is an older Bell that I own.
Both are very easy to paddle with nice glide. I wouldn't think there is much difference in efficiency. The Magic is a prettier canoe to my eye, but that is just aesthetics. Seating in the Wenonah is normally a tractor seat, and normally they have a footbrace. I prefer the bench seat, it seems to give me more options sliding around and relieving pressure points. I loved the Wenonah foot brace so much, that I bought one and installed it in my Magic. There are a few differences: first, the Magic is tough to turn, but the Prism is even harder! Great for long open water paddling, but more work when things get twisty. Second, I have found the Prism to have more initial stability. I have read otherwise, but when standing up in both, my Magic is really squirrelly, and I had a much easier time in the Prism. Both have proven seaworthy when conditions get tough.
I have paddled 2 of the canoes you have listed. The Prism, and the Magic. The Prism belongs to a friend, and the Magic is an older Bell that I own.
Both are very easy to paddle with nice glide. I wouldn't think there is much difference in efficiency. The Magic is a prettier canoe to my eye, but that is just aesthetics. Seating in the Wenonah is normally a tractor seat, and normally they have a footbrace. I prefer the bench seat, it seems to give me more options sliding around and relieving pressure points. I loved the Wenonah foot brace so much, that I bought one and installed it in my Magic. There are a few differences: first, the Magic is tough to turn, but the Prism is even harder! Great for long open water paddling, but more work when things get twisty. Second, I have found the Prism to have more initial stability. I have read otherwise, but when standing up in both, my Magic is really squirrelly, and I had a much easier time in the Prism. Both have proven seaworthy when conditions get tough.
03/20/2020 01:08PM
It is interesting seeing the hulls from different builders on a single image. Two suggestions:
1) add the Souris River boats. They are pretty popular.
2) reorder them by either length or ratio of width/length. Then you could see similar hulls by different builders right next to each other.
But very cool!
1) add the Souris River boats. They are pretty popular.
2) reorder them by either length or ratio of width/length. Then you could see similar hulls by different builders right next to each other.
But very cool!
03/25/2020 11:40AM
I have a Prism in carbon with wood trim. I use it for touring (5-7 days) and fitness day paddling, sometimes with fidgety 60 lb. Goldendoodle. I just love the boat and find it easy to paddle in all conditions; with or without loads. I have used it with all kinds of paddles, wood otter tails, carbon bent shaft, and double blade. Works well with them all. I have paddled it in small twisty streams and did not find it difficult to turn. However I am an experienced whitewater solo paddler. The sliding tractor seat lets me trim on the fly to adjust to tail or head winds. If I were to purchase a complimentary 2nd boat I would go for the Northstar Phoenix in IXP for mixed flat/moving water tours and day paddles.
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