BWCA Northstar Trillium vs Wenonah Wilderness Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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      Northstar Trillium vs Wenonah Wilderness     
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borealcanoe
member (38)member
  
06/26/2020 05:00PM  
Looking to possibly buy either the trillium or Wilderness. My main concern is stability. Have a 55lb dog and want to do some fishing out of the canoe. Don’t plan on any river trips, but want to be able to comfortably paddle big water. I’m 165lbs and 5’ 8”. Any information from experience with either of these canoes would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 
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gkimball
distinguished member(655)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/26/2020 05:16PM  
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I have had a Wilderness since 2012. TuffWeave layup, 42 lbs. This boat can take you anywhere you want to go.

It has always been very stable and easy to paddle in wind and waves. I use a kayak paddle in open water and a single blade near shore and moving water.

It's seat has an upper and lower position plus a tilt setting if you kneel. I keep it in the lower position. It is easy to load due to its width and packs easily lay flat.

 
borealcanoe
member (38)member
  
06/26/2020 06:11PM  
Appreciate the reply gkimball!!!
 
justpaddlin
distinguished member(540)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/26/2020 08:00PM  
Those are two very different canoes. I have six solo canoes and the Trillium is narrower than all of them and the Wilderness is wider than all of them. The Trillium is a narrow, fast, sporty solo that turns effortlessly and it does handle big water. It might be a little cramped for a dog although you could put a seat in like the Hemlock solo seat to give you some fore/aft adjustment. I also paddle with a dog and my dog and I are both a little bigger than you. I haven't paddled a Wilderness but it's got to be a more stable fishing platform and it's designed to carry a bigger load than the Trillium...Wenonah says it's suitable for beginners and it's known for great versatility with OK/decent performance. There are solos that are in-between your two choices like a Swift Keewaydin 15 or Northstar Northwind Solo that would easily handle your dog and big water. You didn't mention whether you sit or kneel. The Keewaydin 15 has a cool optional seat that has a high position for kneeling and a low position for sitting which would be ideal for fishing.
 
DanCooke
distinguished member(1271)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/26/2020 09:25PM  
borealcanoe: "Looking to possibly buy either the trillium or Wilderness. My main concern is stability. Have a 55lb dog and want to do some fishing out of the canoe. Don’t plan on any river trips, but want to be able to comfortably paddle big water. I’m 165lbs and 5’ 8”. Any information from experience with either of these canoes would be much appreciated.

Thanks

"


The Wilderness has far more initial stability, I had one for a decade or so. The Trillium will not be nearly as stable, it is not designed to be a fishing platform and dog hauler. If you want a canoe from Northstar with more initial stability look at their Northwind rather than the Trillium.

Not sure what you are looking for with the statement of "to be able to comfortably paddle big water"
 
jillpine
distinguished member(919)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/26/2020 09:33PM  
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Boreal, I have a Trillium. It is exactly as justpaddlin' said. It definitely has a "tippiness" about it that would potentially be a little hectic with a dog. I split time between the Twin Cities and Cook County area, so if you'd like to try it out, I'd be happy to meet you.


 
borealcanoe
member (38)member
  
06/26/2020 09:44PM  
Just Paddlin, thanks for the info! Yeah, maybe something like the Northwind would be a better option. It would be nice to paddle a couple different canoes before I purchase one. Would like it to be a one time purchase as opposed to buying and selling til I found the right one for me. I’ll probably to scout around and see which places have availability to test paddle.
 
borealcanoe
member (38)member
  
06/26/2020 09:58PM  
Dan, thanks for the information! Sounds like from your experience, the Wilderness would be a much more stable Canoe. Very much appreciate the reply!
 
RoundRiver
distinguished member (418)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/26/2020 10:55PM  
After considering and trying numerous solo canoes, I bought a Wilderness in tough weave. It is a fantastic canoe for BWCAW type tripping. I wanted good initial stability as well as a good paddling and tracking canoe. This is it. Fantastic for fishing or just taking a water and snack break on the water. It is deeper than many solos which I prefer. Handles plenty of gear. I have the seat tightened down in a spot that works for me - it is loud when portaging otherwise. It is not as esthetically pleasing as other canoes, but it is highly functional and met my wants. I am very happy with it for BWCAW-type trips.
 
borealcanoe
member (38)member
  
06/26/2020 11:14PM  
Hi Jillpine! wow, thanks for the incredibly nice offer. I will send you a message to maybe figure out details! That would be really great to test one as it is the model that I have had my eye on the most!
 
borealcanoe
member (38)member
  
06/26/2020 11:22PM  
Round River, thank you for the reply! Sure sounds like the wilderness is quite well liked by most who paddle it.
 
jhb8426
distinguished member(1440)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/27/2020 12:06AM  
gkimball, where was that first pic taken? It looks like the campsite on the north end of the Kelso portage bay on Sawbill.
 
gkimball
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06/27/2020 10:07AM  
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jhb8426: "gkimball, where was that first pic taken? It looks like the campsite on the north end of the Kelso portage bay on Sawbill."


Yes! I stayed there on a short solo trip in 2015. It is a great campsite allowing a good day trip over into Kelso and up to Lujenida.

It's where this guy paid a visit.
 
giddyup
distinguished member(672)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/27/2020 11:20AM  
Borealcanoe, if you live near or are traveling through central Illinois, I have a Wenonah Wilderness you are welcome to take out for a paddle if you’d like. And your dog is welcome to try it out, too. :))
 
borealcanoe
member (38)member
  
06/27/2020 01:28PM  
Hey giddyup! Thanks so much for the generous offer! Unfortunately I’m up in the twin cities area. Really appreciate the kind gesture though:)
 
RoundRiver
distinguished member (418)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/28/2020 10:45PM  
borealcanoe: "Round River, thank you for the reply! Sure sounds like the wilderness is quite well liked by most who paddle it."

You are welcome. I should also note another thing I like about the Wilderness is that it has a little more rocker than most of the other Wenonah solo models (which essentially have none). I prefer some rocker as it provides a bit more maneuverability which comes in handy in river sections, at landings with rocks to navigate, and in waves/chop.
 
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