I'm looking for suggestions for my next canoe!

My partner and I have a 16' Old Town Penobscot in royalex. We have loved this canoe. It has taken us on many trips--whitewater and flatwater. Thinking a few years ahead (kids?!), it seems we will soon outgrow this boat. We plan to keep it as our primary river canoe, and so are looking for something that will take us on our future BWCA trips.

Size: I'm thinking 17-18 feet, which would accommodate the two of us and our dog, and eventually maybe another smaller human. Probably want to avoid a third seat for now.

Material: Lighter weight than Royalex. I think that means Aramid/kevlar, but there are lots of variants here. This will be a lakes-only boat, so not expecting to need to prioritize durability.

Maneuverability: Since this is going to be a boat for lakes, I'd prioritize tracking over agility, although a balance of both would be nice.

Stability: We never had any stability issues in the Penobscot with our dog, so as long as we can replicate that or do better we should be fine.

Budget: At the moment, none.

Other things we should consider?

Open to all suggestions, ideas, experiences, warnings, etc. Thanks!

Northstar Northwind 18 or Swift Keewaydin 17. Both are incredible boats for your situation.

I have a Northwind 18 in kevlar that I use with my two daughters. I sold the 17 because I didn't have room. If you don't need the 3rd seat I would get the Northwind 17 in blacklite. Great all around hull and I love the stiffness and durability of the carbon while still being incredibly light weight.

On the way home from the BWCA, right now. Our Wenonah Spirit II again performed awesome. Enough stability for fishing and the dog, but does not sacrifice much speed, Tracks straight in the BWCA, but maneuverable enough for rivers. They are popular with outfitters, so many will be for sale in the fall from BWCA outfitters. Can get a Kevlar model for half off and pre-scratched, so you don’t have to worry about that first one. That is what we did and have no regrets.

justpaddlin: "Northstar Northwind 18 or Swift Keewaydin 17. Both are incredible boats for your situation."

I don't think I have ever heard of Swift. Are they not as popular in MN, or have I just not been paying enough attention?

MidwestFirecraft: "I have a Northwind 18 in kevlar that I use with my two daughters. I sold the 17 because I didn't have room. If you don't need the 3rd seat I would get the Northwind 17 in blacklite. Great all around hull and I love the stiffness and durability of the carbon while still being incredibly light weight."

Part of my hesitation with the third seat is that it seems it would reduce the useability of the space between the stern seat and yoke when tripping with only two people. Any experience with this scenario?

Souris River Q17 with a removable center seat would be my choice. If additional passengers are a near certainty then the 18.5'.

geotramper: "

MidwestFirecraft: "I have a Northwind 18 in kevlar that I use with my two daughters. I sold the 17 because I didn't have room. If you don't need the 3rd seat I would get the Northwind 17 in blacklite. Great all around hull and I love the stiffness and durability of the carbon while still being incredibly light weight."

Part of my hesitation with the third seat is that it seems it would reduce the useability of the space between the stern seat and yoke when tripping with only two people. Any experience with this scenario?"

You can always take the seat out

geotramper: "

MidwestFirecraft: "I have a Northwind 18 in kevlar that I use with my two daughters. I sold the 17 because I didn't have room. If you don't need the 3rd seat I would get the Northwind 17 in blacklite. Great all around hull and I love the stiffness and durability of the carbon while still being incredibly light weight."

Part of my hesitation with the third seat is that it seems it would reduce the useability of the space between the stern seat and yoke when tripping with only two people. Any experience with this scenario?"

As AmirilloJim stated, you can remove the third seat, which I have done for trips. If you don't need the third seat I prefer the 17, which is really 17 and half. With two people I find it easier to fish, portage, and bushwack with. It is much easier to solo in when your partner doesn't want to fish, or to take a kid out in.
On the other hand I just took the 18 out to the BWCA a week ago, and sat in the middle seat while my daughter trolled in the bow. I fought a 10 mph wind and did just fine. Hauled a weeks worth of gear for 3 with the middle seat in. So many choices!

Northwind 17. It's a very good all around. The bow area is extra roomy

AmarilloJim: "

geotramper: "

MidwestFirecraft: "I have a Northwind 18 in kevlar that I use with my two daughters. I sold the 17 because I didn't have room. If you don't need the 3rd seat I would get the Northwind 17 in blacklite. Great all around hull and I love the stiffness and durability of the carbon while still being incredibly light weight."

Part of my hesitation with the third seat is that it seems it would reduce the useability of the space between the stern seat and yoke when tripping with only two people. Any experience with this scenario?"

You can always take the seat out"

Ha! Duh. Not sure why I didn't consider that. I also see on the website that the third seat is optional.

A lot of votes for the Northwind 17/18!

+1 For Northstar. Consider the B17 or new B19 as well. I have an B17 in IXP that I'll never part with. At 64 lbs its lighter than royalex and far tougher than straight kevlar layups.

geotramper: "

justpaddlin: "Northstar Northwind 18 or Swift Keewaydin 17. Both are incredible boats for your situation."

I don't think I have ever heard of Swift. Are they not as popular in MN, or have I just not been paying enough attention?"

It's a Canadian boat. See a few around but not many compared to the number of Souris River canoes in the region.

Swift Canoe

MuskyMike: "+1 For Northstar. Consider the B17 or new B19 as well. I have an B17 in IXP that I'll never part with. At 64 lbs its lighter than royalex and far tougher than straight kevlar layups. "

I've got a B16 in Blacklite and it is my favorite canoe. I hesitate to recommend it because everyone wants the newest/fastest design. If the B17 paddles anything like my B16 I would highly recommend it as well. Prospectors are near and dear to my heart!