BWCA WTB - 1st canoe for week long trips Boundary Waters Items For Sale or Wanted
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02/20/2021 10:50PM  
My 12yo son and I are making our first trip to the BWCA starting this year. Hopefully it will be an annual outing we take going forward. I'm looking for a canoe that's stable and one he feels comfortable in. So ideally a 17' that's wide enough to hold gear and not feel tippy. Not too concerned with weight at this point but would like something no more than 70-75 lbs. I am working on a limited budget of around 400-450. Just seeing if anyone has something in this range.

Thanks
 
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billconner
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02/21/2021 09:33AM  
Check with outfitters around BWCA for aluminum. I'd just check web sites and maybe cold call a few. Here's one.
 
02/21/2021 10:17AM  
Even cheap rentals go for $25.00/day. That is $175.00 plus tax for a 7 day week. $200.00 if you go in on a Saturday and come out the next Saturday. Name other days if applicable. That trip is a rental of 8 days. You would pay it off in 2 to 3 years at most. Do not put off buying a canoe to save a little money on the purchase only to have to rent at trip time. Consider the goal of saving money long term.
 
OMGitsKa
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02/21/2021 11:18AM  
Be checking Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. There will be plenty of aluminum canoes in that price range pop up.
 
02/21/2021 11:44AM  
I have a 17' Grumman Std aluminum canoe I need to sell. It was built in 1973 as I recall and the hull is in excellent shape with only a few minor dents and scrapes. It weighs 72# and has not been used in many years. It has been in my family for probably 35+ years and was previously used for duck hunting so it has a fading OD paint job. I have a portage yoke which I will include with the canoe.

It is located in SE Wisconsin south of Milwaukee. I would willing to sell it for $400.00.
 
02/21/2021 12:51PM  
billconner: "Check with outfitters around BWCA for aluminum. I'd just check web sites and maybe cold call a few. Here's one. "


Thanks for the link billconner, I'll be sure to look at some of those outfitters. It's definitely an option.
 
02/21/2021 12:53PM  
bwcadan: "Even cheap rentals go for $25.00/day. That is $175.00 plus tax for a 7 day week. $200.00 if you go in on a Saturday and come out the next Saturday. Name other days if applicable. That trip is a rental of 8 days. You would pay it off in 2 to 3 years at most. Do not put off buying a canoe to save a little money on the purchase only to have to rent at trip time. Consider the goal of saving money long term.


Dan, exactly what I was thinking. I'd rather spend the money and have the canoe than to rent one and pay for just a short term use.

Since this will be our first trip in a canoe I want to make sure my son is comfortable with the stability. When he was 8 I had a 14' aluminum boat with an 18hp and everytime some shifted their weight he got a little spooked. So my biggest concern is the stability. I'm still young-ish and can handle the extra weight (will only be making a couple of short portages) and will be concentrating on fishing rather than travelling. If he doesn't like it than I can sell and hopefully get some of that cost back.

Thanks for the advice.
 
02/21/2021 01:00PM  
deerfoot: "I have a 17' Grumman Std aluminum canoe I need to sell. It was built in 1973 as I recall and the hull is in excellent shape with only a few minor dents and scrapes. It weighs 72# and has not been used in many years. It has been in my family for probably 35+ years and was previously used for duck hunting so it has a fading OD paint job. I have a portage yoke which I will include with the canoe.

It is located in SE Wisconsin south of Milwaukee. I would willing to sell it for $400.00."


Deerfoot, do you have any photos? I'm in the twin cities so would have to travel.

Thanks
 
02/21/2021 01:06PM  
Rover3: "
deerfoot: "I have a 17' Grumman Std aluminum canoe I need to sell. It was built in 1973 as I recall and the hull is in excellent shape with only a few minor dents and scrapes. It weighs 72# and has not been used in many years. It has been in my family for probably 35+ years and was previously used for duck hunting so it has a fading OD paint job. I have a portage yoke which I will include with the canoe.


It is located in SE Wisconsin south of Milwaukee. I would willing to sell it for $400.00."



Deerfoot, do you have any photos? I'm in the twin cities so would have to travel.


Thanks"


I will get some posted but the canoe is stored behind my garage in about 4’ of snow so it may taken awhile.
 
02/21/2021 01:45PM  
Rover I have this one for sale, don't let the thread fool you. I have two of the exact canoes and only sold one. The other is in Detroit Lakes. I'll let you have it for $400 bucks if you pick it up in Detroit Lakes. $450 if you want it brought to Duluth at my wifes place.
17 foot Alumacraft QT 17W canoe for sale. $450.00
Very good condition, with no leaks or dents. It has scratches from BW trips.
It was manufactured in 1976 but has only been on a couple BW trips in the last 25 years.
It weighs 64 pounds and has the factory built in portage yolk.
It is available in Duluth or Detroit Lakes.

Alumnicraft Quetico QT 17W, 64#'s
 
cyclones30
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02/21/2021 02:06PM  
64 for aluminum isn't bad
 
02/21/2021 02:13PM  
Grumman Std aluminum canoe with portage yoke -$400.00.

Willing to split driving distance for purchase.
 
02/21/2021 07:43PM  
deerfoot: "Grumman Std aluminum canoe with portage yoke -$400.00.


Willing to split driving distance for purchase."


Deerfoot thanks for posting those pictures and appreciate the work you put in on pulling the canoe out of the snow. I think Lindentree has one that is a better fit.

Thanks again
 
amhacker22
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02/21/2021 09:05PM  
Buy a nice Kevlar on Craigslist. You can pick one up for 2/3 the cost of new or less. In 5 years it will pretty much be worth the same if you take care of it. Then, if you decide to try something different at some point you can sell it.

Look at it as a free long term rental with a substantial deposit.
 
jfinn
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02/21/2021 09:15PM  
Get the aluminum canoe and gain some experience to determine if this is something you want to do more, it will always be worth the $450. The more you go, the more you will gravitate toward a "type" of trip. You don't know until you do.

I rushed an bought a tandem canoe that was a great fit at the time with a very young family but is not 10 years later.


John

 
WIMike
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02/22/2021 12:06PM  
jfinn: "Get the aluminum canoe and gain some experience to determine if this is something you want to do more, it will always be worth the $450. The more you go, the more you will gravitate toward a "type" of trip. You don't know until you do.
"


+1. Especially since he’s unsure if his son will take to canoe tripping since he was a little skittish previously.
 
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