In 1991, a gentleman (I use the term loosely) approached Sawyer Canoe about sponsoring an expedition he intended to lead. He was looking for two expedition tripping canoes to carry him and his companions on their journey from Alaska to Colorado (or vice versa, I'm not sure). Sawyer Canoe decided this was a project they could get behind and made two of their 222 canoes (18' 6") in expedition kevlar for the great Alasco Expedition.

Somehow it came to light that the Alasco Expedition was fiction, and the guy was simply trying to scam two free canoes from Sawyer Canoe. One of the canoes went home with a guy who may have had some connection with the company. He hung it in his barn and died shortly thereafter, never having used the canoe. His widow left it hanging there, unused, for the next three decades.

Fairly recently, she had some work done on her house and bartered the canoe to the carpenter. He took it out a time or two and then decided he didn't want to scratch it up on the shallow rocky streams he intended to paddle. A diehard canoeist from the Oscoda took possession of the canoe and put it up for sale, claiming that it had been paddled 3x and looked brand new. No one knows what happened to the 2nd Alasco Expedition canoe.

Why am I relating this story on a BWCA/Quetico message board? Because that canoe now rests in my garage but will be carrying my packs in the BW come May.

Cool boat and story.

So what was the purported route from Colorado to Alaska? Portage over the Rockies to Salt Lake City and then what? Maybe put the boat on a car and drive for a while. Maybe I’m missing a river system.

Cool story. Congratulations on the new addition.

andym: "Cool boat and story.


So what was the purported route from Colorado to Alaska? Portage over the Rockies to Salt Lake City and then what? Maybe put the boat on a car and drive for a while. Maybe I’m missing a river system. "

Good question. I don't know the answer. Down the coast, up the Columbia and the Snake, then link a couple rivers to Colorado? A few portages involved, for sure.

I've had the pleasure of owning a 222 since the mid-80's. Unfortunately mine is fiberglass w/o foam core and weighs north of 85#. Still I think it is the finest tripping hull I've ever paddled. Fast, capable of hauling more than one should ever carry, by far the most seaworthy tandem I've ever been in, simply unbelievably capable in rough seas and big whitewater. A truly great find.

Banksiana: "I've had the pleasure of owning a 222 since the mid-80's. Unfortunately mine is fiberglass w/o foam core and weighs north of 85#. Still I think it is the finest tripping hull I've ever paddled. Fast, capable of hauling more than one should ever carry, by far the most seaworthy tandem I've ever been in, simply unbelievably capable in rough seas and big whitewater. A truly great find. "

I bought this to replace a glass X-17 that weighted 75#. That was a really nice paddling seaworthy and durable canoe. I also have a Cruiser that I'll never part with. I'm pretty sure I'd bumped into your praises of the 222 when deciding whether to buy this one. Can't wait to paddle it. It's overbuilt for the BW, but my intention is to use it on Ontario river trips with mixed water. I put it on the scale at 65#. There's no structural foam, so the durability should be pretty good. The only negative is that it doesn't have a bow slider. I may need to try to modify it this spring.

Really nifty story. I'm sure both parties made out.

Maybe if you get from the Snake to the Green and accept the very NW corner of Colorado as the goal then there is a reasonable route. But if you want to get to Denver then I think you are portaging over the Rockies.

Enjoy the canoe in the BW.

The no-foam lay-up is great for white water, takes a beating and flexes well, fairly easy to fix when the decision matrix is subject to error. I'm envious- she's a beauty.

Banksiana: "The no-foam lay-up is great for white water, takes a beating and flexes well, fairly easy to fix when the decision matrix is subject to error. I'm envious- she's a beauty."

Thanks. It's interesting that some builders are getting back to offering all cloth composites (Northstar IXP, Nova Craft Tuff Stuff, f. ex.). While I appreciate the portage weight of a 45#-50# tripping hull, I've witnessed the wear under and along structural foam.

Awesome to have a story like that behind the canoe and to have that cool emblem.

I agree that they story behind a special canoe is worth as much as the canoe itself.

Provenance is the term used to give a chronological order of ownership of an item. It adds value and confirms the authenticity of an item. Perhaps it may not apply to a canoe as much as a manuscript but I think it fits here. Otherwise you just own a canoe.

Congrats on owning that canoe. It will serve you well and you two will become part of each other.
Tom

Thanks for the background story and congrats on the purchase of a lifetime. I'll have to second Banksiana on the 222 canoe as we've got a heavy old red fiberglass but was great in a lot of rough conditions. Adequate rocker and much better designed (David Yost) than some current models. Just glad you found at least one negative to alleviate our canoe envy. ps I've got the nice X17 you shouldn't have sold - said in jest!

Bjelde: "In 1991, a gentleman (I use the term loosely) approached Sawyer Canoe about sponsoring an expedition he intended to lead. He was looking for two expedition tripping canoes to carry him and his companions on their journey from Alaska to Colorado (or vice versa, I'm not sure). Sawyer Canoe decided this was a project they could get behind and made two of their 222 canoes (18' 6") in expedition kevlar for the great Alasco Expedition.

Somehow it came to light that the Alasco Expedition was fiction, and the guy was simply trying to scam two free canoes from Sawyer Canoe. One of the canoes went home with a guy who may have had some connection with the company. He hung it in his barn and died shortly thereafter, never having used the canoe. His widow left it hanging there, unused, for the next three decades.

Fairly recently, she had some work done on her house and bartered the canoe to the carpenter. He took it out a time or two and then decided he didn't want to scratch it up on the shallow rocky streams he intended to paddle. A diehard canoeist from the Oscoda took possession of the canoe and put it up for sale, claiming that it had been paddled 3x and looked brand new. No one knows what happened to the 2nd Alasco Expedition canoe.

Why am I relating this story on a BWCA/Quetico message board? Because that canoe now rests in my garage but will be carrying my packs in the BW come May.

Great canoe, congratulations on your purchase!

OutThere: ". . . ps I've got the nice X17 you shouldn't have sold - said in jest!"

I'm sure she'll serve you well!

See, this is why I inherited the bad habit I got from my father of pausing to look at every hull that ever came into view. This one is now burned into my neural network for the duration, along with that 17-footer.

Congratulations!

gravelroad: "See, this is why I inherited the bad habit I got from my father of pausing to look at every hull that ever came into view. This one is now burned into my neural network for the duration, along with that 17-footer.


Congratulations!"

Thanks. Your comment reminds me of how when I'm driving I notice all the other canoes on top of vehicles. And, of course, most of the other drivers are looking at mine!