I have a Kevlar Minnesota II that I used for 5 of my 20+ Boundary Waters/Quetico trips. I am trying to get a handle on how age affects the condition of this canoe.

It was purchased in 1992. Used for 5 wilderness trips averaging 10-12 days each. Since then it was just for local day trips.

The Minnesota II is now 30 years old, but has been stored in my garage whenever it was not in use. Wood gunnels, bucket seats. Visually, it looks solid.

Does anyone have experience with a Kevlar canoe of that age? Would you still consider it trustworthy for a wilderness trip? (my relatives want to use it this fall)

Note: In addition to be stored in a garage (no exposure to UV or weather), my wife and I did single carries for 90%+ of our portages on our trips, so it was treated far better than the typical M2's that get rented week after week up north.

Thanks for any insights/experiences anyone can share.

I have a Wenonah Advantage from 1986. I've lived near Ely since 87. Canoe has been on trip after trip after trip. I've also rented it out now and again when Piragis was short of livery boats. If you're reasonably careful around rocks they are good for a lifetime. UV light is the enemy, even more than rocks (rock damage is simple to fix- UV damage is forever). Store it out of the sun and it is good for a lifetime maybe your offspring's life as well.

I've found the vulnerable spots are along the chine where the foam core ends. This is where most of the cracks develope because you go from the rigid core to the flexible sidewall.

I have a couple old outfitter canoes that have over a dozen patches between them (one's a mn ii). You can nurse those kevlar canoes along for a long time with a little epoxy and kevlar (glass if you don't have anything to cut the kevlar).

They're pretty easy to repair if you get any more major rock issues. But no you're still good as you're noticing. Oil the wood to keep that in shape every year or so.

Was your 1986 model Kevlar?

My 86 Advantage is skin coat kevlar.

Agree 100% with banksiana. If your boat has always been stored inside then there is no worry about aging. I have two Bells from the '90's that I'd consider every bit as good as a brand new boat for any type of outing. I'd never hesitate to buy a used boat because of age if it has always been stored indoors.