I have a Wenonah Argosy am wondering how it compares with the Northstar Phoenix. I use the Argosy on a class 2+ river and have found it to be somewhat unpredictable in choppy waves after getting threw a rapid. Wenonah states it is not a canoe for someone with little experience.
I haven’t paddled the Phoenix and living in NW MN won’t have a chance until next spring. I would appreciate and advice on the canoes.

Carl

I owned a Phoenix for a while and have spent some time in an Argosy. In my experience if you try to freestyle an Argosy and lean it way over it gets very very very sensitive and twitchy. I think it's just the Argosy hull design that makes it quite efficient cruising on flatwater and also respond nicely to gentle leans but it has a sharp shoulder that can make it twitchy. The Phoenix is massively more stable and predictable. It's also exceptionally comfortable and the depth gives it a dry, secure feeling.

Moving water the Phoenix has an edge over the Argosy, especially in some back ferries due to the symmetrical hull. The Phoenix heels predictably to nearly the rail while the Argosy gets past its secondary stability as soon as it heels over the to the tumblehome. It shines in the style I like to Paddle more so than the Argosy, so it is what I paddle. I enjoy being more involved in the paddle experience and the nuances of the hull. I own a Phoenix and have paddled the Argosy for a while some years ago.

Thanks

After I sell some of my canoes I hope to get a Phoenix in IXP layup.
I will probably keep the Argosy because I don’t have much in it. I can let my daughter paddle it, it likes kicking her out of it.

Carl