Please excuse my potential ignorance.
I have a used Wenonah Wilderness on my radar for purchase, and have had for some time.
Not sure if my observation is correct, but I practically NEVER!! see one for sale.
I see all types of other solos from not only Wenonah, but all the other manufacturers as well.
Why are there so few - to the point of being non-existent - Wilderness for sale?
Are they so loved that the owners refuse to sell them?
Or so despised that none are bought in the first place?
When I see discussions about how good the Wilderness is for a choice of solo canoe, almost 100% of the time, those discussions almost immediately evolve AWAY from the Wilderness and everyone starts talking about the Magic, or the Prism, etc., even though the topic is about the Wilderness. (I'll never understand why those conversations go like that!)

So, what's the deal with the Wilderness and the secondary market?

Comments?

There are a few in our midst who have them. I think of Unclemoose for one. I almost bought one and it got bought out from under me. It's a great canoe. I use the Encounter now, but the Wilderness is a maybe when I'm dogless.

I had my choice between a Wilderness and a Vagabond, both in Royalax. I end up going with the Vagabond because I am a smaller guy and a backpacker origionally, so I knoow I can fit into a smaller canoe fine. But they are essentially the same canoe, the Wilderness is a foot longer. So I know what you mean, you just don't see them for sale that much.
Personally, the Vagabond is perfect for me. Its not fast, but it is stable. I can say the same about the Wilderness. I suspect a lot of people don't buy them because they are considered "clunky" and a beginners boat.

In part, the Wenonah Wilderness solo canoe, (introduced in 2008), has only been available for roughly 5-years or so. The Prism and the Encounter on the other hand, have been around for roughly three times longer.

My theory is that Wenonah introduced the Wilderness to compete against solo canoes such as the Bell Merlin II and other 15' to 15.5' touring/tripping solo canoes of that ilk. (Charlie Wilson may have additional theories or information regarding the development of the Wilderness solo though.)

I think part of the problem is also there are many solo canoe models to chose from, and solo canoes are somewhat of a small niche market to begin with. (As we all know, there's really been a trend towards small plastic kayaks in recent years, for what it's worth.)

In my opinion, the Wenonah Wilderness is a good all-around solo canoe. If you could only one solo canoe, and you wanted it to do several things well, the Wilderness would be a good choice IMO.

Its size makes the Wilderness good for tripping with gear for a week or more, even for a large paddler. It's long enough to be fairly efficient, yet its length and rocker make it more suitable for smaller rivers and streams than Wenonah's Prism, Encounter and especially the Voyager. (On paper at least, the Wilderness spec sheet claims 1.25" of rocker, versus "minimal" rocker for the Prism, Encounter, and Voyager.)

Additionally, solo canoe fanatics like myself, "yellowcanoe", "thebob.com", Charlie Wilson, and others, own and paddle multiple solo canoes. Due to our "personal livery's", we have different canoes for different purposes and conditions, or brands and designs we just prefer. I personally would have a hard time justifying ownership of a Wenonah Wilderness given the other canoes I currently own. Many of which I've owned long before the Wenonah Wilderness hit the market.

Wenonah's "heritage" is racing, and I think many paddlers gravitate towards their longer, leaner canoes; such as the Advantage, Prism, Encounter and Voyager IMHO. (At least that's the case for me. I own a Voyager, Jensen C1W, Jensen 18, Odyssey & Royalex Rendezvous.) After the demise of Sawyer Canoe of Oscoda, Michigan, I became a Wenonah "fan boy", although I liked and owned several Wenonah's while Sawyer was still around. Both Sawyer & Wenonah shared a similar heritage and design philosophies.

Much like cars & trucks, I think there's also a certain brand loyalty. Many members here love their Bells, Souris River canoes, etc., and they may naturally look to the brands they're loyal to first.

I'm also a big fan of Dave Yost designed solo canoes. Of my nine solo canoes, five are Yost designs. That said, my primary tripping solo is the Wenonah Voyager, a Dave Kruger design. (Actually, it's one of the few Dave Kruger designs I really love! Sorry DK!) Then again, many paddlers could care less who designed the canoe, but it may be a factor for some.

I also tend to think, the Wenonah Wilderness is a late-comer to the solo canoe party. The Wilderness is trying to fit in to a class of canoes that's already somewhat crowed and/or has a pretty strong loyalty to the Bell Magic and Prism. Like myself, I think many owners of the Magic and the Prism had already decided on those canoes before the Wilderness arrived.

I personally prefer the Bell Magic to the Wenonah Prism and the Wilderness. In part because it's a Dave Yost design, but it's also a very user friendly solo canoe and just fun to paddle IMHO. But much like the Wenonah Wilderness, I'd have a hard time justifying ownership of a Bell Magic @ 16' or a Curtis Nomad @ 15' 4", (if I could find a Curtis Nomad), given the other solo canoes I currently own.

Just my two cents worth.

Hans Solo

When I bought my wilderness I look all over for a used one and had no luck so I sold my motor boat and bought a new one and I really like it a lot, good luck looking and maybe you will find one.

Karl,

I don't know what lay-up you're looking for, or if heading North to pick one up is an option, Spring Creek has a Royalex 2nd listed here . I don't check Spring Creek's site out often, but there's always something interesting in the used boat or factory 2nd class. Good luck.

I have a Wilderness. One interesting thing I've noticed is that a lot of the other popular solos aren't available in Royalex, so if you're doing rivers or have a low budget, the Wilderness stands out.

quote HansSolo: "
I'd have a hard time justifying ownership of a Bell Magic @ 16' or a Curtis Nomad @ 15' 4", (if I could find a Curtis Nomad), given the other solo canoes I currently own.



Hans Solo"

There has been a Curtis nomad on Ebay for the past month curtis nomad

quote mr.barley: "

quote HansSolo: "
I'd have a hard time justifying ownership of a Bell Magic @ 16' or a Curtis Nomad @ 15' 4", (if I could find a Curtis Nomad), given the other solo canoes I currently own.

Hans Solo"

There has been a Curtis nomad on Ebay for the past month curtis nomad "

Yeah I know Mr. Barley, I've seen that one too. Unfortunately, it's fiberglass, green, and the wood gunnels look in pretty bad shape.

Hemlock Canoe Works had a beautiful Kevlar Curtis Nomad with a sand colored gel-coat on their website a few months ago. If I lived closer to New York, I would have probably snatched it up. A great canoe IMO.

Hans Solo

Karl-

You might check with outfitters for a used or factory blem. Also, have you considered that the Bell Rockstar is pretty similar (I think).

I second the recommendation to check out Spring Creek Outfitters and any factory 2nds that they might have. That's how I got my Wilderness for close to what I'd imagine you'd get a used one. The defects were minimal and the folks at Spring Creek are great. I really like my wilderness and won't be selling it unless I eventually upgrade (perhaps to a Kevlar Wilderness?).

I was looking last year as well and was set to buy a new one. Then Piragis had a used one (Royalex)come up for sale. I jumped on it. I don't have a lot to compare it to but really like it. I think the key is to regularly check all the outfitters, CL, and put out feelers on a forum like this and let people know you are looking. If one comes up for sale don't wait around.

Lots of good information here, folks, and I do appreciate the feedback. I'm looking for my first solo and hope to get a few trips in before I can't do it anymore.
The Wilderness looks like my choice - all I need to do is find one!

It's interesting how in some areas certain canoes are hard to find. I have seen exactly one Bell Rockstar, and that one was in Kevlar. I would still like to find a Yellowstone solo but I got cheap and missed an opportunity two hours away. I thought the non negotiable price was a hundred too high.

The Nomad in the e bay listing has some interesting damage. I don't think the rails look awful considering the boat has been stored outside (wicked oxidized)
I see on P net a used RX Wilderness for $700 in Wisconsin.

I lusted after a Nomad for awhile after my yellowcanoe ( Swift Heron) got heavy from too many patches. The Heron is the next evolution of the Nomad adapted for a split mold ( one piece on half the mold and two at the other end), and is bubble shaped and fast .. But sort of like balancing on a round log. Nomad is a little friendlier. I found mine in Florida. Fortunately I have been kinder to it than the Heron.

The Heron was squirrelly. The mold got damaged,and enough people dumped test paddling that the mold was never fixed. DY occasionally comes up with surprises..

I still do use my Heron, but not where multiple evil portages are on the menu.

I purchased my Wilderness this year at Canoecopia. I too could not find a used one for sale in my area. This was my first experience with a solo canoe. At Canoecopia I compared the Wilderness and Prism and was drawn to the Wilderness because of the adjustable cane seat. Having a hip replacement last year, I needed a canoe that I could sit up in and not feel like I was sitting on the bottom of the canoe which put a strain on my hip. The Wilderness has been the right one for me and glad I made the purchase. Getting very comfortable paddling it in my area.

I encountered the same problem. I looked for one for over a year but never found one. I bought a new one from Piragis and it has proven to be a great canoe for my first two trips. Can't find anything to say bad about it. Started using a kayak paddle and noticed a nice increase in speed. Very maneuverable and gear capacity is great. Built my own portage yoke, and it balances nicely. My guess is there is a high level of satisfaction and owner loyalty.