I want to get my son a canoe for graduation but I don't have a boatload of cash. KCPaddler is listing a sale on the Wenonah Northfork 16'9" for $675. It is made of 3-phase Rotomolded (TPR) Polyethylene and weighs 87lbs which is awfully heavy.

Anybody have any experience with this boat. Know of anything else in the $1,000 or less range that you would recommend?

Thanks, Traveler

PENOBSCOT....NEW!
the 16 is a perfect hull. 58 lbs. stay away from rotomolded...IMO. spend a little more. a very little. (the $1000 limit that is)

I got my wenonah aurora for 1k at Midwest Mountaineering's annual spring sale. We got it directly from the factory rep.
They also have an auction that you might consider. We went to the auction to see what was available, and we went home with a new wenonah. The wenonah foks were offereing 10% off the factory prices.
It is about 65 lbs in royalex. It has taken a beatin' on several rivers and done me well in the BWCA. It also solos well when properly balanced.
I'm 34 and not overweight, but not in the best shape. I have no problem moving this canoe around in the water, putting it on the car, or carrying it with a 30 lb pack and some gear strapped to it.
All that being said, it is certainly not an 18 ft. kevlar machine.
If the only canoeing I did was in the bwca, I'd consider this:
$40 a day for rental * 25 days is $1000. How many years of rentals will that get your son?

traveler-are you looking to adopt:)?

I'm sure your son will love whatever you get him! for the money an alumacraft ultralight (57ish #) if you can find one is a hell of a deal, bullet-proof, versatile and mine has served me well for 7 years now. best $325 (used) i ever spent. only downside is its noisy and still not "lite"

i second the MW Mountaineering Spring Expo/auction although sometimes the prices get higher than i would expect. also watch craigslist.
tg

I also have a $320 58 pound alumacraft. Bulletproof

Traveler, I would keep looking around. I'm sure you can find a better boat cheaper. I paid 600$ for a Mad River Eclipse that has wood gunnels and is a royalex(62#). It was in excellent condition. You'll be able to find a better boat. Personally those molded boats are not for me. You can't do a whole lot with them. Good luck!

Thanks, guys. I think I agree about not wanting the Northfork. If I lived in Minnesota I am sure I would have more options. Around here, North Arkansas, I can mostly find only river boats or play stuff.

I am going up to Kansas City today and am going to look at a Oldtown Camper 16' in royalex. Only problem is that it's camo which I don't care for. I called Oldtown and they were not very encouraging about being able to paint it.

Have any of you painted a Royalex boat?

if you try to paint rolayex it won't stay on for very long, and it only adds weight.What's wrong with camo?

I would not paint it. I don't think weight would be a problem. The problem is every scrape, scratch, and ding is going to most likely show the camo underneath. I would just be patient and keep looking. I also would focus more on the type of boat, brand, and quality over color. good luck

The outfitters sell their rental fleet after a couple of years of use. I bought a used champlain 45 lbs 18 ft kevlar for 1000 dollars about 5 years ago. It has a small patch in it but otherwise is in good shape. Spring creek outfitters is where I got mine, very personable people and good service, always have an updated list online . Probably have about 40 days in the BWCA on it so far with many more on other lakes and rivers, by the previous calculations it has already paid for itself.

Look on the Ozark Mountain Paddlers Website. They are a paddling club out of Springfield Mo. and have a for sale area on their website. They are a great paddling club and may have something for you much closer than MN. There are several shops in the Springfield Mo. area as well as bass pro. Might look into what they have. I would think that you should be a able to get a good boat around the 1k price point. I bought a Bell Yellowstone 2 last spring new for $900. I would stay away from the rotomolded stuff. Stick with Royalex.

I would second Kanoes suggestion of an Old Town Penobscot 16. It's a very versatile hull, and Royalex is far superior to rotomolded plastic but cheaper than kevlar. The Ozark River Company sells overstock and blems for Old Town, and they are not too far from you in southern Missouri. They also sell on eBay. I've never bought from them, but I was looking at them seriously until I lucked into a great deal closer to my home.

Ozark River Company

Well, I appreciate all the advice. I ended up purchasing a new Dagger Reflection 15. It's on the small side but so is my son and his wife. It's a real pretty boat and I got it for $850. Hope you approve!

no...we disapprove, take it back. :)

im sure it will be a fine paddle!

Keep an eye on KC Paddler. He is a good guy to work with and since he carries so many boats he is often trying to make room for more.

He keeps his stock listed on his website with the prices.

http://www.kcpaddler.com/inventory_canoe.htm

Royalex is the best economy deal. Go for long and light

Suko, KC Paddler is where I got it. Nice selection and very helpful folks.

Your son is a lucky guy. Tell him congrats on his graduation.