I have been looking for a solo canoe for this year to use in the BWCA trip. There are 3 on craigslist in my area:

Wenonah Voyager 17 in kevlar with custom rudder. . .38 lbs. . .$650

Wenanah Prism 16 foot in tuffweave. . .49 lbs. . .$600

Wabash Valley Kevlar solo canoe, 16 ft. . .$700

I used a Prism last year for our trip and really liked it, although had to struggle somewhat to keep up with the larger/longer canoes.

Which one would you buy?

Well the ruddered one would allow you to keep your cadence up and correct course with your feet for sit and switch. The one trouble with rudders is that you have to be comfortable fixing them in the field.

I have no clue about the Wabash Valley canoe. That the Prism is a foot shorter might have no bearing on speed. Brushing up on paddling technique to avoid any yaw will increase forward efficiency.

I know which one I would rather hike with! No small consideration there...

Paddle them! you won't know until you try them what you like. You liked the prism, but you may like the others better. Voyager is long, fast and skinny. I think some people have trouble fitting packs in them.

Isn't Wabash Valley somehow connected with Bell? Like Ted worked there before starting his own company or something like that?

quote mwd1976: "Paddle them! you won't know until you try them what you like. You liked the prism, but you may like the others better. Voyager is long, fast and skinny. I think some people have trouble fitting packs in them.


Isn't Wabash Valley somehow connected with Bell? Like Ted worked there before starting his own company or something like that?"

indeed.

Ted owned Wabash Valley canoe before coming to MN and starting Bell.
CB

I haven't paddled the Wabash, but between the two, Id go with the Voyager.. You sound like you want to keep up with the tandems and should be a little easier in the Voyager. I would also hugely prefer the ultralight layup as opposed to tuffweave.. that Prism is getting heavy for a solo.

Wabash is from 1980s. I talked to the owner. Ted bell made the canoe. It is 16 lbs. Pristine condition. I'm leery about how it would hold up, however

quote markaroberts: "Wabash is from 1980s. I talked to the owner. Ted bell made the canoe. It is 16 lbs. Pristine condition. I'm leery about how it would hold up, however
"

Did I read that right? 16 lbs?? off to send some inquiring emails..

Sounds like the 16 footer was a precursor to the Bell Magic. CEW of course would know.

Owner stated that he bought the canoe in the late 80's from a local company. That it was 16 pounds. He said he called Bell Canoe about it when he decided to sell and they gave him Ted Bell's cell number. He said that he talked to Bell who said this is one of the canoes he made prior to forming Bell Canoes. Pictures are attached. Anyone know anything about this boat?

follow up. . .I picked this boat up with one hand easily.

did you throw it on your car with one hand too? I will take it if you didnt.

quote mrgreen: "did you throw it on your car with one hand too? I will take it if you didnt."

Your wife wont fit in there!

SunCatcher

If you're tripping, I'd choose the Prism.

If you're racing, one of the others.

she will fit fine, just not with me.

I'd go with the Prism

i'd choose the wabash. you can find a prism any day. that wabash is beautiful and unique. would love to know how it paddles! if i was near kentucky that boat would be sold (to me)!

quote markaroberts: "follow up. . .I picked this boat up with one hand easily."

Wow, it usually takes me one hand to hold the check and one hand to write on it.

I have the Voyager. Its a fast, fairly stable boat. Looks like its between the other two you are looking at. Great boat. You're not going to be able to put a ton of stuff in it, but its just a great design. I'd have to say Its the best boat I've ever paddled. I got mine used for about what you listed. Can you take the rudder off?

quote markaroberts: "Owner stated that he bought the canoe in the late 80's from a local company. That it was 16 pounds. He said he called Bell Canoe about it when he decided to sell and they gave him Ted Bell's cell number. He said that he talked to Bell who said this is one of the canoes he made prior to forming Bell Canoes. Pictures are attached. Anyone know anything about this boat? "

I know that if I had come across it, I would have snatched it up! And if you pass on it, please let us know your area so we can find it on Craigslist!

now that's what I call an asymetric hull!
at those prices I'd get both the Voyager and the Wabash

the Voyager was purchased to use in the Texas Safari Canoe Race. (no idea what that is). He outfitted it as shown in the attached pics. I have decided on either the Wabash or the Voyager. the Prism is the shortest of the group and is 12 pounds or more heavier then the others. Also a 10 hour drive round trip on the Prism. The blocks glued to the inside of the hull are for cupholder, paddle holder and deck lighting (ones in front and back). He said he had the rudder custom installed by an outfitter. Rudder comes out by just removing the pin.

let me know what you think on these pics.

If you pass on the Wabash feel free to pick it up for me.

Texas race..261 miles four days.

Just my opinion, I'd go with the Voyager. That's a hot price, and something that you could use and resell if it wasn't the boat you really wanted. If I remember from some of your other posts you're a kayaker, and when I look at a Voyager, I see a kayak hull with an open top. As a kayaker you're used to a narrower hull and the feeling of a little less initial instability that might go with that. A rudder might not even be a bad thing on a boat like that, just set it to offset what the wind is doing and paddle as you regularly would. I bet that boat flies with a kayak paddle. It looks like it has a little bit more room for your gear, and probably a tougher lay-up for tripping than the Wabash. My $0.02, that's about all that's worth. Good Luck.

I'm going to pass on the Wabash and go with the Voyager.

here is the linke for the Wabash if anyone wants it. I have seen it and it is in "like new" condition.

Wabash Valley Craigslist

I'd be all over that Wabash Valley if it were closer to me.

thanks everyone for your input. Picking up the Voyager next week.

You are right. . .I am primarily a kayaker. I have a 17 foot Current Designs Storm GT and 17 foot Necky Looksha IV kevlar. . .both sea/touring kayaks. I don't mind canoes, just prefer to paddle without another person in the boat so I can set my own pace. Really liked the Prism last year in the BWCA. Just thought it wasn't quite fast enough for me.

For those who are interested, the guy with the Prism still has it for sale and he is down to $600. Link below. It is $600 on his other listing.

Wenanah Prism Craigslist ad

mark, can you email me the contact info for the wabash seller please.


thanks, Mr Green

Wabash canoe:

He has it at his work place. Here is the address and phone number:

(502) 969-2420
5212 Preston Hwy, Louisville, KY 40213

being a kayaker, you are going to love the Voyager, I have one, they are bullets

and set up that way, sheesh! if I wasn't so cheap and lazy I'd do that too

Shall we hold a Paper, Rock, Scissors tourney for that Wabash?

The guy with the Wabash still has it. Any takers? I would if I could, but the lady got her feelings hurt when I mentioned a solo. I'm hoping that means she wants to paddle with me more...

I sent an email thinking I'd maybe go pick it up, but I never heard back and assumed it had been sold

quote Royce: "I sent an email thinking I'd maybe go pick it up, but I never heard back and assumed it had been sold
"

Think he's had a couple sales fall through. I had left him messages also and he finally got back in touch saying I could come get it. I sent him a deposit and everything. Unfortunately, my girlfriend flipped when she realized I was dropping the money on a solo. He seems like a super nice guy and I know he'll be happy to find a buyer. I talked with him for a good 30 minutes while he looked the boat over answering all my questions. Seems it really is in pristine condition- been paddled less than 5 times, spent it's life up in some rafters. No soft spots in the foam core, wood in good shape, everything still well attached. Brass plate on stern reads "WVCO 01220382". And yes, confirmed by Ted to be one of his early boats, made by his own hands. Just hate that it won't be me who ends up with it. If you'd like me to get him in touch with you I can definitely help. Pass me your contact info and I'll help you out from my end! I feel bad for leaving him hanging, but figure another boat isn't worth the arguments that it may cause...

I've seen the boat. It is in like new condition. I almost bought it, but after talking to Ted Bell, decided on the Kevlar voyager.

Any concerns about using a canoe like that in the Boundary Waters?

Have you paddled the Voyager, how are you liking it?

quote Royce: "Any concerns about using a canoe like that in the Boundary Waters?

Have you paddled the Voyager, how are you liking it?"

I came away from our conversation thinking that it would work well, but should be treated with care (meaning caution on shallow/rocky rivers and laying a pack in rather than tossing it haphazardly). It is lighter and thinner than today's popular Bdub boats. You'd fly across the lakes, that's for sure! Of course, in their heyday, Wabash Valleys were known to be the best money could buy. I'd sure feel proud to drive through Ely with a WV atop my car.

quote Royce: "I don't see your email, send me a line at jwerner7@gmail.com
"

oops sorry. email sent...

I talked to Ted Bell about the Wabash vs the voyager kevlar I was looking at. Basically, he said that the Wabash would be faster then the Voyager, but would not hold near as much gear. Also, The Voyager/kevlar would take a lot more abuse then the Wabash. Like I say, I spent a good deal of time looking over the Wabash. It is a VERY narrow boat. you won't put any type of traditional canoe pack in it. To take advantage of the very narrow bow and stern areas, probably small dry bags like in a kayak would be in order. Long and short of it is that the Wabash would hold about the same amount of gear as my Necky Loosha IV kayak. . .only advantage is it would be easier to get the gear out at the portages.

I went for the Voyager. I wanted the option to take additional gear if I wanted to. . .and I didn't want to be continually worried about every little bump in the Wabash.

Basically Ted said that the Wabash was designed as a racing/workout boat. Not really a tripping boat.

I also don't know where the 16lbs came from. Its actual weight is quite a bit higher at 24lbs.

He sure didn't mention that blemish to me over the phone. I'm sure you can get some advice on the repair here- I've seen much worse damage be made like new on various threads! Did you drop it in the Ohio before heading home?

congrats on the Wabash. I almost bought it but decided I needed more gear room. the guy selling it told me it was 18 pounds as well.