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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: 4 person canoe
 
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Banksiana
06/27/2019 04:03PM
  
There's a Northwoods 20 for sale in the for sale forum.
 
timatkn
06/27/2019 07:31PM
  
Thanks everyone for the help. I called today and finally the 4th outfitter had one available. Must be a popular option, everyone had Wenonah IV’s to rent but all of the Northwoods 20’s we’re spoke for.


Canoe Country outfitter’s was great, we are staying and towing with CBO and they will drop off the canoe at CBO for us their suggestion not ours... They were so accommodating could care less I already had a tow and hotel with CBO. Great way to build customer loyalty.


T





 
timatkn
06/25/2019 12:48PM
  
Right now the Northwoods 20 or the Northstar 20 whatever the name is now is my preferred canoe, I am thinking of purchasing one but have never paddled it---so it might be good to test it.


I think I was hoping to get one more year out of the 18.5 but the picture above looks like I am dreaming :)


T
 
cyclones30
06/26/2019 02:18PM
  
There's a Northwind 20 in great shape that was just listed in the for sale section here. Upgrade time?
 
Bushman
06/26/2019 11:22AM
  
timatkn: "I am going on a trip in 3 weeks. It will be my wife and 2 sons 8 and 12. Taking 2 canoes is not an option. My wife has absolutely no interest in paddling a canoe with just one of the boys. We have always taken my Souris River Quetico 18.5 but it is getting pretty packed.



I am wondering if anyone has used a Northwoods 20 4 man and a Wenonah MN IV. Any preference. The Northwoods 20 seems harder to find. The most important thing is stability. We will be on some bigger lakes and are used to a really stable canoe.


Also how about just adding a seat to a Wenonah Seneca?


T"


I'm curious as to how cramped a SR 18.5 would be with three full grown men and a decent amount of gear? We will have at the bare minimum a GG Superior Portage pack, a 60 L food barrel w/ harness, 3 daypacks, fishing gear for all three and a few other small things most likely.


I was thinking about using a Seneca. Our 4th just dropped out and I really dont think I would enjoy the solo on a basecamp/fishing adventure.


Thoughts?
 
IndyCanoe
06/26/2019 11:29AM
  
We rented a MN IV from Voyager North Outfitters a couple of years ago now. It was a great boat very stable and plenty of room for four. The first seat in the bow has limited leg room but all of the others have plenty of room


Only real disadvantage was portaging that beast and maneuverability in tight areas.


It is so long that tight turns can be a problem if you have a tree close to the trail on each side. Also need to watch sharp inclines and declines because it doesn't take much to hit the ends on the ground. I found it much easier to control by holding on to the painter line attached to the bow while portaging.


It does take some effort to turn a canoe that long, river travel is not much fun for the stern paddler. We went in Moose river with it. Once out on the lake it was awesome.
 
TipsyPaddler
06/25/2019 08:21PM
  
I used a Northwind 20 from Sawtooth Outfitter’s in Tofte last year for a family trip—two adults and two kids ages 5 and 14. Great canoe! Surprisingly maneuverable—no problem getting up and down the narrow parts of the Kawishiwi River around EP 37. The portages were fine. Takes a little getting used to the 20.5’ length but weight wasn’t bad at all. A year earlier we tried a Wenonah MN III with the littlest on a float cushion and it was too cramped for four and all our gear. Rented a Northwind 20 again this year from Rockwood Lodge & Outfitter’s for the August family trip. Never tried a Wenonah MNIV so can’t make a fair comparison.
 
sedges
06/25/2019 04:00PM
  
Voyageur North Outfitters have northwind 20s at$49/day. I'm sure other outfitters in Ely have them, too. You may inquire about used purchase. Often if you reserve a used boat to pick up in fall they will apply your rental cost to the purchase. I know it seem dicey to reserve a canoe that is still in use by the outfitter, but I have found outfitters to be pretty honest in their deals with used boats.
 
Bushman
06/29/2019 06:20AM
  
timatkn: "Bushman: "timatkn: "I am going on a trip in 3 weeks. It will be my wife and 2 sons 8 and 12. Taking 2 canoes is not an option. My wife has absolutely no interest in paddling a canoe with just one of the boys. We have always taken my Souris River Quetico 18.5 but it is getting pretty packed.





I am wondering if anyone has used a Northwoods 20 4 man and a Wenonah MN IV. Any preference. The Northwoods 20 seems harder to find. The most important thing is stability. We will be on some bigger lakes and are used to a really stable canoe.




Also how about just adding a seat to a Wenonah Seneca?




T"




I'm curious as to how cramped a SR 18.5 would be with three full grown men and a decent amount of gear? We will have at the bare minimum a GG Superior Portage pack, a 60 L food barrel w/ harness, 3 daypacks, fishing gear for all three and a few other small things most likely.




I was thinking about using a Seneca. Our 4th just dropped out and I really dont think I would enjoy the solo on a basecamp/fishing adventure.




Thoughts?"



Surprisingly it is fine for 3 men. I have been on 4 trips with 3 adults with the Quetico 18.5 doing quite a bit of fishing. Even trolled quite a bit. If you are casting you need to pay more attention but once again no issues. It would work well for you.



The Seneca option would be great too though.


T


Thanks for the reply. I reserved a Seneca through VNO for this year. He said it would work great for us. Not fast or super agile but can haul and is very stable. Perfect for us as i don't go to the BWCA to race! LOL


"
 
Abbey
06/27/2019 07:48PM
  
timatkn: "Bushman: "timatkn: "I am going on a trip in 3 weeks. It will be my wife and 2 sons 8 and 12. Taking 2 canoes is not an option. My wife has absolutely no interest in paddling a canoe with just one of the boys. We have always taken my Souris River Quetico 18.5 but it is getting pretty packed.





I am wondering if anyone has used a Northwoods 20 4 man and a Wenonah MN IV. Any preference. The Northwoods 20 seems harder to find. The most important thing is stability. We will be on some bigger lakes and are used to a really stable canoe.




Also how about just adding a seat to a Wenonah Seneca?




T"




I'm curious as to how cramped a SR 18.5 would be with three full grown men and a decent amount of gear? We will have at the bare minimum a GG Superior Portage pack, a 60 L food barrel w/ harness, 3 daypacks, fishing gear for all three and a few other small things most likely.




I was thinking about using a Seneca. Our 4th just dropped out and I really dont think I would enjoy the solo on a basecamp/fishing adventure.




Thoughts?"



Surprisingly it is fine for 3 men. I have been on 4 trips with 3 adults with the Quetico 18.5 doing quite a bit of fishing. Even trolled quite a bit. If you are casting you need to pay more attention but once again no issues. It would work well for you.



The Seneca option would be great too though.



T



"


I’ve done two trips with three guys (200+ lbs each) in a three person Kevlar, and it worked great. Needs some ballast when fishing without other gear, but otherwise barely different than a two person Kevlar. Easy enough to portage, and then there’s two people for the gear. Only “real” issue was my dad trying to steer the boat from the bow instead of just making it go forward and letting the stern paddler do their job....one of the memorable parts of that trip.


Glad to hear that the 4-person works well. My kids will be in that position range over the next few years.
 
timatkn
06/25/2019 08:47AM
  
I am going on a trip in 3 weeks. It will be my wife and 2 sons 8 and 12. Taking 2 canoes is not an option. My wife has absolutely no interest in paddling a canoe with just one of the boys. We have always taken my Souris River Quetico 18.5 but it is getting pretty packed.


I am wondering if anyone has used a Northwoods 20 4 man and a Wenonah MN IV. Any preference. The Northwoods 20 seems harder to find. The most important thing is stability. We will be on some bigger lakes and are used to a really stable canoe.

Also how about just adding a seat to a Wenonah Seneca?

T
 
sedges
06/25/2019 09:53AM
  
The 4 person canoes are a great option. The Northwoods has a bit of rocker, so it will be more maneuverable. They are great on big water. Your children won't have to sit side by side. I known that Tuscarora Outfitters has a couple in their fleet if you are going to the Gunflint side.
 
timatkn
06/27/2019 10:20PM
  
cyclones30: "There's a Northwind 20 in great shape that was just listed in the for sale section here. Upgrade time?"


Thanks for pointing it out. I looked at the ad and it is a year old, I also am not 100% sure I want to own it yet. The price is fair, but I am a deal finder, it isn’t a great deal for me to jump on it.


I also want a Savage River canoe someday...champagne taste, beer budget :)


T
 
timatkn
06/27/2019 07:26PM
  
Bushman: "timatkn: "I am going on a trip in 3 weeks. It will be my wife and 2 sons 8 and 12. Taking 2 canoes is not an option. My wife has absolutely no interest in paddling a canoe with just one of the boys. We have always taken my Souris River Quetico 18.5 but it is getting pretty packed.




I am wondering if anyone has used a Northwoods 20 4 man and a Wenonah MN IV. Any preference. The Northwoods 20 seems harder to find. The most important thing is stability. We will be on some bigger lakes and are used to a really stable canoe.



Also how about just adding a seat to a Wenonah Seneca?



T"



I'm curious as to how cramped a SR 18.5 would be with three full grown men and a decent amount of gear? We will have at the bare minimum a GG Superior Portage pack, a 60 L food barrel w/ harness, 3 daypacks, fishing gear for all three and a few other small things most likely.



I was thinking about using a Seneca. Our 4th just dropped out and I really dont think I would enjoy the solo on a basecamp/fishing adventure.



Thoughts?"


Surprisingly it is fine for 3 men. I have been on 4 trips with 3 adults with the Quetico 18.5 doing quite a bit of fishing. Even trolled quite a bit. If you are casting you need to pay more attention but once again no issues. It would work well for you.


The Seneca option would be great too though.


T



 
brux
06/26/2019 12:08PM
  
We’ve done our family of 5 in a Northwoods 20 for a week long trip with no issues. It was a dream to paddle and highly maneuverable considering its size.
 
Jonesy
06/26/2019 09:21PM
  
We’ve done a couple family trips in the Northstar 20. We only take 4 portage packs. 1 CCS Pioneer, 1 CCS Explorer, and 2 GG solos. Two packs in front of the yoke, 1 behind the yoke, and 1 GG Solo behind the stern seat. Plenty of room for everyone.
 
Othello
06/25/2019 01:54PM
  
I was in the same situation two years ago, and rented a Northwind 20 with 4 seats from Piragis. Very stable, easy to maneuver, and nothing but good things to say about our experience. Sedges' comment about the rocker is spot on. My only thought on purchase is that you consider the number of years/trips you will take with the boys before they're bigger, stronger paddlers, and may even want to have their own rig. Good luck!
 
timatkn
06/25/2019 02:17PM
  
Sorry I should have said this on the front end. I am going out of Ely.


Good point Othello...it will have to be my oldest son taking over stern paddling.


It might be fun to sell my Souris River get a different one--then if things change--try a different model. I want to get a Savage River for my next tandem--not int he cards right now though.


T
 
mschi772
06/25/2019 01:59PM
  
I'm not sure, but I think I saw a 20 among the rentals at Clearwater Lodge.