Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Solo Canoe ID?
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Beast388 |
MReid: "From the one photo posted, there's no way we can evaluate what needs to be done. Are the gunnels cracked? Or do they just need refinishing. Does the hull need patches? Etc. etc. If just refinishing, that only takes a few hours. If the boat is actually sound (reliable), then if you're pushed for time between making it pretty and getting out and paddle, I'd go for the paddling, especially if this is a new type of canoe for you (straight/J stroke vs bent/sit and switch). Also, time spent in a canoe is added to your life more quickly than working on canoes. Advantages are really nice cruisers, so if you develop some good technique, you should be able to keep up with tandems for the most part unless they're pretty finely tuned paddlers and just want to go. This refurb should amount to gunwale replacement, a pressure wash, light sand, and a coat or two of epoxy. Once its warm enough, I'll get moving on it. I built my own epoxy infused kevlar 18.5' tandem a couple of years ago so this should be pretty easy. Admittedly, this is my first solo...so I look forward to learning. |
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MReid |
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Blatz |
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Blatz |
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sns |
Beast388: "I took the Advantage out for the 2nd time this morning, first time using the 260cm BB Angler Ace double blade paddle. I’m getting more comfortable in it, getting used to the low initial stability. I haven’t paddled with any gear yet, but will soon. What a blast! I have paddled solo almost every day for the last week or so - I bring two dry bags that I fill with water to simulate gear weight. Makes a big difference. |
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Blatz |
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mirth |
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Blatz |
butthead: "Blatz: " Yea that's where I put my old etrex. I have a bicycle handle bar mount for it and it fits perfect on the footbrace. My mount isn't as robust though. |
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Banksiana |
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Beast388 |
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Banksiana |
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Beast388 |
By June, I should weigh around 220-230lbs, and I'll have a week's worth of gear. I'll be with 8 others (3 tandem canoes) so the group's food for the week is divided into 3 Granite Gear food bags....so, my personal gear and one food bag. |
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Beast388 |
mirth: "It's hard to tell by the photos, but is there dry rot or something else that is necessitating the gunwale replacement? Cuz, other than a little dry, from the photos it doesn't look like there's anything wrong with them....." I've seen plenty of pictures on the 'net showing Advantages with inwales but no outwales. My hunch is that this one was the same and someone added outwales. The wood strip has sharp corners and is not contoured. Also, as you can see in the picture in the original post, this was sitting on 2X4s sticking out from the garage wall. Near the bow, the inwale is split right where it sat on that 2X4. There are machine screws that pass through the gunwales with nuts on the inside....not a fan of that. Not sure how long this sat in that garage, but I would guess a decade or more. I thought the brown color was from paint. Luckily it was just dusty & dirty. |
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DownStrm |
This picture is my Advantage in the cheaper Tufweave layup. Compare the space between the gunnels and the seat in both boats. In the original picture, the picture angle of the exterior tumble home makes the boat look wider than it is. |
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Beast388 |
I asked if they still had any "Kevlar 49" or "Kruger Designed" stickers available...unfortunately no. Longshot, but I figured I'd ask. He also stated that Wenonah is reintroducing the Advantage for 2020! |
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butthead |
The all wood trim did add some pounds up to 35 but sure looks and feels good. Simpler and lighter aluminum is available. butthead |
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sns |
Beast388: "I think she’s done. After a thin coat of epoxy over the entire hull cured, I sanded with 220 grit to smooth it out, and then added a thin layer of UV marine varnish. I placed on the new Wenonah stickers today in the very welcome warm temps & sunshine. Outstanding! Really looks sweet. |
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mr.barley |
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Blatz |
Beast388: "Beast388: "Interesting tidbit......I just spoke with customer service at Wenonah inquiring about the serial number. He thought it was probably made in early 1984 and stated that I have probably one of the earliest 16'6" Advantages out there. Cool. |
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Banksiana |
DownStrm: "Has anyone ever seen an Advantage set up for kneeling with a bench seat or kneeling thwart? I mainly use mine for short workouts after work on a nearby lake. Paddling from the tractor seat doesn't seem natural, yet, but I like the boat." What Mreid said and use a properly sized bent shaft paddle. If the shaft is too long it makes the paddling motion less natural. |
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Blatz |
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DownStrm |
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Beast388 |
Total weight is 31lbs. Can’t wait to hit the water with it.... |
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Blatz |
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sns |
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butthead |
PJ's Voyager 2005 Adam's Lake Then again my Advantage is looks like a Voyager from the top, The stern makes the best visual point of difference, butthead |
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Beast388 |
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Blatz |
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Beast388 |
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RedLakePaddler |
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Blatz |
Beast388: "I think she’s done. After a thin coat of epoxy over the entire hull cured, I sanded with 220 grit to smooth it out, and then added a thin layer of UV marine varnish. I placed on the new Wenonah stickers today in the very welcome warm temps & sunshine.Nice |
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butthead |
Wise choice in the water jug ballast! butthead |
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Beast388 |
Float tanks are in using foam, epoxy and left over Kevlar scraps from a previous tandem build. Old outwales removed, cracked inwale repaired and new outwales installed. I’m now working on cleaning up the hull for a light coat of epoxy. Not sure yet if I’ll coat the entire hull, or just up to the waterline and then spar varnish the hull and gunwales. I also might stain the outwales to match the inwales in color...and to bring the areas of the inwales that I've sanded back to a solid color. I also might CNC cut new endcaps out of ABS, or spring for some carbon fiber sheet to clean the ends up cosmetically. New Wenonah stickers will go on once the hull is finished. Boat weighs 30lbs right now...so a net gain of 1lb. Can’t wait to try it out once the water is once again in liquid state. |
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Beast388 |
butthead: "Sure looks like a Voyager at 17.5 ft. Lots of tumblehome and core construction. I thought it was over 17' based on the picture....but a tape measure confirms it is 16.5'. I hade to remove part of the previous owner installed gunwales to see the engraved "Advantage" on the ID plate. I find it interesting that there are no flotation chambers on this canoe. I will probably add them in the refurbish..... |
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Blatz |
Beast388: "I took the Advantage out for the 2nd time this morning, first time using the 260cm BB Angler Ace double blade paddle. I’m getting more comfortable in it, getting used to the low initial stability. I haven’t paddled with any gear yet, but will soon. What a blast!Gear in it will make it feel more solid |
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tumblehome |
Blatz: "That explains the lack of floatation. That was considered a racing canoe." Agreed. Those thin gunwales were a giveaway. The previous owner wanted that canoe to be as light as possible. Since you plan to take it camping, some thicker gunwales would be advantageous to strengthening it up a bit. 1/2" ash or mahogany on both sides will only be about 6 pounds +/-. Also agree that some flotation would be nice. That canoe as is will probably float but just enough to grab out of the water. Tom |
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jdmccurry |
butthead: "Sure looks like a Voyager at 17.5 ft. Lots of tumblehome and core construction. Off topic, but I was interested in your hoist system. It looks like the canoe is suspended by attachments to the seat. Can you describe it in more detail? |
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butthead |
Not a hoist but rigged to scale to show as is weight. For storage one ehd sits on 2x4 frame other on a trapeeze from overhead. Clothes were just treated with permethrin and hung up to dry. butthead |
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butthead |
Beast388: "butthead: "Sure looks like a Voyager at 17.5 ft. Lots of tumblehome and core construction. Originally derived from a C1 race canoe, the tanks and free-board have changed some with other stuff but the hull design has stayed the same. butthead |
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jdmccurry |
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Beast388 |
Advantage |
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Blatz |
butthead: "Sure looks like a Voyager at 17.5 ft. Lots of tumblehome and core construction.What's that attached to your footbrace? GPS holder? |
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Blatz |
jdmccurry: "Does Wenonah still offer the Advantage? It's not on the website, but I seem to recall they will make one on a special order. What do they position as the replacement, the Prism or perhaps Voyager? "Yes you can. They've kept the molds. I bought mine last year. Another one not on their website that's worth a look is the Jensen 18 tandem. |
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Blatz |
Banksiana: "Piragis in Ely almost always as a couple of Advantages available."Same with Silent Glide in Wisconsin |
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Beast388 |
I figure the weight of the removed steel hardware, wavy outwales and thick wood endcaps, might be close to the weight of the added new outwales…….whatever weight is added won't be too excessive. The gunwales are so much stiffer and confidence inspiring since I plan to trip with this boat. You can also see the foam cut and shaped for the float tanks....which will get glassed in once the temps are suitable. Progress.... |
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butthead |
Blatz: " Yes a RamX Garmin 62st GPS holder. butthead |
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MReid |
DownStrm: "Has anyone ever seen an Advantage set up for kneeling with a bench seat or kneeling thwart? I mainly use mine for short workouts after work on a nearby lake. Paddling from the tractor seat doesn't seem natural, yet, but I like the boat." Obviously, the boat is designed for sit and switch, and for a workout, I'd think that method would be way better than kneeling (unless you're doing the Olympic high kneel!). You may be able to kneel around the existing seat--I have an old Wenonah (C1W) that will allow that for whitewater, but I think it has a smaller seat. I haven't tried it in my more modern Wenonahs. Before you look to change out the seats, spend some time sitting--if you get used to it, it is great for workouts and just covering ground--I've been a sit and switcher for almost 40 years. And it can be quite stable. It is a different style, and it may not be for you--but that's what the boat was designed for. |
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MReid |
Regarding the weight capacity, I don't seen any problem with that much weight, although I weigh less and pack pretty light. Butthead would have a much better perspective, as he's spent a lot of time in his Advantage. It's a nice boat, and rewards good paddlers. |
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Banksiana |
Beast388: " I would skip the epoxy unless it is really scraped and scarred (lots of exposed cloth, deep gouges that have torn cloth). If you want it to look pretty a very light sand and spar varnish- a cosmetic repair. Epoxy will add significant weight and is difficult to accomplish a lasting bond without meticulous attention to detail (properly roughed surface over every micron of skin coat or it will micro peel in a year or two). I've tripped far and often in an Advantage since 86. No problems for the load you mention. Spend lots of time in the canoe before the trip. It will feel a little squirrelly when you start, very stable under way; the faster you go the more stable she rides. If you can set it up with just inwales I think that is the finest looking and most practical option. |
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Beast388 |
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Beast388 |
kona: "Great find. Congrats! Any chance that bell canoe It is...located in Dixon, Illinois. If you’re interested I can give you the phone number of the seller. I think they were asking $700. |
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kona |
Pictured below might be for sale? It looks dusty too, so figured I’d ask. |
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kona |
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thebotanyguy |
Beast388: " any idea about the hull number? I though all Wenonahs started with MFP? Thanks for the help! " You are correct, Wenonah serial numbers begin with MFP. It was probably painted on the hull plate in front of the etched numbers, but wore off over time. When you register the boat, the correct hull ID number will be MFP DK185I484. |
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Beast388 |
Beast388: "Interesting tidbit......I just spoke with customer service at Wenonah inquiring about the serial number. He thought it was probably made in early 1984 and stated that I have probably one of the earliest 16'6" Advantages out there. Cool. Wenonah now lists the "Advantage Solo" on their website under the Performance Touring tab. Advantage Solo |