Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: New guy here, Opinions on which Wenonah to buy?
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MuskyMike |
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printing |
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Brock63 |
This go around, I went with B16 IXP from Northstar...slightly wider, 2.5" rocker bow/stern, lower profile to help with wind. It is also a very good canoe and I absolutely love mine though only had it for a few days now. I think the Northwind has more initial stability...but the B16 has great secondary stability and higher weight capacity. Canoes are versatile so dont get too wrapped up on only one aspect...and even though it may be intended for one use...most (except the extremes) are very capable in other uses as well. The B16 is similar to a Prospector but has been "improved" some by Ted Bell on this expression. I would give Northstar a call....and tell them your experience, water to paddle, expectations, intended uses short term, etc. I went in wanting to buy a Northwind again due to my past experience but they recommended the B16 with the slightly wider setup for packing loads and ability to paddle solo with loads... I spent an hour on the phone so dont worry about it at all. If you dont need the durability of IXP like I did...then would go with the Blacklight...still very tough but half the weight almost. Good luck. |
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unshavenman |
MidwestFirecraft: "Bulldogge62: "Hands down the Champlain +1. The Champlain is a freighter of a canoe. |
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TitanBow |
About 10 years ago, I picked up a Rogue River 14 ft. plastic boat off Craigslist and the family and I have had some great adventures in it. However, it is a BEAST. I think its listed at 98lbs. and with my wife and two kids, plus gear, I'm sure its about as efficient as paddling an old oak log! Anyway, I've been priming my wife on buying a really nice, high end canoe, one that is lightweight and big enough for our needs, but also something I could potentially solo on deer hunts or just go out for an afternoon fishing trip. She is ok with it, but now my dilemma is in choosing which canoe to buy. I think I've pretty much narrowed my search to the Wenonah Boundary Waters, but I really don't know if one of their other boats would be a better fit. The local dealer in Denver recommended the Wenonah 17 or the 18 ft. Champlain. Again, being the novice that I am, I can read the differences, but I guess I don't have the real world experience to equate the (what seems to me) subtle differences between these models to what that means in the real world. The primary "mission" of this thing will be family camping, fishing, and just paddling around the mountain lakes here in Colorado. However, I do plan on using it some to access some hunting areas and probably will want to do some solo fishing occasionally. Anyone with experience with these different models have a recommendation? |
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Northwoodsman |
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jwartman59 |
brux: "Why a Wenonah? If I had the $$$ I’d go with a Northstar Northwind 16 (if you want to think about soloing it as well)." Love this canoe |
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Bulldogge62 |
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MidwestFirecraft |
Bulldogge62: "Hands down the Champlain "Anyway, I've been priming my wife on buying a really nice, high end canoe, one that is lightweight and big enough for our needs, but also something I could potentially solo on deer hunts or just go out for an afternoon fishing trip." A Champlain would not in any way suit his needs as a solo canoe. |
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2AirIsHuman |
If not, I have a 17 Wenonah in whatever they call the hybrid fiberglass/kevlar layup. Have had it for 4 years I think. I think you would like one too I took the bow thwart out to facilitate solo paddling it backwards and usually throw around 50 pounds of ballast at the other end, either a scuba tank or a couple of dumbbells, which makes for a stable setup. (depending on what I'm doing I'll put a line and a float on them to facilitate retrieval in the event of a capsize) There's no keel so the wind will still blow it around. Have thought of moving the bow seat towards center a few inches to better accommodate solo paddling but haven't done it. Also paddle tandem with my kids. I like it. The bow thwart isn't really necessary unless you're someplace where wrapping it around a rock in current is a genuine concern, between the seat and the yoke and the layup itself there's enough stiffness. I mostly run southern MN rivers without any real rapids and it's fine for that. If I were going to run a class 2 or class 3 I'd put in the thwart. |
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deerfoot |
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Ausable |
Forget the Champlain for paddling solo. It is way too big for that. It would be fine as a boat for your whole family plus gear. I'd agree with the previous advice that the BW is a good choice for your intended uses until your children grow to the point that you'll need a 2nd canoe. |
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brux |
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MidwestFirecraft |
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RT |
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goetzc |
2AirIsHuman: "and usually throw around 50 pounds of ballast at the other end, either a scuba tank or a couple of dumbbells, which makes for a stable setup. (depending on what I'm doing I'll put a line and a float on them to facilitate retrieval in the event of a capsize) Off topic - Just sharing you can accomplish the same ballast effect for far less effort/risk by using a large drybag filled with water. I use an old size large Coghlans "Dry Sack". Bonus is that it only weighs about 12oz empty and costs about $20 anywhere Coghlans camping gear is sold and it'll float if you do happen to capsize. |
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unshavenman |
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ZaraSp00k |
since you are new, realize that there are a lot of rabid Northstar people here, but having paddled with them and the owner, the canoe is over rated, not that it is a bad canoe, but its kinda like asking a group of Democrats if Obama was a good president paddle them yourself, you are the best judge of what is right for you |
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cyclones30 |
I'll 2nd or 3rd or whatever looking into northstar as another option. Their NW17 would be a nice option. The 16 is too but getting on the small side for a tandem and as the little one gets bigger you'll be running out of space in it I feel. |
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HowardSprague |
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Model94 |
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