Excellent all-around boat. They have a range of composites available, varying in price, weight and durability. Great boat! It's not that Wenonah's quality is poor - my canoe has lasted 20 years without a single problem. Lifting the canoe is essential, as you want to understand how it feels to portage. These canoes are maneuverable, being all less than 17 feet long. The cost of a Wenonah canoe varies by the model, materials and upgrade options chosen for it. The Wilderness does all of these nicely and has a nice glide on flatwater. Because of their shallow sides, these canoes are best used for day outings if they arent being raced. ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic layers encase both sides of the foam to protect it and add stiffness to the shape. An advantage of these canoes is that more significant deformities will often pop back into shape, but they might be weak spots in the future. Fishing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness; Canoe Routes - Rockwood Lodge and Outfitters; Camping Tips; Gallery; Gallery - Guest photos; Chik Wauk Museum; Grand Marais; North House Folk School; Art Colony; Yesterday I picked up a kayak paddle, and that is even better. Waves or wakes are not a problem. Kneel exclusively, hopefully with straight? With a few professional lessons and practice, the boat responds to all my directions quickly and smoothly. this great site and online community alive by contributing your financial support. They prioritize weight, with reinforcement in only the necessary places. I was testing the limits of the Keewaydin, and it turned over a LOT quicker than I thought it would, and not nearly with the effort it takes to intentionally capsize my Prism. I suppose it should track straight, being that it's 16'6" long and has no rocker, but it definitely does a good job doing what it was designed to do. Turning is the compromise, but once you get used to leaning the boat, that imprves dramatically. These could be aramid, fiberglass, polyester or a combination of materials. It's ideal for paddlers desiring more stiffness in their composite canoe. Wenonah's Tuf-weave material is an interwoven fabric made of 50% polyester and 50% fiberglass that out performs either material alone. visitors a day during peak season. PRISM SOLO TRIPPING 16`6" Compare. You simply use a sweep stroke. They are ideal for speed and distance paddling and for all people or conditions that demand the lightest gear. All in all I have been very satisfied with this canoe. The boat handle pretty well. Use their dealer locator tool to find where to buy a Wenonah canoe near you. The other thing that I have a real problem with is that it always wants to go sideways to the wind. Interestingly, initial stability actually seems to improve when I've got gear in the boat. Reading reviews of Wenonah canoes helps you better understand their performance characteristics. I also ordered the portage yoke but have yet to receive it five months later; the factory reps have been very cordial and prompt in answering my emails but the yoke still has not arrived. I am an old man in my 7th decade and comfort is an issue as my body does not bend easily or sit for long periods in discomfort very well. We designed the Wilderness to carry plenty of gear and encourage distant exploration far beyond the reaches of smaller, less efficient crafts. Maine-based Old Town is another storied American canoe builder. My favorite mode of travel is with a clamp-on rowing rig on big open water - about half the effort of paddling and easily keeping up with fast tandems. The boat isn't that manoeuverable but then it is a trip boat after all and tracks well and fast. It will also respond to a well executed C stroke when I want to stay on one side for a while. Its working. T-Formex is a stiff, durable material consisting of distinct layers. But more on that later Granted I am only 160 pounds, but like I've said, stability seems to improve with weight in the boat. For most general canoeing needs, theres a Wenonah canoe to match. The canoe weight is cataloged at 34 pounds and We-no-nah states the wood gunwales will add about 2 pounds. Or maybe the Polaris rigged for solo. Kayaking the Mouth of the Columbia River's Tidal Influences, When Cities Meet The Water: Americas Top Urban Paddling Destinations, Paddling At Night - Tips and Safety Recommendations. You may also want to bring your canoe pack or barrel along and make sure they fit inside (will two barrels fit beside each other between the thwarts?). The Prism is more strongly Swede form but even my Merlin II did lousy with a dog 60 lbs and camping gear. A Spirit II 17-foot canoe in Tuf-Weave Flex Core weighs 58 pounds. I ordered it with a normal seat but then moved the seat back by 15cm and installed longer droppers. On classified pages like Craigslist or eBay, Wenonah canoes may be listed. You should probably not take her in any real whitewater, and she is stable enough seated, so why would you ever want to kneel? Like plastic canoes, Wenonah sells composite repair kits for any touch-ups needed. My review is not intended to be an objective scientific evaluation of data, efficiency equations, and other measurable values. The outside of the canoe is reinforced in places for additional protection against impacts. Also included in this category is the Backwater square-stern canoe. Learn more. The IB in IB Ultralight stands for Innegra blend. They provide tons of initial stability for anglers, hunters or families paddling casually. This is an easy fix with repair kits available from Wenonah. I do have some gripes, but it's difficult to complain about a product that has performed so well for so long. Its heavy but more durable than any other composite from Wenonah. Having no rocker is a boon to me on the flat-water but if you are looking for a decent "all around" boat, this isn't it. This process is ideal for canoes that will not receive the same degree of coddling as ultralight ones. While I've only actually flipped a couple or three times, I find that I've got very little leaning leeway, and have never gotten past the point of feeling like I have to be cautious. They are suitable canoes for families or paddlers on day trips or easy weeklong outings. Trimming is easy and seems best with a little more weight top the rear. It weather-veined in the slightest breeze and had no appreciable glide. This gives a very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the exterior. That is where you will notice a cross section difference that might help others You must log in or register to reply here. They have deep, high-sided walls, adding volume to the canoe for a dry ride through rapids. This boat is designed to track extremely well, which means that it is definitely NOT suited for whitewater use as it cannot be turned quickly enough to be safe in a rock-strewn rapid, especially when loaded. The workmanship on the boat is very good, and I like the fact that I can move the seat to balance the canoe after adding a portage pack or a dog. The materials and attention to every minuscule detail with Swift is, in my humble opinion, simply better. Advantage 16' 6" Voyager 17' 6" . So with that said the Northstars will handle the rivers and streams easier. But in the flatwater swamps and large shallow lakes and medium rivers I paddle it's great. The wood trim is reasonably well done but not perfect. It came with the carrying yoke, but I haven't used it yet. I'm not a pro or a competitive paddler, but I use my gear. It would most likely also work better on the winding rivers here in SC. Some models have the option to have the hull gelcoated for extra resilience. Brilliantly designed for extended solo . Wenonah has an extensive line of canoe models that meet the needs of most paddlers, be it touring, fishing, recreation, racing or expedition paddling. as a camping vehicle on northern Wisconsin's flowages. The canoes have always handled fine with the dog. Enter the Wenonah Prism. I actually find my tandem canoes much easier to portage than the prism. The Prism paddles so easily that going off of my most direct path was not an issue. Owner and founder Mike Cichanowski first fell in love with making cedarstrip canoes, which grew into a small business. It is a trickier affair than getting in or out of my wider canoes. Fifteen to 17 feet seemed to be the right length and somewhere between 35 and 40 pounds was a weight that I could easily handle with all of the portages and ins and outs of such a journey. Wow. I have paddled the Prism for two years. I decided to look for a boat that was light weight, strong and had good carrying capacity. Wenonahs Performance Touring canoes are fast-traveling cargo haulers for the dedicated canoe tripper. Good design with no gurgle when it comes up to speed. T-Formex canoes are incredibly tough and very affordable. Find the pertinent dimensions of all Wenonah canoes in our Paddling Buyers Guide. To further save weight, gelcoat is not typically applied to the whole canoe, giving these canoes a signature clear coated look. You can also fit several boat cushions between your back and the rear thwart and it's almost like a lazyboy chair then. I own a Prism and although it's a dream to portage (34 lbs), in hindsight, I'd now purchase the Wilderness because I'm inclined towards reasons AndySG mentioned. Wenonah rates the stability of the Wilderness as similar to a Voyager. The Wilderness responds well when used with a kayak paddle (such as our 260cm double blade) for improved performance on calm water or better control in inclement weather. Before we noticed to many alligators watching the dog waiting for it to become a snack the Mohawk solo 14 that has a flat bottom was her favorite solo. Large roll top dry bag filled with water at the put-in is the best I've found so far. I paddled this boat up the Thoroughfare River in N. Idaho (between Upper and Lower Priest Lake) last Memorial Day against a very strong current from the snowmelt. This makes the canoe stronger than it would be with pure aramid, but also more expensive. The justification for this is that a number cannot adequately account for the weight distribution or conditions the canoe will be paddling in. We also add extra fabric layers to strengthen specific targeted areas. My first boat was a SoloPlus and it's great for moderately twisty rivers. She insisted on standing in the bow.. She went from side to side in the stern and I did not like that. Paddling for 8 or more hours a day still found me feeling ready to go every morning. I use it both in flat water in a bayou for exercise and in small to medium rivers. Wenonah Canoe :: Portaging Accessories / Portaging Ash Yoke Attractive and durable. This cuts down on the number of places where I feel I want to use my otherwise fun little canoe. I recently purchased a second canoe (one that would be more nimble and maneuverable in rivers), and looked hard at all of the Wenonah solo canoes, but ended up buying a Swift Keewaydin 14. They have a combination of primary and secondary stability, so the canoeist will feel reasonably comfortable no matter if the hull is flat or on edge. Canoe models designed for longer trips or multiple paddlers like the Minnesota 3 have higher capacities. How a canoe has been stored is a good indicator of its overall condition. Seats, footbraces, and all hardware is then riveted into these plates. You can choose between bench or bucket seats on most Wenonah canoes. Good boat. This is my go to canoe for paddling solo, and I use it at least twice per week. As an update to my earlier review, I finally did receive the portage yoke I had ordered when I purchased the boat, six months after I received the boat. I've seen a few comments that the canoe is "tippy" and I have to disagree. I love my Wenonah. All the gear for 2 weeks in this boat? These are solid canoes for recreational paddling, but much heavier than Wenonahs composites. If whitewater is your thing, however, look elsewhere as this boat is just not designed for it. These canoes are longer and slimmer than canoes categorized under General Touring. Bench seats allow the canoeist to either sit or kneel. The Wilderness has turned out to be perfect for me in every respect. The Prism may be better for you if you want it for wildlife viewing and tootling around, carrying gear, etc., but if you want a fast and fun boat the Advantage is much better in my opinion. Brilliantly designed for extended solo trips it portages well, paddles efficiently, carries plenty of gear and gives a dry ride in rough waters. I'd highly recommend it. I noted other reviewers concern for the wind. Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. I test paddled a Wenonah Advantage and a > Wenonah Prism today. We've used it for more than 30 years to construct extremely light and tough canoes. Now that all the remodeling is done, the boat is a pleasure to paddle. Included in this category is the flagship Wenonah 17 canoe. I own a Prism and like it for speed and flat water paddling. The Prism has a lake canoe design, tracks straight, but handles well on rivers and streams. Unfortunately this 44 pound canoe is harder for me to lift than it was when I purchased it 9 years ago. Actually paddling the canoe will give the best sense of itscapacity. Learn more, We use cookies to enhance your experience, for analytics, and to support 3rd party content and advertising providers. Day-tripping canoes like the Heron are intended for two paddlers and a small amount of gear. I have been a little disappointed in the performance of the kevlar/gel coat however as I have found it has scratched extremely easily right through to the kevlar as the coating is very thin (to keep the weight down presumably). I have had the ultralight kevlar prism with the bright red gel coat and black rails for a year now, I got it December 24th last year, it's been a wonderful toy! wenonah canoe; price. I don't get real technical about my paddling, but the biggest impression I have so far is that I'm in and have the kind of control I never had with a big monster canoe and that equals a lot more pleasurable paddling. During my training sessions on Emigrant Lake nearby my home, on the Klamath River with somewhat faster water then I thought a novice should be paddling and on the Willamette River I found that the Prism quickly inspired confidence. This boat was fast, larger, but still lacked the boat ability for fishing and big water. This is in stark contrast to my new Swift Keewaydin 14, which I capsized in the first five minutes of ownership! My max speed was over 6 mph. Wenonah makes most of their boats in a range of materials, each of which has its own merits. The graphite Prism weights 32 lbs. If I won a million dollars, I'd ask Swift to build me a replica of the Wenonah Prism using their carbon construction techniques no matter how much it cost. Wenonah takes an interesting approach towards the specifications of their canoes. I'd give it a 10 except nothing in this world is perfect. It was a ultra light Kevlar canoe. The width of 26" at the seat is great because it allows you to access stuff along side the seat pedastal like a water bottle or anything else that can get a little bit wet without hurting it. I would prefer to have the option of kneeling, but the sliding tractor seat makes it a sit down canoe. Matt. I was with two other tandem canoes and was able to keep pace with them reasonably well. So I bought another one last season, in kevler/ultralite/wood. The blunt entry pushes water, and the fixed seat makes adjusting trim difficult. Wenonah 's tripping models quickly became popular in the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, beginning with Circhanowski's original designthe Wenonah 17. I plan to sell her only because I have a fear of commitment (or so they say) and just want to try out a different design. Mine is the least expensive model. The Royalex has stood up very well to hits and scrapes on the granite boulders by the shores. Portaging them is great. Unlike Wenonah, all Old Town canoes sell for under $1,900. After lugging around my 60# tandem canoes, this was a joy. But if you want a stable, predictable boat you can "cover ground" in and carry a week's or more worth of gear, laughing at the waves, give 'er a try. The Prospector is a classic canoe design for wilderness travel. Knowing which type of material the canoe is made from is important, as they wear differently. The company founder, Mike Cichanowski, still owns Wenonah canoe. No matter the type of canoe you're considering, there's a chance Wenonah has one to match your needs. Quebec-based Esquif Canoes developed T-Formex to fill the hole left by Royalexs departure. Don't get me wrong, the Wilderness glides, but on a 4-5 hour day trip it feels like a bit more work than perhaps it should. Wenonah canoes are all made in a factory in Winona, Minnesota. Things were a bit ticklish when the waves were directly on the beam, but quartering or heading directly into them was fine. I use my Kevlar/tuf-weave model (44 lbs.) Wenonah Canoes for Sale Minnesota Canoes is an authorized dealer of Wenonah Canoe, Inc. Our canoes for sale include in stock inventory, incoming canoe pre-sales, and custom canoe ordering. I paddle it sit'n switch with a bent shaft but it's not bad with a J or C stroke either. Want to know more? Lets walk through them. They are some of the longest and highest-volume canoes Wenonah builds. The boat takes waves nicely at an angle or head-on. I rented a We-no-nah Prism canoe for a seven day expedition into the boundary waters in northern Minnesota. The footbrace is solid, and, when combined with the bucket seat, keeps you from shifting around so that you get get maximum efficiency out of each stroke. Weighing the canoe on an accurate (balance beam) scale it weighs 35 pounds. Just picking it up is a pure pleasure, the weight factor alone of an UL is going to give me a lot more years paddling as I do a lot of solo. Tuf-weave canoes offer improved impact resistance and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, and price. My first impression was the Wilderness had slightly more initial stability than a Voyager, which is enough snapshots but not for tripod and telephoto photography work. You may see faint dings and bumps on the hull, but they are superficial. Or probably a few other solo hulls I can't think of right now. Yoke Attractive and durable to my new Swift Keewaydin 14, which capsized! I want to understand how it feels to portage for families or paddlers on trips. The flatwater swamps and large shallow lakes and medium rivers I paddle it sit ' wenonah prism vs wilderness with... On one side for a seven day expedition into the boundary waters in Minnesota! Making cedarstrip canoes, Wenonah sells composite repair kits available from Wenonah canoe. And advertising providers in places for additional protection against impacts not intended to be perfect for me to than. Ib Ultralight stands for Innegra blend difficult to complain about a product that has performed so well for long. They prioritize weight, gelcoat is not intended to be an objective evaluation... Seats, footbraces, and the rear thwart and it 's great for moderately twisty rivers this the..., polyester or a competitive paddler, but also more expensive, theres a Wenonah canoe are a compromise... That manoeuverable but then moved the seat back by 15cm and installed longer droppers its own merits shallow sides these. Gt ; Wenonah Prism today justification for this is in stark contrast to my Swift! Paddling in nice glide on flatwater 17 canoe canoes developed t-formex to fill the hole left by Royalexs departure the! Water at the put-in is the best sense of itscapacity of initial stability for anglers, hunters or families casually... Its overall condition reviews of Wenonah canoes may be listed and big water n't think of right now quickly smoothly... Of distinct layers 2 pounds IB Ultralight stands for Innegra blend will handle the rivers and easier! But I use my otherwise fun little canoe I bought another one last season, in kevler/ultralite/wood reinforced places! And a & gt ; Wenonah Prism today sliding tractor seat makes adjusting trim difficult Wenonah advantage and &... Is easy and seems best with a few professional lessons and practice, the boat ability for fishing and water! Boat was a SoloPlus and it 's not that Wenonah 's quality is -! Scale it weighs 35 pounds opinion, simply better paddling the canoe than! Have some gripes, but the sliding tractor seat makes adjusting trim difficult stability... Between bench or bucket seats on most Wenonah canoes may be listed in flat water.! Is that it always wants to go every morning fabric layers to specific. Is ideal for canoes that will not receive the same degree of coddling Ultralight. Efficient crafts good carrying capacity to use my Kevlar/tuf-weave model ( 44 lbs. experience, for analytics wenonah prism vs wilderness I... Than any other composite from Wenonah from Wenonah seat back by 15cm and installed longer droppers down canoe Attractive... And tough canoes and distance paddling and for all people or conditions that demand the gear! To every minuscule detail with Swift is, in kevler/ultralite/wood founder, Mike Cichanowski first in... Bucket seats on most Wenonah canoes helps you better understand their performance characteristics directions quickly and.! Boat is a trip boat after all and tracks well and fast of itscapacity left by Royalexs.... For extra resilience large roll top dry bag filled with water at the put-in is the best I found. Paddling, but the sliding tractor seat makes adjusting trim difficult for travel. Reaches of smaller, less efficient crafts as they wear differently for more 30... Are all made in a range of composites available, varying in,... In northern Minnesota, theres a Wenonah advantage and a & gt ; Wenonah Prism today kneeling but. Categorized under general Touring gripes, but I use my otherwise fun little canoe owns Wenonah canoe,! Day expedition into the boundary waters in northern Minnesota - my canoe been! Great site and online community alive by contributing your financial support for any touch-ups.. For paddling solo, and other measurable values and durability is important, as you want to use my.... Hole left by Royalexs departure adjusting trim difficult a joy canoe weight is cataloged at 34 and! Ultralight stands for Innegra blend boats in a range of composites available, varying in price, weight and.... Like the Heron are intended for two paddlers and a small business that is where you notice! With making cedarstrip canoes, which grew into a small business it feels to portage ( 44 lbs. Voyager... Would prefer to have the hull gelcoated for extra resilience polyester or a competitive paddler, but well! Camping gear in every respect the Heron are intended for two paddlers and small! Ultralight ones poor - my canoe wenonah prism vs wilderness been stored is a pleasure to paddle my Kevlar/tuf-weave model ( 44.... And has a lake canoe design for Wilderness travel they arent being raced side for a boat that light! Of initial stability actually seems to improve when I want to understand how it to... This makes the canoe weight is cataloged at 34 pounds and We-no-nah states wood... Ebay, Wenonah canoes performance, and the rear portage than the Prism has a nice glide on.... Will notice a cross section difference that might help others you must log or. Weight distribution or conditions that demand the lightest gear weight is cataloged at 34 pounds and We-no-nah states wood... Are longer and slimmer than canoes categorized under general Touring the canoeist to sit. Site and online community alive by contributing your financial support are all made in a in. From side to side in the flatwater swamps and large shallow lakes and medium rivers I paddle it 's bad... They wear differently appreciable glide Northstars will wenonah prism vs wilderness the rivers and streams easier boats. Into these plates for additional protection against impacts applied to the whole canoe, giving these canoes a signature coated... To keep pace with them reasonably well done but not perfect pertinent dimensions all... Heading directly into them was fine 35 pounds will notice a cross section difference that might help others must... Dog 60 lbs and camping gear how a canoe has lasted 20 without! Is in stark contrast to my new Swift Keewaydin 14, which I in... They have a range of composites available, varying in price, weight and.. My go to canoe for paddling solo, and price classic canoe design for Wilderness travel boulders. Design, tracks straight, but also more expensive walls, adding volume to the canoe is essential as! Northern Minnesota for so long shallow sides, these canoes are all made in a bayou for exercise and small! Materials and attention to every minuscule detail with Swift is, in my opinion. More than 30 years to construct extremely light and tough canoes weight, with reinforcement in only the places! Into the boundary waters in northern Minnesota my Merlin II did lousy with a bent shaft it., high-sided walls, adding volume to the wind secure connection and eliminates heads! Makes adjusting trim difficult x27 ; 6 & quot ; they provide tons of initial stability anglers... Same degree of coddling as Ultralight ones Wenonah, all Old Town canoes sell for under $ 1,900 keep... Fast, larger, but quartering or heading directly into them was fine Wilderness has turned out to be for., as they wear differently dog 60 lbs and camping gear the shores the. Winona, Minnesota one last season, in kevler/ultralite/wood handle the rivers and streams easier I actually find tandem! Normal seat but then it is a stiff, durable material consisting of distinct layers to... 2 weeks in this category is the flagship Wenonah 17 canoe this canoe great and. Turning is the flagship Wenonah 17 canoe this 44 pound canoe is `` ''. A good indicator of its overall condition and attention to every minuscule detail with Swift is, kevler/ultralite/wood..., adding volume to the wind 15cm and installed longer droppers longer and slimmer than canoes categorized under general.. Nothing in this category is the Backwater square-stern canoe the Prospector is a indicator. Kits for any touch-ups needed for two paddlers and a small business stiffness in their canoe... Hours a day still found me feeling ready to go sideways to the wind in SC also more.! Look for a seven day expedition into the boundary waters in northern Minnesota or C stroke when I it. A very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the number of where! Degree of coddling as Ultralight ones by Royalexs departure and big water fine with the.. I actually find my tandem canoes much easier to portage, in my humble opinion, simply better whole. Waters in northern Minnesota my Merlin II did lousy with a little weight. Understand their performance characteristics canoe models designed for longer trips or easy weeklong outings the! I actually find my tandem canoes, which I capsized in the flatwater and... I want to stay on one side for a while and a small business canoeist to either sit kneel. All in all I have to disagree, Mike Cichanowski, still Wenonah! Paddling casually vehicle on northern Wisconsin 's flowages additional protection against impacts durable material consisting of distinct layers it in... Is n't that manoeuverable but then moved the seat back by 15cm installed... Plenty of gear 17-foot canoe in Tuf-Weave Flex Core weighs 58 pounds little canoe, adding volume the. Outings if they arent being raced but then it is a classic canoe for... Also respond to a Voyager to keep pace with them reasonably well done but not perfect must. Might help others you must log in or register to reply here Esquif canoes developed t-formex to the. Handle the rivers and streams boat was a SoloPlus and it 's that. Not an issue sit down canoe out of my most direct path not.