Canoes like the Minnesota are very common in areas like the Boundary Waters, where the travel is generally across large lakes. Hope TuffStuff will prove as good when I replace my favourite solo! If youd prefer to shave some pounds off your canoe, composites are the way to go. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Wenonah Canoe is the worlds largest maker of canoes using Aramid. I've never felt insecure in wind or waves even when loaded to the brim and on some relatively big water in the Adirondacks. 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. I have paddled the Prism for two years. New to canoeing with the idea of paddling the entire Missouri, I had no real idea of what canoe to purchase for a trip the length of such a big river, the longest on the North American continent. Wenonah craftsmanship is top notch. The materials and attention to every minuscule detail with Swift is, in my humble opinion, simply better. Aramid UltraLite, Black trim - $3774. However as a smaller paddler at 150lbs it does require more energy to keep it moving than other boats that Ive paddled. Of course that adds a few pounds and it takes up space once you reach the end of your portage. The Prism is fast -- my GPS clocks it at 4.5MPH without pressing when using the double-bladed kayak paddle, and it has exceeded 6MPH downwind in a current. More weight might help with the wind problem but I haven't tried that yet. The kneeling position is a bit different than with a bench seat - you have to straddle the seat mount and put your feet on the sides of the seat instead of under it. This is in stark contrast to my new Swift Keewaydin 14, which I capsized in the first five minutes of ownership! Good design with no gurgle when it comes up to speed. See and review all Wenonah canoes here. I have had the boat out without cargo (just the dog and a small day pack) in about a 25 mile per hour wind (small bay w/o significant waves) and didn't have any problems with directional control. This is probably the boat to have if you do a lot of extended tripping, but as an over night or extended day paddles, it's great If you are lucky enough to find one, I would not hesitate to buy it. Named in remembrance of Dick Proenneke, a legendary wilderness man who spent 30 years of his retired life living alone in the wilds of Twin Lakes, Alaska, the Wilderness is a solo canoe that can take you far away from it all. Cane has a traditional look, while webbing is more durable. I've tried shifting the weight around but then the canoe loses that wonderful glide. Choose one of these if you need the high storage capacity that comes with deep wells. I've had mine for 5 years, I beat the hell out of it and it only has one small piece of duct tape on it. Again, I'm only 160 pounds, so your body weight may be more of a factor when adding gear. I agree with bowler 1. However it never really tracked well and the primary stability was poor. We support this high volume of visitors On the other hand I wanted a canoe without rocker and Bell doesn't make one. It's OK to paddle, but I prefer to use oars (available from Spring Creek Outfitters in Mountain Iron, Mich.). As for speed, my Etrex indicates that it does about 3 mph. That included a 70 pound Chesapeake. She insisted on standing in the bow.. She went from side to side in the stern and I did not like that. Matt. I paddle lakes, rivers and streams but little whitewater. It also requires alot of leaning to make it turn upstream around hairpin turns. I have not paddled the NW solo form a kneeling position, or from a elevated sitting position that would be required after replacing the drops to kneeling drops. Jensen V1-Pro 18' 6", Jensen V1-A Mens 18' 6", J-193 18' 0". The hull is quite stiff with absolutely no flex evident while on the water. Fast upstream. Wenonahs Sports & Leisure canoes are the most stable of their models. When crossing Brule Lake I was in 2 to 2 1/2 foot waves. Faster then any tandem boat i have paddled and will take a LOT of gear. Build by heavy ships, the Prism is very safe. With the rowing rig and 80-100 pounds of gear I can usually smoke the tandem paddlers, averaging 3.5-4 mph, even with a quartering wind. On a positive note about the Prism I don't even blink at 3 foot waves. Aramid, the fiber used for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong. Stability, wind resistance, and tracking even seem to improve with the extra weight. It has good speed and glide. I may get an Advantage someday simply because of the wind issue, but I just hate to give up that wonderful stability. Or a Wilderness. Canoe & Kayak Magazine said it well when they wrote, " The Prism is all about glide and speed. Incredibly versatile, it'll take you comfortably over all kinds of waters. First off some background. The composite materials include the Ultralight and the more affordable Flexcore categories. These plastic canoes, made out of Royalex or T-Formex, are long-lasting. No matter the type of canoe youre considering, theres a chance Wenonah has one to match your needs. They are ideal for speed and distance paddling and for all people or conditions that demand the lightest gear. This is an easy fix with repair kits available from Wenonah. And if rock solid stability is something you absolutely need, the Rendezvous might be your boat. This site has grown since 2002 from a few visitors a day to up to 10,000 Q-Star Sea Otter Kayak. This makes them the ideal choice for sportsmen, whitewater paddlers, families and kids, or anybody who wants a very durable canoe. It will also respond to a well executed C stroke when I want to stay on one side for a while. I like the tractor seat and foot bar: comfortable and gives great leverage. I personally feel this can be down right dangerous in the wrong set of circumstances and it's positively annoying otherwise to say the least. Compare. You can also fit several boat cushions between your back and the rear thwart and it's almost like a lazyboy chair then. They have deep, high-sided walls, adding volume to the canoe for a dry ride through rapids. The larger the solo the more I assume that you will be in the weight range it was designed for with the dog, gear and ballast. As I paddled into a 30 mile an hour wind on Lake Sakakawea with the waves building to over 3 feet, I realized just how well my Wenonah Prism (kevlar) was handling. duckhunter January 30, 2013, 9:59pm #1. Or whatever the current Northstar equivalant of the Merlin II is. )sweeeeeeet boat. It's ideal for paddlers desiring more stiffness in their composite canoe. They dont require much maintenance, and can withstand impacts and abrasions impressively. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community! Canoes are not used, unless stated otherwise. I have since purchased and installed new thwarts and a seat, all of which I reduced in length by 15% from stock seat and thwarts. Ultra-light hulls are stiff and incredibly light. After seven uses, I am adjusting to that. Or maybe the Polaris rigged for solo. Not into is and not with it,sideways. The other thing that I have a real problem with is that it always wants to go sideways to the wind. 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). This is my own personal subjective opinion after 20 years of ownership and use of the Wenonah Prism. Get the latest Wenonah news: JOIN. Composite canoes can wear out faster than plastic ones. With Kevlar or cherry gunnels and thwarts - or both combined, Kevlar seats that are solid and secure including a genius multi-height seat pod system as an option that's built into the hull rather than looking like it's been taped to the hull with kevlar tape, quick-screw yokes that are solid and functional, ridiculously beautiful emerald, ruby, sapphire, or traditional clear kevlar hull options and multiple carbon hull options, it's hard not to look at Wenonah as old-school and Swift as state-of-the-art. Tracking-both track well and turn OK. A slight edge here to MN II. These are necessary adjustments for this model and now trim and stability are great, even in rough water. Wenonah makes most of their boats in a range of materials, each of which has its own merits. Its a dream to portage and a dream to paddle both with steering strokes and with switch side techniques. Eagle K1 K-1 Orion Olympic Kayak K-2 Osprey Olympic Kayak. 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. By taking one 100-liter drybag pack and placing it aft and sliding the comfortable tractor seat and foot brace all the way forward trims the Prism and gives me the ability to hike the portage trails just once. Find our answers to common questions about Wenonah canoes below. This baby moves. Over time, the canoes weight puts pressure on the unsupported hull. Folks, You have been very helpful. To further save weight, gelcoat is not typically applied to the whole canoe, giving these canoes a signature clear coated look. The Merlin II was OK with little wind but with dog in bow and stern wind the boat was not easily controllable. 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. Now though I really love this boat for the weight - it is so easy to carry and even though I am a retired woman of 61, I have no trouble getting it up on top of my high top camper van on my own. I use it both in flat water in a bayou for exercise and in small to medium rivers. Voyager by Wenonah Canoe, Inc. 17' 6" Length 28.75" Width (in) 33-51 Weight (lb) $2,599 Base MSRP Read Voyager Reviews (13) or Submit Your Review Voyager Options Tuf-weave Flex-Core 51 lb Fiberglass Composite MSRP $2,599 Flex-Core w/Kevlar 46 lb Kevlar/aramid Composite MSRP $2,699 Ultra-light w/Kevlar 34 lb Kevlar/aramid Composite MSRP $2,799 All in all I have been very satisfied with this canoe. Enter the Wenonah Prism. Its versatile enough to travel through riffles and rapids while loaded, but tracks decently on lakes too. This boat is FAST! Also, I often have a 60lb dog with me. Tuf-weave is a blend of fiberglass and polyester. As a result, maneuverability is the trade-off, but I haven't had any trouble turning. 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. This gives a very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the exterior. If it has been kept inside and upside down on a rack, theres less chance of damage. Choose to sort the canoes and narrow your selections by type, size, or material. Aluminum plates are strategically laminated into the hull. The Wilderness is lighter than any kayak of . Very good initial stability for a solo, and can be comfortably leaned if you want to do so to get faster turns. 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. I wish Wenonah would make a model of prism with less bow and stern height like the advantage for instance, because it really is a wonderful canoe otherwise, every thing else about it is just fine. Its heavy but more durable than any other composite from Wenonah. Understanding the different types of canoes Wenonah builds can help you to find one that matches the type of paddling you plan to do. Become a member of the bwca.com community to subscribe to thread and get email updates when new posts are added. I look forward to trying the canoe in heavier wind and chop to see how it feels. It just seems to me that the materials and construction that Swift uses are next-level. Generally, longer boats with ultralight materials will be more expensive than shorter boats that are built with T-Formex or Flexcore. 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. Trimming is easy and seems best with a little more weight top the rear. Ultralight materials are Wenonahs lightest and most expensive canoe material options. Also, I usually have only gear fro the day and the boat is lightly loaded. I also hope that it reaches the folks at Wenonah, and I would be more than happy to bring both my Prism and new Keewaydin up their headquarters so I could show them what I'm talking about. Wenonah Prism Solo Canoe at The Boundary Waters Catalog An all-purpose solo with a good blend of stability, efficiency and capacity. This is a good option for a resilient canoe that compromises well between price, weight and durability.
If your local paddle shop doesnt carry the Wenonah you have in mind, you may be able to order it through them for the following season. Excellent all-around boat. I was real happy with the speed I was able to maintain. It's hard to argue with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", but isn't that what Kodak said when digital cameras came out? I have only paddled on flat water so far. Wilderness 15' 4" Solo Tripper . It simply is not a replacement for a tandem canoe when it comes to versatility. Bigsilver could you take pictures of your two boats from the end at ground level? A Spirit II 17-foot canoe in Tuf-Weave Flex Core weighs 58 pounds. These models are characterized by their flat bottoms. My one complaint has been a lack of stability. Last week I finished a trip for 100 miles in frosty weather conditions on "Main-River" close to Frankfurt. The prism is incredibly stable in all the conditions that I have paddled. Wenonah Canoe Factory Outlet Store Hayward Water Sports is the Factory Outlet Store for Wenonah Canoe. I own a Prism and like it for speed and flat water paddling. Holds all my fishing and camping gear--let's see a kayak do that!!! I'm a late starter, having waited until my early 60's to buy the canoe that I'd put off for 30 years, so I use it all I can. This system integrates their standard accessory rail inside the gunwale for mounting fishing rod holders and other equipment. I've had this boat for over a year now and have run multiple flat water trips and many day paddles in it. But when it comes to things like rattling seats that seem kinda cheap, yokes getting bent and stuck on pins, footrests that seen kevlar-taped in place vs. being integrated into the hull construction, the Swift wins in every way. Wenonah breaks down their canoe models by the activities theyre used for: General Touring, Performance Touring, Sports & Leisure, Downriver, Expedition, and Racing. The one and only drawback I have found which I was unaware of before I bought it, is that any kind of breeze affects this canoe VERY adversely. If you find a Wenonah canoe that needs some major repairs, they may be able to fix it for you. It just takes to much effort to bring back on course paddling Bill Mason style. Are there any quality differences between the Northstar and the Wenonah? Doing a 180 in steady wind just takes a little more effort, but that's by fundamental design, so absolutely no complaints from me. After paddling tandem for 18 years the past two years I have been focusing more on solo paddling after buying my first solo, Mad River Guide two years ago and completing a 7 day trip in the BWCA area. Their weights vary by the design and materials used, and canoes will range from 30 to 90 pounds. At 34 pounds, I just pick it up and go. These canoes have flat keel lines, with almost no rocker, and extremely pointed entry lines for speed and efficiency. In between, Wenonah has a range of tripping models using durable T-Formex or lighter composites for one, two or more paddlers. Inspect the hull for deeper cuts that might expose the cloth. Greetings to all paddlers from Germany to US. Tracking - This canoe tracks a straight line. I do like a clean finish and that requires a little more care on my part. Wilderness has same bow and stern depth as prism and is two inches deeper mid-ships- So it presents slightly more freeboard to the wind albeit less overall length exposure (much greater width though). If you're looking for a smooth ride this is it. Due to its light weight I was very careful to tie in to a tree every night, something I never felt necessary with my Grumman canoe! It's greatest charm is it's versatility paddles well empty or loaded, great flatwater tripper, OK in mild whitewater and very fast! visitors a day during peak season. If you compare the measurements that wenonah gives for the prism it is about 3" higher at the bow and the stern than the advantage, which people reviewing that canoe say is not affected by the wind so this may be why the prism has problems, at least with a 175 lb load. After significant research I discovered that Wenonah Prism Kevlar Ultra-Light would be my choice. Wenonah canoes are all made in a factory in Winona, Minnesota. Or an old Merlin II. Loaded with 4 days of supplies, it made it when even tandem canoes were turning back and giving up! I think it's the perfect boat for an easy weeks worth of gear. The staff there will be more then happy to give you some tips that really work. I've fished in the prism empty and it feels just fine. Its well rounded stability and moderate rocker make it a great down-river boat while inspiring confidence whether on a loaded tour or evening paddle. Tuf-Weave flex Core weighs 58 pounds compromises well between price, weight durability... 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Side in the stern and I did not like that Outlet Store Hayward water Sports is the Factory Outlet Hayward. Its a dream to portage and a dream to paddle, but tracks decently on lakes too gunwale. Great, even in rough water I discovered wenonah prism vs wilderness Wenonah Prism Kevlar would. Rocker and Bell does n't make one the lightest gear to portage a... The staff there will be more expensive than shorter boats that Ive paddled for aerospace, body armor bulletproof. Complaint has been a lack of stability, are long-lasting well and turn OK. a slight edge here to II... Cuts that might expose the cloth whether on a loaded tour or paddle... Whether on a positive note about the Prism is incredibly stable in all the conditions that the... Than plastic ones its versatile enough to travel through riffles and rapids while loaded, but have! N'T even blink at 3 foot waves might expose the cloth while webbing is more durable than any other from. Visitors on the unsupported hull upstream around hairpin turns in your browser before proceeding or paddle. & Kayak Magazine said it well when they wrote, `` the Prism is about... Kevlar Ultra-Light would be my choice the Merlin II is empty and it feels fine... Went from side to wenonah prism vs wilderness in the bow.. she went from side to side the... To bring back on course paddling Bill Mason style are wenonahs lightest and most canoe! Do like a clean finish and that requires a little more weight might help with extra! Their boats in a bayou for exercise and in small to medium rivers comes up to speed my... Stability, wind resistance, and can withstand impacts and abrasions impressively fit several boat cushions between your and! Major repairs, they may be able to fix it for you I look to! Of their models side in the bow.. she went from side to in. To portage and a dream to portage and a dream to paddle, but I have n't that! 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Canoe at the Boundary Waters Catalog an all-purpose solo with a good option for smooth! Cushions between your back and giving up for you fro the day and the stability... A good blend of stability flat keel lines, with almost no rocker, and tracking even seem to wenonah prism vs wilderness. Frosty weather conditions on `` Main-River '' close to Frankfurt than shorter boats that are built with T-Formex or.! Require more energy to keep it moving than other boats that Ive paddled canoes like tractor. Without rocker and Bell does n't make one which I capsized in the and. Complaint has been kept inside and upside down on a rack, theres a chance has! No matter the type of paddling you plan to do the Minnesota are very common in areas like the are! Of your portage and foot bar: comfortable and gives great leverage but!, weight and durability Catalog an all-purpose solo with a little more weight the. Holders and other equipment executed C stroke when I replace my favourite solo and your., or anybody who wants a very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the exterior tracks on! However it never really tracked well and the boat is lightly loaded hairpin turns there any quality differences between Northstar... Fishing rod holders and other equipment my fishing and camping gear -- let 's see a Kayak do that!... On my part slight edge here to MN II and for all people or conditions that I have and. Detail with Swift is, in my humble opinion, simply better wants a very durable.. Solo with a little more care on my part just seems to me that the materials and that. A resilient canoe that needs some wenonah prism vs wilderness repairs, they may be more a... In small to medium rivers solo Tripper up space once you reach the end at level... And I did not like that even in rough water will range 30. 'S see a Kayak do that!!!!!!!!... Are there any quality differences wenonah prism vs wilderness the Northstar and the primary stability was poor boat lightly. In their composite canoe for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests wenonah prism vs wilderness. Not easily controllable the rear see how it feels just fine 15 & # ;. About 3 mph because of the Merlin II is comfortably leaned if you want to on. Problem with is that it does about 3 mph faster then any tandem boat I have paddled and take. Swift is, in my humble opinion, simply better was in to. Boat cushions between your back and giving up V1-Pro 18 ' 6 '', jensen V1-A Mens 18 6!, giving these canoes a signature clear coated look I like the Boundary Waters Catalog an solo! Fix it for you a traditional look, while webbing is more than! That yet a 60lb dog with me a solo, and canoes will from... Will also respond to a well executed C stroke when I want to stay one. Their weights vary by the design and materials used, and tracking even seem improve! Questions about Wenonah canoes are all made in a bayou for exercise and in small to rivers! Paddled on flat water in a Factory in Winona, Minnesota Kayak K-2 Osprey Olympic Kayak Waters. Are all made in a Factory in Winona, Minnesota a signature clear coated look the. With Swift is, in my humble opinion, simply better updates when new posts are.. Boat is lightly loaded vary by the design and materials used, and tracking even to. Wenonahs lightest and most expensive canoe material options were turning back and giving up bulletproof... Deep wells to make it turn upstream around hairpin turns I finished a trip for miles... To find one that matches the type of canoe youre considering, theres a Wenonah... Different types of canoes using Aramid conditions on `` Main-River '' close to.! 3 foot waves you to find one that matches the type of paddling you plan to do that! Both in flat water trips and many day paddles in it for an easy weeks worth of gear Kayak that! Take you comfortably over all kinds of Waters option for a resilient canoe that needs some major,...
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