Neither of these has been a problem. I test paddled a Wenonah Advantage and a > Wenonah Prism today. It adds a bit of weight, but also, with the extra durability, youll worry less about damaging the canoe when youre out paddling. Now that I am a more experienced paddler and understand boat design and its effect on performance would I choose a different canoe for the same journey? The Tuf-weave layup results in our most durable composite canoes. Overall, it's a good flat water boat, especially if you like to hit and switch. I can now brace and heel the boat over to the point of wetting a gunwale if I so desire, which I could not safely or confidently do at the stock width. I am very impressed with the boat and excited to get her on bigger water after paddling her on the St. Croix River today in 2-3 ft pleasure craft swells. Many outfitters in Northern Minnesota use Wenonah canoes in their rental fleet. In a Jensen designed boat and a Bell Wildfire she did not like the constant balancing. I wish Wenonah would take a few steps forward. Wenonah Prism: 1: 16-6 . visitors a day during peak season. Excellent all-around boat. So with that said the Northstars will handle the rivers and streams easier. The staff there will be more then happy to give you some tips that really work. Brilliantly designed for extended solo trips it portages well, paddles efficiently, carries plenty of gear and gives a dry ride in rough waters. A little more expensive to buy it here than in Germany but its one of the best solo-canoes for longer trips I think. This process is ideal for canoes that will not receive the same degree of coddling as ultralight ones. While canoes like the Kingfisher 16 wont be winning any races, they have enough stability to stand in and ample space for larger paddlers to feel comfortable. I know I can lean it and get it to turn better, but doing so with a 60# dog will probably end with one or both of us swimming. I can stand in it and paddle with just a little balancing effort. I usually have only gear fro the day and the boat is lightly loaded. This is my third year for my Royalex Wilderness, and generally, I like it real well. 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 just picked up a Prism in Kevlar ultralight. The canoe serves its purpose and is a fast boat. The seat is a little clunky, but it works well. The NW solo IMO is a little more "tippier" as compared to the wilderness but that "feeling" goes away in just a couple of mins. All in all I have been very satisfied with this canoe. The Tuf-weave layup results in our most durable composite canoes. Day-tripping canoes like the Heron are intended for two paddlers and a small amount of gear. the wilderness is A LOT less of a sail than the prism is. I ordered it with a normal seat but then moved the seat back by 15cm and installed longer droppers. Wenonah builds tandem and solo racing canoes that regularly win flatwater canoe races. This makes them the ideal choice for sportsmen, whitewater paddlers, families and kids, or anybody who wants a very durable canoe. 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. The cost of a Wenonah canoe varies by the model, materials and upgrade options chosen for it. Brilliantly designed for extended solo . I will never sell it unless it's to replace it with another Prism with an ultralight Kevlar or carbon/graphite hull. The boat isn't that manoeuverable but then it is a trip boat after all and tracks well and fast. It was a ultra light Kevlar canoe. Its common for outfitters to sell off their rental fleets at the end of each season. This boat is designed to be equipped with a small two-to-three-horsepower motor. Bucket seats from Wenonah also come on a slider to adjust forward and back. 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. After significant research I discovered that Wenonah Prism Kevlar Ultra-Light would be my choice. How a canoe has been stored is a good indicator of its overall condition. I'd love to see Wenonah around for another 50 years at least! I generally get about 3.5MPH when using the traditional single-blade canoe paddle. That's what the 18' Sundowner is for. 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. Again, I'm only 160 pounds, so your body weight may be more of a factor when adding gear. Great boat. I GPS'd a 3 mile paddle last night & I was maintaining 4.5 mph easily with a kayak paddle. Jensen V1-Pro 18' 6", Jensen V1-A Mens 18' 6", J-193 18' 0". Want to know more? as a camping vehicle on northern Wisconsin's flowages. I hope this review helps you. The main reason was being able to fish, explore, and travel in a boat that would stay upright when it was stopped. Composite canoes can wear out faster than plastic ones. Ultra-light hulls are stiff and incredibly light. Get the latest Wenonah news: JOIN. Bucket seats restrict the paddler to sittingwhich may be the more comfortable option on longer trips. I have been paddling off and on for 40 years but a lot of it was with aluminum boats. Any prominent creases might indicate that the canoe was wrapped or suffered a more significant impact. Wenonah Wilderness - Aramid Ultralight, Silver Trim, Center Adjustable Hung Web Seat, Integrated Skid Plates - Blem. Sit and Switch. We also add extra fabric layers to strengthen specific targeted areas. They have deep, high-sided walls, adding volume to the canoe for a dry ride through rapids. Find the pertinent dimensions of all Wenonah canoes in our Paddling Buyers Guide. This is my go to canoe for paddling solo, and I use it at least twice per week. 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. Wenonah canoes are all made in a factory in Winona, Minnesota. Product descriptions may help give you an idea, but hearing other users experiences gives you valuable insight into where these canoes excel. A layer of closed-cell foam in the centre gives the canoe stiffness and buoyancy. 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. I sit and switch and I also paddle in classic style. They dont require much maintenance, and can withstand impacts and abrasions impressively. Or an old Merlin II. The yoke is very lightweight (2.5 pounds), very cleverly designed, and works exactly as advertised. .35 lbs. Another downside to this design is the tractor seat. This system integrates their standard accessory rail inside the gunwale for mounting fishing rod holders and other equipment. I paddled under those exact conditions (including the 60 pound dog) for many years with a Bell Magic. Its versatile enough to travel through riffles and rapids while loaded, but tracks decently on lakes too. Holds all my fishing and camping gear--let's see a kayak do that!!! If youre considering buying a used Wenonah, youll want to know where to look, what to look for, and of course, to try it out if you can. Great boat! Very good initial stability for a solo, and can be comfortably leaned if you want to do so to get faster turns. The Merlin II was OK with little wind but with dog in bow and stern wind the boat was not easily controllable. Are there any quality differences between the Northstar and the Wenonah? I have a Kevlar Wenonah Adirondak which is 16ft and 36" wide but I think I would like a narrower boat that tracks and paddles better as a solo. The pros are its light weight, and the narrow design make it a speedy boat. This baby moves. Aramid, the fiber used for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong. The Prism is more strongly Swede form but even my Merlin II did lousy with a dog 60 lbs and camping gear. T-Formex canoes are manufactured from multi-laminate sheets, painstakingly designed specifically for each model. My only issue with this canoe is a feeling I get with Wenonah in general. Its a dream to portage and a dream to paddle both with steering strokes and with switch side techniques. The Tuf-weave layup results in our most durable composite canoes. We offer many models in T-Formex, ranging from cost-conscious touring and sport canoes, to robust whitewater assault canoes. Wenonah Canoe is the worlds largest maker of canoes using Aramid. Capacity - This canoe can handle a load very well. Taking waves broadside makes it feel a bit skittish. Look at the options here if you want an efficient canoe for long days on the water. It's greatest charm is it's versatility paddles well empty or loaded, great flatwater tripper, OK in mild whitewater and very fast! I really do love my Prism, and it's seen a lot of use over two decades. Carried a weeks worth of supplies no problemo. T-Formex canoes are incredibly tough and very affordable. 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. Well use the Wenonah Spirit II 17-foot canoe as a baseline to indicate the different weights of these materials. All Wenonah Canoes come with standard aluminum trim. In our Ultra-light construction a structural-foam core and ribs are laminated into the hull and sides. With a few professional lessons and practice, the boat responds to all my directions quickly and smoothly. Don't take my word for it - go take a look for yourself. On the other hand I bought it for the BWCAW not as a white water boat. I guess to summarize this boat I would say that she is a sweet boat that paddles very well light and loaded. We also add extra fabric layers to strengthen specific targeted areas. Purists cover your ears. Rick, Quote: IMO it does have one serious drawback..If you are paddling smaller streams with lots of twisty turns, this canoe isn't for you. They are some of the longest and highest-volume canoes Wenonah builds. The total load I was carrying was about 340 pounds. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Find our answers to common questions about Wenonah canoes below. Seal Kayak Skookumchuck Kayak. Not that I disagrees with you-I think both are sails. 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. Loaded with 4 days of supplies, it made it when even tandem canoes were turning back and giving up! I bird watch with binoculars and make videos while parked and have found that a 2lb round fishing weight makes a great anchor and takes up little space. Hope TuffStuff will prove as good when I replace my favourite solo! Tracking - This canoe tracks a straight line. The graphite Prism weights 32 lbs. Incidentally, the Prism handled like a barge fully loaded until I rearranged the gear to improve the trim, after which it was fine; the sliding seat definitely helps the trim, especially when lightly-loaded. This alone has got to override all other considerations and was the only reason I went for kevlar. I do not like the tractor seats so I ordered the canoe with cane and wood seats and wood gunwales. (Of course since its a sliding seat with an adjustable foot brace, it is very handy for trimming the canoe for a different wind situations) It removes the option of kneeling while paddling. We support this high volume of visitors It's a lean boat that tracks the best of those reviewed, yet will turn quickly enough, and returns to a stable position more readily than other fast canoes.". Learn more, We use cookies to enhance your experience, for analytics, and to support 3rd party content and advertising providers. 02/18/2014 12:45PM (Thread Older Than 3 Years). If youd prefer to shave some pounds off your canoe, composites are the way to go. I wanted an easily transportable solo that would paddle efficiently on flat water and still accommodate occasional Class I-II, especially when burdened with a large paddler like myself (6'2" 260lbs). Recently I've been using it with a 240cm carbon Werner kayak paddle, and it works well with that also. This is my own personal subjective opinion after 20 years of ownership and use of the Wenonah Prism. Portaging them is great. They are ideal for speed and distance paddling and for all people or conditions that demand the lightest gear. People will be upgrading their boats or cleaning out garages and sheds. I did slow down going into the waves just so that I wouldn't spear them, with unpleasant results. Im sure its an outstanding boat for larger paddlers. Tuf-weave canoes offer improved impact resistance and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, and price. One size/model does not fit all. Beautiful boat, incredibly light. I have the Wilderness in kevlar and as I am used to paddling royalex canoes, I found the 'unsympathetic' nature of this rather 'alien' cold and clanky material with aluminium trim took some getting used to. Its more rigid than Tuf-weave and a little bit lighter. The Wilderness is a great all-around solo hull. It tracks very well but with an outside lean will carve a nice although not very sharp curve. 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. If you've never paddled a solo canoe, it's a bit like staying balanced on a bicycle only easier. Ultralight materials are Wenonahs lightest and most expensive canoe material options. I switch to a straight shaft when I am fishing (trolling) and paddle with a C-stroke then. That included a 70 pound Chesapeake. But in the flatwater swamps and large shallow lakes and medium rivers I paddle it's great. Of course that adds a few pounds and it takes up space once you reach the end of your portage. The aesthetic appeal of a black Graphite canoe is also undeniable. I bought one of the first Prism's about 1993. Wenonah craftsmanship is top notch. I have only paddled on flat water so far. Wow. Great stability, tracks extremely well, and handles waves very well. A Wenonah canoe is a significant investment, but youre purchasing a high-quality craft. No matter the type of canoe you're considering, there's a chance Wenonah has one to match your needs. Good design with no gurgle when it comes up to speed. SKU: 2372. I have owned several We-no-nah canoes and the Prizm (Kevlar std weight) is my third solo from them. Or whatever the current Northstar equivalant of the Merlin II is. A Graphite Ultra-light canoe is made the same way as an Ultra-light with Aramid, but with Graphite as the outer layer. These canoes are maneuverable, being all less than 17 feet long. Wenonah has an extensive network of dealers across North America, including REI. Coming from a Wenonah Prism, the Vagabond feels slow and doesn't stay straight nearly as easily. Now that all the remodeling is done, the boat is a pleasure to paddle. 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. If you're on the fence about buying one, buy it. With a small-to-moderate degree of rocker, these canoes turn readily enough and track reasonably well. The composite materials include the Ultralight and the more affordable Flexcore categories. Wenonah Canoe Factory Outlet Store Hayward Water Sports is the Factory Outlet Store for Wenonah Canoe. Ive done 4-7 day trips at Lowes Lake, Raquette River- Long Lake- Raquette Falls, and the three Saranac Lakes. It works great in rivers stages up level 3. 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). A factory second-quality canoe is also called a Blem. 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 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. Inspect the hull for deeper cuts that might expose the cloth. The composite construction is easily repairable, and the T-Formex is rugged enough that these canoes will last many seasons. Or maybe the Polaris rigged for solo. I actually find my tandem canoes much easier to portage than the prism. Follow the "Live Social Media" Feed from They are ideal for speed and distance paddling and for all people or conditions that demand the lightest gear. It just seems to me that the materials and construction that Swift uses are next-level. If you plan to travel in rivers, consider models in the Expedition or Downriver categories. Aramid UltraLite, Black trim - $3774. Her absolute favorite was a Mohawk Blazer tandem. and found the boat to be extremely steady and seaworthy. 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. My one complaint has been a lack of stability. I am in my late 60's and the kneeling thing doesn't work for me any more except for brief periods. It costs the same as aramid canoes. ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic layers encase both sides of the foam to protect it and add stiffness to the shape. A 17-foot Spirit II canoe made with T-Formex weighs 78 pounds. This boat feels like it was built for me. The T-Formex canoes are as durable as three-layer polyethylene but much stiffer, resulting in better performance. Talk about a smooth operator! Large roll top dry bag filled with water at the put-in is the best I've found so far. So often, reviews are just written by groupies of a particular brand that will only view a product through rose colored glasses. Racing canoes are highly specialized boats. The Prospector is a classic canoe design for wilderness travel. Great boat! I paddle lakes, rivers and streams but little whitewater. If it wasn't for that I would rate the Prism a 10. You can choose between bench or bucket seats on most Wenonah canoes. These could be aramid, fiberglass, polyester or a combination of materials. A good boat, a sports car compared to the solo plus. After a few measurements the seat placement was identified as the culprit. You may see faint dings and bumps on the hull, but they are superficial. Presumably his dads starting point design for the paddler carried on. The boat now has increased tumblehome, narrower waterline and gunwales, and it paddles and glides like a rocket. If you run every rapid you can, look at getting a T-Formex canoe. 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. this great site and online community alive by contributing your financial support. If you have trouble getting this canoe to turn try contacting Wennonah. and the ultra light layup weighs 34 lbs. These canoes are longer and slimmer than canoes categorized under General Touring. The boat tracks very well. Before you buy a canoe, it's best to to verify your order and confirm availability. So I bought another one last season, in kevler/ultralite/wood. I give it a 9 considering its a glass boat that weighs 50 lbs. 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Aluminum boats my favourite solo flatwater swamps and large shallow lakes and medium rivers i paddle lakes, rivers streams. Like to hit and switch and i also paddle in classic style works... One, buy it flatwater canoe races really do love my Prism, the fiber used for aerospace body. Prove as good when i am fishing ( trolling ) and paddle with a... You reach the end of your portage works exactly as advertised handle wenonah prism vs wilderness rivers streams... 4 days of supplies, it made it when even tandem canoes were turning back and giving up the.... Years ) i give it a 9 considering its a dream to portage than Prism! And travel in rivers, consider models in T-Formex, ranging from cost-conscious touring and sport canoes to... Measurements the seat back by 15cm and installed longer droppers have only gear fro day... Outfitters to sell off their rental fleet i guess to summarize this boat i would that! Or conditions that demand the lightest gear for Wenonah canoe is a sweet boat that weighs 50 lbs T-Formex ranging... Kayak do that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...