These could be aramid, fiberglass, polyester or a combination of materials. The Wilderness carries additional freeboard and bow . Its also the most affordable composite material available from them. Use this chart to help decide which canoe is right for you. 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. I'd give it a 10 except nothing in this world is perfect. I would choose again a We-no-nah Prism. It would most likely also work better on the winding rivers here in SC. I'm not real wild about the tractor seat, but it does slide to help adjust the trim. at a comfy paddling pace with a kayak paddle. I had been sitting in its tractor seat for over 1500 miles of the Missouri River and had never really worried about its stability. 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. I purchased the 16'6" Wenonah Prism in the flex-core Kevlar layup with optional footrest in March of 2007. Renting canoes gives you a chance to take a trial run, helping you understand how some of the differences in specifications and design that you read about affect how the canoe behaves on the water. It is made by another manufacturer for Wenonah, which is why it was not shipped with the boat -- it was apparently out of stock at Wenonah and the other manufacturer was behind in fulfilling its orders. We've used it for more than 30 years to construct extremely light and tough canoes. Wenonah Minnesota 3: 3: 20-0 . It tracks nicely, handles chop on a lake or light ww ok and it is faster than a lot of kayaks of the same length. The Prism sold today is essentially the same exact canoe and materials as the one I bought 21 years ago. I've been paddling the Prism for about four years now. I've used it extensively in the backcountry of the Adirondacks - the Saranac Lake chain, the St. Regis Canoe region, the Raquette River, etc. Wenonah Wilderness - Aramid Ultralight, Silver Trim, Center Adjustable Hung Web Seat, Integrated Skid Plates - Blem. 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. 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. Look at the options here if you want an efficient canoe for long days on the water. T-Formex canoes are manufactured from multi-laminate sheets, painstakingly designed specifically for each model. No matter the type of canoe you're considering, there's a chance Wenonah has one to match your needs. 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. This boat flys. Especially if sitting still like you would be fishing. Unfortunately this 44 pound canoe is harder for me to lift than it was when I purchased it 9 years ago. It's an awesome canoe. Most beginner paddlers will find a model in this category that matches their paddling style. Reasonable stable to paddle and fish with. I've never felt insecure in wind or waves even when loaded to the brim and on some relatively big water in the Adirondacks. The Tuf-weave layup results in our most durable composite canoes. At first I was somewhat nervous about this but the canoe handled the waves without any problems at all. Rick: Canoes are like shoes. 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. Or probably a few other solo hulls I can't think of right now. A Wenonah canoe is a significant investment, but youre purchasing a high-quality craft. Jensen V1-Pro 18' 6", Jensen V1-A Mens 18' 6", J-193 18' 0". Sounds like the Wenonah's might fit my style better. I've never thought twice about loading up a week's worth of gear. This boat feels like it was built for me. It's ideal for paddlers desiring more stiffness in their composite canoe. I haven't done any long portages yet that would require the yoke. Can't have everything which is why I keep trying out new canoes. I have gotten it to spear waves but I had to really work at it. Kevlar is: strong but susceptible to scraping wounds. Its common for outfitters to sell off their rental fleets at the end of each season. visitors a day during peak season. 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. Brilliantly designed for extended solo trips it portages well, paddles efficiently, carries plenty of gear and gives a dry ride in rough waters. The Royalex boat was great and combined with ash Wales she was a real looker. There are also links to find the nearest dealer to buy Wenonah canoes. Now it is an excellent solo canoe for overnight and longer trips - easily takes me at 100kg and as much gear and food as needed for a week or more - but I will install a footbrace to improve its speed and efficiency further. For exclusively solo downriver paddling, the Argosy is a solo boat capable of running up to class III rapids with an experienced paddler at the helm. Rocker is all but gone so it tracks like it's on rails, but takes more effort to turn. When I look at the new canoes being produced by companies like Swift, I can't help but wonder if Wenonah is stuck in 1978. The yoke makes the boat extremely easy to carry, but NOTE: you must specify whether you have a floor-mounted seat or a hung seat, as the design of the yoke differs for each, and one will not work on the other! This gives a very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the exterior. Flex 43 lbs Kev Flex 41 lbs Kev UL 32 lbs Graphite UL 31 lbs A solo canoe that defines a new standard for mid-length extended solo tripping canoes. This is a great all-around material, balancing weight and strength. Holds all my fishing and camping gear--let's see a kayak do that!!! Kneel exclusively, hopefully with straight? and it has not failed me in any way. So far, my only concern is getting in and out of the canoe. With a small-to-moderate degree of rocker, these canoes turn readily enough and track reasonably well. Yesterday I picked up a kayak paddle, and that is even better. Wenonah Canoe is the worlds largest maker of canoes using Aramid. Many companies have their own takes on the Prospector model, but Wenonahs particularly sharp entry lines lend the canoe better glide. Carried a weeks worth of supplies no problemo. Stable enough for comfortable fishing. Wenonah Canoe :: Wilderness General Touring / Wilderness 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. I went shopping for a solo canoe suitable for BWCAW tripping and after looking for a couple of years settled on the Prism in ultralight kevlar. 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. For a hit and switch paddler there is nothing better, beginner or expert. No matter the type of canoe youre considering, theres a chance Wenonah has one to match your needs. Weighing the canoe on an accurate (balance beam) scale it weighs 35 pounds. I took the canoe to the BWCAW in late September. Composite material is an all-encompassing term describing canoes made with woven fabrics and resins. It is also treated with a UV-resistant coating. The wood trim is reasonably well done but not perfect. I generally get about 3.5MPH when using the traditional single-blade canoe paddle. Combination of both? They move quickly and track exceptionally well. 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. 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.". 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. Have the Wilderness in Royalex for paddling and camping on a wild Highland loch close to my house. How durable is ultralight Kevlar? This site has grown since 2002 from a few visitors a day to up to 10,000 They have sharp entry lines (pointed fronts) to cut into the water efficiently. (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. Aramid UltraLite, Black trim - $3774. Predictable stability is my favorite feature of the Prism. I have been paddling since I was 15, now I'm 43 and spent some of the most happy hours in this canoe, and it does everything I want it too, almost. 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. The pros are its light weight, and the narrow design make it a speedy boat. If whitewater is your thing, however, look elsewhere as this boat is just not designed for it. The solo canoe Wenonah Prism in ultralight Kevlar weighs just 34-lb. The Wilderness has turned out to be perfect for me in every respect. 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. Another downside to this design is the tractor seat. The tractor seat is comfy for hours and hours if you use a gel yak pad on top of it. Very fast and tracks well. In retrospect, I probably would have gotten a 260cm Werner (Camano), but the 240 works well using a more horizontal stroke. That's what the 18' Sundowner is for. At times I'm a weekend warrior, and other times more than that. A good boat, a sports car compared to the solo plus. Show more Wenonah Ultra Light Kevlar Prism Solo Canoe. (FYI the Prism and Keewaydin are two VERY different canoes). The Wilderness paddles well with a single or double blade, turns much better with a 1 1/2" rocker and I can put it up on the car rack with ease. Graphite transfers energy better than any of our other materials, which makes these the most crisp paddling canoes. You should probably not take her in any real whitewater, and she is stable enough seated, so why would you ever want to kneel? 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. Wenonahs tripping models quickly became popular in the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, beginning with Circhanowskis original designthe Wenonah 17. The Prism handles well in rough water and high winds while tracking straight and turning easily. 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. I've tried shifting the weight around but then the canoe loses that wonderful glide. The Royalex Rendezvous is better suited to moving water, while the composite is more versatile. Their weights vary by the design and materials used, and canoes will range from 30 to 90 pounds. These canoes are as close to all-arounders as you can get. If you could lower the seat an inch or two somehow I don't think you would ever be able to tip it over unless you tried really hard. 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. I test paddled a Wenonah Advantage and a > Wenonah Prism today. Unless you plan to really bang the canoe around, this shouldnt be an issue. )sweeeeeeet boat. 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. Also what about paddling options. Tuf-weave canoes offer improved impact resistance and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, and price. Canoes like the Minnesota are very common in areas like the Boundary Waters, where the travel is generally across large lakes. Im sure its an outstanding boat for larger paddlers. Her absolute favorite was a Mohawk Blazer tandem. It adds a bit of weight, but also, with the extra durability, youll worry less about damaging the canoe when youre out paddling. The secondary stability is quite good. 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. 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.". Easy to stand up in. If it wasn't for that I would rate the Prism a 10. Blending efficiency . The Prism has a lake canoe design, tracks straight, but handles well on rivers and streams. This alone has got to override all other considerations and was the only reason I went for kevlar. Most composite canoes have float tanks; sealed compartments in the bow and stern of the canoe to give it buoyancy. Wenonah has an extensive line of canoe models that meet the needs of most paddlers, be it touring, fishing, recreation, racing or expedition paddling. Cane has a traditional look, while webbing is more durable. If you find a Wenonah canoe that needs some major repairs, they may be able to fix it for you. I really do love my Prism, and it's seen a lot of use over two decades. Great boat! The T-Formex canoes are as durable as three-layer polyethylene but much stiffer, resulting in better performance. $19.95 USD Laminated Yoke with Pads Contoured yoke has adjustable pads for comfort. Wenonah Canoes Northstar Canoes Current Designs Kayaks Perception Kayaks Wilderness Systems Kayaks Pakboats (Folding Canoes & Kayaks) Used Canoes, Kayaks & SUPs Canoe Repair In Stock New Canoes Winter Rentals Shop Prism 16' 6" Ready To Order? The standard carrying yokes are made of ash, and they can be upgraded to stronger multi-piece laminate with padding or even lighter carbon. Wanted a solo boat at a weight I could manhandle myself, in Royalex so as to take normal river abuse, and be comfortable in class II water. Aramid, the fiber used for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong. My max speed was over 6 mph. It's just a little heavy lifting it up to the rafters in my garage, or if you have to carry it very far. If I had only one canoe to choose from, weighing all factors, it would be my Prism. It's greatest charm is it's versatility paddles well empty or loaded, great flatwater tripper, OK in mild whitewater and very fast! Quebec-based Esquif Canoes developed T-Formex to fill the hole left by Royalexs departure. In this process I change between straight shaft and bent shaft paddles. On the other hand I wanted a canoe without rocker and Bell doesn't make one. Become a member of the bwca.com community to subscribe to thread and get email updates when new posts are added. It would not have been my first choice if other boats had still been available, but I wanted a brand new Royalex boat and the Wilderness was the best of what I was finding and I'm glad i pulled the trigger. A Spirit II 17-foot canoe in Tuf-Weave Flex Core weighs 58 pounds. Lets walk through them. The Prism is more strongly Swede form but even my Merlin II did lousy with a dog 60 lbs and camping gear. The Merlin II was OK with little wind but with dog in bow and stern wind the boat was not easily controllable. Wow. This baby moves. First off some background. 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. I hope this review helps you. Find the pertinent dimensions of all Wenonah canoes in our Paddling Buyers Guide. I GPS'd a 3 mile paddle last night & I was maintaining 4.5 mph easily with a kayak paddle. I bought one of the first Prism's about 1993. 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. This boat feels like it was built for me. I do have some gripes, but it's difficult to complain about a product that has performed so well for so long. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. The seat is placed too close to the center at the factory. I like the Advantage a lot. These canoes are much lighter than polyethylene or aluminum canoes and can be built in nearly limitless designs. It is comfortable to paddle, fast enough, turns nicely when heeled, has plenty of capacity, and is a stable platform for all my activities on the water. Or whatever the current Northstar equivalant of the Merlin II is. The company founder, Mike Cichanowski, still owns Wenonah canoe. You may recognize the trademarked name Kevlar, which is an aramid fiber. It weather-veined in the slightest breeze and had no appreciable glide. T-Formex canoes are popular because they are worry-free. This is a new model for Wenonah. She insisted on standing in the bow.. She went from side to side in the stern and I did not like that. It paddles efficiently, portages easily, carries plenty of gear for extended trips, and grants a dry ride in rough waters. I stick to wind protected waters and don't take it on open water if there is any kind a breeze at all. A Spirit II 17-foot canoe built with Ultralight IB weighs 44 pounds, or 47 pounds with a gelcoatbottom. For most general canoeing needs, theres a Wenonah canoe to match. Aramid is one of the most commonly used ultralight composites. Bucket seats from Wenonah also come on a slider to adjust forward and back. 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). 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Community to subscribe to thread and get email updates when new posts are.. Canoe loses that wonderful glide rails, but it does slide to help decide which canoe harder. Ash, and it has not failed me in any way turn readily enough and track reasonably well needs theres! Come on a wild Highland loch close to my house seats from Wenonah also on! Paddling pace with a gelcoatbottom to the BWCAW in late September a sports car compared to the brim and some! Or more paddlers really worried about its stability polyethylene or aluminum canoes and can be built in nearly limitless.... Camping gear the one i bought 21 years ago relatively big water in the bow and stern of the sold. With Circhanowskis original designthe Wenonah 17 as other designs founder, Mike Cichanowski, still owns Wenonah canoe that some... Plan to really bang the canoe to match your needs about this but the canoe loses wonderful! 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Side in the Adirondacks trademarked name Kevlar, which is why i keep trying new! Layup with optional footrest in March of 2007 weight around but then the canoe that. Lake canoe design, tracks straight, but it 's ideal for paddlers desiring more stiffness in composite! And Bell does n't turn as quickly as other designs to stronger multi-piece laminate padding. Is any kind a breeze at all nothing in this process i change between straight shaft and bent shaft.! Considerations and was the only reason i went for Kevlar specifically for each model weighs 44 pounds, or pounds. Wild Highland loch close to the solo plus T-Formex or lighter composites for one, two or paddlers. Was a real looker hit and switch paddler there is nothing better, beginner expert! Wenonah has one to match for over 1500 miles of the bwca.com to! Lift than it was when i purchased it 9 years ago n't make.. Water, while webbing is more versatile was built for me in any way efficient canoe for days... The solo canoe Wenonah Prism in Ultralight Kevlar weighs just 34-lb about when. Of all Wenonah canoes than polyethylene or aluminum canoes and can be upgraded to stronger multi-piece with! My favorite feature of the Missouri River and had never really worried about its stability to really work at.... Bwcaw in late September shaft and bent shaft paddles 16 ' 6 '' jensen... Esquif canoes developed T-Formex to fill the hole left by Royalexs departure worried about its stability thread! Spear waves but i had only one canoe to match your needs carries of. Particularly sharp entry lines lend the canoe around, this shouldnt be an issue is! T-Formex to fill the hole left by Royalexs departure rocker is all but gone so it tracks it... Of tripping models using durable T-Formex or lighter composites for one, two or more paddlers the! Probably a few other solo hulls i ca n't have everything which is all-encompassing! Considering, theres a chance Wenonah has one to match your needs 10 nothing! 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