wenonah prism vs wilderness

Kneel exclusively, hopefully with straight? 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. Heeling over will allow a quicker turn though. Wenonah canoes are made with T-Formex plastic or composite woven materials. I'm not a pro or a competitive paddler, but I use my gear. The only reason I'd use anything else would be take my partner and/or our dog. Wenonah Canoe Factory Outlet Store Hayward Water Sports is the Factory Outlet Store for Wenonah Canoe. It just seems to me that the materials and construction that Swift uses are next-level. You can't drop into a kneel quickly, but once you are down, you have a very solid paddling position. duckhunter January 30, 2013, 9:59pm #1. Read a detailed description of each material in Wenonah Canoe Buying Advice above. Wenonah now purchases the material from Esquif. With a small-to-moderate degree of rocker, these canoes turn readily enough and track reasonably well. It costs the same as aramid canoes. These canoes are maneuverable, being all less than 17 feet long. Blending efficiency, stability, capacity, and finesse, it's ideal for cruising with a light load, but also has the volume needed for medium-length trips. The composite construction is easily repairable, and the T-Formex is rugged enough that these canoes will last many seasons. I also put tugeyes on it (as I do to all my canoes) to put the end ropes on. I've tried shifting the weight around but then the canoe loses that wonderful glide. This boat feels like it was built for me. I'm large, 6'2" 250lbs, I traded a solo plus which is longer and heavier. My Wilderness paddled horribly in its factory configuration, plowing a large bow wave and refusing to respond to anything less than the most exaggerated J-stroke. Took out the back thwart and set the front drop in the thwart hole, moving the seat back a good six to eight inches to get it away from dead center. Forgot your password? I moved the seat almost 4 inches further from to the bow and it became wonderful craft to paddle; great initial stability and secondary stability that encouraged sharp leaning turns. I own a Prism and like it for speed and flat water paddling. A good boat, a sports car compared to the solo plus. It turns readily, which was a bit of a surprise considering the speed & great tracking. 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. The current just grabbed the bow and I couldn't make some curves w/o a few tries. I can honestly say that after 20+ years of ownership, it's been a perfect marriage. The Wilderness carries additional freeboard and bow . Compare. 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. I use a bending branches 240 cm wood paddle which is very light weight and has that small amount of give that is so nice about wood plus it's warmer in the winter to hold onto than aluminum or composite would be. I do like the tough Royalex material in our rocky Missouri rivers, and the weight is manageable, though I'm starting to see the benefit of a lighter canoe. Blending efficiency . Initially (for the first hour or so - as some people had noted, I was not happy with the "tippiness" feel, but seriously, it was all me, and that just disappeared as I settled in. The funky detachable yoke is serviceable enough. Owner and founder Mike Cichanowski first fell in love with making cedarstrip canoes, which grew into a small business. The Prism is a great boat but it's limited to open water and larger rivers. Advice. I have the Flexcore version in Tuf-weave. It's not a work horse, so do not expect to pile it over the gunwales with gear, but I can take about 100 to 125 lbs of gear and not adversely affect the handling. I rented a We-no-nah Prism canoe for a seven day expedition into the boundary waters in northern Minnesota. 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. I did have the outfitter pull out the metal seat brackets which are an abomination and put in conventional 31/2" drops. The prism is a little shaky on primary stability. 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! I am in my late 60's and the kneeling thing doesn't work for me any more except for brief periods. It is less twitchy without a load than the Prism and handles trailing waves better because you sit lower in the water, and it's definitely easier to turn against a strong side wind. Wenonah breaks down their canoe models by the activities theyre used for: General Touring, Performance Touring, Sports & Leisure, Downriver, Expedition, and Racing. This system integrates their standard accessory rail inside the gunwale for mounting fishing rod holders and other equipment. I've never felt insecure in wind or waves even when loaded to the brim and on some relatively big water in the Adirondacks. 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. Consider renting during the season and following up in the autumn to pick up a used canoe thats new to you. You'll want to use a kayak paddle on lakes to keep up any speed. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. They dont require much maintenance, and can withstand impacts and abrasions impressively. They are ideal for speed and distance paddling and for all people or conditions that demand the lightest gear. Today, youll find a variety of canoe designs available in different materials. Wenonah's Tuf-weave material is an interwoven fabric made of 50% polyester and 50% fiberglass that out performs either material alone. I recommend this boat for any intermediate paddler and above who wants to go solo! Or probably a few other solo hulls I can't think of right now. The Prism sold today is essentially the same exact canoe and materials as the one I bought 21 years ago. How a canoe has been stored is a good indicator of its overall condition. and the ultra light layup weighs 34 lbs. Learn more. Youll be joining a long line of canoeists whove paddled the worlds waters in these signature boats. In the wind it really helps to be properly trimmed. Choose one of these if you need the high storage capacity that comes with deep wells. Aramid, the fiber used for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong. A little more care is required if you want to keep your boat bottom looking good. 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! The adjustable aluminum seat mount is noisy and even at the lowest setting, I found the boat to be a little top heavy with me in it, so I reconfigured it and dropped the seat two additional inches AND it does not rattle anymore, thanks to a couple of wing nuts and nylon washers. This gives a very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the exterior. 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. They can range from $2,000 to over $4,000. 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. We've used it for more than 30 years to construct extremely light and tough canoes. So I bought another one last season, in kevler/ultralite/wood. They are ideal for speed and distance paddling and for all people or conditions that demand the lightest gear. It tracks very well but with an outside lean will carve a nice although not very sharp curve. It is a highly effective hull design. I've never once accidentally capsized my Prism in 20 years of real-world use. Innegra is a polypropylene-based fiber mixed with other materials like aramid or fiberglass to add strength without compromising weight. In summary, this is an excellent touring and tripping solo canoe for flatwater use which I would definitely recommend to anyone. A Spirit II 17-foot canoe built with Ultralight aramid weighs 42 pounds, or 45 pounds with a gelcoat hull. Great boat. Since the seat is in the midpoint of the canoe, it is rather difficult to hold over your head unless you purchase the optional carrying yolk system. Great stability, tracks extremely well, and handles waves very well. Taken it in and out of the Angleworm portage in the BWCA twice and the canoe carries great. This boat feels like it was built for me. Also, I usually have only gear fro the day and the boat is lightly loaded. and it's handled the wakes of most of the boats that pass very well (gotta watch the massive wakes thrown by the car ferries though!) Handles well in all conditions. On the other hand I bought it for the BWCAW not as a white water boat. This Prism is a dream for me to portage. Especially if you use a kayak paddle you can scoot right along in a straight line without having to make any corrections. This gives a very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the exterior. Sounds like the Wenonah's might fit my style better. At 34 pounds, I just pick it up and go. This is a good option for a resilient canoe that compromises well between price, weight and durability. This is an easy fix with repair kits available from Wenonah. For most general canoeing needs, theres a Wenonah canoe to match. WNY south of Buffalo (closer to Turtle than he rea, Northstar Firebird and Savage River Illusion, Solo Canoe for Ohio and Mississippi River. Some models have the option to have the hull gelcoated for extra resilience. Are there any quality differences between the Northstar and the Wenonah? Yup, the Prism is sleek, fast, a great tripping boat, and pretty to look at. We designed the Wilderness to carry plenty of gear and encourage distant exploration far beyond the reaches of smaller, less efficient crafts. They are versatile in length, ranging from just under 15 feet to more than 19 feet. Lifting the canoe is essential, as you want to understand how it feels to portage. For any thing other than lakes and even then I would go with a DY (David Yost) that Northstar uses over a Wenona design. Only sissies paddle kayaks. 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. 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. 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. I look forward to trying the canoe in heavier wind and chop to see how it feels. It's not that Wenonah's quality is poor - my canoe has lasted 20 years without a single problem. Wenonah takes an interesting approach towards the specifications of their canoes. I love my Kevlar Prism. I enjoyed the properly trimmed wilderness, but now I absolutely love my very, very fast, narrowed Wenonah Wilderness. I have a Wilderness in Royalex and love it. The other thing that I have a real problem with is that it always wants to go sideways to the wind. Want to know more? As it is it has very high freeboard and very little draft so this translates into sometimes not being able to control the canoe if the wind gets stiff enough. If you continue using this website, you agree to our privacy and legal agreement. Sports and Leisure canoes would be called recreational canoes by other companies. Sliding bucket seat is comfortable, and the spring clip that holds it in place can be adjusted quickly with one hand. It just blows you sideways like other reviewers have also said. I've always carried ballast in the stern to counter act the weight of the dog in the bow. T-Formex canoes will tolerate just about whatever you throw at them and are excellent choices if you dont mind the extra weight. 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! I am not likely to part with it. Talk about a smooth operator! Compare. I just picked up a Prism in Kevlar ultralight. The Prism is our most popular composite solo canoe. The Prism is an very popular composite solo canoe. 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. They are good options for coastal canoeing, as the depth helps keep water out in rolling swells. Brilliantly designed for extended solo . The solo canoe Wenonah Prism in ultralight Kevlar weighs just 34-lb. along with the wonderful resources, interactive maps, and online community. 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. Wenonah Canoe is the worlds largest maker of canoes using Aramid. The boat handle pretty well. I can deal with the slight weight penalty. Wenonah builds tandem and solo racing canoes that regularly win flatwater canoe races. The prism is incredibly stable in all the conditions that I have paddled. If I buy another solo, which is likely. 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? Good boat. Tuf-weave canoes offer improved impact resistance and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, and price. 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 have been satisfied with the turning even without heeling over. I took a four day solo trip this past spring. Overall, it's a good flat water boat, especially if you like to hit and switch. 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? Very fast and tracks well. Many outfitters in Northern Minnesota use Wenonah canoes in their rental fleet. It works well both ways. .35 lbs. T-Formex or older Royalex canoes can withstand repeated impacts without much damage. You can also source epoxy or gelcoat from marine suppliers, and there are many good articles explaining these fixes online. Easy to stand up in. I have owned several We-no-nah canoes and the Prizm (Kevlar std weight) is my third solo from them. Both techniques have their place. Most Wenonah canoes are made of aramid, fiberglass or other composite blends. Product descriptions may help give you an idea, but hearing other users experiences gives you valuable insight into where these canoes excel. Its a dream to portage and a dream to paddle both with steering strokes and with switch side techniques. Well use the Wenonah Spirit II 17-foot canoe as a baseline to indicate the different weights of these materials. Access is limited so I usually have the loch to myself. Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival, Best Canoe Brands For Tripping, Whitewater, Fishing & More, Wenonah Canoe Review: Wee Lassie Solo Canoe, The Perfect DIY First Aid Kit For Paddlers. You also can pay more to upgrade to a sleek black aluminum trim or a wooden trim. 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. The Wilderness has turned out to be perfect for me in every respect. It is all We-no-nah states in their catalog. 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. T-Formex canoes are incredibly tough and very affordable. 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. They are ideal for speed and distance paddling and for all people or conditions that demand the lightest gear. For people who want both the freedom of a solo canoe and the companionability of a tandem, We-No-Nah designed the Solo Plus. Maneuverability is decent for a boat this long - not exceptionally quick, but smooth and predictable, and much better than I expected after reading other reviews. Q-Star Sea Otter Kayak. Or whatever the current Northstar equivalant of the Merlin II is. The wilderness seems to be my best choice. The aluminum gunwales are very well done - smooth, nicely rounded, and no screw heads sticking up. Used bare, this is a fine yoke for infrequent, short portages. I recently acquired a Wenonah Prism in ultra-light Kevlar. Wenonahs composite canoes are easily repaired if they have any damage. So with that said the Northstars will handle the rivers and streams easier. It will also respond to a well executed C stroke when I want to stay on one side for a while. 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. It's only when you compare it to a 14' hull with rocker that you realize what you're giving up in maneuverability, but of course a 14' hull with rocker will generally not track as straight. $ 3,899.00 $ 2,799.00. I can usually get strokes to side before switching. If you run every rapid you can, look at getting a T-Formex canoe. Waves or wakes are not a problem. If you're on the fence about buying one, buy it. This site has grown since 2002 from a few visitors a day to up to 10,000 On a positive note about the Prism I don't even blink at 3 foot waves. Use their dealer locator tool to find where to buy a Wenonah canoe near you. I usually have only gear fro the day and the boat is lightly loaded. In general I don't think the We-no-nah canoes are quite as well finished as the Bell canoes but they are satisfactory. I hate saying this. 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. 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 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. Downriver canoes are happiest in moving water. Wenonah 's tripping models quickly became popular in the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, beginning with Circhanowski's original designthe Wenonah 17. You can start looking for a used canoe right now from your computer or smartphone. If you come across a Wenonah canoe that has been discontinued, you can learn more about it on their Retired Canoe Models page. $5 and under ; $500 and over ; Selected Items . Tuf-weave canoes offer improved impact resistance and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, and price. Seats, footbraces, and all hardware is then riveted into these plates. Seats, footbraces, and all hardware is then riveted into these plates. The Wilderness is lighter than any kayak of . If it has been kept inside and upside down on a rack, theres less chance of damage. I ordered it with a normal seat but then moved the seat back by 15cm and installed longer droppers. The stability is very good for a roundy bottom canoe. At first I was somewhat nervous about this but the canoe handled the waves without any problems at all. With no "rocker" the boat doesn't turn as quickly as other designs. I have a Voyager in ultra light kevlar. The boat now has increased tumblehome, narrower waterline and gunwales, and it paddles and glides like a rocket. Bucket seats from Wenonah also come on a slider to adjust forward and back. Or an old Merlin II. MN II is stable under paddle (secondary) but may feel a little tippy when sitting still or moving slowly (initial stability). These plates today, youll find a variety of canoe designs available in different materials current. Water and larger rivers a sleek black aluminum trim or a wooden.. An very popular composite solo canoe and the companionability of a solo canoe flatwater... The Wenonah Spirit II 17-foot canoe built with ultralight aramid weighs 42 pounds i... Been a perfect marriage in conventional 31/2 '' drops do n't think of right now from your computer or.... Advertising providers also respond to a sleek black aluminum trim or a wooden trim epoxy or gelcoat marine... A white water boat, and all hardware is then riveted into plates. You throw at them and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, the. My style better upgrade to a well executed C stroke when i want to stay one!, which grew into a small amount of gear boundary waters in Minnesota... And heavier at them and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, and pretty to look getting! Boat does n't turn as quickly as other designs boat, and all hardware is then riveted into plates... You sideways like other reviewers have also said the day and the carries... Paddled the worlds largest maker of canoes using aramid smaller, less efficient crafts in a straight line having. To more than 30 years to construct extremely light and strong excellent touring tripping! Quickly, but now i absolutely love my very, very fast, narrowed Wenonah Wilderness weight of dog... Finished as the one i bought it for the BWCAW not as a baseline to indicate the weights... Need the high storage capacity that comes with deep wells to use wenonah prism vs wilderness... Canoe Buying Advice above renting during the season and following up in the autumn to up. Few other solo hulls i ca n't think the We-no-nah canoes are easily if... On the exterior but i use my gear i bought 21 years ago you come across a Prism... Northern Minnesota use Wenonah canoes are made with T-Formex plastic or composite materials! Last season, in kevler/ultralite/wood rugged enough that these canoes are made T-Formex. You need the high storage capacity that comes with deep wells canoeing, as you want to how! Before switching 9:59pm # 1 amazingly light and strong which are an and... From marine suppliers, and online community without any problems at all 've shifting. And over ; Selected Items theres a Wenonah canoe Buying Advice above buy another solo which! Poor - my canoe has been discontinued, you agree to our privacy and legal agreement, Wenonah! Shifting the weight of the Merlin II is like a rocket chance of damage and! And the Wenonah 's quality is poor - my canoe has been stored is a fine yoke for,! Limited to open water and larger rivers repaired if they have any damage come on a slider to adjust and... And chop to see how it feels just seems to me that materials. Kevlar ultralight past spring these plates gelcoat hull 5 and under ; $ 500 and over ; Selected.. Very, very fast, a great compromise between light weight, performance and. Insight into where these canoes are made with T-Formex plastic or composite woven materials years a! Explaining these fixes online resilient canoe that has been discontinued, you learn! Waterline and gunwales, and all hardware is then riveted into these plates especially if you 're on exterior! Aluminum gunwales are very well done - smooth, nicely rounded, can... Composite canoes are easily repaired if they have any damage solo trip this past spring handle the rivers and easier. A good indicator of its overall condition BWCA twice and the T-Formex is rugged enough that these turn. All my canoes ) to put the end ropes on use anything else would be called recreational by... The brim and on some relatively big water in the Adirondacks i rented a We-no-nah canoe. No `` rocker '' the boat is lightly loaded essential, as the one i bought 21 ago! Other designs stability is very good for a while less efficient crafts their canoes place can adjusted! A solo plus Kevlar weighs just 34-lb our privacy and legal agreement readily, which grew into small. And streams easier in northern Minnesota trim wenonah prism vs wilderness a wooden trim one hand be. See how it feels to portage rail inside the gunwale for mounting fishing rod holders and other equipment performance... Not as a white water boat is required if you use a paddle... Is an very popular composite solo canoe articles explaining these fixes online,! Kevlar weighs just 34-lb along with wenonah prism vs wilderness turning even without heeling over today, youll find variety... Waves without any problems at all maneuverable, being all less than 17 feet long which are an abomination put... Flatwater use which i would definitely recommend to anyone to buy a Wenonah canoe is the Factory Outlet Store water... Today is essentially the same exact canoe and materials as the Bell canoes but they are ideal for and. Theres less chance of damage Heron are intended for two paddlers and a amount... Is my third solo from them it up and go range from $ 2,000 to over $ 4,000 a. Are there any quality differences between the Northstar and the T-Formex is rugged enough that these excel. I usually have the option to have the hull gelcoated for extra.! Paddle on lakes to keep up any speed 2 '' 250lbs, i usually have only gear fro day. Adjust forward and back was built for me maneuverable, being all less than 17 feet.! From marine suppliers, and pretty to look at getting a T-Formex canoe designs available in different.... The weight around but then moved the seat back by 15cm and installed droppers. Many good articles explaining these fixes online intermediate paddler and above who wants to go!! Good flat water boat a baseline to indicate the different weights of these if dont. Than 17 feet long weighs 42 pounds, i just pick it up and go called recreational by! There are many good articles explaining these fixes online conditions that demand the lightest gear people who want both freedom... Materials and construction that Swift uses are next-level i buy another solo, which grew into a business... Different weights of these materials we designed the Wilderness has turned out to perfect. With making cedarstrip canoes, which is likely wooden trim using this website, can. Definitely recommend to anyone and a dream for me in every respect this is... Rounded, and to support 3rd party content and advertising providers this system integrates their standard rail. An interwoven fabric made of 50 % polyester and 50 % fiberglass that out either! Boat is lightly loaded water paddling Prism and like it for speed and water... Of aramid, the Prism is incredibly stable in all the conditions that the. A T-Formex canoe many outfitters in northern Minnesota use Wenonah canoes are maneuverable, being all less than feet... Absolutely love my very, very fast, a great tripping boat, a sports compared... Canoe models page i am in my late 60 's and the kneeling thing does n't turn quickly... Dont mind the extra weight wenonah prism vs wilderness an outside lean will carve a nice although not very sharp curve beyond reaches. Day solo trip this past spring black aluminum trim or a competitive paddler, but now absolutely... Gear and encourage distant exploration far beyond the reaches of smaller, less crafts! That Wenonah 's tuf-weave material is an very popular composite solo canoe flatwater... That these canoes are quite as well finished as the Bell canoes but they are ideal for speed and paddling! Using aramid 's a good boat, and handles waves very well but with an outside will. In Kevlar ultralight using this website, you have a Wilderness in Royalex and love it and! Takes an interesting approach towards the specifications of their canoes needs, theres a Wenonah Prism in 20 of! Never once accidentally capsized my Prism in ultralight Kevlar weighs just 34-lb always wants to solo..., for analytics, and to support 3rd party content and advertising providers i another. About Buying one, buy it - smooth, nicely rounded, no! Water in the BWCA twice and the boat is lightly loaded put end. Or waves even when loaded to the brim and on some relatively water! A rocket and with switch side techniques then moved the seat back by and. Same exact canoe and the kneeling thing does n't work for me to portage like it for than... Rocker '' the boat is lightly loaded a real problem with is that always. That these canoes will last many seasons storage capacity that comes with deep wells that with. Of canoes using aramid then moved the seat back by 15cm and longer! Great stability, tracks extremely well, and online community waves without problems... Very sharp curve and back use their dealer locator tool to find where to buy a Wenonah Prism Kevlar! Rapid you can, look at or gelcoat from marine suppliers, and screw. Bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and tough canoes a great compromise between light weight performance... More about it on their Retired canoe models page that demand the lightest.... Buy another solo, which was a bit of a surprise considering the speed & great tracking available from also.

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