While I'm on the subject of canoes, I'd like to solicit the opinions of anyone willing to offer them on the question of what canoes you like. In planning some trips to northern lakes in Maine, we have decided that a canoe may be a better option in some cases than the kayaks. Where covering long distances is not the issue, but being able to comfortably carry a larger tent, cooking gear, lots of good food (and wine, of course), photographic equipment, good binocs, etc. . . . this seems like a better option. Thus, my afformentioned desire to repair my torn Eclipse. I have been considering getting a slightly larger canoe (than the Eclipse), and one that might prove more durable and possibly more versatile (except that I am not thinking of this as a whitewater boat -- just one that might safely confront water -- and rocks -- that I might come across, perhaps on rivers that connect some of the lakes). I looked at an Old Town Discovery 174 and was surprised at its price (under $800) for what seems like a pretty good, sturdy lake/river tripping canoe. I'm also considering getting a solo canoe for the same kinds of trips that I might take by myself. The only companies I have any familiarity with (and that only vaguely) are OT and Mad River. Can anyone offer suggestions? TIA. Mark Lane *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Mark Lane "Sailboat Restorations, Inc." wrote: > > While I'm on the subject of canoes, I'd like to solicit the opinions of > anyone willing to offer them on the question of what canoes you like. > > In planning some trips to northern lakes in Maine, we have decided that a > canoe may be a better option in some cases than the kayaks. ...<snip>... > I looked at an Old Town Discovery > 174 and was surprised at its price (under $800) for what seems like a pretty > good, sturdy lake/river tripping canoe. I'm also considering getting a solo > canoe for the same kinds of trips that I might take by myself. ... For use on lakes, with some river use, I recommend that you focus on composites (kevlar or fiberglass), particularly some of the Swift models (more on these in a bit). You can get incredibly light kevlar boats that are easy to portage, fun to paddle, beautiful, and reasonably robust. I would stay away from the Old Town Discovery series. They are tough, but weigh a ton. I once owned a Discovery 169 that oil-canned like crazy and weighed 90 pounds (ugh!). Do not believe the manufacturer's weight figures for these boats. Not a fun boat. I gave it away because I couldn't bring myself to charge for it. The cross-link material they use is not a good substitiute for Royalex (IMHO). So what do I recommend for lake travel (with some river use)? I do not paddle much flatwater, but based on my experience I would recommend a number of Swift canoes designed by John Winters. (Ever heard of him? :-) I once had the pleasure of paddling a kevlar Osprey (a solo design), and what a delight it was! This is a boat that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face! There is no greater compliment I can give a boat than this. It is a joy to paddle, particularly in chop. I have to get one someday. Here is some more info on the Osprey: http://www.swiftcanoe.com/canoes/catalogue/osprey.htm The Raven (another solo canoe designed by John Winters) is more oriented towards river use--it is deeper with more volume and fuller ends. It is also a wonderful boat. (I would get this one with the Expedition Kevlar layup): http://www.swiftcanoe.com/canoes/catalogue/Raven.htm While I have less experience with tandem boats, it is my impression that some of the Swift tandem boats are also superb. I suggest that you should give these a try before making a final decision. Also check out Bell Canoe, which has some excellent designs: http://www.bellcanoe.com/ You may also want to try We-no-nah (www.wenonah.com), although I think that the Swift boats are the best. Of course that is just my opinion, and if we were talking whitewater playboats I would have a different set of recommendations. The bottom line is that you should try as many boats as possible before you decide. And have fun! Dan Hagen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Sun, 9 Jul 2000, Sailboat Restorations, Inc. wrote: > While I'm on the subject of canoes, I'd like to solicit the opinions of > anyone willing to offer them on the question of what canoes you like. I've got a few WeNoNah canoes. I love them. Supposedly my latest boat was built 3 times before the factory was willing to ship it, the finish is virtually flawless (on a skin coat kevlar boat) I've had some nasty crashes in our oldest one, collisions enthusiastic enough to toss the bow paddler over the front into the water. With minimal damage to the boats. All of my canoes are ultralight layup kevlar, except the old town tripper, which is big enough to carry about a half cord of wood. I paddled the old town loaded over the gunwales with firewood, without being too concerned about stability or freeboard. The wenonah sundowner is a marvelous boat for going at a fair clip, and carrying a good amount. We regularly use it to paddle around beverly harbor, out to misery, around marblehead and the like. The sundowner is also available in a somewhat light plastic layup, with nice comfy sliding buckets. I've got a wenonah jensen 17 that is a quick "family" boat but it would not be my choice for canoe camping, it's a bit low, but at 34 pounds it's a pleasure to carry... kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Dan Hagen wrote: [snip] > So what do I recommend for lake travel (with some river use)? I do not > paddle much flatwater, but based on my experience I would recommend a > number of Swift canoes designed by John Winters. (Ever heard of him? :-) [snip] Thanks for the very thoughtful response, Dan, and thanks to others, as well. I've had a lot of good suggestions (here and back-channel). The Swift canoes look great, and I think it's awesome that we have the designer right here on Paddlewise. (This list continues to amaze me. . . ). I really liked the look of the Yukon, as well as the Osprey. Unfortunately, I'm a long way from Ontario -- but with the current exchange rates it's worth a little effort <g>. (John Winters, if you're reading: are there US locations where I could look at or paddle the boats?) I also intend to give the Bells a close look. I'm in no great hurry on the tandem, as I can use the MR Eclipse for now. But I would like to pick up a solo in the next month or so. Anyway, thanks again to all. Mark Lane *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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