weight: 57 lbs. Anyway we took it on countless day trips last year and stable are an understatement even with the dogs both in the 60lbs. I've gone as far as 850 pounds and the canoe was a little slower, but behaved the same. I am a harsh critic generally but I urge anyone thinking about a canoe to check out a kevlar Spirit II. The canoe holds a tremendous amount of gear and is stable. Wenonah Spirit Iii: A Luxurious Canoeing Experience It is definitely a two-person canoe because of its size and seat configuration (tractor type). Privacy Policy. I have owned a fiberglass layup Spirit II since 2001. Added comfort: Wenonah has as good a reputation as anyone. . It travels distances easily yet turns extremely well. No big deal, it works fine, but if youre tripping, invest in yoke pads. A Wenonah Spirit II Roylex with a center portage thwart. The Spirit II has a lot of volume, so is a marginal solo boat even with one as large as me paddling it. It performs good/great in all types of paddling. Since it still makes me happy every time my wife and I use it I haven't found a reason to replace it. Wenonah Canoe Vice-President Bill Kueper is enthusiastic about the growing inclusion of Esquifs T-Formex. The Spirit II has an indescribable good feel that only Wenonah seems to be able to build into thier designs.I find it very easy to paddle solo . Because the canoe has no pigmented gelcoat, you can see every layer in the construction by holding it up to the light. It's a very bright green. If you are considering a canoe purchase, give this boat close attention. The bow never plunged under even with a 200+ pound kid sitting in the front. Efficiency. I know that fiberglass is tough, but I get nervous using it on rivers as I don't want to damage it on rocks that I might encounter. Will I regret the extra weight if I go Wenonah? After moving to Alaska three years ago. Seats, footbraces, and all hardware is then riveted into these plates. The Spirit of Wenonah was the first canoe Mike Cichanowski, and was built in his garage. The Spirit is also a great solo as long as your not in a hurry. We love it! We clicked off 20 miles on the first afternoon, then set up camp. When loaded light, it skips across the water, but loses some tracking. I bought a kevcore Spirit II with wood trim and cane seats in '89. It went on to become the most successful canoe model in Wenonah's line. First understand Im used to our Racer, so these issues may not be issues for most canoeists. We have rocky streams in pennsylvania and
Tracks well and turns even better. Ultra-light hulls are stiff and incredibly light. It will handle well in wind and waves, probably better than my nerves. Forgot your password? It wenton to become the most successful canoe model in Wenonahs line. These canoes are much lighter than polyethylene or aluminum canoes and can be built in nearly limitless designs. The Spirit II glided efficiently through the Main Branch Susquehanna's flatwater, and took the few ledges with aplomb. My Spirit II continues to fullfill any requirement made of it. It is great for the Susquehanna river - very stable, even when turning around for gear and fishing. Spend more to carry less. The Prospector 16 is listed in Wenonah's catalog as having 4 inches of rocker. This site has grown since 2002 from a few visitors a day to up to 10,000 Ultra-light hulls are stiff and incredibly light. 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. 60 years old, I wanted a boat that I could get the wife and dogs out onto the water without giving up to much to performance. I'll experiment with it. Weave Flex Core 58 lbs Kev. Too much effort is spent correcting its course (in racing canoes, you want every stroke of the paddle to move you forward, not back onto course). Mine came from a bwca Outfitters. if i were a scientist, i would invent; what is yemen doing to stop water scarcity * For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed. The bucket vs. woven seat debate is one easily decided: sit in one, and decide what you like. Prospector 16 16' More Details. It was a sad day when I sold it a few years ago, but I needed to make room for my Champlain with the growing family. All include a closed-cell, rigid foam core providing structure and buoyancy. I use it primarily for lake trips, such as the Boundary Waters and Quetico. UL 42 lbs A Versatile tandem with excellent performance and easy handling on rivers and lakes. This is our first canoe and we just love it. 450lb weight capacity. Over 10,000 Spirit IIs have been built since 1988. width: 34 1/2" stability, speed, and durability of this Royalex canoe. Sure, it's not as fast as the Wenonah Escape (17'6") or the Minnesota II (18'6"), but it feels snappy and accelerates easily, even with a week's . Still, I have to say, it can back up all of its claims. As I put some more miles on it I'll see if there is anything I don't like about it, but for now I'm really happy with this canoe. Great for the beginners and more experienced paddlers alike. I paddle the Kevlar version with tractor buckets. Length: 17 Weight: 65 lbs. It is better loaded in this respect for the weight of the load holds the bottom of the hull in place to a certain extent. Help keep the flying moose flying and Speed is not its strong point. The local dealer has a Sundowner 17, Aurora, and a Spirit II all in roylax, all about the same price. I have the Tufweave X-Rib model. I have canoe for many years - from 6 week long trips to Class 4 whitewater. 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. After much research, I bought a Wenonah spirit 2 in tuff weave, kevlar ends and bucket seat. It has good glide and great stability. We stopped at
I love my spirit 2 royalex. [all-purpose canoe] This bomber, versatile boat will see you through multiday Boundary Waters adventures or day trips on the local pond. Buttermilk Falls presented a bit more challenge (many barely submerged rocks) but the Royalex slid off any gotchas. I've owned this boat for two years now and have equipped it with a full tilt sailing rig and pontoons. expensive) damage. I had to pull through a couple of open waters with heavy wind one day, accompanied with waves and some rain. Lately I have gotten an Epic surf ski (v10s) as well and love it very much. Kevlar is the best! It's a great boat, probably what I'd get if I could have only one tandem. For a 17' canoe in RX it is light, but this must be due to the royalex being so thin. On lakes it has enough speed to cruise nicely. Like many, I opted for the Spirit II as a boat for a variety of conditions, and I love it. It's is tough, light (under 60lbs. I was in front, and there were times as I was driving hard, the bow came out of the water, and my friend was still able to steer and handle the boat in the wind and chop. We support this high volume of visitors I don't want to be wanting a lighter canoe after one trip. I opted for sponges on the front and a hitch rack in back for our Ford F-150. With 9ft oars it rocks in a straight line and, unlike dedicated skulls' can turn on a dime! We've used it for more than 30 years to construct extremely light and tough canoes. Still a nice boat and very well made except for the oil canning. Easy to turn and tracks great. Sign up. Aluminum and royalex canoes are nice to fish out of but are on the heavier side. This is one of Wenonahs Spirit IIs trademarks. Minnesota II 18' 6" More Details. Weight Capacity: 915 pounds. I bought a 1997 Spirit II last week. I took the seats out of this boat and moved the center thwart, I then installed a center seat to make it a solo. The Spirit II we tested had a foot brace for the stern paddler, effectively providing a way to transfer more power from the paddler to the hull a very nice option. Wenonah Canoes Spirit II in T-Formex is the culmination of a classic and widely loved canoe with a long-awaited material that underwent a tumultuous journey to production. Wee Lassie 12' 6" More Details. Weight 42-69 pounds (18.9-31.05 kg), depending on materials: I have the kevlar bow and stern layups. The production of the Spirit II in T-Formex is a major event in the canoeing world as it comes on the heels of a multi-year saga following . I am 6' 215lbs and have been kayaking for the last 9 years. Needless to say, at just under $3,000. The Spirit II comes standard with bucket seats. I guess you could consider this a long term review of the Spirit II from Wenonah. Without a doubt, it is one of the very few quintessential touring canoes on the market. We-No-Nah Spirit II in flexcore layup (fiberglass reinforced hand laid). I was able to get back what I had into the original Northwoods, so I wasn't bothered by doing this, but if I would have sold it at a loss it would have bugged me a bit. Family verdict is that the seats are not very comfortable though, plan on buying some Cripple Creek seat backs. Widths: max. Recently my boat flew off the top of my truck as I was traveling on an interstate at around 70 mph. Though I placed a deposit on a Bell Northwind in Royalex, I
The hardest decision was between the Royalex Spirit II and the Kevlar (a mere
Even in heavy chop with swirling winds and waves rolling down the gunwales, we never lost control of the canoe. No worries in class 2 plus with 2 adults with gear. The canoe is just barely light enough for me to load it on the top of my full-sized truck by myself. of the hours will be in the seated position. They are ideal for speed and distance paddling and for all people or conditions that demand the lightest gear. The price of the base model, a 68-pound plastic boat, is $1,199 and includes shipping. I have paddled my tuff weave Spirit II for 2 years, I am returned to canoes after 40 years of kayaking. Empty, its still stable enough for casual paddling. Most of mine were in that weight range. This is the one that my kids and I used to crab in Winchester Bay and fish on the Chetco River and lower Columbia. The 17' Spirit II Royalex layup is known for durability, stability, comfortable seats, and load capacity. When it's loaded with gear or kids, it's fine, but when unloaded it has no rocker at all. It's just cosmetic. Your consideration of a 17 foot Wenonah Prospector (no Royalex availability listed for the 17 footer) for more speed and . Normally we like to stable our canoes when the other person climbs in or out. Single-owner Wenonah Spirit II purchased new from Midwest Mountaineering 04/2014. A Kevlar version weighs 42 pounds and costs $2,099. We paddled down to the meeting of the West and Noth Branches of the Susquehanna after tough portages around dams at Lock Haven and Williamsport. We were just amazed at the Spirit's speed, tracking, light weight and responsiveness. In other words, you feel it firm up about 3" or 4" from the inboard gunwale, but lean just a little more to 2" and secondary disappears instantly then you're in the water. As for tracking, it lacks real tracking by my wifes standards. Why? Love the light weight at portages. Portage? We do lots of portage and lake tripping, the canoe is great fit for all our needs. then. I bought it when I was sixteen after getting a lot of advise on canoes from people all over Canada and Minnesota. Unloaded there is a tendency to oilcan just a bit (between my wife and I we make about 400 pounds of cargo, thus increasing the likelihood of oilcanning). This one weighs in at about 57 pounds, so not an ultralight, but not a heavyweight either. The first time we put the paddles in the water, I turned around, and she had as big of grin as I did! I purchased the Spirit II in Royalex four years ago. I installed Bourquin Boat Yoke Pads on Wenonahs portage thwart and fell in love all over again. I can easily see why the Spirit II is Wenonah number one selling boat. From running class II+ rapids to cursing choppy waters on a big lake it dos great. She would buy this boat brand new, and so would I. I was also impressed with the ease with which the Spirit II rolled over rocks on which I typically would have at least paused. Let me start with a little background. 17' Royalex Wenonah Spirit II canoe: A great stable canoe with plenty of room for the family. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. It is a dream come true for those who canoe lakes and moderate rivers and who need light weight, 42#. the Spirit II is faster, nicely stable, and also pretty maneuverable. However, I will probably install some Kevlar stem guards since speed isnt an issue. Last Visit: 03/23/2023 09:26AM Sort by. Has a paddle holder already mounted along with tie-down bungies Comes with an. As for running waves. Ten years of dragging over cypress logs, across coral and down boat ramps topped of by lying in the killer sun in my back yard hasn't touched it. Bay area. Even in whitewater chop, the boat was so stable. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. We have also went down the Russian River in it and plan many more such trips. In our Ultra-light construction a structural-foam core and ribs are laminated into the hull and sides. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). T-Formex canoes are manufactured from multi-laminate sheets, painstakingly designed specifically for each model. Flex 55 lbs Kev. the canoe is a tuf-weave x rib design. Third season now. This includes an incredible 60 mile+ trip and portage in the back country waters of British Columbia. A Kevlar version weighs 42 pounds and costs $2,099. Product Number: . don't want to worry about my canoe. A new paddler fearful of tippy boats? 54lbs. This after 40 years of Old Town Oltonars, 16 and 18 foot, and a Pack 12 which was horribly tippy and tracked bad. Roomy enough for Boundary Waters style trips, it's even more stable when loaded. this boat has been to the BWCA 10 trips. CHECK PRICE ON SEA EAGLE. I find it very easy to paddle(I do all of the paddling, my wife just comes along for the ride)and maneuver. I am totally happy with the boat. This canoe was not very hard to paddle, and handles the wind very nice. No wonder Canoe & Kayak Magazine said, "if you could have only one canoe to serve all your needs for the rest of your life, the Spirit II would be one of the very few candidates.". Simple. Video Description. | Depth: 14" | Price: $2,799.00. To lazy walleye fishing on Disappointment and actually being a joy to carry on 200 plus rod portages. With a centre seat in the balance point for quick and efficient high-volume solo tripping, and with tandem canoe seats for trips . 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'm pretty much able to navigate the canoe in some mild winds all by myself. Primary stability is acceptable, but secondary is amazing. Wenonah took the sketches to high-end racing canoe designer EverettCrozier and soon after the Spirit wasborn. There are lots of specialized canoes available that will do different tasks better than the Spirit II (straight line speed, load carrying, turnability) but none will do them all as well as this boat. What would I change? If so, 69 lbs is almost too heavy to lift solo onto a roof rack or otherwise. Needlesstosay, the contrast between the two boats is severe. We had NO idea of where to even start. The Royalex makes the canoe pretty easy to handle - I can put it on the roof of my Vibe by myself, but at times I wish it was a bit stiffer. The 50-year-old canoe company has plans to produce seven of its models in T-Formex in 2017. Because when you spin it around its a pretty decent solo canoe. Hull Material Royalex Length 17' Weight 65 lbs Gunwale Width 35" Capacity Excellent Stability Excellent Manueverability Excellent Speed Average. Voyager 17' 6" More Details. Paddled approximately two weeks per year on the Mississippi, St. Croix, and other MN/WI rivers and lakes. The Spirit II tracks beautifully, and manages to be steady and stablewithout being sluggish. Its refilling a hole that over the last couple years was somewhat of avoid, he says. Wenonah advertises the Spirit II as ideal for sportsmen, whitewater paddlers, families, kids and pretty much anyone else who wants a do-it-all canoe. The Spirit II paddles beautifully. The gelcoat took a beating witch I know it would and I managed a small hole in the gelcoat on the keel not the kevlar behind it. I like our Spirit II so well that we bought a second one for our son. We-no-nah Spirit II in Royalex. Love the light weight of this Kevlar ultra lite. In every condition experienced, the Spirit II did an exceptional job. Notify me when new ads are posted. This is a good all around canoe with good secondary stability, maneuverability, load carrying capability and pretty good speed. First off I have to say it is an awesome hull design! Going from the car to the dock? 7.0. . We have been able to continue our canoeing at ages 60 and 80, respectively with the right canoe. $400 difference due to year -end sale). This is a very well rounded canoe. Current Matches Filter Results (72) Filter by Category: Buy & Sell (69) Cars . It oilcans a bit in chop, but that's an acceptable price to pay for the
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Quot ; more Details Kevlar stem guards since speed isnt an issue a! Much lighter than polyethylene or aluminum canoes and can be built in garage. The right canoe what I 'd get if I go Wenonah nicely stable and... It went on to become the most successful canoe model in Wenonah & x27...
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