I wrote a review praising my Spirit II ten years ago and guess what, I am still paddling it. A Wenonah Spirit II Roylex with a center portage thwart. 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. We support this high volume of visitors This seems to be a good height for me. It's also stable as a rock unloaded. I am young so I know the weight is do able I just was curious what everyone's canoes weigh and if 69lbs was to high to do. It will handle well in wind and waves, probably better than my nerves. We do lots of portage and lake tripping, the canoe is great fit for all our needs. This is a plus when paddling with a novice or child in the bow seat and all steering must be done from the stern.My Spirit has the tractor style seats which I find comfortable.My only complaint with the canoe is the fact that it does not come standard with a portage yoke.To install a yoke you must drill out the pop rivets holding in the thwart and then pop rivet brackets into the gunwales.This isn't to hard but time consuming and nerve racking since you are having to drill holes into your new canoe. The Spirit II has a lot of volume, so is a marginal solo boat even with one as large as me paddling it. Copyright 2020 www.bwca.com | Legal Notice | DMCA, Help keep the flying moose flying by supporting BWCA.com For small rivers and streams this solo is hard to beat. Wenonah's Tuf-weave material is an interwoven fabric made of 50% polyester and 50% fiberglass that out performs either material alone. 17 Wenonah 17' 0" Spirit II 17' 0" Champlain 18' 0" Seneca 19' 4" Compare All General Touring; Performance Touring. 450lb weight capacity. It went on to become the most successful canoe model in Wenonah's line. On our last camping trip to lake Sonoma CA, led the 4 of us paddled it (with an old Town detachable plastic mid-seat) to the boat only campgrounds 3 miles from the launch in an Hour, fending of some serious mid-afternoon winds. February 17th, 2006. We can unequivocally recommend the Spirit II as a long distance canoe! challenged a 15 MPH + headwind and it cut through the water with ease. 2 vote down. And last but not least, its very quiet on the water. Basically I'm happy enough with it for what I use it for, but wouldn't buy one again. The canoe steered well, and with moderate waves I didn't need spray decks - I'm going to purchase (or make) them anyway in the future, just for convenience. During testing on the Green River in Utahs Canyonlands National Park, the tandem cruised well, carved turnsthanks to 1.5 inches of rockerand deflected windchop even when loaded to within inches of its gunwales. Added comfort: Wenonah has as good a reputation as anyone. Wenonah Spirit Iii: A Luxurious Canoeing Experience Would like to try it solo, but the thwart behind the front seat won't let you paddle it backwards from that seat. We got the Spirit II in Tuf-weave Flexcore. Apparently, the only other US company using T-Formex will be Buffalo . 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. Esquif went through bankruptcy and reinvestment, then eventually manufactured and shipped Wenonah a few T-Formex sheets. where I cut my teeth on canoes. After the short walk I decided that if durability and price were not themost important factors Id remind you that the Spirit II is available inWenonahs Tuff-weave Flex-Core, Flex-Core with Kevlar and Ultra-lightwith Kevlar layups. Wenonah finds the right formula. Recently my boat flew off the top of my truck as I was traveling on an interstate at around 70 mph. From running class II+ rapids to cursing choppy waters on a big lake it dos great. canoes we wanted something light, tuff, and staple being a family of 4 with 2 dogs and all. After decades in ocean kayaks, I added a canoe to the fleet. Last summer we had to dry dock our 1964 Moore Venom Racer for repairs and a very special face lift. It is great for the Susquehanna river - very stable, even when turning around for gear and fishing. A perfect all-arounder, says one tester. Video Description. Spirit II 17' Touring Model/Weight Options: Tuf. But its best feature (beyond the versatile hull design) is its material: The rugged Royalex (an ABS plastic/foam/vinyl composite) bounced off rocks with no damagewhile keeping the Spirit's price tag from sinking your budget. After a summer's use (2015). I've owned this boat for two years now and have equipped it with a full tilt sailing rig and pontoons. This one can be packed down and loaded . I decided that I would not need my canoe in Juneau, Alaska. Ultra-light hulls are stiff and incredibly light. do you get a class ring for associates degree; hoja santa leaves substitute; institute of scrap recycling industries title v applicability workbook I have had my Royalex Spirit II for 1 year now and it is a wonderful do everything boat. The Wenonah Spirit II is a sleek all-purpose canoe that can travel for multiple days. used wenonah spirit ii for sale Notcias do Botafogo Orgulho de Ribeiro. Posted by . Unfortunately flat bottom designs aren't as much fun to paddle, especially if you want to get from point A to B and enjoy the experience. Its literally fused with the hull and therefore stronger than aluminum. It does everything Wenonah says it does. Read reviews for the Spirit II by Wenonah Canoe, Inc. as submitted by your fellow paddlers. Have had the canoe down a couple of local rivers. After 30 years of paddling I decided I was too old to continue lifting heavy boats on to a roof rack. 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. It feels solid, rigid, and responsive, and manages to combine great tracking with maneuverability. Forgot your password? It's capable on rapids, and open water, too. If you're not planning to portage or you're super strong then an aluminum or royalex canoe is just fine. Needless to say, at just under $3,000. Neither has countless encounters with Alligators and manatees. I use the boat for a mixture of day trips on flat water and estuary paddling in Southwest Florida (mangroves and twisting tidal creeks). * For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed. I am very pleased with the boat. Wenonah took the sketches to high-end racing canoe designer EverettCrozier and soon after the Spirit wasborn. I dont live or work in Missoula where the rivers run long and free of portages. Very light use.As efficient as a long-hulled canoe and as maneuverable as a short one, this versatile, stable canoe is roomy enough for long adventures and it becomes even more stable when fully loaded.FeaturesRoyale . (Royalex). My only experience being in alum. Broke a wood gunnel at the yoke. Outfitting . Testers enjoyed the aesthetics and comfort of its web seats, ash yoke, and wood thwarts. Since then, weve had it on everything but the ocean and nothing above a slow Class II. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all Lakewater & Touring Canoes ]. The reason is simple: If it performs, dont mess with it. 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. We bought our Spirit II (royalex) last year at Canoecopia, so this has been our first season. The kevlar layup is light and tough. The last time I was in the BWCA we had 100 year old wood canvas boats so I have done heavy boats but it was miserable. 1: Sea Eagle Travel Canoe TC16 (best overall) Length: 16 foot. These canoes are much lighter than polyethylene or aluminum canoes and can be built in nearly limitless designs. Recommend. Length: 17' | Width: 36" | Weight: 42lbs. It's great!!! I am a harsh critic generally but I urge anyone thinking about a canoe to check out a kevlar Spirit II. The Spirit II makes us regret the decades and hundreds of miles we spent oil canning rivers and lakes in our Oltonar canoes. Several times a year we try to introduce people to the sport. I also like to be able to paddle solo, so I removed the thwart behind the front seat and added a rear-facing solo seat. Aramid, the fiber used for aerospace, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong. Empty, its still stable enough for casual paddling. This is my tenth canoe so I can compare it with plenty of others. It is probably a fine canoe, but I found the seats too high. Thank you Wenonah for your Ultralight Spirit II. At 14'6" and rocker with a 27" water line it is easy to weave around what ever the water throws at you. 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. Any thoughts comparing these models. I've If you cannot conceive of paddling solo the Spirit II is the standard, all-around cowboy craft for you. The tractor-seats are comfortable once you get used to them, but we will probably line them with foam for a little padding. This site has grown since 2002 from a few visitors a day to up to 10,000 I use it mostly in lakes and 2-3 day river treks. The Wenonah 17 carried the brand into their modern lineup of over twenty tandem canoes. While we felt pretty special paddling our pre-production model of the Spirit II in T-Formex, we know well be seeing many more of them shortly. They were nervous before they got in the Spirit as a pair for the first time. I have owned my Wenonah royalex Argosy for several years now. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We finally decided on Royalex -- I just The 17' We-no-nah Spirit II (woven fiberglass) provided my family and friends with a lot of fun. But it still oil cans! Weight: 64 pounds. In our Ultra-light construction a structural-foam core and ribs are laminated into the hull and sides. When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. Will I regret the extra weight if I go Wenonah? I have paddled my tuff weave Spirit II for 2 years, I am returned to canoes after 40 years of kayaking. Thought I would check out a Bell Yellowstone Tandem. plenty of room for extra gear. It just isn't the same canoe beyond the 6 inch waterline. The Spirit II paddles beautifully. Wenonah Canoe Vice-President Bill Kueper is enthusiastic about the growing inclusion of Esquifs T-Formex. It also is maneuverable in tight tidal creeks, a must for us. First off, it is everything the Wenonah website says it is -- a very versatile, all around usable design. It is definitely a two-person canoe because of its size and seat configuration (tractor type). the canoe is a tuf-weave x rib design. I find the craftmanship of the Spirit II outstanding. Spirit II is a tandem 17' Wenonah Canoe that is made in Minnesota. Credit the maneuverable hull shape and Goldilocks lengthat 17 feet, its small enough for quick trips yet large and deep enough to carry a weeks gear. It paddles well and moves easily, but not fast and effortlessly. I bought the Tuffweave version. With three The Penobscot 15' is an Old Town Royalex solo canoe that can hold up to 625 pounds with a weight of only 49 pounds. I've also switched on-and-off with a Penobscot, and find the Spirit II just seems to do what I want it to more effortlessly. Weave Flex Core 58 lbs Kev. At one point the waves were so high they would spill over the sides in the middle of the boat. Even there Royalex was an advantage as we roped the canoe up and slid it down the other side. 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. Wenonah Spirit II Canoe. I use it primarily for lake trips, such as the Boundary Waters and Quetico. I've gone as far as 850 pounds and the canoe was a little slower, but behaved the same. Usual trade offs. As efficient as a long-hulled canoe and as maneuverable as a short one, the Spirit II strikes a balance between all good things. This is a good all around canoe with good secondary stability, maneuverability, load carrying capability and pretty good speed. No big deal, it works fine, but if youre tripping, invest in yoke pads. The Spirit II Ultra is unbelievably light weight, beautifully made, comfortable, big, stable, fast, efficient, tracks great and turns ok. Solo Plus 16' 6" More Details. If I get another one, it will be Rx. The Spirit II was beyond my expectations, once again. They look nice with the yellowish Kevlar, and are available for another $100. I t is a great canoe. We especially appreciated the size of the Spirit IIits small enough for quick paddling outings but large enough to pack all thegear for a week of canoe tripping, plus the dog. The canoe handles well and is easy to turn, has decent glide. We-No-Nah Spirit II in flexcore layup (fiberglass reinforced hand laid). I knew I we needed a lightweight canoe, stable for two larger adults and guess what was my first choice? . Maybe that's why we sell more Spirit II's than any other model. 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." [all-purpose canoe] This bomber, versatile boat will see you through multiday Boundary Waters adventures or day trips on the local pond. Its solid as a rock. Aluminum plates are strategically laminated into the hull. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The F-150 roof is flat and the sponges slide. I purchased the Spirit II in Royalex four years ago. It oilcans a bit in chop, but that's an acceptable price to pay for the Spirit II (68 lbs) - Wenonah 16% X 17' = 32.64 (minimum width at 4" waterline using 16% rule) 17 Sundowner, 17'0" (65 lbs.) In whitewater and rapids it just does exactly what you expect and what you want. If you continue using this website, you agree to our privacy and legal agreement. Tuf-weave canoes offer improved impact resistance and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, and price. 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. When my husband said he wanted a canoe, I did my research again. Kevlar Ultralite Weight: 42 lbs; Gunwale Width . Even in whitewater chop, the boat was so stable. Widths: max. The rail seat allowed the canoe to be trimmed easily. Light and easy to carry, comfortable, enough capacity for plenty of gear. Great for extended river or flat-water tripping. The Spirit II paddles beautifully. The capacity was more then adequate, seaworthiness was amazing (even in rough chop produced by Memorial Day speedboat traffic on the 12 mile lake before Williamsport), and the tractor seats were remarkably comfortable. Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. Prospector 16 16' More Details. Wenonah Spirit II; Hull Material : Royalex. We put a center float bag I got very cheap at the death of Galyans sale and when over inflated this helps the oil canning some. Rain or shine kids or packs or just empty the Spirit II is every thing I read and asked about in making my decision to purchase it and more which was nice to see in todays day and age. No need to say I could not find what I was looking for. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all Kevlar Canoes ]. It's a great boat, probably what I'd get if I could have only one tandem. First, it doesn't feel like a Royalex boat. Easy to portage, extremely high quality fit, finish, and design, and it paddles effortlessly. 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). ; wenonah . Good luck. Thank you Wenonah for your Ultralight Spirit II. It accelerates to speed with just a few strokes and will maintain a cruising speed with moderate effort. It does tend to catch and be turned by crosswinds, but all keel-less canoes do that. 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). Tuf-weave canoes offer improved impact resistance and are a great compromise between light weight, performance, and price. T-Formex canoes are manufactured from multi-laminate sheets, painstakingly designed specifically for each model. this boat has been to the BWCA 10 trips. CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON. I have had the boat out in a local bay, Tomales, and on one occasion it got very rough, 25 knots of sustained wind and a brutal 2-3 foot wind chop. The Spirit II is all of these and more. The Spirit II is great for the Canadian style as well. Seneca 19' 4" More Details. We usually paddle on our local lake, but this summer we went to Missouri and paddled some of the Gasconade River. SubscribetoPaddling Magazineand get 25 years of digital magazine archives includingour legacy titles:Rapid, Adventure Kayak and Canoeroots. I installed Bourquin Boat Yoke Pads on Wenonahs portage thwart and fell in love all over again. This makes them the ideal choice for sportsmen, whitewater paddlers, families and kids, or anybody who wants a very durable canoe. For us it was between the Adirondack in Royalex or this boat. CANOE RATINGS. The store person said they've had it for about a month, and that the jury is still out. 17 Wenonah 17' 0" Spirit II 17' 0" Champlain 18' 0" Seneca 19' 4" Compare All General Touring; . At just 17' it fit perfectly in the garage and was perfect to handle and carry.. Moving back to the lower 48 and larger lakes and rivers, I missed being back on the water. the Spirit II is faster, nicely stable, and also pretty maneuverable. GREAT CANOE!!! We now bought our 2nd We-no-nah canoe. the weight is manageable i'm not that big a dude, 5'7, 140#. The bow never plunged under even with a 200+ pound kid sitting in the front. Wenonah 17 . By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. We were even caught out in a summer blow up, and waited out the worst of the wind and took off to cross the lake in front of the rain. And I owned both composite and royalex Wenonah Adirondacks and they behaved differently . . We-no-nah Spirit II in Royalex. Because the canoe has no pigmented gelcoat, you can see every layer in the construction by holding it up to the light. Normally we like to stable our canoes when the other person climbs in or out. I found the gel-coat will scratch easy, I pulled it through some gravel. The other thing that we've found is that compared to my parents Minnesota II the capacity on the Spirit is far greater. Be turned by crosswinds, but behaved the same short one, the canoe has no pigmented gelcoat you... Agree to our privacy and legal agreement this high volume of visitors this seems to be a all... Not least, its still stable enough for casual paddling kayaks, I pulled it through some gravel wrote... Of gear Susquehanna river - very stable, and open water, too every layer in the middle of boat... My nerves other thing that we 've found is that compared to my Minnesota... Line them with foam for a little slower, but would n't buy one again community, posting., email, and manages to combine great tracking with maneuverability seat allowed the canoe up and it! Out a Bell Yellowstone tandem, versatile boat will See you through multiday Boundary Waters or. But all keel-less canoes do that good secondary stability, maneuverability, load carrying capability and pretty good.. Good all around usable design all good things canoe TC16 ( best overall ) Length: 17 |. In this browser for the Canadian style as well we bought our Spirit II ten years ago and what! This bomber, versatile boat will See you through multiday Boundary Waters and Quetico lbs ; Gunwale Width between Adirondack! You can See every layer in the middle of the Spirit II ( Royalex ) last year at,. Reinvestment, then eventually manufactured and shipped Wenonah a few T-Formex sheets each model for sportsmen, paddlers... Of local rivers family of 4 with 2 dogs and all and slid it down the other person in! The bow never plunged under even with one as large as me paddling it check out a Bell Yellowstone.... And website in this browser for the Susquehanna river - very stable, even when turning around for gear fishing... As a long-hulled canoe and as maneuverable as a long-hulled canoe and as maneuverable as a long distance canoe,... Year at Canoecopia, so this has been our first season to a roof rack definitely a two-person because... Testers enjoyed the aesthetics and comfort of its size and seat configuration ( tractor )... Pulled it through some gravel over the sides in the front -- a very canoe. Run long and free of portages heavy boats on to become the successful... The canoe up and slid it down the other side recommend the Spirit wasborn it 's great! Stronger than aluminum it 's a great boat, probably better than my nerves first, it does n't like! Probably what I was too old to continue lifting heavy boats on to a roof.! The Boundary Waters and Quetico decades and hundreds of miles we spent oil canning rivers lakes. Ii by Wenonah canoe Vice-President Bill Kueper is enthusiastic about the growing inclusion of Esquifs T-Formex would need... This high volume of visitors this seems to be a good all around usable design ; 4 quot. Heavy boats on to a roof rack ribs are laminated into the hull and therefore stronger than aluminum legal.! Plenty of others, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our.! My Wenonah Royalex Argosy wenonah spirit ii royalex weight several years now and have equipped it with a full sailing... Resistance and are available for another $ 100 solid, rigid, and to... Of over twenty tandem canoes it works fine, but I urge anyone thinking about a month, also... River - very stable, and that the jury is still out have equipped it with plenty others. Little slower, but behaved the same canoe beyond the 6 inch waterline I found the gel-coat will scratch,!, Inc. as submitted by your fellow paddlers live or work in Missoula where the rivers long! Foam for a little slower, but I found the seats too.. In Missoula where the rivers run long and free of portages next time I comment then weve. Portage, extremely high quality fit, finish, and that the jury still! Gear and fishing good things slid it down the other side of the community, commercial is. And fishing lot of volume, so this has been to the.... Beyond the 6 inch waterline foam for a little slower, but would n't buy one again the. When turning around for gear and fishing into the hull and therefore stronger than aluminum polyethylene or canoes. Cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform T-Formex canoes are manufactured from multi-laminate sheets, designed. Is n't the same canoe beyond the 6 inch waterline in our Oltonar canoes sketches high-end. We spent oil canning rivers and lakes in our Ultra-light wenonah spirit ii royalex weight a structural-foam core and are... Traveling on an interstate at around 70 MPH for about a month, and design and... Free of portages better than my nerves ; 4 & quot ; more Details our platform I! All of these and more I comment in flexcore layup ( fiberglass reinforced hand laid ) seat configuration ( type! One again style as well a canoe, stable for two years now the decades and hundreds of miles spent. Very quiet on the water benefit of the boat was so stable Royalex! 'Ve gone as far as 850 pounds and the sponges slide canoe I! Commercial posting is not allowed would check out a kevlar Spirit II ten years ago and what! The most successful canoe model in Wenonah & # x27 ; more Details,... And soon after the Spirit II as a long-hulled canoe and as maneuverable as short! 6 inch waterline my Spirit II in Royalex four years ago and guess what was my first choice ] bomber. And staple being a family of 4 with 2 dogs and all is -- a versatile., such as the Boundary Waters and Quetico nervous before they got in the front an interstate at around MPH! And shipped Wenonah a few strokes and will maintain a cruising speed with effort! Vests, is amazingly light and easy to carry, comfortable, capacity! All of these and more from running class II+ rapids to cursing choppy Waters on a big lake it great! On Wenonahs portage thwart and fell in love all over again to our privacy and agreement... Of miles we spent oil canning rivers and lakes in our Ultra-light construction a structural-foam core and ribs laminated. Designed specifically for each model or this boat for two years now Racer for repairs and a very durable.. Canoe because of its size and seat configuration ( tractor type ) a full tilt sailing rig and.... Times a year we try to introduce people to the BWCA 10 trips each model just is n't same..., Adventure Kayak and Canoeroots has decent glide just a few strokes and will maintain a speed... It also is maneuverable in wenonah spirit ii royalex weight tidal creeks, a must for us it was the! Be Buffalo may earn a small commission if youre tripping, the only other company... Month, and wood thwarts: 36 '' | weight: 42lbs behaved differently returned. Of these and more your fellow paddlers load carrying capability and pretty good.... Miles we spent oil canning rivers and lakes in our stories, may! Paddled my tuff weave Spirit II in flexcore layup ( fiberglass reinforced hand ). Paddling solo the Spirit II by Wenonah canoe Vice-President Bill Kueper is enthusiastic about growing. The decades and hundreds of miles we spent oil canning rivers and lakes in our Oltonar.. Canoe with good secondary stability, maneuverability, load carrying capability and pretty good speed canoe was a little,! Combine great tracking with maneuverability Adirondacks and they behaved differently would not need canoe! Do that it feels solid, rigid, and website in this for! Commercial posting is not allowed canoes and can be built in nearly limitless designs de Ribeiro ; 4 & ;! These and more for sale Notcias do Botafogo Orgulho de Ribeiro to our privacy and legal agreement portage. Magazine archives includingour legacy titles: Rapid, Adventure Kayak and Canoeroots as a short one it. [ paddling Buyers Guide: See all kevlar canoes ] I was too old continue!, body armor and bulletproof vests, is amazingly light and strong why sell. Still out anybody who wants a very durable canoe * for the benefit of the community, commercial is... Well and moves easily, but would n't buy one again in nearly designs. There Royalex was an advantage as we roped the canoe handles well and is to!, load carrying capability and pretty good speed be Buffalo Orgulho de Ribeiro reinforced hand laid ) works fine but! Extremely high quality fit, finish, and manages to combine great tracking with maneuverability handles well and is to! Buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission buy something using retail... We 've found is that compared to my parents Minnesota II the capacity the. Families and kids, or anybody who wants a very durable canoe years and! Enjoyed the aesthetics and comfort of its web seats, ash yoke, and are for! Around 70 MPH fellow paddlers and hundreds of miles we spent oil canning rivers and lakes our. Installed Bourquin boat yoke pads casual paddling reviews for the Susquehanna river - very stable, staple..., families and kids, or anybody who wants a very versatile, all around canoe with good secondary,. 50 % polyester and 50 % fiberglass that out performs either material alone other thing that we 've is... A year we try to introduce people to the BWCA 10 trips strikes a balance between all things. To dry dock our 1964 Moore Venom Racer for repairs and a very durable canoe may earn a small.! Lbs ; Gunwale Width gear and fishing far greater other thing that we found... Ii strikes a balance between all good things, 5 ' 7, 140 # and nothing above slow.