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Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? #7792553
02/06/23 02:05 PM
02/06/23 02:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,661
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline OP

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline OP

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,661
Minnesota
I've been to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area 5 times

Two tomes as a kid so no Canoe carrying

But the past 3 years I've gone age 55,56 and 57

My Daughter and Son in law carried my 17' Coleman ram x for me the first year

And she said she wanted to sink it. Second year I used their Xtra Canoe
A 55# green Winona

I'm looking at possibly selling my Smith & Wesson 6" barreled .44 Mag 629 V comp. Performance center model

And my current Canoe the Winona Canoe and investing in a New Canoe

Is Winona the toughest? Lightest? Or are there other brands out there that rival them?


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792558
02/06/23 02:14 PM
02/06/23 02:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia


[Linked Image]
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792559
02/06/23 02:16 PM
02/06/23 02:16 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
C
Calvin Offline
trapper
Calvin  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
Just make sure it has a keel. On some of those larger lake crossings up there, and in a crosswind, you will be amazed at how fast a canoe will go sideways and not foreward....until you smash into the rocks. Been there, done that.

I had the old Ram X 17 footer as well. I think everyone that's had one, sold them, too. Go down to 15 foot and they become a lot more manageable. I still prefer a wider/heavier (but shorter) canoe for most things. Ever tip a light canoe? I did in Alaska. Lucky to still be around after a 20 minute swim. Always a trade off for going lighter/narrower (like everything in life I guess). Wear your life jacket and tie your stuff in the canoe when going sleek.

Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792560
02/06/23 02:18 PM
02/06/23 02:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
There are several other videos of them being dropped off cars, drug through gravel and thrown into the river. The most impressive is one of a full wrap in current then popping back into shape on the bank.

Now it might all be BS and internet photos photoshop but I'd give it a look. At least they look to have good hull designs.


[Linked Image]
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792565
02/06/23 02:35 PM
02/06/23 02:35 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,382
Green County Wisconsin
G
GREENCOUNTYPETE Online content
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Online Content
trapper
G

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,382
Green County Wisconsin
the ideal thing to do would be to go paddle as many as you can

bring you , your paddle and your vest and some bags filled with weight approximating your load out

I have paddled some nice Winona but even different models differ

I have a Penobscot 17 old town I bought in 2000 I like it , it is neither the lightest nor strongest but I got it for a good price and in the water it glides very nice so it was my compromise , I got an employee discount through a family member.
it is also a real balance on weight capacity to flat water , but handles waves and moving water also

when I did BWCA or a long trip in similar waters in US or Canada it was in a aluminum rental and I would have liked to sink a few of those.

those experiences led me to my 17 Penobscot


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792574
02/06/23 02:51 PM
02/06/23 02:51 PM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,056
Western Wisconsin
T
TraderVic Offline
trapper
TraderVic  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,056
Western Wisconsin
North Star, We-no-nah, etc for BWCA type trips

Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792577
02/06/23 02:55 PM
02/06/23 02:55 PM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,009
ohio
T
tomahawker Offline
trapper
tomahawker  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,009
ohio
Lightest canoe I’ve ever handled is a Radisson Sportspal. I own it and have used it extensively. I also own a Wenona but save it for bigger water, it’s in nicer shape. So when it comes to push pull and drag canoe trips, I take the Sportspal. I also can load/carry it by myself. I’m considering getting a new one as well as the sail kit. Paddle on Wayne.

Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792586
02/06/23 03:13 PM
02/06/23 03:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,152
Northern Minnesota
BernieB. Offline
trapper
BernieB.  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,152
Northern Minnesota
Those Nova Craft canoes are amazing but man are they proud of them. Pretty much for someone with an unlimited budget. They are well known as the cadillac of river/whitewater canoes, but they do not make a model with a keel that I know of. Crossing lakes in the BWCA with much of a wind at all and you are really going to be sorry if you buy a canoe without a keel.

Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792589
02/06/23 03:17 PM
02/06/23 03:17 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 14,804
Greene County,Virginia
R
run Offline
trapper
run  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 14,804
Greene County,Virginia
I'm not a fan of expensive canoes because they tend to get stolen if you live in a rough neighborhood like me. Just my worthless 2 cents.


wanna be goat farmer.
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792593
02/06/23 03:20 PM
02/06/23 03:20 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,874
Adirondacks, NY
Fisher Man Offline
trapper
Fisher Man  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,874
Adirondacks, NY
Look at Hornbeck Canoes, Olmsteadville,N.Y.

Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792604
02/06/23 03:39 PM
02/06/23 03:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,253
Port Republic South Jersey
N
Newt Offline
trapper
Newt  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,253
Port Republic South Jersey
OLD TOWN Stillwater


South Jersey Trapping and Snaring School
January 19-20-21 2024
NEWT -----------------OVER----------------









www.snareone.com
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: BernieB.] #7792613
02/06/23 04:02 PM
02/06/23 04:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
warrior Offline
trapper
warrior  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25,425
Georgia
Originally Posted by BernieB.
Those Nova Craft canoes are amazing but man are they proud of them. Pretty much for someone with an unlimited budget. They are well known as the cadillac of river/whitewater canoes, but they do not make a model with a keel that I know of. Crossing lakes in the BWCA with much of a wind at all and you are really going to be sorry if you buy a canoe without a keel.


They ain't cheap. That's why I'm still risking hernias with my Old Town Tripper. But a guy can dream, can't he. LOL

I like my tripper just don't like moving it on land.


[Linked Image]
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792632
02/06/23 04:29 PM
02/06/23 04:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,124
NC - Here there and everywhere
C
coondagger2 Offline
"Brat"
coondagger2  Offline
"Brat"
C

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,124
NC - Here there and everywhere
I have been drooling over those nova crafts for awhile now. They sell them at a small hardware store not far from me. One day....


Gotta live up to the nickname...
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792639
02/06/23 04:38 PM
02/06/23 04:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,537
Sandhills Nebraska
G
Gary Benson Offline
trapper
Gary Benson  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,537
Sandhills Nebraska
Raddison.

Last edited by Gary Benson; 02/06/23 04:41 PM.

Life ain't supposed to be easy.
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792656
02/06/23 05:18 PM
02/06/23 05:18 PM
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,648
Wisconsin
Scott__aR Offline
trapper
Scott__aR  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,648
Wisconsin
As with other products, canoes have three virtues you can have two of the three:
*. Price
*. Lightweight
*. Strength

We-no-nah and Old Town make canoes worth consideration. Best to float test any canoe you may be considering.
Best of luck to you; all the info above is right on!


Megapredator ... top of the food chain!
Member of WTA
Member of MTPCA
Member of NTA
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792663
02/06/23 05:29 PM
02/06/23 05:29 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
C
charles Offline
trapper
charles  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
I have the absolutely heaviest canoe ever made. Think it is an old Coleman. Gave it away when I moved.

Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792671
02/06/23 05:51 PM
02/06/23 05:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,511
Kanabec Cty, MN
D
Drakej Offline
trapper
Drakej  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,511
Kanabec Cty, MN
Fully concur with _aR. The higher you go up the tougher-lighter scale the higher the price unless you get lucky. We lucked on a Winona super lightweight fiber from a guy who scared himself silly running white water wanting to be an olympic canoeist. $400 for a $2300 canoe and he just walked away(big long scrape on one side but only cosmetic). Greater canoe for portaging but it is not the workhorse my 70's alumacraft is. Have to treat if much like a birch bark one would need to be.


I've learned enough thru the years to now know that I don't know enough. KNOWLEDGE IS FREEDOM.
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792672
02/06/23 05:52 PM
02/06/23 05:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,975
MD
D
DaveP Online content
trapper
DaveP  Online Content
trapper
D

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,975
MD
I bought a 17 ft Coleman RamX in the mid 1980s.
It was never light, but it seems to have gained a few pounds every year.
Heck, it's so heavy now, it's a struggle to load by myself!

Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792677
02/06/23 06:03 PM
02/06/23 06:03 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,382
Green County Wisconsin
G
GREENCOUNTYPETE Online content
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Online Content
trapper
G

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,382
Green County Wisconsin
it depends what your terrain looks like a decent canoe dolly would be very handy on a lot of portages

around half the ones I recall from BWCA that we took a set of mountain bike tires on a cart would have worked fine to pull most of the portage

this guy made one I wouldn't bother folding it up just flip it over and toss a bungy on it over the packs in the middle a little bigger wheel would be nice

skip to the end to see what it looks like and how it works




it wouldn't take but a couple 2x4 bunks to strap the canoe to and a couple cross wise with a 3/4 inch axel to put these wheels on https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660579_200660579


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Who makes the Toughest but light canoes? [Re: 330-Trapper] #7792728
02/06/23 07:53 PM
02/06/23 07:53 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
C
Calvin Offline
trapper
Calvin  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
Put oar locks on the heavier canoes....especially if solo. You can row a loaded down canoe in the BWCA (Or anywhere) a LOT easier, faster and longer than you can with paddles. After using oars exclusively now by myself I don't understand why people even use a paddle unless floating a river or messing around in a farm pond. It's night and day.

I built a set of portage wheels out of wood decades ago. I still use them in the BWCA. Many of the store bought ones are pretty crappy. I like the one pictured above, however. That said, many portages up there are too rocky/hilly to use wheels.

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