So last Tuesday I got an Argosy demo from Wenonah Canoe, the Argosy being their new solo downriver canoe. Okay, so it’s not exactly new new, since it was made last year in composite construction, but this year it’s being produced in Royalex. So that part is new.
I have only had it out for about 20 minutes (it was very cold, under 20°F) but it was a really nice 20 minutes. It is lighter than I would have thought for the length (14’6″), is quick and has good secondary stability. The seat adjustment has been refined nicely and so far, it’s one of the nicest solo downrivers I’ve paddled in a long time. Frankly, it’s a pretty nice flatwater canoe for those wanting to do rivers with occasional rapids.
That said, I think the boat has a few aesthetic challenges. The stems are too straight and too pronounced, probably to make it easy to get out of the mold, but I have always felt that making aesthetic compromises for the sake of manufacturing ease is the kiss of death for a canoe. I know it’s a slippery slope, but it’s worth examining your footing once in a while.
I’ll post pictures when I get ’em.
I also purchased the we-no-nah argosy last year april of 2011 green solo.. I found it to be unstable.. maybe because I am the 240 pounds.. I use it for the first time on the sturgeon river in wolverine michigan.. it’s a difficult river at times with swift rapids, strong eddies, how many fallen trees from those pesky beavers, a couple of small drops, a second river converging together in wolverine and last but not least traveling at 5 to 7 mph.. I have been down that river many times using 2 different types of kayaks and at least 4 different types of canoes. But last trip down the sturgeon river I rolled the Argosy over 4 times now don’t get me wrong that wasn’t the time then I went for a swim down that river.. in 2010
I purchased the mad river canoe the explorer 14 and I converted over to a solo canoe buy simply move in the rear seat forward 1 foot never went for a swim in the Eplorer14 by mad river canoe yet so very stable canoeing I would recommend it to anybody… My 14 year old son loves it he weighs approximately 160 to 180 pounds but he has only been on flat water using the argosy.. I think my problem is that when I go buy canoes from now on that I wil only talk with people that know what there talking about and not some nit wit thats only trying to make a sale.. so keep this in mind when buying a canoe or kayak. your height and weight should be directly proportional to the length and width of a kayak or canoe . and that is what equals stability.
Tom, you’re right on…talking to people who know what they’re talking about is pretty critical. Just as important is actually trying the boat before you buy it. That’s one reason my shop is on the water.
I think there are better boats for people your size in that sort of water. I’m about 200 and it works fine for me except when it gets really pushy (Class II plus).
Never paddled the Sturgeon. When are you taking me? 🙂