We will be paddling the Buffalo River in Arkansas this summer and do not know which canoe to use there. The choices are Wenonah Adirondack 16' or a Sawyer Cruiser 18'. Any thoughts?

I actually would have no idea either way but does "we" include you and a paddling partner, or you and the mouse in your pocket? Are you paddling for the day or taking a canoe camping trip?

We means 2 people, and only one night of camping.

depends on the section of the river and water levels. below ponca will pound your boat to bits if the water is low.

Take the boat which is made with Royalex and has the most rocker. Both these canoes are flat water canoes and may not turn well. You may be better off renting a canoe designed for that river.

Actually, having owned a couple of Wenonah Adirondacks, they turn well enough to handle the Buffalo and most Ozark streams. I probably wouldn't paddle it above Kyles Landing, though, as the Ponca to Kyles has a lot of large waves when the water is high enough to paddle there and too much dragging for a loaded boat when the water is down. It's a beautiful place! TW

I knew I'd find an old pic of one of our Adirondacks on the Buffalo if I looked hard enough! This was a day trip, though. TW

If I had to choose between the two, it would be the Adirondack, as long as its Royalex. The shorter boat will maneuver much better.

I took this picture a few weeks ago at Lost Valley on the Buffalo River. I don't know what kind of canoes they were. Looked like they may be packed a little top heavy. They were pretty excited about the trip. I wished I could have gone with them. They had never heard of the BWCA. Arkansas was great and I am going to go back next March.

I've never been on the Buffalo but the pics look rocky. My advice would be to use your paddling partner's canoe. (This is an application of the Patrick F. McManus theory of "best" hunting/fishing vehicle. The best is ALWAYS whatever make/model the other guy has.)

There were normal canoes at Hasty.

Sorry to temporarily hijack the thread, but I have a quick question for those of you who have been on the Buffalo River. I'm going there in three weeks with my girlfriend, and I'm trying to decide whether to go from Mt. Hersey to Grinder's Ferry or from Grinder's Ferry to Dillard's Ferry. We're spending three nights out there, and our priorities are scenery first and foremost and not having to drag the canoe. Assuming the water conditions are sufficient to take either route, what would you suggest? I want to take the trip nice and easy so that she'll have a good first experience on a canoeing trip in hopes that she'll agree to a boundary waters trip in the future. Thanks in advance for the advice!

quote Zulu: "I took this picture a few weeks ago at Lost Valley on the Buffalo River. I don't know what kind of canoes they were. Looked like they may be packed a little top heavy. They were pretty excited about the trip. I wished I could have gone with them. They had never heard of the BWCA. Arkansas was great and I am going to go back next March. "

Ahhhhh, nice picture of Steel Creek access. Did you get some honey from the little store at Lost Valley? Good stuff! TW

quote Zulu: "I took this picture a few weeks ago at Lost Valley on the Buffalo River. I don't know what kind of canoes they were. Looked like they may be packed a little top heavy. They were pretty excited about the trip. I wished I could have gone with them. They had never heard of the BWCA. Arkansas was great and I am going to go back next March. "

A few of those canoes don't look like they have room for people!