So I just started going to BWCA last year but have 4 trips planned for this coming season so was thinking about buying my own canoe. Most of the trips will be with my wife but few we will also bring 2 of our 5 kids(on kids trips will have more people to make sure it's 1 kid per canoe.

On our trips we do a lot of fishing. now I have only used a Aluminum Marathon/Grumman 18'. I found a guy near my house that sells used canoes and was wondering if anyone reading has used one and what they think and any advice they might have on what I should look for and what I might need as a 1st timer.

1- 17' Spirit II(royalex) $420

2- 20' Minnesota 3(kevlar) $1000

In my fleet I have a Spirit2 royalex. In my opinion you couldn't go wrong at the price. (My brother has one also.) If you don't go on small rivers and need the room, that mn3 is also a fine boat. BUT before you buy make sure to paddle the canoe and get a feel for it and if it's right for you. Most canoes are more stable with a load than empty. See if you can paddle with and without a load. Don't judge the canoe on just a short test paddle, when I got my Magic I didn't like the stability. Now I don't even think about it. Hope my rambling helps some. Check the condition of the canoes. If in good shape both are worth the money. Just reread your post and wanted to add-We have paddled the spirit2 with myself (220#S) and 2 15 yr olds w/2 packs with no problem.

The royalex canoe is 17 feet long,and will weigh 69 pounds.The minnesota 3 will weigh about 20 pounds less,and is 20 feet long.It is like comparing apples to oranges.Total different canoes with different purposes.Fishing with kids the Royalex model would be more stable,but the longer canoe would haul more gear,and be faster on the water.At my age I prefer the weight of the kevlar canoes.I would not want to carry a 69 pound canoe anymore If i did not have to.

Forgot to mention, I bought mine from Sawbill Outfitters. They special order them. Mine comes in at 56#.

All the listings I have seen lists the Tuff flex at 58 pounds,and the royalex at 69 pounds.

How is kevlar vs Royalex vs Alum. for durability?
Would they 20' be less stable with 2 people fishing out of it?
The wife wants me to go as cheap as I can find since money is tight and renting an alum. is only $24/day.
Is there a place around Ely to buy used? Because when I started looking was only looking for alum, but to my surprise havent seen that many for sale(mostly fiberglass)

quote PikeLover: "How is kevlar vs Royalex vs Alum. for durability?
Would they 20' be less stable with 2 people fishing out of it?
The wife wants me to go as cheap as I can find since money is tight and renting an alum. is only $24/day.
Is there a place around Ely to buy used? Because when I started looking was only looking for alum, but to my surprise havent seen that many for sale(mostly fiberglass)"

Royalex is a bit more durable and easier to repair, but a lot heavier. Aluminum is obviously the most durable and the heaviest. The MNIII is stable and only the weight difference from 2 to 3 people would make it more or less stable. It's also VERY fast but not very maneuverable. The spiritII is not very fast, but about as stable as you can get and more maneuverable (great fishing canoe).

thanks for all the help heard what I needed to lote easier to spend $420 over a $1000

from what you've said, it doesn't sound like you would regret the spirit ii. i have a very similar royalex canoe (old town penobscot) and i've rented the spirit ii before. although it isn't as light as kevlar, i've never thought of it as "heavy." and it is pretty bulletproof. i think you'll enjoy it!

K the guy got backed to me and said he also has a 18’ Royalex Champlain just wondering if any one had used both Spirit II and the Champlain I dont think the Champlain is what im looking for but thought I would see what people with more knowledge on the subject would say.

Although I rarely follow my own advice, I suggest that you wait to buy. If you take 4 trips this year, then you will either get tired of it and move on to something else or make many more trips in the future so that you want to make a wise choice. You should rent a couple different kevlar canoes, e.g. A Wenonah and a Souris River and see what you like.

If you are always changing it up, a solo, a two-person, 4 people with two kids, you might just rent what you need. Or buy one canoe and rent another if need be.

Royalex canoes are the best when you are banging around rivers and rarely portage. As far as I can tell, the principle ingredient in Royalex is iron. It is like portaging a 17 foot cast iron skillet. At least that's how it feels relative to kevlar. I would not consider a Royalex canoe for BWCA unless you want to do non-portaging trips on the large entry lakes. Otherwise you will spend much more than a kevlar canoe on your orthopedics bill.

I ended up buying a Souris River kevlar canoe and am pleased with it.

I agree with renting to try canoes out before buying a new one. You can buy a used aluminum, or kevlar and use them for a few years. Then resell and get most or all of your money back. I just haven't sold any that I bought. They hold there basic value pretty well, as long as you take care of them. There are a number of places to watch. Craigslist, outfitters, Spring creek (no affiliation). I would stay under 19ft. Pleasure craft less than 17 is 12.00 for 3yrs. Pleasure craft 17-19 is 18.00. Over 19ft is 30.00. It will also be harder to hang in the garage. You have to be the judge on how much weight you can carry.

My two cents

Jrlatt

I don't see how you could go wrong with the Spirit II at that price. If it is in good condition, I think you could get your money back at anytime. Buy it and use it for one trip and see if you like it. It is lighter than the aluminum you have been renting. Consider the $24.00 per day to rent the aluminum for a week ($168) and take that away from your purchase price. In the end you have given the Spirit II a good test and if you don't like it sell it for what you paid. You are now $168 ahead.