It won't be too long and my son will be old enough to join us on trips so I'm looking into a larger canoe. It would also be used for trips with just two so I don't want anything too huge. I would also like something with a little more glide than the SR Q17 I have now so I have probably ruled out the Q18.5. Right now, I am thinking that the Bell Northwoods or the Wenonah Champlain might be good ones to consider. Anyone have any experience with either of these canoes that they would be willing to share? I will be test paddling any canoe prior to purchasing but would be interested in others opinions before deciding which models to seriously consider.

I have a champlain and love it! It is very stable and glides ok, but if efficiency is your main concern then consider the minnesota 2 by wenonah. The champlain is a lot more comfortable in my opinion for the person in the front because of the width. The champlain also holds a little more cargo than the mn 2 but not by much. Ive never paddled the bell so cant give an opinion on those.

I have a Bell Northwood in black gold. I have used the Minnesota II and III a great deal and I would put the Bell as a bit slower than the Minnesota II with more room in the front and more initial stability. I think you need to paddle both of them. That is what I did. I love the Bell. I have not heard much about them since they were sold so I don't know if the quality is still as good as it was.
I like the the Minnesota II as well it was just a personal choice. I like the Bell's look in the black gold but that is nothing but vanity.

Ditto nathan ollman, A stable barge but glide is only fair.(the Champlaign , that is. MinII is a bit faster imo.

Thanks for all the help so far. I actually owned a MN II for a number of years before the Q17 but I too found the bow seat to crowded and also didn't like the way it handled in a crosswind. Speed isn't the most important factor but I noticed a pretty big difference going from the MN II to the Q17. Somewhere in between with more room up front would be great.

GB - I agree on the blackgold especially with wood trim - my solo is in that lay-up and it is beautiful.

I can't speak for the Champlain. I have a Mn II and like it a lot, but if I was regularly going with three I might want the bigger boat, or maybe a Mn III. It's designed specifically for 3.

http://www.wenonah.com/products/template/product_detail.php?IID=41&SID=0d446917eeb20ac87f3f54af3f1cfb9b

Sorry you ruled out the SR Q 18.5 I love mine, and when compared to a SR Q17... the wife and I had no problem staying ahead of it with another fellow and his wife... I guess I am just prejudice, I just love the stability and everything about it. Only negative is it sits high without a load, but still very stable.

Bruce

We were going to rent an Itasca by Wenonah for three.(outfitter had a third seat added) From what little I've read about it, it may be an option/compromise. I'm just glad our group expanded to four as we were going to fish some. oth

I have the Quetico 18.5 and love it, but if I had to choose between the two you mentioned it would be the Bell Northwoods hands down. All of the options mentioned--Itasca, MN III, Champlain are fine too. I'd definitely test paddle though to see what you prefer.

I too have the SR Q18.5, I had the Quetico 17 before that and got the 18.5 for the same reason you are looking at a newer canoe - kids got old enough to go.

I have never paddled either the Northwoods or the Champlaign, but if it were me and I had ruled out the SR, I would probably lean towards the Bell. I wouldn't want a canoe smaller than 18.5ft for 3, especially if you want 3 people to paddle. If, I got the Champlaign, I would get it as a two person canoe. It would probably work better if the third person were a duffer or you didn't have a lot of gear.

You probably better go test them both out though.

OK, I originally ruled out the SR Q18.5 but it seems to have quite a following so I'll keep it in the mix too. For you guys that have the Q18.5, how does it do going into a strong wind and waves? I remember being really surprised by how wide and deep the Q18.5 was when I picked up my Q17. It looked like it would take alot of effort to keep it moving into decent size waves but based on some of the comments, it sounds like this may be a case where looks are deceiving.