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Kawishiwi Lodge
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 Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Boat vs Boat Reply
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| Previous Messages: | |
| Author | Message Text |
| yellowcanoe |
12/14/2011 11:09AM Nobody has addressed the size or reach of the wife. In order for her to be an effective paddler she needs to be able to reach over the side. First things first. Sounds like lessons are in order. You would be amazed at the return on investment in a three hour lesson so you can work together as a team. Lessons would be a real confidence booster for her. Then its far easier to find "the right boat". You might be surprised; some women are not good bow paddlers as they do not trust what is going on in back of them. Put them in the stern and they get the j stroke real fast. Contrary to popular belief, women do not have eyes in the back of their head. |
| Banksiana |
12/14/2011 09:56AM I prefer the escape for ease of paddling and "responsiveness" (it really moves), it has one of the best seating positions for effective paddling (unless the paddlers, esp the bow paddler, are large) short of a dedicated race boat. The Northwind is much more forgiving of errors and easier to change direction, it will feel much more stable, though slower than the escape it still moves good. Northwind = Volvo, Escape = BMW |
| PineKnot |
12/14/2011 09:29AM I've paddled both. Both are easy enough to paddle, but I prefer the Northwind...seems to have better responsiveness and stability in rougher water... |
| billconner |
12/14/2011 09:00AM Other than it was August, in same situation, Q17 worked great. Frankly, if you are renting and are not portaging much, an Alumacraft or similar can't be beat for ease, stability, ruggedness, simplicity and cost. I'd still rent these if it weren't for 30 pounds more. |
| jwartman59 |
12/14/2011 12:22AM i have a lot of experience with both of these boats. the escape really demands that both paddlers are very experienced, and even then there will be times that you will question the abilities of this canoe. that said, i have paddled this canoe in the most marginal of situations and have cursed it, many times actually, but it had never let me down. so it is a scary, yet very competent canoe. in smooth waters it is unbeatable. the bell is more towards my style. it is much more responsive, and has that more natural feel. without question, for your needs, i would pick the bell canoe. |
| andym |
12/13/2011 09:56PM I'll second the Q17 or similar boats. I just don't know the other boats well enough to comment. The key is that it feels stable loaded for days you are moving and unloaded for day trips. |
| mc2mens |
12/13/2011 09:25PM Wenonah Boundary Waters or Souris River Q17. |
| maxxbhp |
12/13/2011 09:01PM Long story short, your wife is bowpaddler, very little experience, moderate load, no big water, early summer. Wenonah Escape or Bell Northwind |
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