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Kiporby

08/24/2008 08:08PM

Looking for feedback from any owners of this canoe. On a previous post I expressed my interest in purchasing a Wenonah Spirit II. However, under the kind advice of my cyber buddies like Mr. Barley and Trygve I am now leaning towards the Kevlar Northwind. I'm pretty much convinced, but I would appreciate hearing the good and bad about the Northwind.

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey

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outdoors4me

08/24/2008 08:45PM

We rented one for a trip this past spring and I personally did not have good luck with it. For reference, I own a SR Q17 and often trip with a budy in a MNII that likes to travel fast so I am considering switching to something faster. We rented for this trip to test a couple of canoes so there was also a Wenonah Itasca along and I liked both the Itasca and the SR Q17 better than the Northwind.

Fishing while empty in a light chop, the Northwind had noticably less initial stability than the other two canoes. We had some rough water on Snowbank and while it handled pretty well going into the waves, it weathercocked really bad with quartering waves from behind. I know that has a lot to do with how the boat is trimmed but some canoes seem like they have to be loaded almost perfectly to handle decent in that situation while others seem to be much more forgiving. The Northwind was faster than the Q17, but slower than the Itasca.

The Northwind seems like a nice canoe, and my guess is that with more time in it, you could get the trim figured out and could eliminate the problems I had but my advice would be to rent one for a trip to get a good feel for it and make sure it is what you want.

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Cedarboy

08/24/2008 09:12PM

Great boat! If you can afford it get it!
CB

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08/25/2008 02:07AM

We rented a Northwind and a SR Quetico 17 in June. I paddled stern in the Northwind and my dad and sister took the "stable" Q17. They capsized. We didn't (has way more to do with our paddling experience than hull design). I loved the Northwind-unfortunately we were wind bound much of the trip so I didn't get as much paddling time as I would have liked. It was my first time in a kevlar boat and compared to my tin can-yeah its not as stable initially but I felt very comfy and safe in it. Coming from a 17' UL Alumacraft I was expecting similar space but was surprised to see the space behind the stern seat and a little less space behind the yoke (length and width). Definitely more streamlined and fast! Portaged like a feather! If I found a good deal on one I would snap it up even at risk of it becoming my residence when my girlfriend kicks me out of the house:)

tg

that's how I ro'

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08/25/2008 07:10AM

I own a MN II. I got to test paddle a Northwind and Northwoods. Both very nice boats. If I ever run across a really good deal I would get a Northwoods. I prefer the 18 1/2' to 17 1/2'.

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aebrooks

08/25/2008 07:48AM

I'll be buying a northwind this thursday... used from an outfitter. $1500 for a 06 or 1800 for a 08.

decisions decisions...

Knowledge is realizing that the street is one-way, wisdom is looking both directions anyway.

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kanoes

08/25/2008 08:37AM

thats funny brooks. those are the exact prices kip was quoted for those canoes.

let the race begin!

:)

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg...youtube it))

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Kiporby

08/25/2008 08:49AM

Haha Brooks, you must be heading to Seagull. I'm getting there on Thursday as well. What time are you getting there? :) Just wanna make sure I get there first. :)

We are staying at one of Deb's cabins for the weekend. What do you have planned? canoe trip?

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey

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aebrooks

08/25/2008 09:29AM

lol.. that's too funny. Yeah i guess she's set aside two 06's for me to look at.

I'm going up to Rose until Tuesday our permit is for Friday. I told Deb that I'd be up in the late afternoon on Thursday. What time are you thinking you'll be up?

Sounds like she has more than enough canoes to go around ;) Are you thinking an 06 or 08?

Knowledge is realizing that the street is one-way, wisdom is looking both directions anyway.

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Kiporby

08/25/2008 09:46AM

I will be up there in the afternoon as well. It will be nice to meet you. I'll probably go for one of the 2006's unless the 2008 is in $300 better condition.

How many trips have you done with Seagull? Great place, eh?

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey

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Soledad

08/25/2008 09:47AM

Although I doubt it matters all that much but a Northwind built in 06 vs 07,08 was likely made at the old Zimmerman shop.

I have an 06 black gold and it is a pleasure to paddle and carry.

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aebrooks

08/25/2008 09:52AM

Sounds good. See you there!!

Knowledge is realizing that the street is one-way, wisdom is looking both directions anyway.

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JolietJake

08/25/2008 10:46AM

I picked up a use Nortwind last year and got a chance to take on a bwca trip this spring. Very happy with how it performed in the wind loaded or unloaded.

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Snipit

08/25/2008 08:25PM

mine handled like a champ even in 3' rollers on winchell lake just this past week, and again into strong rollers on poplar last sat. stability has never been an issue, and it is really fast, even with the 13 year old up front.

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moose plums

08/26/2008 09:39AM

Kiborby, buy the Northwind, you'll be happy

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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Kiporby

08/26/2008 09:56AM

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I think am have been swayed towards the Northwind over the Spirit II for sure. We'll see what happens on Thursday when I see her in person. The canoe rack is installed on the car and ready to bring one home.

The only issue left is to determine if the Bell is $500 better than the Spirit II. The Spirit's are listed at $975, but I don't know how old they are or the condition. The Bell is a 2006 and $1500 and has never been patched. I was told last night that Bell's are better built than Wenonah's. I'm sure the reason for the price difference will be evident once I'm there. It may just be a supply/demand deal to.

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey

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Winemaker

08/27/2008 07:13AM

Humm...

I have liked Bell in the past, there are alot of rumors here and on other boards that the change in ownership has somewhat compromised quality in favor of enconomy.

-The good news is your loking at an '06, so thats not an issue;
-Bell has become a COOLER brand then Wenonah, some will admit;
-The Spirit 2 is not a strictly Northwoods boat, is an all-around boat with less capacity and weighs more;
-The Spirit 2 is a more stable canoe, IMHO;
-The Northwind seems to be a bit faster;
-the Bell is significantly more expensive new ($2600 -> $2200)

I think you will do well with either boat, but I'd buy the Northwind as a strictly BWCA boat and the SP2 as a regular paddling boat, for sometimes use in the BW.

Yes, I own a Spirit 2...

"Opening a bottle of wine in a canoe is a desirable, but irrational act."

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lansford2002

08/31/2008 10:28PM

I purchased a Northwoods in May and have done three trips. On one of the trips we had 3 days of 20+ mph winds with 3 guys and 100lbs of gear. Somehow, all of the trip we were heading into the wind. On this trip it was a champ. However, tail winds are kryptonite to this boat. On one trip we had tailwinds hitting the boat at about 25 degrees and we were blown all over the place. We are experienced paddlers. What probably causes this problem is the 2.5 inch rocker in the rear. The front has a 1.5 inch rocker and is probably the reason headwinds are not an issue. I have a friend who has a Northwind and he has noticed the same thing. Overall, the Northwoods is a great tripping canoe that is 3 person capable but beware if there are tailwinds.

To live a life without purpose is to not live at all.

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Kiporby

09/02/2008 09:00AM

Look what I found! Isn't she a beauty? She paddles like a dream. And now she's all mine!

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey

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kanoes

09/02/2008 09:01AM

well kip?

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg...youtube it))

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Kiporby

09/02/2008 09:05AM

Simultaneous posting Kanoes! Haha.

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey

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mr.barley

09/02/2008 09:25AM

Looks good, Kip. Don't let it sit in the rafters. There is still alot of paddling time before hard water days.

Because I'm wearing one and I just did....

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kanoes

09/02/2008 11:02AM

nice kip!

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg...youtube it))

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cowdoc

09/02/2008 11:34AM

Almost as many scratches as the car.

"What could happen?"

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mr.barley

09/02/2008 11:35AM

I'll bet you grinned all the way home.

Because I'm wearing one and I just did....

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Kiporby

09/02/2008 12:42PM

I did smile the whole way home and ya know what Doc? I'll spend more time fixing the scratches on the canoe than I will on the car.

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey

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moose plums

09/02/2008 03:22PM

nice Kip. Looks like mine

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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aebrooks

09/02/2008 04:09PM

I got an '08. Its a beautiful boat and was in really good shape with very few scratches. So I'm happy with it. And it preformed like a dream this week!!

Knowledge is realizing that the street is one-way, wisdom is looking both directions anyway.

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Kiporby

09/02/2008 06:07PM

Nice boat Brooks! I must have missed seeing you around. We got there around 3pm on Thursday. Interesting how the '08's were made of a greener shade kevlar than the brown '06's.

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey

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09/03/2008 04:07PM

<- is jealous

congrats guys! i really want a northwind-even named my fantasy football team northwind!

tg

that's how I ro'

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