Hi folks, As indicated, I’m looking for a new tandem for just day trips. About 340 pounds paddler weight and a cooler with lunch/drinks, along with the occasional fishing gear. These two are on the radar - the Wenonah Escape, because we already have a MNII that my wife loves, but is a Tuffweave model and trying to go lighter and a little shorter, and the Polaris because it gets really good reviews as a day tripper.

Anyone have experience with either of these? I'd love to hear your impression.

Also should say this is for flatwater or lake use only, no moving water, no solo paddling and no overnight trips.

Thanks.

I paddle a Polaris most weekends on Minneapolis metro lakes with my wife and 60 lbs dog. As the dog is not the best behaved, she keeps my wife distracted from paddling for significant periods of each trip.

I like that the Polaris is sized such that even on breezy days, I can move and control the canoe with little to no assistance from the bow. Additionally, even with the dog trying to jump out to chase ducks, the boat feels sea-worthy and comfortable.

My Polaris is the Blacklight with E6 gunwales. I chose the blacklight for extra durability. If I were trying to keep weight down, I'd choose Starlight with the E6 gunwales. The stealth is lightest but probably not worth the cost for a day tripper.

Good Luck

Thanks Dave - how does the Polaris do in rough water? Do you take on any water? Sometimes one of the lakes we go to has a lot of wind and waves.

Thanks

The Escape paddles very much like the MNII- I've used one for day paddles and an extended Q trip. Quick, efficient and seaworthy. With two powerful paddlers the MNII is a bit faster, with less powerful paddlers the Escape might take less effort to reach its cruising speed. On the extended trip the other two paddlers were in a MNII and the speed differential was not that noticeable. If I wasn't carrying heavy paddlers or a dog I would choose the Escape over the MNI for virtually any trip.

kbobb: "Thanks Dave - how does the Polaris do in rough water? Do you take on any water? Sometimes one of the lakes we go to has a lot of wind and waves.

Thanks"

Prior to purchasing my own, I rented a Polaris from Rockwood Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail. Their's was a MUCH heavier layup than mine, but it handled some pretty rough water on our paddle out from the end of Clearwater Lake to entry point 62. Had we not been leaving the BWCA that day we would have stayed off the water that morning.

I haven't had the opportunity to paddle my own Polaris in comparably rough waves, but in neither the rental nor my own have ever had any issues with water coming over the gunwales. Even with a fair amount of chop, my Polaris feels really stable on the water. Despite that stability, it still feels nimble and quick. If My wife chooses to take photos from the bow seat or play with the dog rather than paddle, I still have no problem maneuvering or accelerating from the stern.

My experience with other tandems is extremely limited. I do have another Northstar, a Northwind Solo, so I clearly have a bias. There might be a better day tripping boat for you, but the Polaris in my eye, is perfect.

Thanks Banks and Dave, very helpful.
Our typical cruising speed in the Min2 is 3.5, 4 mph on a good day, so we're pretty much "Sunday drivers". We like the efficient boats not so much for speed but to get places with less effort.
Going to take a look at the Polaris next weekend. No Escape locally but I can't see it's that different from the Min2 for our intended use.
Thinking that either of these would be a fine choice, I guess my wife will have the final say!