New Trip Report posted by Bannock

Trip Name: Little Indian Sioux River north.

Entry Point: 14

Click Here to View Trip Report wc-20060801-0584

Great trip report Bannock, I liked the little gear review at the end. This is very timely as My wife and ar thinking about EP14 in late Sept. By the way how do you like your Wenonah Prospcetor(in more detail) I have looked at Royalex Prospectors and the possibles are Wenonah, Bell and Novacraft. Did you lokk at the others, how did you choose Wenonah? Would appreciate your thoughts.

cedarboy

I like my wenonah Prospector a lot! I have to say though I am a fan of 16 foot canoes. I guess I have owned a 17' aluminum and a OT Discovery 174, but aside from those my canoes have all been 16' or less.

I like the Prospector because it is so responsive. It is not a go-straight-and-fast boat. It rides on top of the water rather than cutting through it. However, it has nice glide. To me it's a joy to paddle. My wife who doesn't like canoes because "they are too tippy" likes this one because it is so stable. This canoe can carry a lot, too. You can fill it with gear and not overload it.

I choose wenonah for one simple reason - money. I live about 20 miles from wenonah's factory and was fortunate to get in on a factory sale. I went not intending to buy anything, but they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Still, after paddling this boat I am very happy with my choice. It could be that the other manufacturers' Prospectors are equally good.

I also own a Nova Craft Bob Special which is somewhat similar to a Prospector. I enjoy that canoe as well. My guess is that since Nova Craft is a Canadian company, and the Prospector is a Canadian design, that their Prospector is probably very good, too.

Unfortunately, I have never paddled a Bell Prospector. I know that they build high quality canoes and many folks love them. They have a background of wilderness tripping.

You have a nice dilemma. I can recommend the wenonah Prospector without hesitation but with the caveat that I haven't paddled the other two company's Prospectors.

Bannock,

Your description of this trip gave me a very comfortable feeling, you picked your campsites well, didn't sweat the weather, fishing wasn't disappointing to you. Sure seemed like you enjoyed yourself.

TR

Bannock, Thanks for the input. I spend ALOT of time in Pepin WI(inlaws), on Lake Pepin and the backwaters of the Chip river(hunting ,fishing,maple syrup making etc..), thought something like the Prospector would be a good fit. When are the factory sales at Wenonah, Spring,fall etc.. do they sell 2nds etc? We live in the TwinCities and try to get down that way at least every 2 weeks, nice area.

cedarboy

Thought you might enjoy this picture of the beginning of the Devil's Cascade portage trail we took last summer!