BWCA Wenonah Spirit II Royalex Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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photoguy190
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10/17/2010 01:49PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I found a used one and I'm considering buying it. However I'm a little concerned that it will be to heavy for BWCA trips. Anything thoughts, I had wanted something under 60lbs. I was also considering an Old Town Penobscot 16. I found the Spirit used so that makes is quite a bit cheaper. Thanks for any help.
 
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10/17/2010 02:55PM  
That boat is 67 pounds, as I recall. It's a great boat, probably what I'd get if I could have only one tandem. However, it won't get lighter like your food pack.

Using the Knu-Pac carrier I found a 65-pound load about my limit no matter how many portages or how long. With portage pads 55 pounds gets hard on the shoulders after the 3rd longish portage of the day. If your tolerance is higher, go for it. Just plan to hand-carry your paddles and other stuff that would make it heavier still.
 
10/17/2010 05:08PM  
I have a Spirit II Tuf-weave (64 pounds) Its a bit heavy but I like the boat and Its not so heavy that I feel the need to replace it any time too soon. Although if I had an extra 2k lying around I might spend it on some Kevlar. The Spirit II is great boat especially when loaded but when empty that high front end can take off on ya with a good cross wind.
 
10/17/2010 10:08PM  
My limit is 60 pounds too - for whatever reason, lifting 58 vs 65 was noticeable to me. Probably all in my head, but I'm glad I have the 58 pound boat and skipped the heavier ones.
 
10/17/2010 10:20PM  
I guess it depends on your age and condition. I mostly used royalex tandems, especially when I was younger (less than 50). Most of mine were in that weight range. I felt that it was "paying my dues" ... dues for what I don't know. :)

Anyway, it's a good canoe. Only you can answer if it's too heavy.
 
bees
member (20)member
  
10/17/2010 10:33PM  
i'm still paying my dues bannock – for not being able to afford kevlar. i love my spirit 2. it prob weighs about 70+ pounds with all the gear i bungee to it while portaging. the weight is manageable – i'm not that big a dude, 5'7, 140#. if you do go through with the purchase, i'd suggest getting some extra thick portage pads – a must for the longer portages. currently, i have the regular cvca clamp on yoke pads but i'm gonna buy the extra thick pads, if they still make them.
 
photoguy190
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10/17/2010 10:52PM  
The last time I was in the BWCA we had 100 year old wood canvas boats so I have done heavy boats but it was miserable. I may just keep looking. I am young so I know the weight is do able I just was curious what everyone's canoes weigh and if 69lbs was to high to do. I don't want to be wanting a lighter canoe after one trip.
 
10/18/2010 07:43AM  

I too have a tuff-weave Spirit II and it is heavy, but pretty average for FG for its length and size. It is a gerat boat, I have paddled the RX version and want one for rocky rivers. I just do not plan routes with portages over about 150 rods and I can handle the boat fine. I am leaning towards Kevlar as I age (and have more $$$)... but that is a great multi-purpose boat and can work fine in the BW if you planb your routes with care.


hummm?
 
amhacker22@hotmail.com
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10/18/2010 08:32AM  
You mentioned not wanting to upgrade to a lighter boat after just one trip, and that's a great point. I picked up a Northwoods in Whitegold for a song early this season. It was a great boat, but at over 70lbs was a little heavier than I like. It wasn't a big deal on the trip I took it on because there were 4 of us and I could just carry the canoe and a lighter pack for each portage, but if it was just my wife and me it would have gotten kind of tough. I sold it after that trip and picked up a used kevlar version of the same model. I was able to get back what I had into the original Northwoods, so I wasn't bothered by doing this, but if I would have sold it at a loss it would have bugged me a bit.

If you think you can sell the boat for close to what you're paying for it after a trip or two I'd go ahead and get it. Its a great way to try out a model without paying a lot to rent it. If you think you may have a tough time selling it for any reason and are concerned about the weight I'd hold off. Craigslist will eventually have what you want because Craigslist is awesome.
 
jb in the wild
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10/18/2010 10:43AM  
quote BWPaddler: "My limit is 60 pounds too - for whatever reason, lifting 58 vs 65 was noticeable to me. Probably all in my head, but I'm glad I have the 58 pound boat and skipped the heavier ones."


BW better go to the Souris River Site and check the weights again. I think you'll be even more pleased with the weight.

JB
 
10/18/2010 11:26AM  
jb, was talking about a Royalex Wenonah Heron I picked up this summer as second tripping boat - now that the SR is a tiny bit crowded with five :-) Hard to believe that short boat is a bit heavier than the SR "Nimitz", but it is...
 
rookie in 03
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10/20/2010 05:54AM  
Check out Sawbills web site. Their Spirit IIs weigh in at 57#s. This is accurate. I bought one last year and it is about the same as my Sundowner tuf-weave. They left out one thwart and aluminum gunnwales. Makes it nice to solo.
 
10/20/2010 08:15AM  

You solo a Sp2? Wow, thats a wide boat to use for a solo...


hummm?
 
rookie in 03
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10/20/2010 08:49PM  
Just locally, not in the BWCA. The weight with this setup is nice.
 
mr.barley
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10/21/2010 04:58PM  
quote bees: "i'm still paying my dues bannock – for not being able to afford kevlar. i love my spirit 2. it prob weighs about 70+ pounds with all the gear i bungee to it while portaging. the weight is manageable – i'm not that big a dude, 5'7, 140#. if you do go through with the purchase, i'd suggest getting some extra thick portage pads – a must for the longer portages. currently, i have the regular cvca clamp on yoke pads but i'm gonna buy the extra thick pads, if they still make them. "
Try these out. They're the bees knees. awesome pads
 
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