Took a real good look at Wenonah Canak at Copia. My friend was really impressed with it.

Anyone use one? The storage space was amazing as well.

Ben brought one out to Spring W/N last year it got good reviews.

JB

When I visited the outfitter that I bought my canoe from this year they had one for sale. The outfitter said they are a good boat but they have a specific purpose and they were selling theirs since it was of little use to them since most did not want to use it.

went on a trip last year through EP16 and ran into the owner of Piragis Outfitters. He was using a Canak and said that he loved the kayak feel of it but the storage of a solo canoe. Portaged just like a solo canoe and was as light weight as one also.

I would love to own one but they are still a little pricey and haven't found any used ones yet as they are still fairly new.

I looked at it but seems to add back the 10 pounds or so that I'd like to save by not soloing in my tandem.

At 42 lbs it's about 8 lbs heavier than the Prism it was cut down from.

I really liked the way it paddled. Although, have never paddled a solo to compare it to. My concern would be back support. The Wenonah rep thought it would be easy to install a seat with a rest.

Not exactly magazine quality, saw this guy last year between Englishman Island and American Point.

quote mr.barley: "At 42 lbs it's about 8 lbs heavier than the Prism it was cut down from."

I wonder what a prism with a full spray cover would weigh?

Seems like you sit lower to the bottom, and the foot braces look like a plus.

quote OBX2Kayak: "

quote mr.barley: "At 42 lbs it's about 8 lbs heavier than the Prism it was cut down from."

I wonder what a prism with a full spray cover would weigh?"

According to CCS's website, under 3 lbs for a solo canoe under solo canoe more info

The outfitter I'm renting from on my solo has offered me a Canak for my trip. I don't have to commit right now and I'm hoping I can take it for a test drive before my trip.

Looks very intriguing. I will be doing a lot of fishing. Can anyone compare the fishability compared to just a regular solo canoe.

The concept makes lots of sense and I looked hard at the Canak Wenonah had at Canoecopia. The seat did not appeal to me. I would prefer one that adjusts up and down. At one of the presentations on paddling the concept of seat height/torso length was addressed. Also for travel or heavy water a lower position might be better and for fishing or just paddling around the lake a higher position might fit, all according to your choice. I am not sure about the tractor seat, either. Foot rests seemed a positive. Weight and material were fine. Cost was a bit high for me. I would like to see a solid hatch the size the Wenonah has rather than the canvas like cover.
I hope to see more advances in this hybrid concept.

I believe the seat and footbrace are the same as wenonah includes on nearly all its solo boats.

quote OBX2Kayak: "

quote mr.barley: "At 42 lbs it's about 8 lbs heavier than the Prism it was cut down from."

I wonder what a prism with a full spray cover would weigh?"

aside from weight, which would seem to be about 5 pounds more than a Prism with canoe cover, what about cost, and how about loading and unloading, easier or more difficult?

personally, I have never wished I had a cover for my solo canoe, or seen a need for one, but it seems like an interesting concept

So has anybody paddled one a good while? Likes/dislikes?
I've had my eye on these since they came out, and an outfitter will let me rent a demo at a reduced rate for a 5 day trip this weekend, and even throw in the rental charge against the much reduced price if I decide to buy it.
I'm 5'10" on the wrong side of 200lbs, and most of my paddling is in Lake Ontario. A decked boat like the Canak has a lot of pluses for me, but I like the raised seat & single blade paddling of a canoe. Pack canoes & rec kayaks just don't do it.

Currently I've got a Sawyer Mist that I am not a fan of, looking for something that is a little more user friendly to paddle in chop and doesn't try to throw me out every time I stop to fish.
I wasn't a fan of the Prism's quirky handling in wind & wave either, which is whats held me back from pulling the trigger so far.

I’ve been really looking at them but they are out of my price range for a solo.
Instead of renting a Kevlar canoe for our fall trip, we are renting two of the canaks, eager to try one out.
Pretty experienced sea kayaker and am interested in how they compare / blend the two

Well I pulled the trigger on the Canak, and it really is all it's billed to be. Has to be my fav canoe I've ever paddled, and I've paddled a few. Came in exactly at 42lb 4oz., a little heavier than I'd like but not bad for a 16' solo that is this capable.
It is a little slower on acceleration & top end compared to my Sawyer Mist, but the comfort & initial AND secondary stability make up for that. I have zero hesitation paddling this boat two miles out into Lake Ontario in marginal conditions, it's a very flat paddling boat but edges nicely to swing around and has a very soft motion in the 1'-3' chop that I've taken it out in.

Never owned a canoe with a pedestal/tractor seat and I wasn't sure if I'd have to replace it, but the seat is 6" off the floor, higher than it looks in pics, and you can adjust the height by swapping out spacers on the slider if you want. And the tractor seat fits even my oversized butt nicely. The oversized keyhole cockpit isn't constricting in the least, I'm 5'10" and my knees just poke up from the rim, which actually makes a nice place to brace and just exudes an aura of being connected to the boat without being cramped in the slightest.

The shop I bought my Canak at didn't have the funky Wenonah portage yoke, but I've been daytripping the heck out of it for the last two weeks and it's not much effort at all to throw it over the shoulder and carry it a few hundred yards to the launch. Wouldn't want to do any real portages without a yoke though.

And it does attract a crowd, some want to know why I'm paddling my kayak with a canoe paddle (lulz), others just want to know what it is, it is a funky boat that does get you noticed.

I just can't stop gushing about it, Wenonah hit a home run on this one.

I like paddling it myself. I hope we have one left for Wing Night so if nothing else I can paddle it again. I'm hoping they have a trailer full of boats ready for me to take down.

Congrats on the new boat!

Havnt you left yet Ben? I thought you was in the woods already?

SunCatcher

I drooled over one at CanoeCopia and then looked again at Rutabaga a couple days ago.

Talk about interesting.

It looks like I could outfit it pretty nicely to work they way I want it, and to also use it as a pretty decent fishing platform.

HM.

I might be picking one up.

Later,

Geo

What BWCA outfitters on the Ely side rent these Canak's? I'd sure like to try on before I considered buying on.

quote LuvMyBell: "What BWCA outfitters on the Ely side rent these Canak's? I'd sure like to try on before I considered buying on."

I think Piragis might have one.

Congrats on the purchase! Cool looking boat. Curious to know what it's like to fish from it.

quote Frenchy19: "Congrats on the purchase! Cool looking boat. Curious to know what it's like to fish from it."

Exceptionally stable for a 30" solo canoe to sit & cast, pretty much perfect for open water trolling, I can stand up to scout channels but I won't be doing much casting out of the seat.

I mounted a pair of Folbe rod holders on the deck and they are just about in a perfect location to stay out of the way of the paddle but still close enough to grab when I have a take.
Next up is a RAM camera & GPS mounts, a smaller bass or trout sized net can fit under the deck bungees.

I'm digging the boat, a lot. It definitely prefers the bent shaft to an Ottertail.

Thanks! One more question: What is that red thing in the back?

quote Frenchy19: "Thanks! One more question: What is that red thing in the back?"

a massive landing net.

quote kanoes: "

quote Frenchy19: "Thanks! One more question: What is that red thing in the back?"

a massive landing net."

Wow! At first I thought you were kidding, then I took off my glasses, closed my right eye, squinted through my left as I had my laptop 2 inches from my face and discovered that you are indeed correct!

I do not think I would want to catch a fish that required a net that size if I were paddling in a Canak...or any other canoe for that matter!!

Congrats on your new boat!

CCO added Canaks for rent a year ago or so.

I've looked at those with some interest but decided that I'd rather just buy a good solo canoe with a CCS custom cover. All the gear capacity of a canoe with minimal added weight, more flexibility, etc.

Is the attraction that less water gets in? You get to paddle in rougher water? I'll take the 10 pounds less and layover on the occasional rough day. I also like getting packs in and out unfettered.

quote Frenchy19: "

quote kanoes: "

quote Frenchy19: "Thanks! One more question: What is that red thing in the back?"

a massive landing net."

I do not think I would want to catch a fish that required a net that size if I were paddling in a Canak...or any other canoe for that matter!!"

I take my fishing (and catching!) very seriously! You should try it, it's a trip.

quote BillConner01: "Is the attraction that less water gets in? You get to paddle in rougher water? I'll take the 10 pounds less and layover on the occasional rough day. I also like getting packs in and out unfettered."

The front & rear cargo skirts are very snug fitting with bowed ribs to keep water from pooling, and with the rims around zero water gets in other than paddle splash.
I've turtled it farting around a shallow river and the crowned deck makes it a ton easier to flip upright compared to an open canoe, and less water is left inside, mebbe 3", so you can self rescue without having to bail first. Couldn't blow the skirts off, and I tried.
The big bonus is the lack of windage, the cockpit is around 13" deep but the freeboard & ends are cut down significantly. Freeboard at center is cut down atleast 5" compared to an open canoe, even more at the ends, making it as wind immune as a sea kayak.

There is a ton of room inside, in the first pic that's a 48" salmon sized landing net in the back, and I have a 50qt. cooler under the front skirt. I can throw my 100L Woods Mason tripping pack (same size as Duluth #4) in the back no probs.

If all I did was summer tripping in small inland lakes then I wouldn't pick a Canak. But I'm out on the water from March to November, with the occasional nice January day thrown in. The boat is perfect for people who go out in all sorts of conditions, and the decks make mounting accessories handy (i.e. rod holders, GPS mount, compass, I even have a Scotty running light mounted behind the cockpit for evening fishing).

I was looking for a decked canoe a long while, but only needed something alot smaller than the typical Kruger or Clipper Sea-1 expedition canoe. The Canak ticked off all the boxes.

Only problem with the deck so far is dropping my lighter or a lure next to the pedestal and trying to fish for it blind. And it is practically impossible to kneel & paddle.

Thanks. Age old question of a single tool to do multiple tasks and I focus on the Quetico/BWCAW only.

Spirit of the wilderness has some for rent. I would like to try one.

jrlatt

Some more fishing shots using the big red thing in the back. :D
Still loving my Canak, more & more every day I paddle it.

Very nice! A buddy of mine is bringing his new Canak on its maiden voyage for a short trip we're taking in mid October. He's 6'6 and weighs 260 and says it's the most comfortable paddle he's ever had. I am looking forward to giving it a spin. Hopefully, his big red thing in the back will be put to use on our journey!

Putting the BRT (Big Red Thang) to more use.
This is a good shot showing the room of the cockpit, alot more expansive than the typical keyhole sea kayak.

And I'm still digging the Canak. A lot.

What did you do with the Sawyer? I know someone that would be interested in taking it off your hands.

I read that the Canak is a Prism with a hard top. I like the looks of the Canak and until I found out about it being designed off the Prism, it was a boat on my 'next-to-buy-or-try' list.

I paddled a Prism one year and found it to be a wonderful open water boat. However on the smaller rivers with tight turns it left a lot to be desired IMO.

The cockpit on the Canak looks to be roomy enough but what about the two storage holds? Are they big enough to hold large packs? For the exact same money, you can buy a Prism and a CCS canoe cover and have the flexibility to have the the entire canoe covered against wind and rain plus be able to fit any size pack inside.

EDITED TO ADD: If you can find a good used Prism and add the CCS canoe cover you basically get the same boat that weighs less and for a lot less $.

If I ever strike it rich, I'm getting two canaks, for my brother and me. We love to canoe, and we love to kayak. Seems to be the perfect balance. Might rent one next year to check it out.

quote LuvMyBell: "I read that the Canak is a Prism with a hard top. I like the looks of the Canak and until I found out about it being designed off the Prism, it was a boat on my 'next-to-buy-or-try' list.


I paddled a Prism one year and found it to be a wonderful open water boat. However on the smaller rivers with tight turns it left a lot to be desired IMO.


The cockpit on the Canak looks to be roomy enough but what about the two storage holds? Are they big enough to hold large packs? For the exact same money, you can buy a Prism and a CCS canoe cover and have the flexibility to have the the entire canoe covered against wind and rain plus be able to fit any size pack inside.

EDITED TO ADD: If you can find a good used Prism and add the CCS canoe cover you basically get the same boat that weighs less and for a lot less $.


"

I've paddled both the Prism and the Canak. In my experience there is a huge difference in the way these two boats handle. At 6'2" and 215 lbs, I found the Canak superior in comfort, stability, and manuverabilty. When I'm ready to pull the trigger on a solo tripper, the Canak will be high on my list.

I'll have to rent a Canak before I make up my mind.

I've paddled a Prism and would have thought since the Canak was based off the Prism it would handle the same.

Andy since you've paddled both did you get the Canak in tight streams to check out it's turning ability?

@ LuvMyBell

No, I paddled it on flat water in a mild breeze using a double blade paddle. I did some 180's to see how it turned and was impressed. Steering was also very responsive. The foot brace is two adjustable pedals on either side of the hull, allowing my calves and heels to be either elevated or resting on the floor. I don't know if its the lowered seat, the lower foot braces, or the cut down "Prism" sides that improve maneuverability, but there is a distinct difference.

Also, Wenonah advertises it as having "a hull shape similar to our Prism." So maybe its not exactly a Prism hull?

quote AndySG: "@ LuvMyBell


No, I paddled it on flat water in a mild breeze using a double blade paddle. I did some 180's to see how it turned and was impressed. Steering was also very responsive. The foot brace is two adjustable pedals on either side of the hull, allowing my calves and heels to be either elevated or resting on the floor. I don't know if its the lowered seat, the lower foot braces, or the cut down "Prism" sides that improve maneuverability, but there is a distinct difference.


Also, Wenonah advertises it as having "a hull shape similar to our Prism." So maybe its not exactly a Prism hull?"

A water test is what's needed. I'll have to find an outfitter who rents them and give one a try next May. Thanks.

The Canak comes out of a completely separate mould than the Prism, and unfortunately Prisms are about as rare as mass produced hulls can be North of the border so I haven't had a chance to compare the hull shapes side by side.
The seat frame is supposedly identical between the Canak, Prism & Advantage, the only possible difference is the height of spacers connecting the seat pan to the slider. The edge of my seat is a tad over 8" off the floor, which was the same as my Sawyer Mist in the middle position.

Even with a full soft cover an open canoe still has a lot of windage the Canak doesn't, and the deck makes for a very rigid hull. The hull/deck seam is only a few inches above the water.

It's not a creek boat, but some offside edging & bow rudder turns it pretty tight. I've been fishing some smaller river mouths the last two weeks chasing steelhead, and it'll go anywhere you care to paddle a 16' canoe.

How does one transport on the roof of the car? On it's side like a kayak or upside down like a canoe?

My only concern with the Canak is fitting large packs inside the hatches.

The cockpit is large enough to sit on a rack upside down. I put four of the gunnel pads around the rim because I lub this boat and want to keep scratches off as long as I can.

The size of the "hatches" are huge. They're not really hatches, think of the deck as extra wide gunwales & thwarts. I can drop a full 100L Wood's Mason pack in the back no probs.

quote Dilligaf0220: "

The size of the "hatches" are huge. They're not really hatches, think of the deck as extra wide gunwales & thwarts. I can drop a full 100L Wood's Mason pack in the back no probs."

That was one of my main concerns.

I am still not sure if we will try one or not. Depends if we have an odd man out.

How is it to get in and out of when landing and or taking off?

quote Mongo65: "How is it to get in and out of when landing and or taking off?"

Dead easy, step in infront of the seat, sit down. I'm not the most svelte or athletic guy around but I don't need to brace with a paddle on the "gunwales". If the beach I usually launch from is choppy I might grab the front rim of the cockpit to sit.

Getting out is even easier, just swing your legs together whichever side your landing on and hop out. I can't say enough the "cockpit" is huge and not constricting in the least.