I don't have any experience with a Sundowner. Can anyone tell me how an 18 ft Sundowner paddles compared to a Spirit II and Minn II? Is it more of a racing style canoe? Are they still ideal for tripping in BWCA? Is the stability similar to the Spirit II or Minn II?
Thanks

During the 1980's the Wenonah Sundowner 18 was a very popular canoe for the BWCAW & Quetico. It has since been surpassed by the Minnesota II as the popular choice for BWCAW & Quetico trippers.

In simplest terms, the Sundowner 18 is more efficient than the Spirit II, but less efficient than the Minnesota II. Despite the Sundowner 18's paddling efficiency, it's not a racing canoe. Wenonah classified the Sundowner 18 as a touring canoe, for what it's worth. It compares more closely to the Jensen 18 in length, but it's deeper and fuller and makes for a better tripping canoe than the Jensen 18.

The Sundowner 18's initial stability is fairly decent, and probably compares more closely to the Spirit II's initial stability than that of the Minnesota II.

The Sundowner 18 is still a very capable BWCAW touring canoe. But for my money, I prefer the Minnesota II. The Minnesota II is faster, more seaworthy, and has a higher load capacity than the Spirit II and the Sundowner 18.

The one caveat with the Minnesota II, it may not have the initial stability that many paddlers find comfortable. Due to the lesser initial stability of the Minnesota II, it may not be the ideal fishing platform for some users.

Just my two cents worth.

(The spec sheets below should provide a little more information.)

Hans Solo

I tripped in an 18 ft Sundowner for about 7 years in BW/Q, short and long trips, really liked that boat. It was a ribbed Tuffweave boat and took a lot of knocks. I would buy another Tuffweave in a minute. It a weave of fiberglass and polyester, making it tougher than fiberglass but heavier than Kevlar of course. No tripping exp in either a MN II or Spirit, cant give a good comparison.
CB

Hans, Cedar,
Thanks for the info it was very helpeful.
GP12

I have a 18 sundowner. I like it because I feel it is more seaworthy than the MN II. IMHO it takes waves from the stern easier. Had friends swamp in the Q in MN II's, dangerous situation.

We may be taking our new-to-us kevlar Sundowner to the BWCA this summer along with a homemade redwood canoe. Good to hear it has some positive reviews. Just got it over the winter, good excuse to have some "practice" paddles in it before the trip.

I have both an 18' Sundowner and a Bell Northwind. The Northwind is far and above my favorite. Faster, feels more stable and the Bell black gold is much prettier.