Hi All -
I ran accross the site a couple weeks ago and this looks like the group that can provide some input into my next major purchase. I will be buying a solo Wenonah this winter for BWCA use. I had a kevlar prism for years - but am thinking about graphite for the new boat.

How much graphite do you see out there? I have heard that it is not as durable as the kevlar - but it weighs in at 5 lbs less. (I don't do white water - that's why God made portages.) Anyone have any experience with graphite or heard any horror stories?

Thanks - and good paddling!

I don't have any experience with graphite, but my questions is how much does 5 pounds really mean to you on a solo portage? Are you struggling to get across in one shot? or doing double portages anyway?

It is hard to travel in the boundary waters without the occational meeting of canoe and rock. When going solo (or in general), I want to be more concerned with my safety then the canoes.

Repair is a also a question. I just repaired my kevlar canoe with a fiberglass patch and epoxy. How is graphic repaired?

I am curious what else you are considering brand and size wise. I am considering getting a new solo canoe. Have you looked at some of the Bell canoes? For kicks, I am going to try one of there Rob Roy kayak/canoes

Robert

I double portage - so canoe and a light pack go over one one trip - main pack goes by itself. I am looking pretty hard at a Wenonah Advantage. I'm about 170lbs and carry about 45 lbs of gear. My dog always went with me in the prism - which put 60 pounds hanging over the bow and rolling us from side to side. Prism had more than enough volume for that combination. Without the dog I think the Advantage will have enough capacity for what I take along.

I had to do a little fiberglass work on my prism as well - and I think the same technique works on graphite. It is just a different cloth than Kevlar - but the same basic repair techniques should work.

- Goat