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PJ
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My first canoe was a Jensen 17 in fiberglass. I've owned it almost 20 years. Brown gellcoat with full wood trim. It is a great paddle. My daughter and son-in-law have used it on two BW trips. They really liked it.
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Winemaker
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A Jensen 17 is a great flatwater boat, in its day it was one of the most popular boats here in Indiana. Its fast, not too tender, and has reasonable load capabaility. I would be aware if you get over 500# total weight onboard, it will get sluggish, it does not tolerate a wide disparity in paddler weights, it likes a level waterline for best efficency and glide.
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shr2807
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whiteh20, No, it's not from here. I found it on Craigslist in IL. We decided to go ahead with it, and drove 340 miles one way yesterday to pick it up. We left at about 7:30 am, and made it home with the canoe at about 10:00pm last night. Put in 695 miles, but I think it was worth it. The canoe is about 10 years old, but in excellent shape. It's in the ultra light layup, so it only weighs 38lbs. There are some scratches on the bottom, but not bad at all. The canoe was stored inside its whole life. I think I got a pretty good deal on her. It has been having a very difficult time trying to find the canoe for me. Every time I find one that I think would be good for me, and somewhat in my price range, boom, someone beats me to it.
I'm very excited, and ready to put this baby in the water.
I want to think everyone that has responded to all of my recent posts about several different canoes that I was looking at. I appriciate everything offered for advice.
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Winemaker
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The Wenonah Sundowner was a boat, according to my dealer friend, that was targeted at the BW and weekend trippers. Part of the marketing was the name, in the 1980's cool names for boats became IN, rather then techie names like JENSEN.
We had a lot of Sundowners in the old canoe club, and they were a high capacity boat when compared to the Peter Pond or Explorer by Mad River. I think the Sundowners were aimed at the Old Town line of FG and royalex boats that were popular at the time, they stomped on them speed-wise. Of course, that was Wenonah's thing...
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shr2807
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I will try and get some pictures taken and post them on here. I am excited to put her on the water, but the weather has been crazy here. Maybe this weekend!!!!
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cowdoc
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2807....we all want pictures! Give us pictures!
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rbarnick
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I have a Jensen II 18ft. This is the only canoe I have ever owned (used others) as I inherited it from my dad. My wife and I (moderate experience) use ours every year in the BWCA. While fast and light, can be rough at times. Had a tough go across Snowbank 2 years ago, but made it. Never have flipped over or anything. That day we did take on a little water, but not much. This is the only photo I have with me today of this canoe. Thoughts? 
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kennk
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A slight side-step ...
I've not had the pleasure of paddling lots of different types (brands) of canoes. In my early days everything was aluminum ... until I bought my Wenonah Sundowner 18'.
Question: How would the Jensen 17' compare to the Sundowner 18'? (or maybe I'm asking about the reverse)
Do you have any idee which current Wenonah model is closest/most similar to the Sundowner 18'?
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shr2807
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Wenonah List a Sundowner 17 on their Wenonah Racing web site:
http://www.wenonahracing.com/marathon/Models/17_Sundowner.html
So, I guess they still make a 17', but I don't see an 18'. They also only list the Sundowner 17 in Royalex, they have the Jensen in Kevlar Flex-core, and Kevlar Ultra-light. I think the main difference is that height of the canoe. The Jensen seem to be quite a bit shallower, and especially at the bow. The jensen is only 17" Tall, and the Sundowner is 21" The Sundowner is also an inch or so wider.
I actaully almost bought a sundowner, but someone beat me to it. I think I'll like my jensen, just hope she isn't too shallow.
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shr2807
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Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with a Wenonah Jensen 17 Kevlar. This canoe shows to be a recreational racing and fast cruising canoe. It doesn't seem like the ideal tripper canoe, but do think this could serve my purpose as a multipurpose canoe, used for occasional trips to the boundary waters, local slow moving rivers, and local lake fishing? It sure seems to be tough to find a good canoe right now.
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ultralight
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I've always wanted to own one for local paddling. I did not consider it for a tripper because of the low bow height(17"). I think it could be a fairly wet ride in waves. It does appear to be fast though.
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Boppa
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As overthehill stated, the Jensen's I am familiar with are 18'. We ran into a young couple who were on their inaugural trip in one on a windy, small white cap day. When I admired their new canoe they indicated, while happy with it they were having issues with following waves and said the stability was looser than they were accustomed to and did take on some water from the waves.However,that said, they were fast, when we left the next day, they covered distance quickly, much quicker than us, but that may be less than a scientific comparison.
Ultralight, for non-tripping or smaller lakes w/o wind issues it would cover distance quickly. A good looking hull.
Boppa
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Vagabond
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My Dad has one, and we used it to trip in the BWCA and all kinds of rivers. It is fast and efficient, and carries a load. I suppose we took the occasional wave over the side if it was rough, but I don't recall it being a big deal. Working together we could turn it on a dime in tight rivers, but you need some good draw strokes for that. Not much rocker. I don't recall if it was a 17 or 18, but it was fiberglass and weighed in at about 65 lbs.
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overthehill
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A friend owned one, but I think it was an 18. I spent a day or two in it here and there and they're fast enough. I personally didn't like the seat and it had a footslider. I'd want more stability for big lakes and fishing. She should get you there on time! :) Try it out in the turns. The only way to really know is test paddle for the feel.
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whiteh20
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Shr,
I looked at one in a barn about 20 years ago between Clarksdale and Union Star? Could it be the same Jensen? I cannot believe there is more than one in Dekalb Co?
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skookumjt
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Thanks for the heads up. Anyone else have any suggestions on the value?
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skookumjt
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If you don't mind my asking, how much was the boat? I have a chance to buy a similar boat in fiberglass. Thanks.
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cowdoc
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skook.....that Jensen and its owner are currently in the BW.
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