Recreational Canoes Reviewed
Kingfisher, Wenonah
Length: 16'; Rocker: 1.25"; Beam: 40"; Center Depth: 13"; Weight: 51 lbs (as tested: 47 lbs); Price: $1,699; www.wenonah.com
Besides the "all-arounders," another significant subcategory of the recreational class of canoes is the "sporting" class-canoes designed largely for fishing or hunting. These boats are intended primarily to provide a stable platform and good carrying capacity (which also makes them good family boats) rather than cover great distances on the water.
We-no-nah has been building canoes since 1968. Renowned for quality layups and firmly rooted in flatwater canoe racing, We-no-nah produces a wide variety of high-quality boats made not only of fiberglass and Kevlar but also of Royalex. The Kingfisher is part of its recreation line.
At 16 feet long and 40 inches wide, the Kingfisher is noticeably "fat" but a good two feet longer than most other boats in this category. The extra width provides extraordinary stability, enough that an experienced angler can easily stand up in the boat and cast. Though our test boat's Kevlar/Flex-core construction may have played a role, the boat felt surprisingly efficient in the water, with very good glide for such a wide boat; it did not have any of the bargelike feel exhibited by many other "fat" sport canoes.
The extra width creates a bit of an obstacle for any sort of extended solo paddling, but for just fishing on the lake, a solo paddler would have little to complain about. And in Kevlar, the boat weighed in at only 47 pounds-easily thrown on or off the car by one person.
Primary Use: fishing, hunting, photography, and general lake use
811, Ally
Length: 16' 5"; Rocker: About 2"; Beam: 33.5"; Center Depth: 14"; Weight: 44 lbs; Price: $1,750; www.bergans.com
The construction of the modern folding canoe has parallels to wood-and-canvas boats-a watertight skin is stretched over a rigid frame. In the case of the 811, the skin is abrasion-resistant, PVC-coated nylon, and the frame consists of shock-corded aluminum poles, all of which easily disassemble and fit in a duffel bag.
On the water, hull flex is noticeable. It handles better with some weight in it but is still quite serviceable when empty for general recreation use. The 811 is a little awkward when paddled solo from a center position. The ends bow up, increasing the functional rocker and diminishing the tracking. But for a leisurely fishing trip, it would be fine.
The extra flex comes in handy for river-running, giving enough to absorb impacts in whitewater. The PVC-coated hull is slippery enough to slide over rocks and surprisingly abrasion resistant. The inside of the floor has a layer of closed-cell foam to help eliminate pressure points where the skin rests directly against the frame. The 16-foot-5-inch length and 33.5-inch beam provide plenty of carrying capacity. These canoes have survived many a remote expedition, so while lightweight, they are by no means fragile. Speaking of weight, our 811 weighed a mere 44 pounds.
Primary Use: all-purpose, for canoeists with storage issues or traveling interests
Cheemaun, McFarland Lake Canoe
Length: 15' 2"; Rocker: Minimal; Beam: 35"; Center Depth: 12"; Weight: 65 lbs; Price: $2,500; mcfarlandlake.wcha.org
Wood-and-canvas canoes dominated North American waters from the late 1800s until just after World War II. An improvement on the birchbark designs of Native Americans, a watertight canvas skin was stretched over a sturdy rib frame and thin hull planking. Durable enough in their day, the boats are practically works of art and today are manufactured only by skilled specialists.
Patrick Chapman of McFarland Lake Canoe Company is one of those specialists and has been building and restoring fine wood-and-canvas canoes since 1992. The 15-foot-2-inch Cheemaun is a versatile solo/tandem design built in a classic wood-and-canvas construction.
At a relatively wide (especially for its short length) 35 inches, the Cheemaun is very stable. True to its vintage heritage, it features an actual keel with a relatively flat bottom, further enhancing the primary stability. While perhaps best suited for solo flatwater use, the boat is so stable that tandem paddling feels just as secure.
Though hardly an eggshell, this is not a boat to knock around and will be most suitable for purists who appreciate the tremendous amount of skilled labor that goes into paddling a piece of canoeing history.
Primary Use: lake paddling, mostly solo with ample tandem capability
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