Hello from NY & a question.

Hello canoe people,

First time poster who just found the site. I've been paddling since I was a kid, started around age 6 with the scouts so thats about.... 30 years... whoa that snuck up on me.

My wife and I are experienced backpackers and are lucky to enjoy trekking for work and play. We are due for our first child in a few months and I'm seeing a little less backpacking and a lot of canoe tripping in our future.
Up until recently we've not had the space to own a boat but are looking to buy one. Usually I'll rent from an outfitter. I describe the trip and pick up a boat (so far always Wenonahs, no idea which model) and now that I'm shopping for one I'm realizing I don't know much as far as makes, models and what makes a good touring canoe.

So heres my question to you all. I've got the opportunity to buy a 16' kevlar Mad River Malecite in great shape or a 17' tuff weave Wenonaha escape with a minor damage both at a pretty good price. Which should I go for?
Things to consider:
-I'd like to use this boat for multi day trips (up to 5 but usually 2-3) with my wife and one or two kids for a few years?
-I will get an additional boat once they are toddlers.
-I mostly paddle in the St. Regis Canoe Wilderness (small lakes & plenty of portaging) but may take it on slow moving rivers
-We use ultralight backpacking gear for the bulk of our equipment
-I do like to carry a little weight in the cooking department (fresh foods and some pots/pans for cooking on the fire)
-I love the fact that it seems like I'd be able to use the Mad River as a solo canoe.

I'm happy to hear your thoughts and happier to have found this community!
-Henri

This post is more a question than an introduction so I thought this was an appropriate place to post. Please move if I should have posted in introductions.

Hey, welcome HDLV.

I've never paddled either of these canoes, but I'll share my thoughts based on their specs and the other canoes I've paddled, including the Malecite's bigger brother, the Explorer.

Both the Malecite and Escape are similar, being a touch skinnier than normal canoes. The Escape is marketed as a tripping canoe, so that would match your needs. My guess is it will paddle faster too.

The Malecite is a touch short for a dedicated tandem tripper. But I like your plan of adding a second canoe as the kids get bigger. The Malecite might really excel as a 1 parent + kid canoe. It works as a solo too. Bonus if it is in good shape. Fixing stuff gets hard once the baby comes.

Good luck, and let us know how you do.

Welcome. I'll second MrPoling's suggestion; between those two models I think the 17ft Wenonah Escape is the better canoe for your needs. While 57 lbs isn't light, it's manageable. If the damage is easily repairable and the price is right it would be a good start. As you imply, you can always sell it and find a longer (and lighter) canoe with more capacity as the family gets older.

HDLV said:

First time poster

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HDLV, welcome to site membership! Feel free to ask any questions and to post messages, photos and videos, and to start threads, in our many forums. Please read Welcome to CanoeTripping and Site Rules! Also, please add your location to your profile, which will cause it to show under your avatar, as this is a geographic sport. We look forward to your participation in our canoe community.

To me, the Malecite is not really voluminous enough, because it's fairly narrow, to be a tandem tripper unless the two people are very light by today's standards with lightweight gear. It wouldn't have been on my list of tandems when I had two small kids to carry all four of us. I'm not personally familiar with the Wenonah Escape other than lookiing at its specs, but I'd probably choose it just because it's a foot longer and has a wider beam and hence can carry a bigger load with less tip-over potential.

Welcome. I'm unfamiliar with either but, to me, it makes sense to buy both. (glad to help )

Welcome to the campfire HDLV, pull up a stump.
Jim

I’m late to this thread, but just wanted to say welcome from a fellow paddler in the Hudson Valley!

Which (if either) canoe did you end up choosing?

Sliding Focus said:

I’m late to this thread, but just wanted to say welcome from a fellow paddler in the Hudson Valley!

Which (if either) canoe did you end up choosing?

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Nice to meet you! I ended up getting the Mad River Kevlar 49. I've also picked up an Old Town Camper since then. I have a feeling it won't be long before I have a few more

HDLV said:

Nice to meet you! I ended up getting the Mad River Kevlar 49. I've also picked up an Old Town Camper since then. I have a feeling it won't be long before I have a few more

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Next, you need a decent solo!

Couple thoughts... having raised 2 daughters, now in their 30s.

If they're not having fun, they will quickly lose interest. Portaging is not fun if it's more than a few feet. Being wet, too cold, too hot, too thirsty, too tired, too hungry, bug bitten, sunburned, or footsore is not fun. Their first probably half dozen or more trips need to be slow, heavy-baggage (I carried baby dolls, clothes for the dolls, books, favorite snacks, and many of the comforts of home) to ease them into it for a couple years. I probably screwed up with my oldest... but my youngest will still go with me anywhere, backpacking or canoeing, so long as she can get off work, and so long as the portages are easy if it's canoeing. She'll do Hoel to Long Pond, or the area south of Floodwood... but not at all interested in doing the long portages into the St Regis Canoe Wilderness.

I have no idea how boys would work out.

Ultralight gear is good for you... but there's a risk involved that is balanced by your skills... kids don't have this, yet... and they outgrow clothing and sleeping bags outrageously fast. Packs too, though they last a little longer (but kids tend to be rougher on them than a UL-proficient adult). Point is, you can outfit your kids with ultralight gear, but it may be expensive. On the flip side, one day, you may receive, as I did, a text from your 20 year old, in a thinly veiled criticism of an overly emotionally-encumbered roommate, stating "thanks, dad, for teaching me to carry a light pack; and I don't just mean for camping."

Solo... you might just want to ask your wife about solo trips before you plan on any... that's probably not going to be an option for a few years.