Good all around tandem for flatwater and rivers

[lu22]

Hi all,
I am looking at 2 used tandem canoes. A Mad River Explorer, Kevlar, 16.5’ and a Wenonah Spirit II Kevlar Flexcore.

I’m wondering which would be a better all around canoe for the type of paddling I’m looking to do. Mostly flatwater tripping in the ADK region, but don’t want to rule out occasional rivers and larger water that could have larger waves/ rough conditions. Maybe a potential NFCT trip down the line.
I want something that is stable in wind/ weather and tracks well. Not too concerned about speed, but it would help on larger flatwater.

Which of these two canoes would you recommend?

Thanks

 

[Alan Gage]

I don't have any personal experience with either canoe, I'm sure other who do will chime in, but from what I know about them I'd expect them to perform pretty equally for what you describe. If it was me I'd probably base my decision on budget, weight, condition, and price. I think either hull would suit you fine.

Alan

 

[Penns Woods]

I believe I'd go for the Mad River because of the rough water. Just my two cents.

 

[Halpc]

I have Kevlar Explorer from 1988 which I bought about 8 years ago. It is a very versatile boat and has served me well- both tandem and solo. Its design allows me to pole it and paddle standing up using an SUP paddle, as well as the normal kneeling and sitting techniques. What year is it? In my opinion the Mad River canoes from the 1970’s to mid 1990’s (built in Vermont) are superior to the newer ones.

 

[PaddlingPika]

Do you prefer to paddle sitting or kneeling? The seating in the Wenonah looks good for sitting and the sliding bow seat may be an advantage but those seats doesn't look comfortable for kneeling. I'm guessing the Explorer would be more comfortable for kneeling.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Hi all,
I am looking at 2 used tandem canoes. A Mad River Explorer, Kevlar, 16.5’ and a Wenonah Spirit II Kevlar Flexcore.

Lu22, 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, because canoeing is a geographic sport, please add your location to the Account Details page in your profile, which will cause it to show under your avatar as a clickable map link. Many of the site's technical features are explained in Features: Help and How-To Running Thread. We look forward to your participation in our canoe community.

My first canoe (of 19) was a Mad River Explorer in Royalex, which I still have. That canoe can do everything you listed, and the Kevlar version can do so with a bit more flat water speed and with a lot less portaging weight. I don't have any experience with a Wenonah Spirit II, which also can probably serve your purposes.

As others have mentioned, however, that particular Spirit II is set up as a sitting canoe with its bucket seats and foot bar. As a kneeler 90+% of the time, and always in whitewater and wind waves, I would have no interest in seats off of which I can't fully kneel or half kneel (one leg forward). So, it depends on whether you have strong preferences as to paddling posture. You can kneel or sit on bench seats, which I assume the Explorer has.

The wood gunwales on the Explorer will require more maintenance than the aluminum gunwales of the Wenonah, which means oiling once or twice a year or varnishing every three or four years. Some folks like the aesthetics of wood gunwales more than aluminum.