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Happy National Zipper Day (pat. 1913)! 🤐
Good all around tandem for flatwater and rivers
- Thread starter lu22
- Start date
I don't believe so. As I said, overpriced by at least a couple of hundred bucks each.
Yes.
I think those prices are a little high for the area at least. I usually expect to pay around 1000 to 1400 dollars for a used kevlar canoe in nice condition in my area, and we aren't flush with good canoes. Rare models, I expect to pay more - but neither of those are rare, even here.
I don't know about that. The MR Explorer is no longer made so there is no new price comparator to the $1400 ask. The MR layup is surely stronger than a modern Swift layup and it has no foam core like a Swift or Wenonah.
A new Wenonah Spirit II Flexcore lists at $3,749 USD at Piragis. Plus $300 for gel coat. Plus a Redwing canoe cover worth $300+ USD new. Plus sales tax. So, if this canoe is in good shape, the $1,700 ask doesn't sound too bad to me.
Spirit II Touring Canoe 17
Spirit II 17' Touring Model/Weight Options: Tuf. Weave Flex Core 58 lbs Kev. Flex Core 54 lbs Kev. UL 42 lbs A Versatile tandem with excellent performance and easy handling on rivers and lakes. One of our Best Sellers! "Balanced" is the best word...
I'd still prefer the MR for reasons I've stated and would probably offer $1,000 USD.
I don't know about that. The MR Explorer is no longer made so there is no new price comparator to the $1400 ask. The MR layup is surely stronger than a modern Swift layup and it has no foam core like a Swift or Wenonah.
A new Wenonah Spirit II Flexcore lists at $3,749 USD at Piragis. Plus $300 for gel coat. Plus a Redwing canoe cover worth $300+ USD new. Plus sales tax. So, if this canoe is in good shape, the $1,700 ask doesn't sound too bad to me.
Spirit II Touring Canoe 17
Spirit II 17' Touring Model/Weight Options: Tuf. Weave Flex Core 58 lbs Kev. Flex Core 54 lbs Kev. UL 42 lbs A Versatile tandem with excellent performance and easy handling on rivers and lakes. One of our Best Sellers! "Balanced" is the best word...www.boundarywaterscatalog.com
I'd still prefer the MR for reasons I've stated and would probably offer $1,000 USD.
Certainly all things worth taking into account. There have been times I have "overpaid" for a highly desirable used canoe, and not regretted it.
I guess I am confused by the logic. If someone is offering a canoe for sale at $1400 and one believes it is not overpriced, then by offering the buyer $1000, does that not imply that it was thus 'overpriced'?
I think the market decides what a fair price is for most things, not really a new price comparison. And there are many ways now to ascertain value thanks to internet searches for comparables.
My general 'rule of thumb' :
If it sells the same day, you weren't asking enough.
If it sells within the week, your price was probably pretty good.
If it doesn't sell after two weeks, you are probably asking too much.
Explorer - 6 months on market
Spirit II - 3 days on market
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Me as well. About 8 years ago I paid $1100 for a fiberglass Curtis Ladybug just because I hadn't had one before and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. That was alot 8 years ago, now they are selling for at least that, Kevlar almost $2000!
My view is that there is no such thing as an ascertainable a priori "market" for a used canoe, unlike commodities that are sold in the millions every day such as stocks, bonds and real estate.
Perhaps I should clarify by saying that I don't think either canoe has an unreasonable asking price. That doesn't mean that I, personally, would pay an asking price. I never have for any of the many used canoes I've bought. As a buyer, I consider the "market" to simply be "me" and nothing else. Personally, I don't really care whether I buy any particular canoe—because I don't need it—so I simply set my offer at a point that seems reasonable to me and, as a buyer, am always prepared to simply walk away.
If I really wanted a used tandem canoe, I'd be willing to pay $1,000 for the MR Explorer if it passes my inspection criteria. On the other hand, I wouldn't pay a penny for the Wenonah Spirit II in any condition because I know, for certain, that I don't like or want that kind of canoe.
Someone else may have completely different preferences and priorities, and a much bigger or much smaller bank account, and hence make completely different decisions from mine. I don't care about that, and I don't think the small universe of potential sellers and buyers for any given canoe can be considered an ascertainable reference market. Not a priori. Your examples are reasonable, but are all ascertained a posteriori.
A fascinating perspective to be sure. To answer lu22's question then, and after finding the Facebook Marketplace ads providing price and a hint of the overall condition, Glenn's recommendation is to offer $1000 for the Explorer, I suggested waiting for other opportunities, and the rest of the folks are split, leaning toward the Explorer as well. Time for lu22 to check back in!
Totally agree. The price one considers acceptable is a matter of perspective. I like to stay within what I can expect to recover if I sell it soon, but if it's a rare find in my area and fills a niche I consider important to me, I don't mind paying a premium.
It's a weird market here though. I've met sellers who priced their boats with the assumption (based on ignorance, I guess) that few will be interested in any canoe here. And those, I paid the asking price because it was crazy low IMO. But then there's the guy who has a Wildfire and knows it will sell fast....
Taking the Explorer for a test paddle this afternoon! Will definitely offer a lower price.
. I will update you all on how it goes! I'm feeling very good about it after reading all these great responses. You all have been so helpful and gave a lot of things to consider. I am grateful for all the perspectives and this community. Thank you all so much!
I'll just add that I think weight can be a really important factor. If it's a pain to get it on the car, you won't use it as much. I can't say how much weight that is for you, but for me the difference btwn a 50lb and a 60lb boat is the difference between one I don't hesitate to throw on the car and one I never use unless a friend is around to help me load it (and often I'm loading by myself and meeting friends at the put-in).
As far as the bucket seats, Wenonah does make bench seats, and I assume it could be converted. You could also add a kneeling thwart for soloing.
As far as the bucket seats, Wenonah does make bench seats, and I assume it could be converted. You could also add a kneeling thwart for soloing.
